The ought-what now?
Regarding the veolicty claims - let me leave you with a tidbit of (physics-backed) wisdom. In the physics world (i.e., the 'real world') you NEVER get something for nothing. Anytime ANYE claims to be doing so, there is something else going on - a trick, or outright lies. It's all about entropy and the conservation of energy. 'Perpetual motion' machines are a perfect example. So, when someone tells me that they can take their 35 Ackley Whelen and perform as good as (or better than) a 375 H&H, something is bogus. The 375 H&H has more powder capacity - more fuel, as it were. Therefore, to be running a 35 AH at those levels, something is not adding up. In this case, I'd suspect it would be pressures. MEASURE the pressure of the 35, then load the 375 up to that same pressure level, then do your comparison. The same applies to Paco's 45 Colt loads. When a 45 colt is performing similarly to a 45/70 - you KNOW there's a serious pressure difference between the two. Load the 45/70 up to the same level of pressure (measured, not estimated), and then see what's what. One of the two has a lot more powder, which equals more energy.
This principal also applies to 'improved' configurations. If you get 5% more capacity, then you'll also get 5% more power. There is no 'magic' involded - if it seems you're getting more than your money's worth, then you're well over pressure. This may be fine and dandy, and it might even be safe. But you're still a lot closer to the edge than you were before, so it's certainly not AS safe. Plus, you're comparing apples to scud missiles.
