whats your least favorite commonly used cartridge?

[bmortell]

out of calibers that are commonly used in handguns and rifles and considering what there commonly used for, what one would you pick as your least favorite or usefull. for example id probably say .243 because its considered a youth big game rifle and I don't think necking down a 30cal brings the proper quality's of a youth big game rifle, id favor a 357 or 30-30 rifle in that situation. of course almost anything CAN be viable this is mostly for fun.

[Randy Bohannon]

.270 Winchester, no use for one.

[sparky45]

I'd have to agree with Randy, .270 Win

[MDC]

You spelled 300 Blackout wrong

[Froogal]

Pretty much any cartridge that is "rifle only". My shooting range will not accommodate a .223 or anything larger. If a cartridge cannot also be fired from a handgun, I have no use for it.

[Maine1]

223/5.56.

Its not a bad round, just does not do much for me. If I am hunting men..i want a 308. if I want to go light...model 94. If I want to hunt...same answer...
I find shooting a run of the mill 30-30 (knowing I will find brass near my feet, and not in the next zip code) makes more sense. I know there are ways around it, but there are OTHER Rifles besides the AR.

[sukivel]

.308...my 2 recoiled too much for what they were...


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[Texas by God]

.357 magnum and any magnum rifle below .358 Norma.

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[RED BEAR]

223 i don't hunt squirrel and you can't shoot tin cans at my range. I really feel that is what this caliber is good for. i know i will catch flack but thats the way i see it.

[Bazoo]

Lots of choices, 300blackout and 45 gap are my picks.

[Kraschenbirn]

'Nother vote for the .223/5.56 which originated as an ill-conceived compromise and still doesn't do anything particularly well.

Bill

[Hossfly]

I would say 300 black out would be my least favorite. 30-06 full power next although reduced load is looking up with cast and pc will give that a try.

[mattw]

I have to disagree with 223... It is a very fine varmint round, although I like the 222 Mag better. Least liked round... maybe 40 S&W or 38 Super. I have both and would rather shoot my 10mm's any day.

[rking22]

Belted magnums, one and all. Most everything marketed in the past 30years is just a rehash of ballistics already available. Frequently making up for case capacity deficiency with high pressure spec, ie more muzzle pressure therefore LOUD. You asked for opinion, that’s mine:lovebooli

[MT Gianni]

22 lr, underpowered and costly. There is also the trash issue that virtually no one polices their brass.

[bmortell]

not the poor 22lr :-(

[osteodoc08]

Common calibers? Hmmmm. Every caliber has a niche.

Probably the WSSM line of cartridges. Too much of a good thing (short and fat) I suppose.

[condorjohn]

.41 MAG, .40 S&W, 10mm? In a front stuffer 40 cal, fine.

[dverna]

Interesting thread.

Not sure how you define “common”.

I find most calibers are rather useless...just too many that offer little but a theoretical advantage.

Simpler for me to list my favorite calibers. Rifle - .308, .223, and .38/.357. Pistol .38/.357 and 9 mm. And of course the .22LR in both.

I own more, but those cover all my needs. After owning 50+ guns, and shooting for 50+ years, I have learned to stop listening to the “experts”.

[Two Barrels]

I own a 40 S&W. It was the first pistol I ever bought. I have no use for it since discovering 1911s. I cant’t even trade it away unless I am willing to tape a $100 bill to it.

[T_McD]

.40 S&W. Most of my experience comes from cadets that can’t shoot it in their duty weapon. Get a 9mm, if that doesn’t solve the problem, you need a rifle or shotgun.

[bmortell]

common meaning average hunter/shooter joe knows of it atleast. saying you don't think 219 zipper or 440 cor-bon is useful don't help much because not much people are using it anyway. just thought it would be fun to let people vent their pet peeve calibers :-)

[BigAlofPa.]

22 magnum. Because they cost as much as 9mm. And can't be reloaded.

[stubshaft]

.270 Winchester for sure.

[bdicki]

.243 just don't like it.

[DDriller]

300 Blackout

[RJM52]

.38 Special....

[Chainsaw.]

.40 s&w, I actually like the round it just annoys the bojesus out of me when sorting brass. Always bedding with 9mm.

Also, any of the classic stand by 30 cals, and only to aggravate the 30 cal clingers.

[JM7.7x58]

6.5 Creedmoor!

If I have to listen to another guy at work tell me about how their 5,000 dollar "Super" rifle shoots excellent groups at our local 100 yard range, I'm gonna scream.

I know that it is a great round. I know that it works great at well past 1000 yards. But none of these guys are shooting long range with these safe queens.

[Texas by God]

.270 Win and .303 British. Both great cartridges, no use for them for me.

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[frkelly74]

I never heard of a useless caliber, You can always use them up as a bad example.

[Tom W.]

Any caliber that will beat the snot out of me.That would be rifles over 35 cal. and 500 S&W that aren't ported.

[jimmyhat1978]

Gotta agree with 40SW and 10mm. I don't see where they add anything to the table.

[762 shooter]

If I have a firearm that shoots it, it's my favorite.

I hate all other calibers........until I buy a firearm in that caliber.

762

[500Linebaughbuck]

223rem/5.56x45 is a caliber i hate.

[toallmy]

The 30 carbine doesn't do anything for me .

[crash87]

30-06 Springfield!! Boring! Mundane! My 280 Remington is my 30-06.
Crash87

[M-Tecs]

My favorites are .223/5.56, 220 Swift, 38/357, 308, 30-06, 375 H&H,45acp & 45/70. My least favorite is the 22-250 Ackley Improved.

[jimb16]

I don't know if I have a least favorite. There are a lot of them that I don't have any particular use for, but since I don't use them, I can't rate any of them as "least favorite".

[rintinglen]

45 Colt. least accurate common big bore.

[Jedman]

25 ACP ! Jedman

[FergusonTO35]

7mm Remington Mag is easily my least favorite. Nasty recoil (for a 7mm), guzzles powder, short case life, and won't do a darn thing that a .30'06 or .280 can't do. Around here at least, it was for a long time the go-to cartridge for once a year hunters who just had to have something with the word "magnum" in it. Don't now how many times I heard it explained that the belted case adds strength to contain all that magnum power.

