What was stated on case taper isn't unique to a caliber.
Chamberings with a case taper less than .009 TPI will likely manifest bolt lift/sticky extraction pressure signs prior to reaching full velocity potential at maximum pressures.
Other cases that have greater body taper will likely manifest case head pressure signs (extractor plunger marks, flatter primers, etc) when loading to full velocity potential at maximum pressures.
Extremly low taper cases won't allow the full velocity potential to be realized...so all the case capacity gained by minimizing case taper is wasted....as you'll run into a sticky bolt before you ever realize the full potential of the case.
IMO .009 tpi is about the breaking point between starting to realize the benefits of increased case capacity vs running into issues with case extraction limiting realized velocity/pressure potential.
A ELR or LR shooting system is limited by it's weakest link. If you want to shoot the any ELR/LR rifle to it's full potential, you're going to need to compete in F-Class/NRA/Competitions or actively shoot at long range with another rifle, to ensure your skills behind the rifle and the reloading bench aren't the limiting factor.
The cost of brass is going to be one of the smallest expenditures in the whole system. I have some Lapua brass that has been pressed pretty hard in a 30-338 Lapua Imp and a 338 Lapua Imp, and after 7-8 firings, it's still going strong. It's so popular because you can buy a box, and it'll out last the barrel on the rifle. Not so with the Excalibur Jamison or A-Square brass I have.
I've loaded mine back to 3115-3125 fps with V570 and 300 Bergers and a 31.25 9.98 twist Brux, and the Excalibur brass is still going strong after 5-6 firings. But it's no where near the quality, consistency or toughness as the Lapua brass.
If the question is Excalibur vs Lapua vs APS wildcats vs 338?...I say pick your caliber and go shoot it.
If given a $50 bet on a 1 MOA rock at 1 mile...and five straight/square built rifles are laying on the ground....The shooter is going to make the difference between the chamberings.
Example...Travis Redell built me a 7RM for F-Class. It spits the 180 Hybrids around 30-50-3075 fps. Shawn at Straight Shot gunsmithing built me a 11 lb 338 Lapua hunting rig and it spits the 300 Bergers depending on the load 2650-2750 out of its' 26" barrel. They both have nearly identical wind drift at 1K+. So what does that do....well it means as a shooter...as I read wind conditions during the hunt (whether it's fur, rocks or steel), that the experience gained from tossing hundreds of round down range on F-Class competitions....rolls right over to calling conditions/drift for the hunting rifle.
There are some great new powders out that are going to breathe new life into older cartridges....the 338 Excalibur is a boomer for sure.
338 LMAI 28" barrel is 2920 fps with 300 grainers
338 Excalibur with 31.25" is 3115-3125 fps with 300 grainers. If you could stand another inch of barrel, you could be in Cheytac territory, on a .580 bolt face and "factory" sized action footprint, and you can still use a Redding T7 or Ultramag press. It won't be a repeater, and you won't be able to extract a loaded round though. I can't do that with my Cheytac either though?
