When I was younger, I experimented with lots of different cartridges just to say I'd had one. I've had some less common rounds, including 45-70. In the1970's that was really out there.
I've owned 300 WSM, 280, 338-06, 35 Whelen, 16 ga shotgun, 22 magnum and 41 magnum. I've had opportunities to try 454 Casul, 416 Rigby, 8mm Rem mag, 375 H&H, and a few others. I've also had 7mm Rem mag and 300 WM, but I guess those qualify as mainstream.
But at the end of the day, I tend to be pretty rational like varminterror and I've sold most of the non-mainstream cartridges and could easily do everything I need to do with an AR, and 2 centerfire bolt rifles. One in 308, the other 223, a 12 ga shotgun, a 22 rifle, and a 9mm pistol.
The only 2 cartridges that I own that MIGHT be classified as non-mainstream are a 10mm pistol and a 6.5CM rifle. I don't shoot the 10mm a lot, but I have it for a very specific role. So there is a reason.
The 6.5 was one of those cartridges that I bought just to see what all the excitement was all about. I like the cartridge and think it lives up to the hype. I've had a chance to shoot 4-5 different rifles so chambered and everyone was exceptionally accurate.
But I don't think it is going to dethrone my 308's. At least not just yet. I believe the 6.5 CM is the better cartridge, but at this point I like the rifles I have in 308 better. At any rate it perfectly splits the difference caliber wise between 223 and 308.
I've owned 300 WSM, 280, 338-06, 35 Whelen, 16 ga shotgun, 22 magnum and 41 magnum. I've had opportunities to try 454 Casul, 416 Rigby, 8mm Rem mag, 375 H&H, and a few others. I've also had 7mm Rem mag and 300 WM, but I guess those qualify as mainstream.
But at the end of the day, I tend to be pretty rational like varminterror and I've sold most of the non-mainstream cartridges and could easily do everything I need to do with an AR, and 2 centerfire bolt rifles. One in 308, the other 223, a 12 ga shotgun, a 22 rifle, and a 9mm pistol.
The only 2 cartridges that I own that MIGHT be classified as non-mainstream are a 10mm pistol and a 6.5CM rifle. I don't shoot the 10mm a lot, but I have it for a very specific role. So there is a reason.
The 6.5 was one of those cartridges that I bought just to see what all the excitement was all about. I like the cartridge and think it lives up to the hype. I've had a chance to shoot 4-5 different rifles so chambered and everyone was exceptionally accurate.
But I don't think it is going to dethrone my 308's. At least not just yet. I believe the 6.5 CM is the better cartridge, but at this point I like the rifles I have in 308 better. At any rate it perfectly splits the difference caliber wise between 223 and 308.