Magnum? Definition

[maccer06]

Hey

Im new to this website, seems pretty interesting. Just wondering since ive never been able to actually pinpoint exactly what magnum means, is there anyone that knows? Obviously its a "name" or classification the gun manufacturers use but does it really have meaning behind it or is it just a marketing ploy? Forgive my ignorance.

[Cariboo]

The term "magnum" originated to describe a larger than normal cartridge case that either propelled a given weight of bullet faster than a "standard" cartridge or pushed a heavier bullet at standard velocities. The term was borrowed from larger than normal wine bottles known as "magnums.

[barracuda]

originally it had merit to its name, but now it is just a marketing tactic used to suck in the ballisticlly challenged

[Cariboo]

Originally Posted by barracuda

originally it had merit to its name, but now it is just a marketing tactic used to suck in the ballisticlly challenged

On the long weekend I was at the range shooting and working up loads for a number of rifles. Two of them were chambered for .30 caliber cartridges and each was shooting a 165 grain Ballistic Tip bullet. My Browning A-Bolt chambered in 300 WSM topped out at ~3050 fps. as did my Ruger #1 in 30-06 with it's 26" long barrel. Both rifles produced what is considered "magnum" velocities even though the 101 year old 30-06 is not considered a magnum and in fact is often looked down on by some shooters.

The same story holds true with my 1885 chambered in 270 Winchester. With it's long barrel - 28 inches - the old "standard" 270 propels bullets faster than the 270 WSM I owned for a brief period of time.

So what does the Short mag buy me with its extra 20% case volume? There are some good reasons I own a few "magnum" chambered rifles but ultimate velocity is not one of them.

[maccer06]

OK thanks for the input basically it means nothing, just a name more or less