1948CJ2A
Member
I am beaten down by the same rifle ads at all the stores. For instance, how many advertisements do you browse that have the following chamberings: 243, 25-06, 270, 7mm-08, 7mm Rem Mag, 30-06, 300 Win Mag?
That seems to be the status quo for factory rifles in most sporting goods stores. Oh and they're all black synthetic with matte finishing or stainless steel. My cousin describes these synthetic-stock rigs as "soul-less". I tend to agree. Now don't get me wrong, some, if not all of those cartridges are plenty capable for various hunting applications and there is a reason why they're as popular as they are. Heck, I own several of these cartridges myself! I don't, however, own them with the synthetic+matte finish or stainless combination.
I just prefer less common rifle cartridges. They are more fun to own and discuss because they require more knowledgeable folks worthy for the discussion.
They also tend to benefit hand-loaders most. Seeing as they are non common, you're not typically going to be able to walk into a sporting goods store and purchase factory ammo. Sure you can special order factory ammo for some of them online, but the real advantages come when you can work up your own loads that fit your need. Let's face it too, a great deal of the less common cartridges are old. Even if you can purchase factory ammunition, the ammo selections tend to be loaded lighter for older firearms that may not fare well under higher chamber pressures (See 7mmX57 Mauser), thus limiting the cartridge's full potential. And while I'm on the 7mm Mauser subject, someone please tell me why the newest Nosler reloading manual has the 7mm-08 out-performing the 7mmX57 in every bullet weight? I'll challenge any hand-loader with a 7mm-08 to outperform my 7mmX57.
One exception to my previous comment (that being "...a great deal of less common cartridges are old.") is the mighty 8mm Remington Magnum. This is a cartridge that has recently sparked my interest. It's interesting that bullet weight selection and general disinterest from the public essentially killed this creation. After all, when loaded properly, the cartridge hits harder than a 300 Win Mag and shoots flatter than a 338 Win Mag. That's a pretty bold statement! Perhaps stiff recoil also scared away potential interests. I'm working to obtain one of these in the near future and I'll be sure to post a comment or two on the findings.
I'll pause the rant there and allow for retort(s).
That seems to be the status quo for factory rifles in most sporting goods stores. Oh and they're all black synthetic with matte finishing or stainless steel. My cousin describes these synthetic-stock rigs as "soul-less". I tend to agree. Now don't get me wrong, some, if not all of those cartridges are plenty capable for various hunting applications and there is a reason why they're as popular as they are. Heck, I own several of these cartridges myself! I don't, however, own them with the synthetic+matte finish or stainless combination.
I just prefer less common rifle cartridges. They are more fun to own and discuss because they require more knowledgeable folks worthy for the discussion.
They also tend to benefit hand-loaders most. Seeing as they are non common, you're not typically going to be able to walk into a sporting goods store and purchase factory ammo. Sure you can special order factory ammo for some of them online, but the real advantages come when you can work up your own loads that fit your need. Let's face it too, a great deal of the less common cartridges are old. Even if you can purchase factory ammunition, the ammo selections tend to be loaded lighter for older firearms that may not fare well under higher chamber pressures (See 7mmX57 Mauser), thus limiting the cartridge's full potential. And while I'm on the 7mm Mauser subject, someone please tell me why the newest Nosler reloading manual has the 7mm-08 out-performing the 7mmX57 in every bullet weight? I'll challenge any hand-loader with a 7mm-08 to outperform my 7mmX57.
One exception to my previous comment (that being "...a great deal of less common cartridges are old.") is the mighty 8mm Remington Magnum. This is a cartridge that has recently sparked my interest. It's interesting that bullet weight selection and general disinterest from the public essentially killed this creation. After all, when loaded properly, the cartridge hits harder than a 300 Win Mag and shoots flatter than a 338 Win Mag. That's a pretty bold statement! Perhaps stiff recoil also scared away potential interests. I'm working to obtain one of these in the near future and I'll be sure to post a comment or two on the findings.
I'll pause the rant there and allow for retort(s).