Favorite "obsolete" cartridge?

[osteodoc08]

What's everyone's favorite "obsolete" cartridge(s)?

I've really enjoyed the 32 WCF (32/20) lately. Easy on powder. Easy on lead. Can find decent older specimens. Can shoot smokeless or holy black in it. Great round to plink with and brass is available from Starline.

My other fav is probably the 32 WS.

What is it with the 32s?

[Bohica793]

38-55 is my favorite though I have never had the pleasure of shooting or loading for a 32WCF.

[15meter]

50-70, first oddball cartridge I reloaded. Jumped from 308 as my first metallic cartridge to reload to the 50-70 as my second. Talk about a steep learning curve.

[acoop101]

22 jet, I always wanted to barrel a Ruger 357 bolt gun in that caliber.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

[.36navy]

.38-56 WCF its a joy to shoot in a 1886 Winchester.

[Reverend Al]

I have a number of older guns in obsolete and semi-obsolete calibres and like them all (that's why I bought them in the first place).

.22 WCF, .25-20 WCF, .25-35 WCF, .32-20 WCF, .32-40 WCF, .35 WCF, .38-55 WCF, .40-82 WCF, .40-90 Ballard 3", and .50-70 Govt., just to list a few. (But did you notice that there is a definite "WCF" trend?)

;)

[Texas by God]

.218 Bee.

[TCFAN]

I also like the 218 Bee. It is a very underrated cartridge.Works well with cast.

[Harter66]

Obsolete ?
32 Rem
40-65 makes the wish list just because it's fun to say .

Hard to find at a decent price ? No current standard production guns ?
358 win
9x 57 as a wish book favorite
257 Roberts

[Bazoo]

Although i've never had any experience with it, 348 winchester.

[Buckshot]

..............Hopefully we don't get just ONE favorite ........................ :-)

http://www.fototime.com/259673ADE90A4AA/standard.jpg

.43 Spanish

http://www.fototime.com/0FDEA25C2215222/standard.jpg

577-450 Martini

http://www.fototime.com/881261E4534FC9E/standard.jpg

38-55 (Not really obsolete, just not mentioned much in the Gunzines these days)

http://www.fototime.com/81B27EA5C8B88C9/standard.jpg

577 Snider, and it's a "Hoot" to shoot :-)

..............Buckshot

[tdoyka]

i doubt its obsolete, but i do like to shoot my 30-40 krag(1898 spr armory, bubbasized).

i would like to have 257 bob ai, 35 winchester and a 9.3x57.

[TexasGrunt]

.45 ACP.

All the cool kids have gone to 9mm leaving only us obsolete old farts to keep the .45 ACP limping along :razz:

While I don't own either it would be .218 Bee or .22 Hornet.

[Tracy]

What's everyone's favorite "obsolete" cartridge(s)?

I've really enjoyed the 32 WCF (32/20) lately. Easy on powder. Easy on lead. Can find decent older specimens. Can shoot smokeless or holy black in it. Great round to plink with and brass is available from Starline.

My other fav is probably the 32 WS.

What is it with the 32s?

I agree with these two, and also .32/40.

.222 Remington is another. Those of us who love the .222 don't consider it obsolete, but lots of outspoken .223 fans do. "Why would you even consider a .222? It doesn't work as well in an AR-15! If you load to absolute max, you can get maybe 100 fps more out of the .223! If you run rifling that looks like a machine screw, you can shoot bullets (in .223) that approach the weight of .243 bullets, at only double the price of a .243 bullet! And you can't even get steel jacketed, steel cased Russian ammo in .222! Why would anyone want such an obsolete round?"

[Texas by God]

I'm having so much fun with the .358 Win I forget it's obsolete. I'm reminded it is when I see ammo for $50 for a box!

[375supermag]

Hi...
Not quite sure they really qualify as obsolete but I like 7x57 and .303British.
My son and I shoot them out of a couple of old WWII bolt action military rifles.
Probably run several hundred runs through each rifle every year.
Not quite like the volume we run through in .223 and .308, but in my opinion they aren't as much fun as the 7x57 and .303 British.

[Texas by God]

I've always thought a 50-70 or a .577 Snider would be the ultimate round for a H&R/NEF single shot.

[3leggedturtle]

256 Win Mag and 38 S&W

[pworley1]

30 40 Krag

[bob208]

.38-40 in both rifle and pistol. .25-20. .40-82 .33 wcf. .35 wcf. 7.65 mauser .32-40 .32 win.spl. .50-70 .40-60 wcf.