Runner up: .40 S&W in the form of most factory ammo. I think most loads are close to overpressure, and repeated chambering will redline it pretty quickly. In a gun with a heavy slide and lightweight grip such as Glock, each shot fired feels like the gun is trying to jump out of my hand. Remember, the .40 was created by the perceived need to improve on the "wimpy" 9mm, and it will always be overshadowed by the 10mm. So, ammo makers and their customers just aren't going to be interested in easing back on it.

Now, the .40 is a sweet cartridge when loaded to a more sane level. I load mine with 4.3 grains Bullseye/Lee 401-175-TC for a very accurate and easy to shoot 900 fps out of my Glock 22. A chunk of lead that size doesn't need much pressure or velocity to be effective, it's like having a 15 shot .38-40!

[elmacgyver0]

I hate any caliber I don't have.

[244]

I'll play!

.357 Sig - Not super common, but most know of it. It is a .40S&W case necked down to 9mm. The recoil is even snappier than a .40S&W. That doesn't mean I don't have a couple though!

As for rifle, I'll agree with the .270 Winchester; not as versatile as a .30-06 and even less efficient. I'll add the .25-06; lots of powder burned for not as much return. Basically, any of the super/ultra magnums.

[Texas by God]

.380 ACP. It just has never impressed me with accuracy like it’s older brother the .32ACP has.

[poppy42]

25 ACP ! Jedman

I’ll second that! For some reason I find 25acp synonymous with raven or Jimenez. Don’t much care for .40 I’d rather have a 9 or a 45

[cwlongshot]

For me its 9mm in a Handgun and 270 in a rifle.

Nothing “wrong” with either of them. The first I prefer my defensive calibers start with a 4 and the 270 is just a odd duck to me. Never had as other calibers do same job for me. Someone with a 270 could say the same. Its a saturated field where it operates.

CW

[Loudy13]

not a big fan of the 5.56/223 its not fun to reload and its so common, 40 cal is next I have one load for one cast for one and it just do anything for me.

[warboar_21]

My least favorite is the .429 magnum.


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[Rcmaveric]

Well, .270 Win (with cast boolits of coarse, and no where near max velocity or pressured) is my baby. 30-06 and .308 are me least favorite. Not because they arent effective, but because everyone constantly boast about them. Pluss a few hunting stories involving 308 and 30-06. I will spare you all the rant.

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[INTRLOPER]

30-06 Springfield!! Boring! Mundane! My 280 Remington is my 30-06.
Crash87

I agree. The 30-06 does a lot of stuff ok but excels at NOTHING. My 30-06 is a 270WIN :-P

[Thumbcocker]

.45 Colt

[toallmy]

I was very surprised the 270 was mentioned .

[rbuck351]

4 come to mind. The 40 Short and Wimpy, might as well have a 45acp. The 300BO. any 30cal can be loaded to do the same thing. The 22mag, it's cheaper to shoot a 22H and you get more everything. And last the 9mm, most aren't very accurate and that comes with a high pressure loud bang. Might as well have a 45acp. The 40 S&W is my least favorite.

I also was surprised to see the 270win listed. It is surrounded by many other fine rounds and performs as well as the rest. I have dropped several moose with a 270 and 150 gr Speer btsp. It is very effective.

[lolbell]

Least favorite? The ol’ Aught Six, fellow tried to give me one several years back. My response was, “Why? Most overrated cartridge out there. I have a 270 Win.”

[bmortell]

UPDATE: well were over 50 votes in and I'm not noticing much pattern in peoples votes.

some people have a good point on 22mag being expensive for a non reloadable cartridge. just comparing value 9mm is significantly more materials, reloadable, and cost the same.

otherwise people seem to like the one they have ie. if you always had a 30-06 you think 270 is pointless and vice versa.

[Rcmaveric]

I was very surprised the 270 was mentioned .Kind of hurt it was mentioned so many times. ***pats the .270*** and tells her she is perfect.

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[JBinMN]

UPDATE: well were over 50 votes in and I'm not noticing much pattern in peoples votes.

some people have a good point on 22mag being expensive for a non reloadable cartridge. just comparing value 9mm is significantly more materials, reloadable, and cost the same.

otherwise people seem to like the one they have ie. if you always had a 30-06 you think 270 is pointless and vice versa.

Yep...

[NWPilgrim]

.357 mag (the cartridge).

A lot of muzzle blast for not much more power in a short barrel—For the same size handgun I can have a 9mm or .40 that holds more rounds and reloads faster. I feel confident my G27 or G23 can handle any situation I might face that a .357 could.

If I want significantly more power I go up to .44 mag. I like a .38 or .357 revolver shooting .38 light loads for new shooters. Other folks may like the .357 as the ideal cartridge, it just doesn’t do anything I need.

[Peregrine]

.308 and 30-06. They're just uninspiring, I still load for the former because I have a large amount of high quality brass for it, and the surplus is cheap and good quality. Othe than that it's a solid "meh", nothing at all wrong with them just mind numbingly boring. Actually toss all .30 cal rifle cartridges into there.

[Walks]

For me, I could do without the entire line of short & fat rifle cartridges. Half an inch of action length and 2-4 ounces in weight. And the weight/size of scopes is ridiculous. What ever happened to the 8 lb Hunting Rifle.

Your boots could be heavier.

Plus I hate any 6.5 except the 6.5X55.

[richhodg66]

I'd have to say .270. Never had a desire for one. Then a Sears Model 50 (FN Mauser action) followed me home as part of a trade deal. I figured why not? The .270 was the only centerfre rifle ammo that never ran out in our Wal Mart during the scare. Shot a little factory ammo, then put it in the closet. Then found a coffee can of .270 cast bullets in my Dad's stuff that an old friend had when Dad closed out his estate many years ago (Dad never had a .270). Well, that wouldn't do, so a set of dies presented themselves and then I started shooting cast in it, then got a mold... Still don't shoot it as much as others, but the point being, all calibers are good, some better than others. The .270 is a weird bore size that won't do anything the .30-06 won't do better and easier, but I like it anyway.

As for handguns, anything besides the .38 Special and .357 are basically a waste of lead, but the .45 Colt is still my favorite and I like the .44s too.

Oh, and I shoot 16 gauge shotguns too. No sense to that one either except I like it.

