Cartridges off the Beaten Path

[BK]

I think by the very nature of cartridges over .35 caliber in North America makes them somewhat off the beaten path. For all the gun cranks like us, there's a ton of guys who just buy a box of '06, .308, .270, .30-30, or .35 Remington ammo every three to five years. The .375 Ruger has become pretty popular lately... for a Big Bore. I bet if I asked my hunting buddies if they have ever heard of it, I bet half would give me a blank stare, and the other half had heard or read something about it but knew very little.

 

[Bruce Mc]

Yep, .270, 30-06, .243 still rule the Wal-Mart shelf. We have a hardware store here where I could buy a box of .257 Roberts for $30. Glad I don't need to. That's my off the beaten path. The old "Bob" is the best. I'm still trying to come up with the perfect 100 Etip load for mine. Glad it shoots Accubonds good.

 

[Big Squeeze]

I think by the very nature of cartridges over .35 caliber in North America makes them somewhat off the beaten path. For all the gun cranks like us, there's a ton of guys who just buy a box of '06, .308, .270, .30-30, or .35 Remington ammo every three to five years. The .375 Ruger has become pretty popular lately... for a Big Bore. I bet if I asked my hunting buddies if they have ever heard of it, I bet half would give me a blank stare, and the other half had heard or read something about it but knew very little.

...................Oh I think you`d be very surprised if you asked all your hunting buds if they heard of the 375 Ruger. Unless they have all been living in caves in total seclusion, I`ll betcha that 90% or better would say,,,yes!

Secondly the 375 is considered and defined as a medium bore. Although not the most widely used, the 375s are becoming more popular on this continent for elk sized game and larger such as bull moose and trophy bison.

You don`t need to go to Africa in order to own and hunt with a 375.

 

[YoteSmoker]

BK, you made a valid point.

 

[BK]

I think by the very nature of cartridges over .35 caliber in North America makes them somewhat off the beaten path. For all the gun cranks like us, there's a ton of guys who just buy a box of '06, .308, .270, .30-30, or .35 Remington ammo every three to five years. The .375 Ruger has become pretty popular lately... for a Big Bore. I bet if I asked my hunting buddies if they have ever heard of it, I bet half would give me a blank stare, and the other half had heard or read something about it but knew very little.

...................Oh I think you`d be very surprised if you asked all your hunting buds if they heard of the 375 Ruger. Unless they have all been living in caves in total seclusion, I`ll betcha that 90% or better would say,,,yes!

Secondly the 375 is considered and defined as a medium bore. Although not the most widely used, the 375s are becoming more popular on this continent for elk sized game and larger such as bull moose and trophy bison.

You don`t need to go to Africa in order to own and hunt with a 375.

Well, maybe not caves, but the boonies outside of LaPine, OR, is pretty close!

 

[6mm Remington]

.221 Fireball (although it is chambered in more rifles now then when I built it)
6mm Rem (2).

You are a good man! :lol: Love that 6mm!! :mrgreen:
280 Remington is incredible also.
30-06 I know give it to me now, but all you guys poo-pooing the old 30-06 are loosing it for sure. You would think by the way the talk is that it's an oddball. Shame shame! :grin:

 

[JD338]

The 30-06 is far from being an odd ball! It is so versitle, its all you really need for NA.
My first big game rifle was a M700 BDL in 30-06. I killed quite a few WT, a couple antelope and a black bear with it.

JD338

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Yeah you wont catch me bad mouthing a 30-06, Its my favorite rifle and cartridge.

I think that most people avoid it because its just so versatile that they are afraid of their wife finding out and making them suffer through mortality with just a 30-06, 12 gauge, and 22 LR. And while that's truly all you need, that is no fun. Still, you wont catch me cashing in my 30-06 anyday soon. No sir, the day I get too old for that gun is the day I take up playing the harp. :mrgreen:

Unless the Old Man lets me take it through the pearly gates with me...in that case, I will not be too old for it. :wink:

 

[efw]

I have a few different cartridges, but honestly LOVE the 'old Springfield!

6mm-250 Savage is my only "true" wildcat
257 AI (this is an absolute favorite!)
257 Roy (brand new to me)
338-06 AI

I had a 9.3x57 that was pretty cool, too. I'd really like a 375 Ruger which'll likely be my next build.

I love loading for these off the wall cartridges. The 6-250 and 257 AI are both an absolute joy to shoot, and the 338-06 AI is so close to the WM that no big game animal will ever tell the difference when hit. All my hunting pards think (know??) I'm weird cuz I'm into all these obscure cartridges, but I find them interesting.

Great thread Jim! Thanks!

 

[257 Ackley]

efw - you and I think a lot alike judging by the calibers you have. You can keep that 375 Ruger to shoot yourself .

 

[IdahoCTD]

.221 Fireball (although it is chambered in more rifles now then when I built it)
6mm Rem (2).

You are a good man! :lol: Love that 6mm!! :mrgreen:
280 Remington is incredible also.
30-06 I know give it to me now, but all you guys poo-pooing the old 30-06 are loosing it for sure. You would think by the way the talk is that it's an oddball. Shame shame! :grin:

Back in my heavy chuck hunting days I use to burn through nearly 100 rounds a day with my two 6mm's. Since then I switched to shooting my 6BR more. The recoil is so low with the 6BR I can watch everything through the scope and it doesn't give up much to a 6mm. Got to love the 105 Bergers on chucks. The 6mm wont do what the big .30 Magnums do but they are more fun to shoot.