[Hamish]

197882

Anyone one else seeing pics showing up where there was none? Ithink the forums got gremlins,,,,,,

[Good Cheer]

8mm French, made from 32-20's. Got a WFN mold from LBT about 25 years ago.
Would love to have a rifle chambered for this ".33 Special".

[marshall623]

I'll go with the 30 Herrett

[LAKEMASTER]

My local gun shop makes me feel like I'm weird for wanting a target gun in 3006...

They told me 308 was more common. I'm standing there thinking" oh good, my lifetime supply of 06 cases are for nothing"

And then i come on here and realize some people just don't understand.

[Bazoo]

Up at the cabelas in louisville, they have a winchester 86 in 33 winchester, I could surely love it... I just cant come up with 2k bucks for the purchase of such.

[OptimusPanda]

There's a soft spot in my heart for the .303 British. It was the first rifle cartridge I loaded myself.

[Char-Gar]

Obsolete means the rounds are not longer in production. Obsolescent means the rounds are on their way to becoming obsolete. Most of the rounds mentioned in this thread are not obsolete as loaded cartridges and brass can still be purchased.

That said, my favorite truly obsolete round is the 25 Remington. I owned both a Remington 14 pumpgun and a Remington 30S in this chamberings and they were wonderful rifles. I don't think ammo has been produced since the 40s or 50s.

[jakharath]

303 Brit, 7.7 Jap, 8 Mauser, 45 ACP

[Scharfschuetze]

Well, since I'm shooting Montana gophers out to 200 yards this week in Central Montana with a 22 Honet, I guess it's my favorite obsolete cartridge this week. Who knows what next week will bring?

[ole_270]

25-20WCF and 38-55 both in Marlins, one old, the other not as much. One is my favorite small game rifle, the other my newest cast boolit hunting rig

[Texas by God]

CharGar is correct. So I'll go with .219 Zipper and .43 Mauser. And guys; the .45 ACP is more popular today than it has ever been!

[Spooksar]

Where to start: 43 Mauser, 35 Winchester, 33 Winchester 22 Hi-power, 250 Savage 455 Webley, 38 S&W

[bedbugbilly]

I don't know how "obsolete" they are but I do enjoy loading 38 Colt Short and Long - just for the "history" of them. I load quite a few of the Colt Shorts (Starline brass) with such boolits as from the 358-242 (120 ish grain) or the 94 ish grain from the same mold (I have both). Easy on powder - a couple of grains o Red Dot and it's a fun cartridge out of my Smith 3" Model 36.

I've loaded both (Short & Long) with BP and shot from my Ruger NV or Uberti Bisley - fun to play with.

I have everything to reload the 32-20 (32 WCF) but just haven't gotten around to it as I'm still looking for a decent vintage revolver in that caliber - would love to have a single shot rifle in 32-20.

"historic cartridges" just have a great appeal to me and I appreciate those who continue to reload them and keep the "old girls" barking!

[wwmartin]

40-70SS , 40-90-2 5/8 necked, 25/30/32 Remington (luckily I have a bucket of new 30REM brass) most anything odd is appealing.

Bill

[John Boy]

Stevens 25-21
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.25-21_Stevens

20 or 21gr FFg black powder
From Sharpe's book:

8.0/2400/60-gr. metal-cased/ 1527 fps/ 10.5K PSI
11.0/2400/60-gr. MC/ 2036 fps/ 18.0k PSI
13.0/2400/60-gr. MC/2370 fps/ 29.6K PSI (Max or near-max)
6.0/2400/86-gr SP/0.450" seating depth/953 fps/ 9.1 K PSI
10.0/2400/86-gr SP/0.450" SD/1673 fps/ 18k PSI
12.0/2400/86-gr SP/0.450" SD/200 fps/29.4K "Strong rifles only"
5.5/Unique/86-gr lead/0.450" SD/1525 fps

From The Breech-loading Single-shot Rifle:

5.0/Unique/Lyman 88-gr. #257464, breech-seated ahead of case/blotting paper wad in case.
8.0/2400/rest same as above.

[gnoahhh]

.22 Savage HiPower, 5.6x35R (I just use Hornet neck sizing dies), .22 Maximum Lovell (obsolete and a wildcat too- double whammy), .310 Cadet, .303 Savage. I don't consider .30-40 to be obsolete- since I've had a lifetime supply of brass since long ago I wasn't even aware that brass was hard to get.

Sussing out obsolete cartridges is way more fun than having the world handed to you via shooting "modern" readily available stuff!

[bouncer50]

The 41 Swiss. 11MM French two odd balls that i have to reform brass. Another odd ball is the 8mm Siamese.