[Harter66]

Without a doubt the 7mm RM is the most over rated over hyped wonder cartridge of all time . I love 7mm , I really do but that one just doesn't do anything for me . I'm not really a fan of the belts anyway but that one just grinds on me for some reason . This is made even more odd because I have a 264 WM and I don't even like the 6.5s . I fact the older , slower and fatter I get the more I like the old , fat , slow cartridges . Maybe I was raised on the 06' and my first rifle was a 7×57 have something to do with that . I always wanted a 280 just to poke at my Dad and his passion for the 25-06 . Guess he fooled me . Now I've come full circle and I'm back to a 7×57 , 06' and a 45-70 in case I need to really lay the smackdown on something really big and unsmack-down-able .

I have a bunch of useless cartridges for where I am and a bunch of equally useless cartridges for where I was . I mean where deer are 400+# on the hoof and 250 yd is an expected normal shot for a lottery draw deer , elk or antelope tag a 30-30 is pretty much a waste of space and metal . On the other hand where a deer is a monster at 300# on the hoof and in the dead of winter you can see a whopping 60 yd through the trees it's very practical .

Hand gun cartridges ........ Well if you have a 9mm , 357 mag and a 45 Colts there isn't a whole lot more to want . Really if you need to poke a lot of holes in something 9mm come readily available with 10-30 rounds down to pocket protection . If you need to poke a deep hole in something or break engine parts the 357 is simply an icon . If you need a big , deep hole and 500+ ftlb or anticipate an angry confrontation with 400+# of rage you load a +P 45 Colts and that problem is solved too . But I have had a 40 it filled that space between lots of holes and big deep holes . But,but,but the 44 mag is ........well of course it is but I'm not big on mags and muzzle blast/flash which is why when I cleaned house the 357 moved into a friend's place .

Is there a reason for anything more than a 3" 12 ga ? Really a skilled user does very well with a 2 3/4" . With loads from 3/4-1 1/2 oz and up to 1 1/8 of steel from 1100-1500 fps and having killed an example of everything probably on the planet , 6 continents anyway . Available in every action type , and available everywhere anybody would have any business being in business as well as being the least expensive to buy in bulk often for less than the cost of parts even if you have the cases , why would you want anything else ?

[TheGrimReaper]

.270 Winchester, no use for one.

Me too!!!! No use for it at all.

[Chev. William]

Chuckling,
My Personal Aversion to a Cartridge is for the # inch 50 Caliber Cartridge and Gun that was used to damage my Hearing way back in 1961-1962 on my First Ship of my Active Duty Navy Career.

Chev. William

[Chev. William]

Chuckling,
My Personal Aversion to a Cartridge is for the 3 inch 50 Caliber Cartridge and Gun that was used to damage my Hearing way back in 1961-1962 on my First Ship of my Active Duty Navy Career.

Chev. William

[dale2242]

300 BLK.
I`m not an AR kinda guy.
I don`t see a need, for me ….dale

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

I am going to preface this with these have a purpose just 5% actually use them for it.
7mm rem mag
7mm stw
7mm wusm
300 win mag
300 weatherby mag
maybe I should just stop and say Magnum are for >300 yard shooting , if you never expect to shoot farther than 200 why , just why.
then to go on and pontificate about how your uber ultra **** mag is so awesome when you can't hit better than 7moa at 100 yards with it.
so I guess we know how I feel about magnums.

basically the same about magnum pistol cartridges above 44mag they serve a purpose but again 5% use them for it the rest stoke their ego with it.

25acp just because it is so anemic

thats about it.

I am that guy who likes 300 blackout , but what i like about it is that I run it in a 16 inch AR pistol in a township that prohibits rifle use but allows shotgun and pistol and that my dad built one just like mine and has him shooting deer again with all the back, neck and shoulder surgeries he has had.

I also have had the 300 out to 420 yards it's kind fun on steel , but I wouldn't use it on game past 150 even though it holds MOA at 200 just fine.

[Texas by God]

I always recommend the .270 for folks who don't reload. Like Rich said, it was the only rifle ammo on the shelves during the last panic. I don't care for it myself but I've had a couple.

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[Knightflyer]

300 Blackout

Yup. I fail to see the allure of 300BO. Actually, easier to say what I like and/or want.
Love my 30-30. It's versatile and fairly cheap to feed. Especially with cast lead & pistol powder. :)
Want a .308 to fill the Big game and/or long range niche.
Also want a 45 long colt carbine, because i want a pistol caliber carbine. Load up a huge 45 caliber bullet subsonic and show 300 BO how it's done. ;)
.22 LR is a great training, plicking or small game round.

[Good Cheer]

Least fave, 9mm. :2gunsfiring_v1:

.32ACP is more fun if you find an old one with 6" barrel.

The only thing wrong with .270 is not being rimmed, about an inch and a half long and a good selection of molds.

[Lloyd Smale]

ME TOO! Cant stand Jack OConnor either. tweed jacket blow hole. I can see lack of love for the 556 on a cast bullet fourm but come on guys whats more fun then an 300bo ar that can be shot for the price of 15 grains of powder and a primer. Only thing that's will put a smile on your face cheaper is a 9mm ar15.
.270 Winchester, no use for one.

[rking22]

Some of us find ARs clumsy and uninteresting, the 300BO then falls into a void between 32-20 and 30-30. To each their own, but I like rims.

[Jedman]

Some of us find ARs clumsy and uninteresting, the 300BO then falls into a void between 32-20 and 30-30. To each their own, but I like rims.

+ 1. I feel the same.

Jedman

[Magnum Wheel Man]

I must be a cartridge hoarder then... I find them all interesting... of course I reload close to 90 different cartridges ( I stopped counting around 75, several years ago )... IMO, part of the problem with these cartridges, is the package that shoots them... for example 25 ACP gets much more interesting in a full sized revolver, & with a cast bullet...

https://preview.ibb.co/eay3O9/25-ACP-Blackhawk-complete-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/gXRCGU)

... & cartridges like the 5-Seven, out of the FN are nightmare to reload, blowing the shoulder forward an 1/8" in the blowback auto... but is pretty cool in a Contender...

hmmm... maybe for me, it would be a 50 Beowulf, because of the severely rebated rim, brass life can suffer... but the 50 AE cases seem to hold up...

reloading all these cartridges is like "rocket science, for the common man" I guess I like them all...

