Cartridges you just hate

[375Ruger416]

I’m a big fan of the CM and ‘modern cartridge design’. Despite that, I don’t hunt with one as there are better options. The hype is annoying to be sure, but that’s a people problem. The CM kills reliably for its specs, but be realistic - it’s a small bore cartridge going modest velocity using heavy for caliber bullets.

I am not a big fan of ultrafast cartridges in general to optimize MPBR. I believe they have recoil and muzzleblast out of proportion to their performance and are harder to get accuracy out of. I find most bottleneck cartridges (I include the 30/06 and everything newer) to be fast enough for this technique and prefer to dial for distances over 250 if I have time. Something heavy for caliber going 2600-3000 fps or so is my preference. Bullets at velocity extremes can behave unreliably. However, I’ve always been a fan of the 257 weatherby, one of the earlier ultrafast cartridges. It’s only getting worse with time.

The great thing about cartridges and rifles is that we don’t have to be rational or consistent. We can like what we like, and dislike what we dislike without apology.

 

[Milan]

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with them, from time to time I might see a rifle at a gun show, just to discover it's chambered in .270 Winchester or 7mm Remington Magnum, and quickly lose all interest.

Ha. I have done that too. Not sure it is smart. But I just could not buy a .270 just because it is a beautiful rifle otherwise. I'm smarter now. I'd buy it and re-barrel. LOL. The things we do.

 

[skydiver386]

Far and away the 22 hornet with its thin case walls.

 

[ftrovato]

Far and away the 22 hornet with its thin case walls.

Do the case necks crack after a few reloads?

 

[ftrovato]

For me, the 6.5 Creedmore. Nothing particularly wrong with the cartridge, but I hate how people think of it as being a lot more than it actually is. Case in point, too many people regard it as a long range elk cartridge - IT ISN’T! It’s OK for elk with quality bullets and reasonable ranges, let’s say 300 yards or less. But it IS NOT a 500 yard elk cartridge, period.

I hate that cartridge because all the hype makes too many people think it’s more capable than it is, actually.

All well said!
I've taken whitetail deer with a 22LR. Dump A*s I was when I was a kid. Just because you can doesn't mean you should....

 

[DLSJR]

All well said!
I've taken whitetail deer with a 22LR. Dump A*s I was when I was a kid. Just because you can doesn't mean you should....

6.5 Koolaid drinkers can’t even understand logic about their favorite cartridge. I was taking with an older fellow one day, he’s very wise and successful - except when it comes to his beloved 6.5. I told him I also use and love a 6.5, except mine is a .264 Win Mag. He responds that the Creedmore is better than .264. I ask him if he realizes that the 6.5 and .264 shoot the exact same bullet, but the .264 is about 400 feet faster. He responds “Yes, I know they shoot the same bullet, but the Creedmore is better than .264’’

You can’t fix ignorance when its owner wants to be ignorant.

 

[skydiver386]

Do the case necks crack after a few reloads?

If they don't collapse in the sizing die.

Annealing might help, but a lot of the older case designs that were originally a "ballon head" case are notoriously thin.

 

[ftrovato]

6.5 Koolaid drinkers can’t even understand logic about their favorite cartridge. I was taking with an older fellow one day, he’s very wise and successful - except when it comes to his beloved 6.5. I told him I also use and love a 6.5, except mine is a .264 Win Mag. He responds that the Creedmore is better than .264. I ask him if he realizes that the 6.5 and .264 shoot the exact same bullet, but the .264 is about 400 feet faster. He responds “Yes, I know they shoot the same bullet, but the Creedmore is better than .264’’

You can’t fix ignorance when its owner wants to be ignorant.

I've never owned but always wanted a 264 WM. Interestingly I pulled the plug on my first .264 a few months ago. A 6.5 PRC.

I've been working up and shooting some loads for a Red Stag hunt in Sept. So far so good.

I'm an old guy with all old traditional cartridges....until now!

I have to say I'm a bit excited to try something new1! ;-)

 

[MS 9x56]

I love it so much, that one was not enough!

HWL

I find the rare cartridges much more interesting than the staples. Half the fun is coming up with bullets and loads for the game to be hunted.

 

[MS 9x56]

I understand the sentiment, but nobody in mid-range, LR, ELR, or PRS would adopt a new belted mag. But what is old is new again, is as old as time.

Give it 25 years and what is old will be shiny and new again.

 

[MS 9x56]

Oh no. Don’t get me started on “beers” I hate….

Any beer with light in it, or fruit. The Germans still make the best beer. Surprisingly the Japanese make some pretty good brews also.

 

[MS 9x56]

@gcbailey
But a heavy for calibre bullet travelling at 3,300fps can be good.
eg a 117gn 25 cal at 3,300 is devastating on game.
Bob

Only if you can get the bullet to hold together.

 

[MS 9x56]

@uplander01 - I’m not interested in ever owning a Gunwerks or Blazer - prefer a traditional style rifle with nice wood stock and accuracy of 1” MOA out to 400 yrds is fine for me. However, I don’t see anything wrong with Gunwerks or Blazer - over priced “maybe?” But lots of things are. Are these firearms Not accurate? Not reliable? Are they prone to mechanical issues? If not - I can’t justify the criticism (except they are Ugly - no one is taking them to “A Prom”)

Don’t take mine to the prom but, “Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun”.

 

[Elkeater]

Pretty late to the party on this one. Too much work lately.

I’ve read through a bunch of this thread though and I’m about to make some people upset.

I don’t like (hates a strong word) the .30-06. I’ve always adored the .300 Winchester Mag. If I don’t need a .300 win mag chances are I don’t need a .30-06 to do the job either. Most of my critters get shot with my 7-08ai these days. The .300wm comes out for elk and I’ll probably take it to Africa for eland next time (though I might have to buy a .416 of some variety before then). I do own a .30-06. It was grandpas rifle. It lives in the safe. I’m also a fan of shooting deer with a .223 and a good monolithic copper bullet. My next trip to Africa I’ll probably bring a .223 for the smaller stuff like duiker and steenbok and a .300wm for eland and bushbuck.