[rintinglen]

303 savage

[Chev. William]

I 'Wildcat' CF versions of the Stevens .25 Long RF cartridge and some longer and shorter versions. ".25-10-67" would have been the BP era Designation for the 1.125" case length round using a .250" diameter Bullet.
Other case Lengths are: .930"; 1.024", 1.055", 1.250", and 1.350".
http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz316/chevwilliam/250ALxx%20Family%20Cartridge%20project/f1930b9c-f944-4ddd-a125-6fb7b18b81c0_zpsykkazcgu.jpg

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[RGrosz]

I've always favored the 222 and the 22 Hornet that I've shot. The 222 I've developed loads for my boy's gun (Rem 700), what a joy. The Hornet (or K-Hornet) is another joy to shoot and load for. Of those that I haven't shot or loaded for would like to go with a 25-20 and a 50-70. But wouldn't turn down any gun to shoot.
Rob

[gerrycan]

303/270 ,303/30,303/358 ,raises eyebrows at range, Gerry.

[Smoke4320]

11.2 x 72 schuler

[sharps4590]

Smoke, that is an interesting cartridge. I'm surprised to see it show up!!

My favorite is the one I'm shooting at the time. American cartridges the 32-20, 25-20, 45-2.4 and 40-2.5 SS. German/Austrian/British; 8.15 X 46R, 8.7 X 55, 9 and 9.3 X 57, 8 X 56 Mannlicher/Schoenauer, 6.5 X 54 M/S, 9 X 57R/360, 10.5 X 47R, 9 X 71 Peterlongo, 9.3 X 75R Nimrod, 11.15 X 60R, 500 BPE, 255 Jeffery and a couple I've forgot.

[Preacher Jim]

My favorite is the 219 Donaldson wasp still love the 222 remington

[Harter66]

I just saw new 222 Rem chambered rifles for sale and bought 200 rounds of brand new Privi Partizan loaded ammo .........

The 25,30,32 Rem were discontinued in about 1935 , the last run of commercial 32 Rem was made by Winchester in 1964 .
If you look in the dark corners many of the obsolete out of production cartridges can be found in loaded ammo ......... Old west Scrounger comes to mind .
I've seen a ton of cartridges I was sure were dead and gone on the shelf very recently . 30-40 , 22 Hornet , 38 short and several others that escape me at the moment .

[maxreloader]

Sweet baby jeebzus! No 401 wsl yet!?!?! Well I'll have to throw out the 32, 35, 351 and 401wsl's! as far as rugged, reliable and self-loading... the 401 can't be beat for a 100+ year old workhorse. 351 is adequate for deer under 75yds as well.

[Texas by God]

WSSMs,SAUMs, 45 Gap lol.

[bruce drake]

I've always thought a 50-70 or a .577 Snider would be the ultimate round for a H&R/NEF single shot.

I'm considering sleeving a 12 gauge single shot with a spare 50-caliber muzzle loading barrel and then running a 50-70 Govt Reamer into it to create a new chamber. My 1868 Trapdoor in 50-70 is a blast to play with.

[ulav8r]

Have a set of 222 Mag dies, never used and a douglas barrel blank for same. Just need a suitable action and 1000 new brass.

Have two barrel blanks for 32 WCF and a barrel blank for 22 Hornet. One of the 32s will become a Handi Rifle barrel. The other 32 and the Hornet are to be fitted to a falling block action once I get it built. Got to get a shop built and equipped first.

[smokeywolf]

Hard to say whether 45-60 or 40-65.

[Texas by God]

I'm considering sleeving a 12 gauge single shot with a spare 50-caliber muzzle loading barrel and then running a 50-70 Govt Reamer into it to create a new chamber. My 1868 Trapdoor in 50-70 is a blast to play with.
Interesting. Keep us informed.

[iomskp]

300 Sherwood

[kobeinu]

I'm having so much fun with the .358 Win I forget it's obsolete. I'm reminded it is when I see ammo for $50 for a box!

Agreed!

[Bad Ass Wallace]

12.7 x 44R Swedish roling block - my favourite small BPCR!

[Estacado]

My favorites would be 38-55 and it's big brother the 45-90. If it wasn't for Marlin lever actions, another of my favorites would be on the list. 35 Remington.

[arlon]

38-55

[flint45]

In a handgun .45 auto rim . In a rifle .30-40 krag.

[ulav8r]

Actually, my favorite obsolete cartridge is the 30/30. Don't think it is obsolete? Just ask the average 30/06, 300MAG,OR 7Mag owner, they will be quick to tell you the 30/30 is obsolete and useless.

[Harter66]

Maybe under powered .........:razz:

[TCLouis]

219 Donaldson Wasp does it for my collection.
Would love a 38-55 (single shot of some sort) but do not want another caliber to stock supplies for.