[MT Gianni]

Interesting no love for the 7 Rem mag. I see it on a cast forum. Those around me that hunt big bull Elk have gone almost exclusively to it or the 338/378 Weatherby. Their MO is to shoot the heaviest bullets available, range finders, ballistic compensator scopes and bipods. They scout where the herds are, set up 600-800 yards or more away from where the elk will exit the timber and wait. Usually the bulls leave cover 10 minutes before legal shooting light. It isn't my type of hunting but they tend to be very successful doing it. For many it is getting to be the only way to access a public land bull, as if you were closer they wouldn't come out before dark.
I believe almost any cartridge is useful and almost anything out there has been duplicated multiple times.

[375supermag]

Hi...
My two cents worth(and remember what you paid for it)...
I have no use for .25ACP, never understood the rationale.
Not a big fan of 9mm... I have two, a WWII German Luger bring back. I only have it because of it being an historical military piece.
Shoot it once or twice a year.
Also have one of those Egyptian Helwan Brigadier 9mm. I bought it from my son in law for $50 because he wanted it out if his house.
I think I shot it a couple of times over the last ten years or so. Just not a fan.
I regularly shoot my son's 9mm carry handguns but never felt the need to buy one for myself. I will stick with my .45ACPs in 1911s.
I do have a 9mm barrel that my son bought me for my S&W M&P in .40 that I bought to find out what all the fuss about polymer pistols was. Again... don't shoot it very often with the 9mm barrel.
As for rifles... I don't have any need for anything more powerful than my .30/06 and 7mm Magnum. I am not likely to hunt anything bigger than black bear and whitetails so I see no reason for me to get any of the larger calibers.

[Lloyd Smale]

personaly I think its a great round. If I was just an elk and moose hunter I could easily live with just a 7 mag. Like you eluded to its a matter of different animals and different styles of hunting. someone antelope hunting with a 300 wby might be called a knuckle dragger by the guy out there with his 243. But then next month that 300 wby might be called on to shoot a griz or moose and id sure hope that 243 guy stays home. Bottom line is theres no such thing as to dead.
Interesting no love for the 7 Rem mag. I see it on a cast forum. Those around me that hunt big bull Elk have gone almost exclusively to it or the 338/378 Weatherby. Their MO is to shoot the heaviest bullets available, range finders, ballistic compensator scopes and bipods. They scout where the herds are, set up 600-800 yards or more away from where the elk will exit the timber and wait. Usually the bulls leave cover 10 minutes before legal shooting light. It isn't my type of hunting but they tend to be very successful doing it. For many it is getting to be the only way to access a public land bull, as if you were closer they wouldn't come out before dark.
I believe almost any cartridge is useful and almost anything out there has been duplicated multiple times.

[Lloyd Smale]

Me I like shoot ANY gun. that said when I go to the range just to have fun there isn't much more fun then an ar. I know for sure if I take a grandkid along grandpas getting chewed out if he doesn't have an Ar of some kind and a coffee can full of ammo for it.
Some of us find ARs clumsy and uninteresting, the 300BO then falls into a void between 32-20 and 30-30. To each their own, but I like rims.

[historicfirearms]

I honestly can't think of a cartridge that I hate. Sure have my favorites but I'm always game for something new or old. Out of all the common rounds, I've never owned a 243. But if I found a good deal on a nice rifle in 243, I'd be ordering reloading dies the next day. I guess I just love to shoot and especially reload most anything.

[robg]

Short magnums ,poor feeding just to have a shorter bolt throw .just to reproduce cartridges we already have.

[afish4570]

I own a 40 S&W. It was the first pistol I ever bought. I have no use for it since discovering 1911s. I cant’t even trade it away unless I am willin and to tape a $100 bill to it.

A dz. years ago I bought a top end complete 96 Berreta for $150 and put it on my 92 Beretta frame to shot major cal. USPSA. Bought a Lee 175 TC 6cavity mold and dies and shot several K per year. Used a gun (92fs 9mm) for IDPA switched top end for USPSA. No transition just alittle more recoil to deal with plus a good reliable platform. Uses 25 to 50 grs. less lead plus small pistol primers. My 45 reloading has since gotten to be a pain with the mixture 0f 45 brass small and large primers and less brass available 45 brass to pick up.The 40 brass has been easy to find for pickup due to alot of police officers shooting and not picking up the brass for reloading. With alot of agencies switching to 9mm this will be slowly changing. Learned to like the 40 and shoot my 45's less. Just my experience. afish4570

[am44mag]

270 Winchester. I have absolutely no logical reason to dislike it though. I've never had one, I've never even held one. The ballistics on the round itself look to be perfectly well suited for deer, and it's based off one of my favorite cartilages, the 30-06. I just really don't like it for some reason and I don't know why. Oddly enough, I have absolutely no issue with the 280 Remington which is extremely similar to the 270 Win. It's almost an irrational hatred.

I find it funny that it seems to be the most hated cartridge here, lol.

[Texas by God]

I love the 38 Special, but I dislike the 357 Magnum. I love the 44 special, but I dislike the 44 Magnum. I love the 41 magnum. I dislike the 270 Winchester, but I love the 25 ought 6 Remington. No logic rolling around in this cranium LOL.

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[Hickok]

The 6.5 Italian Carcano.

This round has caused more harm and damage to gun owners than can be imagined. And NO, I positively don't believe it was the cartridge that was used to assassinate JFK that day in Dallas,.....but it got the blame, as did the Carcano rifle, and Oswald. Just my view.

[Walks]

7mm REM Mag, 243Win & .41Mag

My DAD's house was burglarized in 1974. He lost his Remington 700 Left-Hand .30-06 & beloved Custom Weatherby .300 Weatherby Mag on a Left Hand Brevex MAUSER Action.

He went to get a New REM 700 .30-06, couldn't find one any place. It was August so He had to buy NOW. Settled for a Rem 700 in .270, liked it fine.

Looked at new Weatherby Mark 5's. Way too heavy, and expensive. I bought him a Left-Hand REM 700 in 7mmREM Mag, for next Christmas. Took 3 rds to drop an Elk. He didn't think it was worth the recoil.

