Steven Mace
03-10-2003, 04:06 PM
In keeping with the current trend of "short and stubby is good", Winchester will release a .450 WSM (http://www.realguns.com/images/450wsm2003.gif) as a replacement within the market niche that rendered the .458 Winchester obsolete. The .450 WSM has got gun writer's buzzing, early comparisons to even Weatherby's 224 Rocket indicate the .450 WSM has a distinctive muzzle energy advantage.
Stuffed with a 500 grain Woodleigh WeldCore bullet, in an effort to conserve the almost non-existent case powder capacity, compressed loads of IMR 3031 yield 2034 fps through a 20" barrel. Winchester's G M, J. P. Sloem Downs indicated, "Through a very diligent engineering effort, we've been able to under perform yet another entire group of existing cartridges, there's no stopping us now. We are now looking at the other end of the spectrum, and considering a .17 WSM for a Fall 2003 release".
The first gun chambered for the new cartridge is a Winchester Custom Shop 20" barrel version of the Model 70 Compact Classic (http://www.realguns.com/images/mod70cmpat450.jpg). At 6 lbs, scope and sling included, the new Safari Compact is anticipated to be a attention getter. The 87 ft/lbs of recoil, and enough muzzle blast to start a forest fire, only add to the gun's personality.
http://www.realguns.com/Commentary/comar60.htm
Steve Mace
Stuffed with a 500 grain Woodleigh WeldCore bullet, in an effort to conserve the almost non-existent case powder capacity, compressed loads of IMR 3031 yield 2034 fps through a 20" barrel. Winchester's G M, J. P. Sloem Downs indicated, "Through a very diligent engineering effort, we've been able to under perform yet another entire group of existing cartridges, there's no stopping us now. We are now looking at the other end of the spectrum, and considering a .17 WSM for a Fall 2003 release".
The first gun chambered for the new cartridge is a Winchester Custom Shop 20" barrel version of the Model 70 Compact Classic (http://www.realguns.com/images/mod70cmpat450.jpg). At 6 lbs, scope and sling included, the new Safari Compact is anticipated to be a attention getter. The 87 ft/lbs of recoil, and enough muzzle blast to start a forest fire, only add to the gun's personality.
http://www.realguns.com/Commentary/comar60.htm
Steve Mace