[arlon]

I just saw new 222 Rem chambered rifles for sale and bought 200 rounds of brand new Privi Partizan loaded ammo .........
.

The .222 is alive and well in Europe. It's a very popular round there. One of my favorites too.

[Guncrank]

8mm Roth-Steyr and 32 S&W Short.

I love taking the Roth to the range and being asked what sort of 1950's space gun I'm shooting!
And the S&W 32 short is about as pleasant a cartridge to shoot as any of the "self defense" offerings of the late 1800's.

[Bazoo]

I'd really like to have a 788 in 222 rem. I have a friend that has a 222 rifle... not sure the make or model however as its been a few years since I fondled it.

[15meter]

Always wanted a 351SL to go with my Model 63. Always hesitated because of the brass. Found out about a stash of virgin 351SL brass. Got beat out of it by what I thought was a friend that I told about it several years ago so he could resell for as much as he could get out of them. He bought them @ 10 cents each after I told him about them and who knows what he sold them for. I told him about the deal and that I wanted enough for my own use and he could have what ever was left. He went to the guy the next day and bought up everything, even after being told that I want some, he didn't care all he saw was $$$. Haven't talked to him since, and he doesn't understand why.

[calico]

35 wsl.

[sharps4590]

BA Wallace, that is another cool old cartridge I want to work with some day.

[scooterdavr56]

30 Herrett,22 K Hornet, 30-40 Krag,257 Roberts, 32 WS are all favorites. In my humble opinion they are like Lays potato chips, you can't have just one. :-)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[texasnative46]

.401WSL.

yours, tex

[rking22]

30 Rem for my 141. But if 222 and 22 hornet are obsolete then I guess my herrett and 35 rem and 256 win and 375 win and.... good grief, most everything I like is obsolete! Oh well I've come to think I'm obsolete myself.

[308Jeff]

30 Carbine

[Jack Stanley]

32 WCF for me .

Jack

[mazo kid]

When I hear or see "obsolete cartridge", I think of a round that is NOT currently in production. Many of those cartridges listed previously are readily available from suppliers. I don't really have a favorite (I like 'em all!), but I have guns for these: 25-25 Stevens, 43 Mauser. 43 Beaumont, 41LC, 41 Swiss, 45-50 Peabody, 40-50 SBN, 25 30 and 35 Remington, and many more.

[Harter66]

Tools and parts are available for the 11mm Chessipot but I don't think there has been a cartridge made for it since the French adopted the metallic cartridge . So in all of my junk the 1866 Chessipot gets the nod .

[rintinglen]

I left out the 9 m Largo, which I load on occasion for my STAR.198152198153

[dragon813gt]

When I hear or see "obsolete cartridge", I think of a round that is NOT currently in production.

There are a lot of cartridges that are only seasonal runs. Or lately they've been run only once in a few years time. While not gone they are close to it. 35 Remington and 300 Savage are two of my favorites that fall into this category. Both are impossible to find at times. More so w/ 300 Savage.

I'd have to say 356 Winchester is my favorite obsolete cartridge. What's not to like about 358 Winchester in a Marlin lever action. Have a lifetime supply of 356 brass and it feeds 308 brass as a bonus.

[Tracy]

.22 wcf.

[clum553946]

25-20 & 25-35

[muskeg13]

12.7 x 44R Swedish roling block - my favourite small BPCR!
Real close to 50-70, I mean, reeeeeel close.

[Shuz]

My vote is for the .250 Savage, or as it is also known,.250-3000 Savage. I am very fortunate to have had several accurate bolt action rifles in this cartridge.
Currently I have a Savage model 16 and a Ruger 77 in .250 Sav. Both are very accurate with cast boolits.

[Wayne Smith]

10.5x47R on one side of a cape gun. 32S&W (short) loaded with a sized buckshot and 1-1.1gr Bullseye. 41 Colt. I guess my 9.3x57 is on this side of the Atlantic.

[ole_270]

My vote is for the .250 Savage, or as it is also known,.250-3000 Savage. I am very fortunate to have had several accurate bolt action rifles in this cartridge.
Currently I have a Savage model 16 and a Ruger 77 in .250 Sav. Both are very accurate with cast boolits.

I've also got a M77 250-3000 as well as a M99 Savage, Haven't gotten around to trying them with cast. I've got the Lyman 257420gc, a group buy 80 gr. gc and the NOE 260283 88 gr plain base. Need to find a "round-to-it" and get started.

