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Well the new hot calibers seem to be the .223 WSSM, .243 WSSM, 7mm WSM, .270 WSM, .300 WSM, then the Remington Short Magnums.

The Remington Ultra mags on the other end of the spectrum are loosely based on the .404 Jeffery case, necked down so you can shoot 140 grain bullets at 3400 fps. It uses a rebated rim so it can use a regular magnum bolt.

The .300 Ultra Mag that everyone seems to be crazy over and "has to have" eclipses the 25 year old 8mm Remington Mag by about 100 fps in 200 grain bullets, a cartridge that is the least successful of any Remington made since WW2. I dont even think a regular production gun has been made in it since like 1985 (just custom shop stuff). In fact, the 8mm Rem Mag is more popular for spawning the 7mm STW wildcat (which is now factory loaded, and now obsolete by the 7mm Ultra Mag) than as a cartridge on its own.

Of about a dozen new cartridges released by Winchester and Remington, only 2 are above .308 caliber. The .338 Ultra Mag and the .375 Ultra Mag.

No .458 WSM that does what the .458 Win Mag was supposed to do (replicate the .470 NE in a shorter case in a bolt gun). No .404s or .416s on this rebated rim Ultra Mag case so a standard magnum bolt face can be used. Everyone wants flat shooting fast small bullets, not big slower ones that poke big holes. No .338 Short Mag although A-Square just made and certified the .338-06 A-Square. Shame it isn't the .338 Keith. Not a .35 or 8mm in any of these new ones.

Jack is beating Elmer.

The only glimer of hope is that Remington reintroduced the Guide Rifle in .350 Remington Mag. Maybe Winchester will come out with a carbine in .358 Winchester Short Mag.

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