jamesinalaska
Member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2015
- Messages
- 256
It has been my understanding that a "magnum" cartridge gets its name when it is developed from a smaller cartridge. For example, 38's of various names were well known and used until a new creature with the same diameter bullet but crimped into a longer case than all those others was developed. This new cartridge was given the "magnum" label and no other .357 diameter cartridge since then could claim that grand title. The story with the .44 caliber cartridges is the same; there were several, all very similar, until a newer, larger case emerged, and eclipsed all others. Those particular cartridges get to be called magnums, get to outsell all others, have songs written and movies made about them, while all the rest are forgotten. Obviously it's quite an honor to be called a Magnum -as it changes your future so much- so you'd think there'd be some rules or something concerning what gets to be a magnum and what doesn't. Let's think about this.
If (and bear with me here) the 308 Winchester cartridge was developed by stretching out the 300 Savage case a bit (which it was) why isn't the 308 Winchester then properly called the 300 Savage Magnum? Wouldn't that be more proper? Why did the Winchester family get to make so much money on that cartridge instead of the Savage family?
Likewise, the 338 and 300 Wichester Magnums, these were developed by SHORTENING,respectively, the 458 Winchester Magnum and 300 H&H catridges. Why then are these cartridges granted the "magnum" moniker if they are SHORTENED versions of another case? I would think that they shouldn't be, that they should be known more accurately as the 338 and 300 Winchester. Is there any definition as to what makes a magnum cartridge and what doesn't? Or have we all been trapped into a clever web of corporate marketing?
Please help. These thoughts are keeping me awake at night.
If (and bear with me here) the 308 Winchester cartridge was developed by stretching out the 300 Savage case a bit (which it was) why isn't the 308 Winchester then properly called the 300 Savage Magnum? Wouldn't that be more proper? Why did the Winchester family get to make so much money on that cartridge instead of the Savage family?
Likewise, the 338 and 300 Wichester Magnums, these were developed by SHORTENING,respectively, the 458 Winchester Magnum and 300 H&H catridges. Why then are these cartridges granted the "magnum" moniker if they are SHORTENED versions of another case? I would think that they shouldn't be, that they should be known more accurately as the 338 and 300 Winchester. Is there any definition as to what makes a magnum cartridge and what doesn't? Or have we all been trapped into a clever web of corporate marketing?
Please help. These thoughts are keeping me awake at night.