[aap2]

41 Swiss Vetterli. Looks totally cool, light recoil and the 330gr boolit whacks the target nicely. Easy to form from 8mm Lebel brass and lots of fun to shoot.

[Shuz]

I've also got a M77 250-3000 as well as a M99 Savage, Haven't gotten around to trying them with cast. I've got the Lyman 257420gc, a group buy 80 gr. gc and the NOE 260283 88 gr plain base. Need to find a "round-to-it" and get started.

I've found that the Cramer 55A and the RCBS 25-100FN and the Saeco 100g FN all work well in mine with Reloder 7.

[texasnative46]

rintinglen,

The Largo is FAR from obsolete in several Latin American nations & QUITE POPULAR TOO, as 9x19mm is prohibited there as ammo for "weapons of war".
(The "weapons of war" prohibition is why the Colt's .38 Super is so popular South of the Border.)

In the LA nation where we are planning to retire, I can lawfully carry a Colt's .38 Super, .380ACP, 9x21mm, .38SPL or .357 Magnum concealed but NOT the "relatively puny" 9x18mm Makarov.
(5.56NATO, 7.62NATO & 8x57mm Mauser are UNLAWFUL there but 7x57mm & .30-06 are OK, for some unknown reason.)

yours, tex

[texasnative46]

dragon813gt,

Here in South TX the .300 Savage (my favorite center-fire cartridge, btw) is available in 150 grain JSP all the time (including at Wal-Mart) & sometimes in 180 grain JSP too.
(Cabela's & Academy has the 180 grain in stock most of the time.)

yours, tex

[dragon813gt]

dragon813gt,

Here in South TX the .300 Savage (my favorite center-fire cartridge, btw) is available in 150 grain JSP all the time (including at Wal-Mart) & sometimes in 180 grain JSP too.
(Cabela's & Academy has the 180 grain in stock most of the time.)

yours, tex

It's only available at Cabela's by me. It's also a seasonal run. The amusing part is that I cannot buy 308 at the closest Walmart. They show it on the shelf tags but they never have any in stock. Ammo availability is very regional.

[texasnative46]

dragon813gt,

The "ammo guy" at Cabela's said that, "You're about one of 3 or 4 men, who ever buys .300 Savage around here."

I've NOT checked for .308 at Wal-Mart, as I no longer own a rifle in that caliber.

yours, tex

[dragon813gt]

That's not surprising. Unless you have a Savage 99 or a Remington Gamemaster it's unlikely you shoot the cartridge. Arisaka conversions were sort of common but w/ the death of their owners I doubt many know if one was even rechambered for it.

[texasnative46]

dragon813gt,

No argument. = Around SATX, about 90% or more of Model 760 owners (that I know of) are LEFT-handed, too.
(NOT that many of us "wrong-handed" folks. - Probably 2/3 of the 760 owners have .30-06 rifles around here, too.)
Note: About 4% of Model 780 rifles were sold in .300 Savage.

Personally, I know of exactly ONE gentleman around here who shoots a Model 99 & it's in .250-3000 Savage.

yours, tex

[bjordan]

I guess my two odd ball calibers would be .43 Egyptian (I own 5 rolling blocks in .43E) and .41 Colt for a 1977 Thunderer I shoot from time to time.

I have been VERY pleasantly surprised at how accurate both of them have turned out.

I also load for .577/450 Martni Henry and .45/90. Both tons of fun too.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
Well we shoot several of those items from above... but so far the 50-95 seems absent.
Always wanted a caliber 50 lever rifle so when the repros went for "cheep" on CDNN we jumped on the model 1876 in 50-95 and a Monty in 45-60. Already had a real 1876 in 45-60 so that one is somewhat semi-retired. The 50-95 will toss a 350 grainer at 1460 fps with about 79 grains of 3F under it. Have never found a smokeless load to equal the accuracy but 5744 comes close at 200 yards.
I think the 50-95 threads we posted here in Leverguns is still about.
Mike in Peru

[Wayne Smith]

I guess my two odd ball calibers would be .43 Egyptian (I own 5 rolling blocks in .43E) and .41 Colt for a 1977 Thunderer I shoot from time to time.

I have been VERY pleasantly surprised at how accurate both of them have turned out.

I also load for .577/450 Martni Henry and .45/90. Both tons of fun too.
Wow! Who made a Thunderer in 1977? Mine is the Uberti Lightening.

[17nut]

11.4x41R Danish Remington m1867 rimfire.
Last rifle made 1887 and last rounds was made around 1896.

Cases made from 45-70, rimmed and trimmed loaded with a short Lee .459-405-HB.

