Cartridges you just hate

[grand veneur]

Hmmm …I’m European and the thing I hate…,LOL….is Europeans. Hahaha. Just kidding…kind of. Not a fan of the .308 and do not get the Europeans telling me “what do you need a Springfield for? Bears?” Not realizing I hunt in bear country. Basically hinting the 06 is some kind of a mortar round, yet they adopt .308. For the distances they hunt the 2 are almost equal. But I will agree Europeans like old and crusty and cheap. And .308 is cheap. And it works for everything there, even bears I’d imagine.

Bears are not hunted in Western Europe and I don't know what is used to do this in the countries of Northern and Eastern Europe where this hunting is allowed. I think that other cartridges are used than the 308 Winchester. Many European hunters who hunt worldwide use cartridges like the 8x68S, 9,3x62 or 9,3x64, for example.

 

[grand veneur]

375 H&H with a 340gr or 350gr expanding bullet in the right place is addequite...for a visiting hunter some ecperienced old timers only used 375.....

My humble opinion is that the old story of using solids for backup has killed more hunters than a caliber on buffalo....if you mis the brain you have problems.....

I only use premium expanding bullets for buffalo no solids....brain shot only employed at the last minute when buff drops its head.....

375 is not enough for wounded buff follow up in my opinion.....

I use 500 Jeff with 570gr or 600gr expanding bullets..

The mist important shot is the first one if that is placed correctly from a 9.3 or 375 with the right bullet it is a dead buffalo.....

My 2c.....

A few of us are older hunters, have hunted a too long time in Africa and shot more than a few buffaloes. That's why we have our opinion on the working of various cartridges for big game hunting. Since we have also shot buffaloes with smaller calibers, we don't deny that such cartridges works, but the bigger ones works much better under the same conditions.

It is understandable that PH recommends cartridges smaller calibers to clients, but it is still a double standard, because something different is often said in private and, above all, used in practice. The argument is the necessary backup, which cannot be denied.

It's all a current event because hunting tourism in Africa has developed greatly and with it the business that is associated. In my more than hundred year old book about hunting in India, the author recommend beginners to use for big game hunting bigger calibers and to leave the shooting of such game with smaller calibers to the experienced hunters. Times have been changing.

 

[gcbailey]

There are cartridges I don't care for, such as 6.5 Creedmoro, but I absolutely hate anything Weatherby.

 

[Certus]

Oh I also dislike a lot of the pointless wildcats that duplicate ones that came before them and are made to just whack the persons name on a cartridge for some ego stroke. It’s worse than the big manufacturers creating heaps of duplicate cartridges.
Having said that I like some, but typically ones without someone’s name on them - like .50 Alaskan.
.600 overkill - dislike it though because of a dumb name.

 

[DieJager]

Printer cartridges, way too expensive these days

 

[Roosterlund]

A.R.C.M. All Rifle Cartridges Matter!!!!!!!!

 

[HankBuck]

Well, hate may be a strong word. But it makes for a good click-bait.

In any case, lately I have been running into people who, when asked, what rifle caliber they would like to buy now, reply .308 Winchester. Now, do not get me wrong, I not only like the .308 fundamentally as a cartridge and always wanted a rifle chambered in one, but I even own a few. However, having had and still owning several, every time I get one, I wonder why I bothered. I need one for Palma style/FTR matches. But for hunting, if I shoot .30 cal, I shoot .30-06. If I wanted more power and recoil, I'd shoot .300WM or .300WSM or .300 PRC. I do not want/need that. So ought-six it is. Pretty much same availability as .308, pretty much the same price, pretty much the same choice of bullets. Actually better I'd say. So why would anyone need or want the .308? Ugly ass, short cartridge.

I also do not like .243 Win. And when I remember it is based on .308, I dislike it even more. What do you need 6mm for anyway? If I was hunting smaller animals in Europe, I'd use 6.5 of some kind. Probably 6.5x57. Or 6.5x55. Or maybe even that 6.5 Creedmoor.

I hate .25-06, yet my buddy kills deer and elk with it at distance on regular basis.

I hate .270 Win. Just Weird caliber to me. Too much recoil and blast for what it is. Plus everyone loves it "sooo much".

