Some cartridges get all the glory. The .30-06 Springfield sits on a throne. The .270 Winchester has its Jack O’Connor fan club. The .308 Winchester runs the precision rifle world. And then there’s the .257 Roberts — a cartridge that does everything well, asks for nothing in return, and somehow still gets overlooked at the…
Category: Cartridges
Ruger New Blackhawk in .41 Remington Magnum
A technical and historical exploration of one of America’s most perfectly balanced field revolvers The Author’s Ruger New Blackhawk in .41 MagnumThe Ruger Blackhawk chambered in .41 Remington Magnum has earned a place in American firearms culture that few revolvers ever achieve. It is a tool of the field, a piece of engineering philosophy, and…
Short-Action vs Long-Action Cartridges Explained
If you spend any time around bolt-action rifles, you’ll hear shooters toss around terms like “short action” and “long action.” It sounds simple enough—one is short, the other is long—but there’s a lot of myth and half-truth floating around this subject. The reality is more nuanced, and once you understand how cartridge length, magazine dimensions,…
The Morse Carbine: An Early Metallic Cartridge Arm
The Morse Carbine is one of the most overlooked yet overlooked innovations of the American Civil War. Developed in the crucible of national conflict, this unique breechloading firearm marked a bold leap forward in military arms—embracing the concept of metallic cartridges years before it became standard. While it never reached widespread deployment, the Morse Carbine’s…
The Minie Ball: The Bullet That Changed Warfare
In the crucible of 19th-century warfare, one innovation changed everything—not a new kind of cannon, nor a radical new rifle, but a deceptively simple piece of lead with a hollow base. The Minié ball, named for French Army Captain Claude-Étienne Minié, turned the rifled musket from a specialist’s tool into the dominant infantry weapon of…
The Comfortable .38-55 Winchester Cartridge
The .38-55: A Historical Perspective on Its InfluenceThe .38-55 Winchester holds a special place in the world of ballistics, owing to its historical relevance and wide usage across numerous firearms. This cartridge made its debut in the late 19th century and quickly became a staple among sportsmen and hunters, continuing to hold its own well…
The .32 Rimfire Cartridge: History and Variations
The .32 rimfire once armed millions of Americans for hunting and self-defense. Here is the full history of this obsolete but collectible cartridge family.
Guide to Reloading .50-70 (.50-70 Government) Ammunition
Introduction If you’ve arrived at this page, you may be thinking about reloading .50-70 (.50-70 Government). Perhaps you’ve recently acquired a Springfield Trapdoor, Spencer, or perhaps a Rolling Block rifle in .50-70 Government and you may be wondering how you’re ever going to shoot that thing. A reasonable first question that should come before that…
The .222 Remington Cartridge: A Comprehensive Study
Introduction to the .222 RemingtonThe .222 Remington, a centerfire rifle cartridge introduced in 1950, has a long and storied history as one of the most important benchrest and varmint cartridges. Designed by Remington engineer Mike Walker, the cartridge was first chambered in the Remington Model 722 bolt-action rifle. It quickly gained a reputation for its…
Bullet Shapes: An Exploration of Massive Impact
Introduction to Bullet ShapesThe diversity in bullet shapes and materials is a testament to the advancements in ammunition technology and the specificity of needs across different shooting applications. The bullet’s design influences its trajectory, penetration, range, and overall ballistic performance. The correct bullet for a particular task depends on the intended application, whether for self-defense,…