The original:
http://i.imgur.com/HQWvPxw.jpg

The donor:
http://i.imgur.com/7leY5X0.jpg

The result:
http://i.imgur.com/fPg9VCz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KLMesYa.jpg

The bullet (modified Lee 405-459-HB):
http://i.imgur.com/FMrMkcx.jpg

[ulav8r]

10.?-11mm German Commission Revolver. Based on info from PO Ackley, use 44 Special brass trimmed to length and light loads of Unique. Loaded 50 rounds with black, shot about 12 of them. What a mess to clean up.

[am44mag]

It's a toss up between 44 WCF and .303 British

[Texas by God]

I'll have to add the .30 Army to my list.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

[Bent Ramrod]

I mostly shoot obsolete and obsolescent cartridges. Being able to buy factory loads reduces the interest for me.

Probably, the one I shoot the most (now) is the .25-20 Single Shot. Versatile (in a strong rifle you can go from .25 Short Rimfire to approaching .256 Magnum performance), cases are as easy to get as the .25-20 WCF nowadays, and it looks certifiably Cool.

But I am going to start a new campaign with the .44-77 pretty soon....

Fickle, aren't I?:mrgreen:

[HABCAN]

.44-40, 7x57, .303 Brit. 'Obsolete' by modern standards, but they'll 'work' very effectively with a wide variety of loads. What's not to like?

[mazo kid]

OK, I understand about "obsolete" in that they have been eclipsed by the modern stuff like the myriad of short mags introduced to sell more rifles. However, I still think of an obsolete cartridge as one that is not currently in production, period, whether or not it is a "seasonal" run. I like making obsolete ammo for my obsolete rifles and handguns from brass that is still available. Where are you gonna buy 41 Swiss, 43 Beaumont, 11mm Swede, Montenegren, Remington, and others, etc?

[fgd135]

I have a few favorite obsolete rifles that I reload and shoot--.42 Russian Berdan, aka 10.66x57r; 11.3x52r (.43 Beaumont), 577/450 Martini Henry, and .577 Snider. All are fun and accurate! Also I would mention that I shoot the .45-70 loaded with black powder in an original trapdoor Springfield--even though the cartridge itself continues as a modern one in more modern firearms...

[shoot-n-lead]

44 Special...:)

[Texas by God]

6.5 Remington Mag.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

[.22-10-45]

I really enjoy my .40's... .40-50 B.N., .40-63 Ballard Everlasting, .40-70 str. & .40-70 B.N. And the Winchester-Lee Navy 6mm straight-pull sporter is a hoot! But for pure pleasure, it would have to be the .25-25 Stevens using bullets from Ideal moulds and 3FG Swiss! Big boom all out of proportion to bore size with zero recoil.

[17nut]

44 Special...:)

Storebought easy, how does that make them obsolete?

[map55b]

Tough one....

41 Swiss, 30 Mauser, 38-55, 25-35, 25 Rem and I working a 43 Mauser. Just got a mold for it the other day. :)

[richhodg66]

Well, I just started loading for a Krag today, very pleased with initial results so it'll be my favorite obsolete one for a while.

[Markopolo]

22 Jet, with brass made by Grumpa from 357 mag..

[Taco Belly]

38-55 is my favorite though I have never had the pleasure of shooting or loading for a 32WCF.

I am with you on the 38-55...either black or smokeless powder. The very first round I loaded and shot a few years back I was able to hit a clay target on the 100 yard berm with a Winchester 1885 Trapper. Saeco 255 grain sized .381 with 9.0 grains of Unique for 1200-1275 fps chrono'd...shoots as good with black, or Reloder 7.

[ascast]

11mm Werndl

[303Guy]

22 hornet and 303 Brit. Not really obsolete but veterans just the same. I want a 38/55 (on a MLE action).

[labradigger1]

32-20, 218 mashburn and 25-20SS. I like the small bores.

[Hickok]

Well, I just started loading for a Krag today, very pleased with initial results so it'll be my favorite obsolete one for a while.Rich, you beat me to it. I have always wanted a 30/40. When I was a kid, that was what my dad used deer hunting, a 30/40 Krag.

[beefyz]

I enjoy reloading when finding particular loads that my gun likes. Even more so when that particular ammo is either not readily made or even available. For me nowadays that has been the 25-35. The only ammo i ever see is seasonal runs of the 117gr Hornady jacketed which is a bit expensive. They have come with a new offering, a 100 gr. Try finding ANYONE with a lead load. I've found lead boolits in various weights and even though this caliber due to its 1:8 twist is notorious for being a pain in the butt with lead, i've developed quite a few good 1-2" grps with these old eyes @ 50yds with open sights.
Although i don't own one yet ( so many guns, so little time) reloading for a 38-55 or a 38-40 lever gun would intrigue me....

