Interchangeable Cartridges

by
posted on May 9, 2014
qa_ah2015_fs.jpg (40)

undefinedQ: I came across some old 7mm Express Remington ammo at a gun show. The guy selling the ammo told me I could shoot the Express rounds in my .280 Rem. rifle because the two cartridges are the same thing. He was selling the ammo for a good price, but I passed because I didn’t know if he was telling the truth. Was he right?

A: Occasionally, a manufacturer will introduce a cartridge under one name, and then subsequently change that name (often for marketing reasons). In 1957, Remington introduced the .280 Rem., essentially the .30-06 necked down to take a .284-inch-diameter bullet. For various and sundry reasons, the new round did not sell as well as its originators had hoped, and in 1979 the company (perhaps hoping to capitalize on the success the “7mm” designation had conferred on several other contemporary cartridges) renamed it the 7mm Express Remington.

Although the “new” round was accompanied by some changes in factory loadings, its dimensions were identical to those of the original .280 Rem., and pressure levels increased only slightly (from 50,000 c.u.p. to 50,900 c.u.p) for better performance. Eventually, because of confusion between 7mm Rem. Mag. and 7mm Express Remington, the cartridge reverted to its original .280 Rem. destination. Thus both of these cartridges (as well as the rifles chambered for them) are completely interchangeable.

Other examples of different names for the exact same cartridge include the .244 Rem. and 6mm Rem., .25-20 Win. And .25 WCF, .250 Savage and .250/300 Savage, .32-20 Win. and .32 WCF, and .44-40 Win. and .44 WCF. Many other cartridges have two or more names.

Latest

LEDENSSF Opens Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Application 1
LEDENSSF Opens Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Application 1

Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Applications Being Accepted

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearm industry, has opened the application period for the 2025 Hunting Heritage Trust Grants. They offer a total of $100,000 in financial support for programs that work to expand participation in hunting and the shooting sports.

Hardware Review: Marlin Model 1895 Dark

If you think lever-action rifles should only have walnut stocks and a blued-metal finish, then the new Marlin Dark series with its polymer buttstock and aluminum AR-esque handguard probably won’t be your thing. That’s a shame, because this recent offering in Marlin’s line of modernized, capable lever-action rifles has a lot going for it in terms of performance, functionality and fun.

ATN Shipping TICO LTV Thermal Clip-On

This thermal clip-on device is a huge night-time gear multiplier for hunters and observers, transforming any daytime scope into a thermal sight.

MidwayUSA Named Official Sponsor of the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings

Glock, Inc. is the Presenting Sponsor of the Freedom Experience on Saturday, April 26th

First Look: Montana Rifle Company Marshall Hunting Rifle

Montana Rifle Company (MRC) has announced its Marshall Hunting Rifle—a rifle the company bills as being 10,000 rounds in the making.

Spring Gobbler Gear Roundup

Mike Roux lays out his winter's turkey gear discoveries, just in time for spring gobbler season.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.