What do you think is the major "sleeper" cartridge out there?

[SwampWolf]

IMO, there are way too many cartridges out there. It seems as if the gunmakers have focused on cartridges rather than advancement of firearms. I think it would be easy to get down to 20 or 30 cartridges that would cover almost everyone's need. As it is, I get annoyed by all the various cartridges I feel that I must keep in stock at home in case I want to take something out for shooting or in case supply gets to be a bit hard.

I've never understood that line of thinking. What's wrong with a multitude of choices? New cartridge entrants can foster new and renewed interest in guns/shooting and I say the more calibers/cartridges and the more different types and brands of firearms the better.
I can remember the days when a new cartridge (i.e., the .44 Magnum; the .243 Winchester/.244 Remington; 7mm Remington Magnum, etc.) came along once in a blue moon and caused no end of excitement in the gun world for months and years thereafter. Today, new cartridges are introduced on an almost once per month basis and we've become jaded to what is really a bonanza of choice.
Yes, there are many instances of redundancy and, yes, we probably haven't needed a new cartridge since the introduction of the 30-06. But what's the fun in that? Mind you, I'm no bullet fad follower. I have many firearms that are chambered for many cartridges and calibers (22 different cartridges at last count, including handguns and rifles but not shotguns) and, at last check, the "youngest" ones are the .223/5.56. (1957) and the .338 Magnum (1958). Everything else came before 1957 and most of them decades before. But I would never begrudge innovations in the development of new cartridges, no matter how "unnecessary" some may believe them to be.
There is no need to "stockpile" cartridges you don't want or need. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy anything. If you like the old "standbys", well, no need to get "annoyed", just stock your cartridge pantry with them and let others decide on what suits them best.
When it comes to guns and bullets, the more the merrier.

 

[Maverick223]

When it comes to guns and bullets, the more the merrier.

I very much agree. I am unlikely to adopt most new cartridges (for fear of obscurity or complete abandonment), but it doesn't bother me that they exist. After all...every thousand tries or so, they manage to hit on something I like.

 

[Beacon]

It is worthwhile to note that sometimes times change, and cartridges we didn't previously have a use for, now we do. Or sometimes we are just flat out wrong about a cartridge. I can think of 3 cartridges that I discounted when they came out, and now I own them and find them useful. Choices and options are never a bad thing and I would rather have more than less.

 

[gamestalker]

For rifle I have to fo with the .280 Rem.. With the larger selection of bullets and powders now available since it's introduction it is deffinitly a anil driver.
For handgun, I have to include 2, the 41 magnum for it shear unadulterated power and accuracy, and the 10mm.
Regarding the 10mm, it was so popluar and in demand in it's first couple of years of production, and then lost a big chunk of it's fam club rather adbruptly. Many began complaining of the excessive recoil, as if a gun with that kind of stopping power is going to be anything less than noticable to shoot? During it's first couple of years, LE were using it because of it's outstanding performance in both accuracy, and stopping power. But I've taken notice, as I'm sure a lot of the 10mm fans have, that it is showing a pretty good come back. 4 or 5 years ago it had dwindled to just a couple of manufacturer's from what I could tell.
Back to the sleeper's, I have to include the 25-06 as a very fine cartridge. Built around the same cartridge as the .270 win. and the 30-06 gives it some outstanding long range potential with a good slow burning powder.
I know, this was a simple question by the OP and as usual I've turned my answer into a novel. I appologize, but it is so very difficult for someone who absolutly loves any topic that involves firearms to not elaborate excessively. I think that is considered as an obsessive compulsive disorder.

 

[BrocLuno]

7.7 Jap - I like it

 

[Bushido81]

For the time being Im real interested in the possibilities 6.5mm offers in rifles, AR type in particular. Also 5.7mm in SMGs and pistols.

 

[NM Mountainman]

Many of the neglected or less common calibers offer advantages over some of the more popular calibers. But to reap the advantages of these less common calibers you usually need to hand load in order to have a good variety of ammo available. Among some some of the best neglected sleepers are:

6mm Remington --If you don't mind using a .30-06 length action, this caliber will generally deliver at least 150 fps more velocity than a .243 (especially with the heavier bullets.)

.280 Remington -- One of the best all around non-magnum big game cartridges available. More versatile than a .270, a little more velocity than a 7mm-08 (with the heavier bullets), and with a 24" barrel it can come within 150 fps or 200 fps of a 7mm Rem Mag with some bullet weights (depending on the individual rifles involved, of course.)

7mm WSM -- Handles bullets from 115gr to 160 gr. quite well. The hand loader can duplicate the ballistics of a 7mm-08, a .280 Rem, or come within 50 fps of a 7mm Rem Mag with bullets weighing 160 gr or less. And with a 23" barrel, it's just as handy as a .270 Win with a 22" barrel. Perfect for the hand loader who wants to be able to hunt any medium or big game in the lower 48 with one rifle.

.338-06 -- Produces a little more velocity and flatter trajectories than a .35 Whelen with equal bullet weights. More velocity and versatility than a .338 Federal.

.358 Norma Magnum -- It is no longer chambered in US made rifles, but it would be a great cartridge to use on an Alaskan moose or big bear hunt. It can deliver as much velocity with a 270 gr. bullet as a .375 H&H can produce with a 300 gr. bullet.

444 Marlin -- Underestimated, under rated, under appreciated. It really shines with hand loads using hard cast bullets or tough jacketed bullets weighing 300 gr. or over.

.450 Marlin -- Most lever action fans are pretty traditional and prefer to use the .45-70 with hand loads which approach or exceed the SAAMI pressure limits. But the Marlin rifle in .450 uses improved metallergy, a different method of barrel threading, and a much stronger brass case to create a rifle/cartridge combo which can safely handle significantly more pressure than a comparable .45-70 lever rifle. And that's without exceeding SAAMI pressure limits!

I agree with the others who say it's great to have such a wonderful variety available.

 

[CraigC]

Variety is the spice of life!