[flint45]

Favorites are .50-70,.40-65,.30 army also .45-60WCF

[Shawlerbrook]

25 35, 303 Savage, 7x30 waters, 356 & 307 W, 25 20, couldn't pick my favorite.

[shoot-n-lead]

Storebought easy, how does that make them obsolete?

Well, nut...since you cannot take a joke...as in the smiley face at the end...I don't owe you any explanation.

Clowns abound...:)...but that is not meant as a joke.

[therealhitman]

44-40 hands down for me.

[RugerFan]

.41 Swiss. Love my Vetterlis!

[The_Doctor]

While I love the 38-55 and reload for it, I hardly consider it "obsolete."

My favourite obsolete caliber HAS to be the 32 rimfire. Short AND long.

I have a Frank Wesson 1862 carbine that has been SUPER accurate for me.

(With longs from C.I.L.) And a S&W model 1 1\2 that likes the shorts.

There is a Stevens Favorite in 32 Long in the gun room that is awaiting a new stock.

Sadly, I have only a couple of boxes of the Navy Arms re-issue 32s, and some C.I.L.

Obviously these firearms only perform on the rare occasion or two!


The_Doctor

[camp]

300 savage

[TXGunNut]

Obsolete? Probably none. Odd? Maybe a few: 300 Savage, 30US, 32WCF, 32 Spl, 348WCF (soon?), 35 Rem, 35 Whelen, 38WCF, 38-55, 375 Winchester and 45-90. I'm probably forgetting at least one.

[shdwlkr]

don't own any of these but would like too .218 bee, 22hornet, .225winchester, .222, .256 win mag, .257 roberts, .307 winchester, .356 winchester, .375 winchester, 38-55 winchester, 25-35 winchester the older I get the more I miss the firearms of my younger years

[Cheshire Dave]

Lately my favorite " Obsolete" caliber is .455 Webbly. Although mine is a S&W 2nd model hand ejector that has 1.000 inch long chambers so is more like a 45 Scoville. I use 45 Scoville brass trimmed to .990 and the rims thinned in a drill press with a file. I sure don't want to lose any brass after all that work. I use a Lee 255 gr. mold " Beagled' out to drop at .456 and lube in my .458 die. Hits to the sights and with that big flat nose would be a good stopper. I plan on lapping out the mold so it drops bullets a little rounder but it shoots good now.

[Svt40]

Colt Frontier Sixshooter 44-40 ,hardcast 205 flat top and 8grs. Of Unique.

[Texas by God]

I would like a .219 Zipper in a Marlin lever action.

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[Green Frog]

As a schuetzen competitor, I am amazed to see the lack of frequent mention of the long-time favorite cartridge for that game, the 32-40. Is it really that unknown or do most of you regard it as current rather than obsolete? It's been at least 5-10 years since anybody made a run of brass for this caliber, glad I bought up a lifetime supply! :cool:

Froggie

[CASTER OF LEAD]

.45 ACP.

All the cool kids have gone to 9mm leaving only us obsolete old farts to keep the .45 ACP limping along :razz:

While I don't own either it would be .218 Bee or .22 Hornet.

I must not be a cool kid. I am right there with ya. I carry a Ruger SR 1911 in .45 ACP. Absolutely love that gun. Don't own a 9mm anything.
Not saying the 9mm isn't an effective worthy weapon ,I just prefer my .45ACP. It's been putting bad guys to rest for well over 100 years. - CASTER

[MT Chambers]

My favorite obsolete cartridge is also my fav. hunting cartridge, the 50/90 Sharps with it's 630 gr. pp boolit and 100 grs. of Swiss 1 1/2fg.

[TXGunNut]

As a schuetzen competitor, I am amazed to see the lack of frequent mention of the long-time favorite cartridge for that game, the 32-40. Is it really that unknown or do most of you regard it as current rather than obsolete? It's been at least 5-10 years since anybody made a run of brass for this caliber, glad I bought up a lifetime supply! :cool:



Froggie


Looked hard at a nice 1885 (original) in 32-40 last month and quite honestly the chambering was the major reason I passed on it. I load & cast for enough oddballs already.....at least that's what I told myself.;-) My buddy bought the rifle so I guess it's all good. Maybe he'll get tired of it someday.

[KenT7021]

Obsolete or otherwise I load for .32-20,.38-40 and .44-40 all run thru Colt revolvers.For some others .280 Ross,43 Swiss,577-450 and 577 Snider.I also have a nice takeoff barrel in 11.2x72 Schueler that I need to fit to an action.I have brass for it.

