Improved Cartridges? ~ Exposing the fake news and misrepresentations!

Published on September 30, 2018
Duration: 56:04

This video provides an in-depth analysis of 'improved' cartridge chamberings, distinguishing them from wildcats and detailing their purported benefits and actual drawbacks. The instructor, with clear expertise in firearms and ballistics, explains that while improved chambers can increase powder capacity, the resulting velocity gains are often marginal and not worth the trade-offs. He highlights the loss of resale value, the potential for case head separation when firing standard ammunition, and the diminished performance compared to commercially viable cartridges.

Quick Summary

Improved rifle cartridges, like Ackley Improved, modify case dimensions to increase powder capacity, but often yield only marginal velocity gains (5-10%) for significant trade-offs. These include reduced resale value, potential case stretching leading to separation, and limited ammunition availability, making them a questionable 'improvement' for most shooters.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Personal Update
  2. 00:51Questions About Improved Cartridges
  3. 01:31Improved vs. Wildcat Cartridges
  4. 03:11Defining Improved Cartridges
  5. 04:02How Improved Chambers Work
  6. 05:56Notable Improved Designs: RCBS & Ackley
  7. 07:03Ackley's Design Philosophy
  8. 08:44Purpose of Improved Chamberings
  9. 09:02Historical Popularity & Gunsmithing
  10. 10:40Decline in Popularity
  11. 11:24Perceived Performance Gains
  12. 12:08Detriments: Resale Value Loss
  13. 13:54Marking Modified Firearms
  14. 14:10Gunsmith Warnings
  15. 15:09Ammunition Availability Issues
  16. 16:04Firing Standard Ammo in Improved Chambers
  17. 19:19Case Stretching & Web Thinning
  18. 21:08Risk of Case Head Separation
  19. 22:50Powder Performance in Reduced Capacity
  20. 24:32Velocity Gains vs. Capacity Increase
  21. 25:33Ballistics Comparison: 7mm-08 vs. 280 Rem
  22. 31:06Ballistics Comparison: 280 Rem vs. 7mm Rem Mag
  23. 33:40Real-World Performance Gains
  24. 34:37Historical Context: Magazine Writers
  25. 35:26Impact of Chronographs
  26. 37:29Reloading Workup Still Necessary
  27. 38:13Typical Velocity Gains
  28. 38:38Best Case: 257 Roberts Improved
  29. 41:56257 Roberts Improved vs. Standard
  30. 44:1430-06 Springfield Improved vs. Standard
  31. 46:44The 20% Rule for Velocity Gains
  32. 47:46Accuracy vs. Velocity in Improved Cartridges
  33. 48:28Summary of Detriments
  34. 49:43Analogy: Muscle Cars
  35. 50:41Round Count and Gun Wear
  36. 51:36Brass Longevity and Case Support
  37. 52:21Conclusion: Not a True Improvement
  38. 52:42Analogy: 243 Win vs. 6mm Rem
  39. 53:39Recoil and Comfort Trade-offs
  40. 54:12Recommendation: Avoid Improved Chambers
  41. 55:35Final Thoughts & Disclaimer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between a wildcat cartridge and an improved cartridge?

A wildcat cartridge is a completely new chambering, often altering bore dimensions. An improved cartridge, however, modifies an existing case's dimensions (like straightening walls or changing shoulder angle) to increase powder capacity without changing the firearm's original bore diameter.

Can you safely fire standard ammunition in an improved rifle chamber?

Yes, it is generally safe to fire standard ammunition in an improved chamber. However, this practice can lead to case stretching in the web area, potentially thinning the brass and increasing the risk of case head separation over time.

What are the primary drawbacks of using improved cartridge chambers?

The main drawbacks include a significant decrease in resale value, limited availability of specialized ammunition, potential safety issues like case head separation, and often marginal velocity gains that don't justify the costs and risks involved.

Do improved cartridges offer significant velocity gains over standard cartridges?

Typically, no. While improved cartridges increase powder capacity, the resulting velocity gains are often marginal, sometimes less than 10% for a substantial increase in capacity. It takes over 20% more capacity to yield a 10% velocity gain.

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