If you could resurrect a dead cartridge, which one would you chose?

[CoalTrain49]

I have a .405 that I have actually hunted with for 12yrs and find that it not only carries well with the middle finger right in the crook in front of the magazine and is exceptionally accurate (sub-MOA) but is not too heavy for the cartridge at all.

Original or repro? I had an original. It seemed to me that they used more metal in those guns than they needed to. Maybe it was because smokeless powder was new or maybe the metal in those days wasn't as strong.

How much does it weigh?

I'm just going from memory here as that rifle was stolen in the 70's.

 

[HankB]

12mm Gyrojet. I wonder if the accuracy problems could be solved with today's CNC manufacturing technology. Of course, today's cost would no doubt be prohibitive.
.577 Rewa. A .600 NE necked down to .577. Impressive cartridge, with a taper that should enhance extraction from a big double. Of course, both ammo and rifle cost would be high . . . and outside of poachers and perhaps a few game rangers on culling operations, nobody is going to add a lot of elephants to their bag any more.

Seriously, though, there are usually reasons that cartridges become obsolete - sometimes, very quickly. Take the short .300 mags - Winchester, Remington, and Ruger all introduced short versions with very similar performance . . . but they don't interchange. I can't remember the last time I saw someone at the range with a .300 RSAUM or RCM, and even the .300 WSM is rarely encountered. From a purely ballistic standpoint they're not bad cartridges, slightly outstripping the .30/06 and being almost as powerful as the old standby, the .300 Win Mag . . . but why buy an uncommon round just because it will fit in an action a fraction of an inch shorter?

 

[CraigC]

Original or repro? I had an original. It seemed to me that they used more metal in those guns than they needed to. Maybe it was because smokeless powder was new or maybe the metal in those days wasn't as strong.

How much does it weigh?

I'm just going from memory here as that rifle was stolen in the 70's.

This is the modern version from the first run of .270's that were returned to Miroku to be converted to .405WCF. It's 8lbs 1oz. I should have weighed the Marlin 1895 at the same time. I imagine it's pretty close. I know that I've handled the modern .30-40 carbine version but don't remember exactly how heavy it was. I know that I thought about getting it so it couldn't have been that bad. If your original .30-40 was that heavy, it could have been due to the barrel contour and/or small bore size. I imagine the .270 version of my rifle was probably close to a pound heavier.

Generally speaking, I think a lot of folks are disappointed when any levergun is not as light as the Winchester 1894 carbine.

 

[mshootnit]

12mm Gyrojet. I wonder if the accuracy problems could be solved with today's CNC manufacturing technology. Of course, today's cost would no doubt be prohibitive.
.577 Rewa. A .600 NE necked down to .577. Impressive cartridge, with a taper that should enhance extraction from a big double. Of course, both ammo and rifle cost would be high . . . and outside of poachers and perhaps a few game rangers on culling operations, nobody is going to add a lot of elephants to their bag any more.

Seriously, though, there are usually reasons that cartridges become obsolete - sometimes, very quickly. Take the short .300 mags - Winchester, Remington, and Ruger all introduced short versions with very similar performance . . . but they don't interchange. I can't remember the last time I saw someone at the range with a .300 RSAUM or RCM, and even the .300 WSM is rarely encountered. From a purely ballistic standpoint they're not bad cartridges, slightly outstripping the .30/06 and being almost as powerful as the old standby, the .300 Win Mag . . . but why buy an uncommon round just because it will fit in an action a fraction of an inch shorter?

Conversely, If someone had first invented a neat little beltless magnum, which could fit in a 308 length action, would you not be asking why have a larger round requiring a longer heavier rifle, which only gives another 150 fps?

 

[Varminterror]

Conversely, If someone had first invented a neat little beltless magnum, which could fit in a 308 length action, would you not be asking why have a larger round requiring a longer heavier rifle, which only gives another 150 fps?

I land on the other side of this particular fence - American culture promotes a habit of "faster is better," so I'd contend we'll always continue to go forward towards faster and faster cartridges, whereas a step backwards to the short mags naturally never will catch on.

