Velocity obsession was not limited to today's shooters, it was just as big an issue in the early days. When the 256 Mannlicher first came out it was hailed and revered due to its amazing velocity for the times of 2400 fps (Apparently). There were plenty of other cartridges that pushed the velocity image to sell guns and ammo. The 280 Ross, 240 H&H and 300 H&H, 250 Savage and various Halger desgins. The 8x68S and 6.5x68 were both promoted with their velocity being the main factor. And their were plenty more. Even with the big bore rifles velocity was a marketing issue, the 505 Gibbs and the 500 Jeffery both shot light for caliber bullets in the form of a 525 grain and 535 grain bullets respectively, where a 600 grain projectile would have made far more practical sense, which is why Norma have chosen that bullet weight for their Afican PH ammo, but of course they are slower. Rigby obviously felt that it could improve its sales of the 350 Rigby by offering a 225 grain bullet at a higher velocity. Westley Richards did the same thing and also offered the 318 with a 180 grain bullet.

Of course a 250 grain bullet for the 350 Rigby would have been pretty well perfect, just like it is in most other cartridges in that diameter range.

Matt.