A .250Sav will do anything a .243 will do, and you got the option of heavier bullets.

The .41mag is a cartridge that has no niche to fill.
If a .357Mag won't do it, then step up to a .44Mag. Plus you have the option of the. 44spl.

[Anschutz]

I'm surprised by some of these. Mine are the Creedmoor's.
6CM=does the same thing that the .243 has been doing for almost 70 years
6.5CM doesn't do anything the 260 doesnt.

I'd be in the same boat on .223 but it's an excellent varmint gun and I shoot highpower so it's kind of necessary for that.

In a handgun, 40SW. Unless you're shooting uspsa limited division there are better options.

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[MT Chambers]

My vote goes to the .300 BO......have had 2 guns with 3 barrels and no joy, no accuracy, max. loads bring a slight improvement, bad pressure excursions with Lil Gun. I have a potentially accurate rifle right now with custom barrel, Jewel trigger set at 2 oz., but no love and a waste of money in that cal.

[goryshaw]

.40 short and weak.
I have a Glock Model 22 1st gen, one of the first 500 made, SN is 480 or so. Found it at the LGS before I had even seen any articles on it.

Still have some original WW 155 gr Silvertips, when I chrono'ed them they were doing about 1325 fps, lots hotter than current production ammo. Very unpleasant to shoot, I keep them around for defense but I don't shoot them. I have around 500 empty cases but I don't even bother to reload. I'm more of a revolver guy, and there is essentially no resale value on Glock 1st gen so I keep it around as a car/truck gun.

[am44mag]

Edit: posted in wrong thread

[GregLaROCHE]

Surprising how many .223s are mentioned. I guess I would have to agree. I have a .222 if I want to do some economical shooting, however, I have never tried cast boolits with it.

Got to mention .22 magnum. I guess there’s a market for them, but after .22lf I would want to make a bigger step up. Like a .222 or a hornet.

At last any caliber I don’t have dies for. I have a few die sets, that I don’t have rifles for, but no rifles I don’t have dies for.

[Rodfac]

.380 ACP...too ****ed small for these old arthritic fingers to grip while loading on a Dillon 550B. And don't get me started on those lousy 90 gr FMJ's that slip out of your fingers and hide under the bench!

And....the 2nd place winner is: Small primer .45 ACP for the PITA while trying to keep it separate from REAL .45 ACP.

YMMv, but I don' t care...Rod

[Drm50]

Of the guns I presently own I have only one that I feel my least favorite and used cartridge, the 41mag. I've got a couple and hardly ever shot them. They are like 16g shotguns, not enough bigger than a 20 or smaller than a 12g. I have a good many rifles but really don't keep calibers that I'm not fond of. In rifle catridges there are many that are basically duplications. Many times there is a cartridge developed that is close to perfect and sales take off. Then another company will try to bring out something similar and it flops. Some good cartridges have been dropped but that is a direct relation to sales of both the gun & ammo. Others are made in limited runs. It is irritating to me that they can put out a new cartridge over night but they can't support cartridges like 257, 35r
250sav ect.

[dh2]

.270 Winchester, no use for one.I have to agree, The 270 Win. has no real appeal to me for long range deer I use a 25-06 and there are many better choices for elk and bigger animals

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[bruce drake]

Since discovering the .400 Corbon cartridge, my .45 ACP 5" barrels for my 1911 pistols have been sitting in a drawer on the gun bench. Shooting a little less lead at a bit faster velocity seems to meet my desired goals as I age.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.400_Cor-Bon

That said, I don't like the 40 S&W cartridge at all. I load it for my father-in-law's trips to the range but I have never felt the love for the cartridge as I consider it a bad compromise between the 9x19 and the 45ACP that the .400 Corbon better meets that need which is lighter recoil than the 45ACP but more thump than the 9mm at the terminal end without having to go to the higher pressure 10mm Auto to get the same results.

Bruce

[nun2kute]

I like about anything that go's BOOM ! Sept anything with the words "Glock" or Creedmore attached get the :bootgive:. Some calibers are just much lower on the Bucket List.

[Gewehr-Guy]

I'll nominate the .17HMR,great for starlings and gophers,but in my opinion ,not great for anything bigger. Actually I really like the .22 mag because you don't have to reload them, and they were chambered in some nice rifles, like the Win 9422 and the slick M-61 pump. Great for jack rabbits,coon,fox, and even coyotes. I may have even shot a deer with one. Good rifle for farmers who don't reload or shoot much, and don't want or need the extra power of a .223.

[Jedman]

I had to think about this for a while. I have owned at least 200 guns in my life and just about everything you might have ever heard of but I have never owned a 9 mm. I don't really dislike them but for all of the calibers I have owned never a 9 and who doesn't have a 9 mm ?

Jedman

[bigdog454]

Love em all! But! shot a 7 mag and a 270, with the same bullet over a crongraph, and for a few fps Ill take the 270.

[Good Cheer]

I'll load 9's for the nephews but wouldn't want one.
Oh, and ee-ooo on the .270.
[smilie=l:

[Tracy]

.40 S&W, 10mm and 5.56/.223.

.40 S&W , well that one's obvious.

10mm because so many people think it's an awesome powerhouse, when in reality the same pistol platform in .45 ACP with decent springs and full chamber support will eat its lunch, any day of the week.

.223 I don't actually hate, but for my purposes .222 is better. Especially for cast bullets.

[izzyjoe]

I can't understand why the 270 has gotten mentioned so many times! The only calibers I can't see useful, is the 5mm Remington, what a joke, and the 17 Mac 2 is a waste! Its really upsetting how many calibers cross over, and do the same thing. 22lr HV will come pretty close to the 22 mag, But I'd take the 22 mag over the LR, my poaching days dictate that! I for one am so grateful that we have the freedoms, and the rights to shoot, reload, and discuss such topics as this!

[rking22]

This thread certainly shows how different our preferences are! I suspect the dislike of the 270 is from the fact that it was portrayed to be the one and only just perfect everything else stinks, big game round. I personally have never had one and don't see that it is any different than 15 or 20 other cartridges from a practical standpoint. Any time you picked up an Outdoor Life or FS etc, in the 70s you were told if you don’t have a 270 you have a second class rifle. Folk get tire of that. Anything that needs that kind of constant hype becomes uninteresting. Glock comes to mind..and 1911s,( that should po 95% of the readers) .
Anyway I am glad we got lots of choices, cause we all are wired differently. I find a gun I like, then deal with whatever it’s chambered for. I rarely even notice bolts or autos so will be unlikely to ever own a 270.