[Outpost75]

The OP who started this thread loves the .32-20, well so do I. In fact I love all the .32s, so here is some ".32 Porn" for you'all:

202363202365202366202367202364202368202369202370

[rking22]

Hurts my feelings to consider 32-20 obsolete .....

[Outpost75]

Hurts my feelings to consider 32-20 obsolete .....

Then I would beg your forgiveness, for it wasn't my intent to call it obsolete.

No useable firearm which you can make work is obsolete, if you are competent and profiecient with it.

[osteodoc08]

Love the old hand ejector Outpost.

[rking22]

Outpost, that's all right, I know you like it as well. Most of my friends think everything I shoot is obsolete , kinda suits my nature��

[Scorpion8]

What's everyone's favorite "obsolete" cartridge(s)?

32 Remington. I have a hundred cases, and about 80 loaded rounds and a project to build a rifle on a 336 action. Plans....

[Jniedbalski]

Not really obsolete but not seen much any more the 220 swift. I had a single shot savage bolt action rifle that at 300 yards was probably the most accurate rifle I have ever shot and fun to shoot . It was so accurate it was almost boring. Everything now that I see in the mags or on net is 223 or 22 250

[Texas by God]

Outpost- I love those .32s!
Especially the Hand Ejector.

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[texasnative46]

Texas by God,

Fwiw, I talked to a 21YO lady Sunday PM here in town & who is carrying her great grandfather's (circa 1910) Colt's Model of 1903 in .32ACP (at Starbucks) as her EDC piece. - She said that her G-GF was a LT in the Dallas PD "way back then", retired in 1916 & was "called back to duty" during WWI to replace a Deputy Chief, who was "away with the AEF".
(She said that her G-grandfather died in the Spanish Flu Pandemic in 1919.)

yours, tex

[Texas by God]

I bet it'll still drill em too my friend. .32 acp is the mouse that roars- ask Outpost!
Oh by the way my favorite obsolete round this week is the .35 WCF. I want it in a Lee sporter.
Best, Thomas.

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[texasnative46]

Texas by God,

I can attest to that FACT. = I once carried a Walther PPK in .32ACP & that I carried every day in my BDU trousers pocket & loaded with "high-speed" JHP. NEVER felt "under-armed", when I carried it, either.

These days, my little S&W Shield in 9x19mm (NOT much bigger than a PPK) is my EDC piece & I feel "nekkid" without it on my belt. = HACKS ME OFF when I go onto post & cannot lawfully carry it.
(The SAFEST place for my handgun is in the holster & on my belt, imo.)

yours, tex

[mnewcomb59]

I must not be a cool kid. I am right there with ya. I carry a Ruger SR 1911 in .45 ACP. Absolutely love that gun. Don't own a 9mm anything.
Not saying the 9mm isn't an effective worthy weapon ,I just prefer my .45ACP. It's been putting bad guys to rest for well over 100 years. - CASTER

Betcha didn't know that 9mm has been been giving bad guys dirt naps for about 8 years longer than the 45! I think it came out in around 1903

[sd95B]

.455 Eley, also known as the .455 Webley in a Colt New Service from 1915 and the .250-3000 Savage in a 1950's Model 99F. Both are surprisingly accurate!

[Uncle Dave]

Dad converted his .219 zipper custom target rifle to a more common caliber of 225 Winchester in the good ole days. "Strike Two!" Lol

[3leggedturtle]

256 Win Mag and 38 S&W

I added a 32 S+W long to my list today..

[Gewehr-Guy]

My current favorite is .30-40 KRAG, also playing with a Stevens lever action chambered in --- CAL .30-30 REM --- but I just shoot plain old .30 Rem in it. It's marked STEVENS HIGH POWER , model 425, very accurate with cast loads.

[OlDeuce]

For me it's the Old 32-40 WCF!! fun shooter and really easy to load up ! Ol Deuce

[Texas by God]

Obsolete as in no new factory arms for it? .303 British.

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[trails4u]

Ah....next on my dream list of really cool old guns. Whenever you decide to 'un-burden' yourself, let me know!!!! :)


11mm Werndl

[Traffer]

Here is one no one else will mention... .41 Swiss Rimfire. I hope someday to make the brass drawing tools to start making these.:happy dance:

[trails4u]

And so little love for the venerable .43 Spanish....... Currently my favorite loading bench BP torture device. Both in a RB and Peabody Military Rifle.

[Traffer]

In the last week I watched two movies. "The Man Who Would be King" and "Zulu". Both were in the same relative time period. Both had lots and lots of Martini's. There must be a lot of those floating around England and Europe yet. Would be a nice thing to plink with.