I used to hate 6.5 Creedmoor without ever even firing or seeing one. Probably because everyone liked it "sooo much", like the .270. So, I decided to get one to be able to substantiate my "hate". Well, it turns out, it's falling into the same bucket as the .308. Nice, yet nothing special. Wanted to hunt with it this season but did not get out enough, so was not successful in filling my tags. So, jury is still out. But it only sends 140gr bullet at 2625 out of my 20" barrel. Switching to 130gr Terminal Ascent, I can send it at 2718fps, so good enough to 400m or so. But even if it kills deer well, I hate Short Actions and will go back to 7mm for hunting...wait, maybe that is why I do not like the .308 or .243. Maybe it's that one is really limited by the COAL of these. But at least I like the 6.5CM more than the .308 and will probably use it to replace 6.5x55 to punch paper and shoot occasional coyote.

I dunno. I also hate .416 Rigby. I like how it looks, I hate the recoil, muzzle blast and concussion.

I also do not like Weatherby cartridges, belted cartridges (except .375H&H, .458 Lott), magnum cartridges, big kickers - like the .416 (except .458 Lott and have yet to try .404 Jeffery), rimmed cartridges, any weird ones. I almost wonder why I like anything at all. Maybe I'm getting old and crusty.

I used to like .458 Lott but it's no longer with me. Same with .338WM and .300 WM. Who needs all that recoil and blast anyway? That .338 sure killed good though.

I do like .22 LR, 7x57, 7x64, 280 AI, 8x57, 9.3x62, 9.3x64, .375H&H (though once I shoot up all the ammo it's gone).

I also like 8mm-06, 338-06and 35 Whelen never even firing one of these - so you could say I like things based on 30-06, rather than .308. But I kind of like the 6.5CM, yet do hate that .25-06 and .25 or .277 anything.

I also like .505 Gibbs, .50 BMG not having fired either of these. So how do I know if I like them? Would probably hate the recoil and concussive blast.

I might like 7mm-08 even though it's based on .308, but then I'd probably go for 7mm SAW or 7 SAUM if I wanted a SA 7mm.

Now...Do NOT take this post as criticism of YOUR favorite cartridge (should it happen to be one of the ones I do not favor) but rather as a statement that I recognize I may have completely irrational dislike for some cartridges and still end up owning them, shooting them, but for some unknown reason still hating them. Then one tries to figure it out and comes up with some reasons or rationalizations behind the dislike. Yet it all seems false in some way. In the end I like that we have so many different cartridges to choose from.

However, the main reason for this post:
Do you also hate or dislike some specific cartridge or class of cartridges? For real reasons or just so? Are we nuts? Am I?

@Milan - you’re right that “Hate” is a strong word but I would NEVER OWN a 6.5 “anything”….NOT a Grendel, Creedmore/Needmore or anything else developed ONLY to convince people they NEED another caliber —-code for “sell more rifles”.
By 1940 the World had all the calibers needed and since a well cared for Rifle lasts a few 100 years — manufacturers needed to figure out how to sell more rifles. Now, how’s that for a Grumpy old man’s take on things ?

 

[grand veneur]

I agreed, but these new cartridges are based on a clear concept when it comes to internal and external ballistics. Something like this was rarely taken into account in the past, especially for hunting cartridges. The extent to which such ballistic subtleties are relevant to hunting can be debated. For precision shooting, even at longer distances, cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor are a significant step forward.

 

[IvW]

A few of us are older hunters, have hunted a too long time in Africa and shot more than a few buffaloes. That's why we have our opinion on the working of various cartridges for big game hunting. Since we have also shot buffaloes with smaller calibers, we don't deny that such cartridges works, but the bigger ones works much better under the same conditions.

It is understandable that PH recommends cartridges smaller calibers to clients, but it is still a double standard, because something different is often said in private and, above all, used in practice. The argument is the necessary backup, which cannot be denied.

It's all a current event because hunting tourism in Africa has developed greatly and with it the business that is associated. In my more than hundred year old book about hunting in India, the author recommend beginners to use for big game hunting bigger calibers and to leave the shooting of such game with smaller calibers to the experienced hunters. Times have been changing.

You have your opinion and I gave mine.

There are many here with a lot of experience hunting, culling and doing PAC work. That makes a big difference when compared to a first time dg hunter. Many can also not handle more recoil than the 375 H&H which is very important to consider....

Personally I would have no problem hunting any buffalo with a 9.3x74R.....

 

[ftrovato]

There are cartridges I don't care for, such as 6.5 Creedmoro, but I absolutely hate anything Weatherby.

Why do you hate Weatherby? Gun Style, Cartridge design or .....?

I'll admit I dont like the style of the MK V rifles, barrels or actions.
I'll also admit they are fickly guns to reload for.

BUT when you find a load that works, they work well and have inspired many manufactures to raise their bar and manufacture better calibers. Some now better than Weatherby too!