[3leggedturtle]

It was 22 Hornet, but got rid of them, now it's the 17 HMR.

[375supermag]

Hi...
Probably my least favorite commonly used caliber is 9mm.
I own exactly two...a WWII German Luger bring back and a Helwan Brigadier that I bought from my son in law for $50 when he needed some cash.
I probably shoot a couple hundred rounds a year of 9mm through the Luger. I bought the Luger because I like historical military handguns and it was a really good deal.
I do have a 9mm barrel for my S&W M&P .40 cal but I haven't used it in a year or more. I only have that barrel because it was a gift.

Don't have much use for 20ga. shotguns either.
I own one but haven't shot it in at least 40 years or more.

As far as rifles, I have a decent cross section of calibers from .223 up through .30/06 and 7mmMag, including .243, .7x57, .308. Always looking for a nice wood stocked bolt action rifle in different caliber in that window to add to my collection. I like bolt action rifles at the range and for hunting.
With my damaged shoulders, I really shouldn't shoot anything more powerful than 7mmMag, so everything more powerful has no use to me.

[MT Chambers]

It was 22 Hornet, but got rid of them, now it's the 17 HMR.

I think maybe the reason for the hatred of the Hornet is because it wasn't a K-hornet.

[Redleg11b]

My personal opinion is that a lot of dislikes of cartridges is closely related to the platform they are fired in. A prime example being the 5.7x28 out of that junky pistol, 25ACP in cheap and tiny pocket pistols, etc.. I will admit that the 25ACP really has no practical advantage or place, but it is still a fun little cartridge to shoot. My least favorite cartridge that I have owned is the 25-06. I would rather have the versatility of the boring 30-06, despite not even needing anything in this class of cartridge. Short of varmint and wing shooting, all my hunting and range fun needs could be covered by a rifle in 357 or 45 Colt. Slow and lightweight cast bullets for small game up to heavy cast or JSP at max load for large game. There is no fun in that though.

[bmortell]

My personal opinion is that a lot of dislikes of cartridges is closely related to the platform they are fired in.
that is a valid reason in this context because my original question for the thread was "out of calibers that are commonly used in handguns and rifles and considering what there commonly used for, what one would you pick as your least favorite or usefull?" so its not completely about calibers themselves irrelevant of the guns

[Idaho45guy]

9mm.

The cases are tiny and a pain to handle when reloading. And despite trying a multitude of bullets and loads, I can only get my Glock G19 Gen 5 to group 1/8" better than the cheap Federal Brass 115gr FMJ I buy at WalMart for under $10 a box. I think the best group is around 1.5" at 25yds, which is good, but the hassle and expense of all that load experimentation was not worth it, IMHO.

Now, with .40 S&W, 10mm, and .45 Colt, I can get much, much better groups from my reloads vs. store bought.

[SSGOldfart]

22 lr, underpowered and costly. There is also the trash issue that virtually no one polices their brass.

I agree with 22LR

[429421Cowboy]

For rifle it's a toss up for me. .308 win or .25/06, with a runner up being .300 win mag. I'd possibly own a .308 if it was in something like a Savage 99. .25/06 doesnt quite shoot heavy enough bullets for my taste, and is too much in between the .257 Robert's and Weatherby. The .300 is the same, I'd rather either have my preferred 7mag with higher BC bullets and lower recoil, or a .338 win for heavier bullets and less sharp of a recoil impulse.
Handgun cartridges it's the. 40 S&W far and away.

[glaciers]

Handgun: 380, 9mm, 40, 10mm, and any cartridge that head spaces on the case mouth. Except the 45 ACP which works fine in my S&W six shooters with full moon clips.

Rifles: 270, any 7mm with the exception of the 7x57 (don't have one yet), any belted magnum except the 300 and the 375 H&H's, (well the 458 Win mag is OK), any and all of the worthless short magnums.
Rimless standard and rimmed cartridges, you can keep the rebated rimless cartridges.

[edward hogan]

Have to say the .270win was a great ctg for learning to handload. Would probably select a .280rem AI if was still in TX, but I'm not!

I got no use for the .17 or .20 cals, other than .177 pellet guns. Would love to own a .22 K Hornet, but don't really hunt any small game. While the .308win and .30-06 aren't terribly enticing, they do get Superb Barrel Life and an AI'd `06 is about ALL a guy is likely to ever need in the way of a rifle. But gee, I also own a .338-06AI'd rifle that is probably The Best All-Around rifle I own.

What don't I like? Cartridges which don't use standard boltface diameters... I no longer own any .590 super-magnums, and stuff like the Dakota ctgs which use .545 instead of .533 diameter are a turn-off. The 6.5x55 also has a non-standard boltface; although Win makes theirs .476"... I wish there was more standardization between rifle and handgun calibers, especially in .45cal.

One more thing that gets my Irish up, why the ctg designers go with longer cases for the .30mags rather than using the longer case for .338mags... The .300win and .300ruger are case in point, while the Weatherby 300 & .340 are identical except for neck diameter. I shoot a .338/300win and am very pleased with its performance. Kept it over the .338 Lapua, .338ultra mag, and the .340wby because the .338/300 allows a wide variance of load performance which the bigger cases are unable to do due to detonation risk.

I got no use for the bigger bores done on the AR-15 receiver. I load 77gr match bthp for my .223/5.56 purposes and what a great bullet! Also have a 73gr rn mold which I've really never gotten around to wringing out. For years, I debated going to a Grendel for AR-15 and other chamberings besides .308win for AR-10. But, being a handloader, there was no real practicallity for doing so.

Always fun to read about others experiences with their ctg choices. I'm one of those guys who never met a gun or ctg he didn't like...

[sharps4590]

6.5 CM, 30-06, 308 and 9mm. The first does absolutely nothing cartridges developed over 125 years ago were not already doing. Great marketing success. What's the next "latest, greatest, newest, bestest" that does nothing new? The middle two...lol!!!...they bounce over and under their parent cartridge and do nothing any more or better than the 8 x 57. I just never could warm up to the 9mm....357 either, for that matter. For me, anything on the AR platform is totally useless. I didn't like the M-16 in basic 48 years ago and my opinion hasn't changed.

