Moderate Madness

I recall — some 20-odd years ago — reading about a new wildcat (perhaps more accurately described as a "proprietary factory load") introduced at that time by Magnum Arms of Nelspruit — The .270 Sabi.

This was very simply a .308 Winchester case necked down to .277" and offered modest ballistics; 130 grain @ ~2700 fps and 150 gr @ ~2350 fps. These pedestrian ballistics were intentional, for use on small to medium-size game at short (< 160 metres) ranges that are typically encountered in the Bushveld.

I could see the point of it. A 150 gr bullet launched at a moderate velocity means less meat damage at short-to-nedium ranges, but enough energy to kill cleanly. It can also be argued that a slower round-nose bullet is less likely to deflect haphazardly if it touches brush in flight. I wanted one, but was in no position to be spending money on. custom rifle at that stage of life.

The 7mm-08 Remington offers very much the same deal, and I certainly think it is a great cartridge, although it has never fond the ubiquity that it deserves. Factory ammo is hard enough to find in main centres of South Africa, much less here in the Karoo.

Enter the 6.5 Creedmoor. It offers very much the same package, and has become a popular round her in South Africa. And one can find ammo in the Karoo.