For example the Remington Ultra Mags that were inspired to compete with Weatherby cartridges and designed with Bob Harts support to make a 300 & 338 that might now be the best in class.

Just my question and 2 cents.

 

[Bonk]

@Bonk
So you must like the 35-06 aka Whelen and don't forget the 7mm/06, 25-06, 338-06
Bob

Yes I do.

 

[Bonk]

Not a fan of .243. I've owned a couple, but I found them too heavy for light work and too light for heavy work.

I prefer the .30-06 over .308, but I think that's because my dad used an '06.

I find my own dislike, rational or irrational toward particular types of guns. I don't like AR or AK style guns (not political, I just don't find them attractive) or polymer pistols (I own 2 in 9mm and one in .380) or stainless steel (I own two SS revolvers as well) Somewhat hypocritical, I know.

I like bolt and lever action rifles, sidexside shotguns and double action revolvers.

Interesting. I don’t care for 300WinMag for essentially the same reason. Winchester abandoned the 300H&H for their own proprietary cartridge.

 

[Milan]

Printer cartridges, way too expensive these days

Just bought some yesterday. Could not believe the price. 1 set for my printer ~ $180 CDN.

 

[Beck]

6.5 creedmore duh

 

[MS 9x56]

Just bought some yesterday. Could not believe the price. 1 set for my printer ~ $180 CDN.

Would have been cheaper to buy a new printer.

 

[Brian]

375 H&H with a 340gr or 350gr expanding bullet in the right place is addequite...for a visiting hunter some ecperienced old timers only used 375.....

My humble opinion is that the old story of using solids for backup has killed more hunters than a caliber on buffalo....if you mis the brain you have problems.....

I only use premium expanding bullets for buffalo no solids....brain shot only employed at the last minute when buff drops its head.....

375 is not enough for wounded buff follow up in my opinion.....

I use 500 Jeff with 570gr or 600gr expanding bullets..

The mist important shot is the first one if that is placed correctly from a 9.3 or 375 with the right bullet it is a dead buffalo.....

My 2c.....

I appreciate you comments. The debate about solids goes on. I am preoccupied with .500 plus calibers. I see that you use the great 500 Jeff. ( I dream about getting a Blaser R8 in 500 Jeff ! But will probably hunt out my days with my low dollars single shot rifles, )

Some of the new solids are different/better. I think that if you used a solid like the CEB # 13 solid, which was developed and extensively tested by B&M Rifle and Cartridges, in the right circumstances, you might be satisfied with it. That CEB solid really works in .500 and .577ne cartridges. " it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin' ". I have had it do poorly in .375 HH but of course most good bullets work better in a bigger bore.

 

[grand veneur]

I hardly hate any particular cartridge, but I do hate what some cartridges are used for. This could also be a thread, but it would end in a very controversy discussion, especially if it was about big game hunting in Africa, but not only. The cartridge 6.5 Creedmoor for example does not seem to be popular by some members. In my opinion it is a very good cartridge for precision shooting, but I don't agree with some of its uses for hunting, Elk hunting among others.

 

[gcbailey]

Why do you hate Weatherby? Gun Style, Cartridge design or .....?

I'll admit I dont like the style of the MK V rifles, barrels or actions.
I'll also admit they are fickly guns to reload for.

BUT when you find a load that works, they work well and have inspired many manufactures to raise their bar and manufacture better calibers. Some now better than Weatherby too!

For example the Remington Ultra Mags that were inspired to compete with Weatherby cartridges and designed with Bob Harts support to make a 300 & 338 that might now be the best in class.

Just my question and 2 cents.

I haven't used their rifles. I don't believe in cramming every last bit of powder into a case and trying to throw a small bullet as fast as it possibly can go. It's the classic argument between bullet velocity vs sectional density. I am in the school that a bullet that is loaded heavy for caliber, with good BC, is far better than a bullet travelling 3,300 FPS.

 

[grand veneur]

I haven't used their rifles. I don't believe in cramming every last bit of powder into a case and trying to throw a small bullet as fast as it possibly can go. It's the classic argument between bullet velocity vs sectional density. I am in the school that a bullet that is loaded heavy for caliber, with good BC, is far better than a bullet travelling 3,300 FPS.

That was the Weatherby advertising 60 years ago. In the meantime they have also abandoned this concept of a light bullet with a very high muzzle velocity. Weatherby initially made many mistakes when advertising their cartridges.

 

[oscar1975]

I think the cartridge I don't like at all is the 30-06, for no apparent reason, and perhaps the 6.5 Creedmore because I'm fed up with the amount of publicity they've given it.