Having said the above, all those I mentioned are good cartridges. Except for the 9mm and 8 X 57, none are actually original, first designs. They all borrow a lot from some preceding cartridge

[444ttd]

its the 223 for me. i'll take a 222 remington all day and twice on sunday. although i luv my 20 vartarg, i hate the bullets!!!!

[oldsalt444]

Probably 7.62x54R. The old military bolt guns beat the hell out of my shoulder. But I must say that every cartridge has its useful niche. This one seems to be in vintage military matches.

[jonp]

Now, it's the latest fad. The 6.5 Creedmoor. Can't think of anything it does that a 308 or even a 260 can't do not to mention my old favorite, 6.5 Swede. For over 95% of people out there, it doesn't do anything others can't but that doesn't mean I'm against it. Any new cartridges that get people shooting are good in my book but if someone can tell me something I can't do with a 6.5 Swede or 7mm Mauser that the Creedmoor can I'd like to hear it beside 1,000yrd target practice which most of us don't do anyways.
I'm also going to go in for all the belted ammo rounds. Can't see any need for them at all but the 300 H&H Mag is just so cool....

Then again, if you can't get it done with a 308 or 30-06 then you need more practice.

[jonp]

Probably 7.62x54R. The old military bolt guns beat the hell out of my shoulder. But I must say that every cartridge has its useful niche. This one seems to be in vintage military matches.

I actually shot a whitetail with one and some surplus ammo. That gun was not overly pleasant to shoot but it more than was up to the task.

[Eddie Southgate]

9mmP , .32 acp , .270 W, .308 , 30-06 ,7 mag ,.300 mag are some I have no use for .

[Idaho45guy]

Now, it's the latest fad. The 6.5 Creedmoor. Can't think of anything it does that a 308 or even a 260 can't do not to mention my old favorite, 6.5 Swede. For over 95% of people out there, it doesn't do anything others can't but that doesn't mean I'm against it. Any new cartridges that get people shooting are good in my book but if someone can tell me something I can't do with a 6.5 Swede or 7mm Mauser that the Creedmoor can I'd like to hear it beside 1,000yrd target practice which most of us don't do anyways.
I'm also going to go in for all the belted ammo rounds. Can't see any need for them at all but the 300 H&H Mag is just so cool....

Then again, if you can't get it done with a 308 or 30-06 then you need more practice.

Stopped by the only gun shop in the area and they had 17 different ammo selections for 6.5 Creedmoor and 18 for .308. It has definitely taken the market by storm around here. So, one distinct advantage it now has is ammo availability.

But, I thought you'd like these memes...

255555


255556


255557

[Idaho45guy]

And despite me not liking the 9mm in regards to reloading and load development, I just ordered another pistol in it. Hard to argue the overwhelming ballistics results and defensive shooting studies that show it on par with the .40 S&W and .45 acp for results. Plus, the P365 I ordered will hold 12 rounds in what is essentially a pocket pistol for me.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

22mag rimfire
44mag

you can have them both...GOOD RIDDANCE !

[edp2k]

Except for the 9mm and 8 X 57, none are actually original, first designs. They all borrow a lot from some preceding cartridge

Actually 9mm Luger was not, to use your nomenclature, an "original, first design", it was created by necking up the 30 Luger to remove the bottleneck.

[robbyPGP2014]

9mm, but I shoot it a lot because it is cheap

[skeet1]

It seems that I have tried most of the calibers that people don't like and I need to agree with most of them. Some of them are only inspiring in a single type of rifle or handgun and if those weapons were not available, as far as I'm concerned, the caliber would not have any value at all. For instance the .300 Blackout and the AR platform. I like to shoot .30 caliber cast bullets in my AR thus the .300 Blackout is just fun to shoot other than that I don't think it has much use.

Ken

[veeman]

30 Carbine in my Blackhawk.

[Bent Ramrod]

9mm, .40 S&W, .223, 7.62x39.

Conventional, whitebread, boring, blah.

The shooters of these cartridges leave their empties until the firing line on our range looks like the opening scene in the movie Lord of War. One day I’m going to slip on them and break my silly neck.

[alamogunr]

this thread certainly shows how different our preferences are! I suspect the dislike of the 270 is from the fact that it was portrayed to be the one and only just perfect everything else stinks, big game round. I personally have never had one and don't see that it is any different than 15 or 20 other cartridges from a practical standpoint. Any time you picked up an outdoor life or fs etc, in the 70s you were told if you don’t have a 270 you have a second class rifle. Folk get tire of that. Anything that needs that kind of constant hype becomes uninteresting. Glock comes to mind..and 1911s,( that should po 95% of the readers) .
Anyway i am glad we got lots of choices, cause we all are wired differently. I find a gun i like, then deal with whatever it’s chambered for. I rarely even notice bolts or autos so will be unlikely to ever own a 270.

bingo!

[charlie b]

9mm, .40 S&W, .223, 7.62x39.

Conventional, whitebread, boring, blah.


LOL

But, I consider ALL cartridges 'Conventional, whitebread, boring, blah.'

It is the weapon used to fire them that is interesting to me. A 'blah' weapon, like a standard AR is one of the most boring things around. But, put a superb upper, trigger group and scope in it and it becomes interesting, even in .223.

And, no, hunting has no interest to me.

[hpdrifter]

.270 Winchester, no use for one.


I'd have to agree with Randy, .270 Win

Of the cartridges I have owned and shot, I agree with Randy and Sparky; 270

I had a Ruger M77 years ago(tang safety) that was very accurate, but just did nothing for me. At that time, I wasn't reloading, and there was only 2 choices in bullet weight. Just didn't offer enough selection. I've held a grudge ever since.
9 MM Luger is a close second. I just does not warm my heart.

[Texas by God]

hp drifter- do you still have "W"- the .270?[emoji16] Inside joke[emoji16]!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Elroy]

I would like 22-250 a lot better than I do now IF they would have sped up the twist rate a hair.I guess that a lot depends on were you live,but a 1-9 223 fills my need just fine.

