For a better understanding of why the various patented aspects of the SMc™ cartridge design improve performance, readers may want to review related articles covering the SMc cartridge design, as previously reported in these pages. While that theory is outside the scope of this report, it significantly explains the results reported here. Meanwhile, both reduced barrel heating and reduced sight picture disturbance resulting from use of an SMc cartridge design is critical to the success and enjoyment of varmint hunters in many situations.
The question was, "Can you demonstrate that a more efficient deign, according to the SMc theory, results in less barrel heating, as your field experience seems to indicate?" The answer was, "I only know one way to find out." Hence, I found myself accumulating barreled actions, stocks, scopes, ammunition, a temperature-sensing gun, a can of flat-black spray paint and all manner of shooting accessories.
The result of this experiment, while tentative (I do believe that I need to repeat the study as I am almost certain that I obtained less than perfect data on at least one of the tests), is conclusive; in general, cartridge design does matter and short-fat, sharp shouldered designs (efficient) are vastly superior to long-shinny designs. Specifically, the patented SMc design works as advertised. Not only does it provide increased muzzle velocity but also generates significantly less barrel heating than any conventional design of similar performance.