For a moment I'd like to see the discussion back off Bell and go back to Roster.
At the very least Roster appears guilty of some gross generalizations on a complex subject regarding the 1,500-psi pressure increase. I've no doubt he's fired a load as described that produces pressure spikes as described. But will all loads do this (as he implies)? There is evidence -- not just per Bell but Burrard, G Thomas and maybe even recent CIP proof-house tests -- that suggests this is not the case. Roster should present his evidence in detail and argue from that, also examining contrary evidence (Bell, etc.), before making blanket statements of this sort.
I find similar problems with his argument later in that column about shooting US-made loads in foriegn shotguns -- again, too many generalizations re a complex topic
Metalurgists: what say you to Roster's assertation that pressure increases from long shells in short chambers can result in "cumulative" ... "cracking of the chamber or the bore just forward of the chamber." Assuming, for the sake of argument, there are pressure spikes, does this in fact cause cumulative cracks in areas described?
Lastly, back to Bell: what format of ballistic tests (of the sort Bell does) would satisfy as to being statistically or scientifically valid?