[brass410]

everything lives in the cabinet now, except 2, my brno 375H&H lives upstairs (in case moose or elk shows up in the field at the back) and my #1Ruger 45-70 downstairs kitchen (because the darn bears wont stay off the deck) when swmbo makes breakfast with the patio doors open on nice days in the spring. All the others are just for making me look like a hunter when visitors are in.

[jonp]

30 Carbine in my Blackhawk.

I've often wondered about that one. Seems like a strange pistol caliber to me in a Blackhawk. Anyone have the story as to why Bill just had to offer this one?

[jonp]

Actually 9mm Luger was not, to use your nomenclature, an "original, first design", it was created by necking up the 30 Luger to remove the bottleneck.

Which was derived from the 7.65 x 25mm Borchardt. It has always interested me how many "new" rounds build on the steps of ones already created no matter how obscure or long ago.

[hpdrifter]

yes. I know you wanted the mauser and I could live with the 270 or at least try to sell it, which I haven't tried to do yet.

I had speculated and planned all kinds of things with the mauser, but knew I'd never do it. Might as well go to someone that would.

Sorry TbG, I didn't quote but this post is for you.

[NorthMoccasin]

I've often wondered about that one. Seems like a strange pistol caliber to me in a Blackhawk. Anyone have the story as to why Bill just had to offer this one?

Well, i dont know about Bills motive, but the one I owned was the most accurate pistol I ever owned! Lots of fun to shoot, made 1 to 1.5" groups all day long at 50 yds with 31108 or 311316 over a healthy dose of 4227. It can be loaded down to 32 long leves and was still remarkably accurate. Cheap on powder and lead too. practical uses other than plinking and small game? Nah, but it was SO much fun hitting small targets a long way off. Unfortunately, some lowlife stole it from my Bronco after smashing the vent window out in St Josephs MO. Such is life.

[smithnframe]

6.5 Creedmoor!!!

[richhodg66]

My Dad loved the .30 Carbine Blackhawks for some reason. He never owned or cared for the M1 Carbine, which I've always been fond of.

I just don't understand a pistol that big in a caliber that small, but I ended up with one and a lot of cases and cast bullets for it, so it'll get shot a lot eventually.

[jimb16]

.44 mag and .270 for me. Had both and sold both. In my contender, I can load .45 Colts to .44 mag velocities and the blackhawk to nearly the same, so why do I want a .44 mag? And the .30 - 06 works just fine for me as does the 8MM Mauser and 7.62x54R. More versitle than the .270 in my opinion.

[Rcmaveric]

Ya'll making ole Jack grown in his grave with all this 270 Win dislike.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[veeman]

I've often wondered about that one. Seems like a strange pistol caliber to me in a Blackhawk. Anyone have the story as to why Bill just had to offer this one?

I think at the time there was sooo much surplus ammo floating about that it seemed like a good idea at the time. I myself usually use 32-20 brass and loads, easier on the ears and still just as fun to shoot. OM's cant use the 32-20 brass tho, just the NM's. There are alot of OM's floating around for sale in near new condition because of the noise and flash of using factory ammo. A couple cylinders full would be enough of that for many new users. God help the poor sap who touched one off without ear plugs. lol

[375supermag]

Hi...

Thought I would chime in here...
Least favorite for me is 9mm.
I shoot almost every week and reload a lot of rounds and I just can't warm up to this round.
I shoot .45ACP, 10mm, .40 S&W quite a bit and shoot enough 9mm to have thousands of pieces of brass on hand but I just don't like the round. I don't use it as a carry round...it is only useful to me as a plinking round at the range to ring steel targets.
My son reloads for it on my small primer Hornady LnL...he has has several pistols in 9mm, between us we manage to shoot about 500 rounds of 9mm every 6 weeks or so. About the same as any other handgun caliber, but I generally shoot no more than 50-100 rounds of 9mm out of that 500. I generally shoot four times as much .45ACP as 9mm and even more of the revolver cartridges.

[Lloyd Smale]

I agree. I do like the 6.5 Grendel though. but because it puts serious 200 yard deer capablilitys in a ar15 sized gun. Ar 10? Make mine a 308.
Now, it's the latest fad. The 6.5 Creedmoor. Can't think of anything it does that a 308 or even a 260 can't do not to mention my old favorite, 6.5 Swede. For over 95% of people out there, it doesn't do anything others can't but that doesn't mean I'm against it. Any new cartridges that get people shooting are good in my book but if someone can tell me something I can't do with a 6.5 Swede or 7mm Mauser that the Creedmoor can I'd like to hear it beside 1,000yrd target practice which most of us don't do anyways.
I'm also going to go in for all the belted ammo rounds. Can't see any need for them at all but the 300 H&H Mag is just so cool....

Then again, if you can't get it done with a 308 or 30-06 then you need more practice.

[UnderDawgAl]

Boy, where have I been the past couple years? This has been one of the most enjoyable threads I've read.

Others have already said it, but we have such a wide spectrum of calibers to choose from, many of which overlap others. And we have new calibers coming out every year. For any given use (like whitetail hunting in the eastern half of the US), probably a couple dozen calibers are all equally effective.

Of the common calibers, like the OP mentioned at the outset, I like them all. However, as one who no longer hunts, I'm not inclined to reload any necked cartridge just to punch paper at the range. So, if I had to name a "least favorite", it would be all the necked cartridges--but only because I don't hunt anymore. If I did, I wouldn't mention that whole category.

I am surprised to see so much dislike for the 9mm. Going back to the OP's original comment about calibers and the platforms in which they're used, my love for the 9mm is primarily because of the Browning Hi Power--what an ergonomical miracle. I have too many guns, but, when I look at what I shoot 90+% of the time, it's a BHP and a S&W Model 64 in .38 Spl.

That aside, I don't dislike semi-auto calibers, but I primarily prefer revolvers in traditional revolver calibers. As a reloader, I relish being able to drop those empties exactly where I want them, and no bending over to pick anything up.

[Stuckcase]

I have yet to find a cartridge I have not liked. My least favorite cartridge that I no longer own is the 40SW. Can't find a real reason for its existence other than to say we have a 40 cal in a 9 size pistol. Its not a 9 and not a 10---would that make it an 8!