Got to add one more post.
Being an old timer, I have seen many changes in cartridge design, bullet design. barrel quality, powder choices, stock quality, even gunsmith quality. And with all the technology improvements, plus the interest is long range shooting, there have been many improvements in accuracy.
Most bench rest shooters use cartridges that don't have 100+ grain powder capacities for many reasons they also shoot very heavy rifles and have triggers that require 3 to 5 Oz of pull to release them. so we are talking a different requirement for that type of shooting. But some of the very best accuracy I have seen has came from cartridges that don't conform to short fat case design. But i wouldn't go hunting Elk with a 6 mm in a 40 pound rifle ether.
I can remember when the 222 Remington was all the rage and a must have if you wanted to shoot bench rest. It was only eclipsed when a newer cartridge was designed and with the designers doing so well, everyone had to have one. The 7/08 also became a favorite cartridge for the hunter bench rest crowd and now the rage is the 6.5 CM. there are good reasons that cartridges gain the reputation of being inherently accurate mostly from media Hype and the availability of great new bullets and components.
With lower recoil and less powder there is less stress and harmonics
placed on a bench rest rifle so they should be easier to load and shoot. I realy don't think there is such a thing as an inherent cartridge, just a consistent rifle that has everything going for it, starting with all precision parts, good Smithing, good loading and a good shot.
I don't think this one will ever be agreed upon, so each will just have to disagree with the other side because it really doesn't matter as long as you have an accurate rifle that fills your needs
J E CUSTOM