 

[CoalTrain49]

This is the modern version from the first run of .270's that were returned to Miroku to be converted to .405WCF. It's 8lbs 1oz. I should have weighed the Marlin 1895 at the same time. I imagine it's pretty close. I know that I've handled the modern .30-40 carbine version but don't remember exactly how heavy it was. I know that I thought about getting it so it couldn't have been that bad. If your original .30-40 was that heavy, it could have been due to the barrel contour and/or small bore size. I imagine the .270 version of my rifle was probably close to a pound heavier.

Generally speaking, I think a lot of folks are disappointed when any levergun is not as light as the Winchester 1894 carbine.

405 WCF, just looked it up, interesting cartridge. Straight walled 40 caliber, nice. That would make an ideal single shot rifle like a Ruger No. 1. I've always been a fan of SW cartridges and have a small collection of old cases I found while surveying in AZ and CO. some pretty old.

 

[CraigC]

405 WCF, just looked it up, interesting cartridge. Straight walled 40 caliber, nice. That would make an ideal single shot rifle like a Ruger No. 1. I've always been a fan of SW cartridges and have a small collection of old cases I found while surveying in AZ and CO. some pretty old.

They did make the #1 as well as the Winchester 1885 in the .405 for a while. I held out for the .450/.400 but when they came around I had lost interest.

 

[Mn Fats]

16 gauge. I know we're in Rifle Country and I know its not technically "dead" but I do wish it had a resurrection in popularity. To keep with the theme here in Rifle Country, I'll say .22 WRF. I have a rifle that is in desperate need of that limited, spendy ammunition.

 

[morcey2]

257 Roberts. It might not be dead but it's currently wandering around the hospice ward hooked up to a rack of IV pumps and muttering nonsensical things about his wife. And it was never even married.

Matt

 

[mshootnit]

I land on the other side of this particular fence - American culture promotes a habit of "faster is better," so I'd contend we'll always continue to go forward towards faster and faster cartridges, whereas a step backwards to the short mags naturally never will catch on.

Thanks for sharing. I have noticed a propensity toward slower cartridges and lower power scopes with the increased popularity of the AR platform. For example, the 4X ACOG, among many others. And a slew of short AR platform cases all going 2500-2800 FPS

 

[db_tanker]

.351 Winchester, great cartridge--great little rifles, if heavy.

I could go one better and say the .401 WSL.

Wish my 416 Taylor wasn't so hard to find making me use 338 WM brass to form from.
225 Winchester...just because...I am thinking of a custom Contender bbl in that caliber...21" with a 1-9 twist so I can play with heavier bullets. Factory barrel was a bit hampered with a 1-10 or 1-12 twist if I remember correctly.

 

[Don McDowell]

405 Winchester. If the Winchester 1895 had been easier to carry, the cartridge might still be around; it would fill a niche.

405 is pretty much alive and well, there are a number of new manufacture Model 95's available, plus the 1885 winchester, and Ruger No.1 . I don't find the 95 winchester difficult to carry at all. Cases are available from Hornady and Captec. The cartridge is a good one.

 

[kozak6]

To keep with the theme here in Rifle Country, I'll say .22 WRF.

Bingo. I can't believe it didn't pop up until page 4.

.22 lr is a great cartridge, but it is a heeled bullet (in 2017!!!) that can't be (safely) fired in a wmr chamber.

A slightly snappier modern alternative with a proper bullet diameter(!) that can actually be fired in a wmr chamber/cylinder would be... so cool.

 

[H&Hhunter]

.256 Newton (a bit more evolved than a 6.5-06). With today's powders, it has a lot of potential. It is really a 6.5mm (.264). I have no idea why Charles Newton called it a .256

He was using the British method of measuring the diameter to the surface if the lans not the groves. The Brits did this on several calibers, the .256 Manlicher (6.5MM) the .404 Jeffery (.423 or .419) depending on the manufacturer. I have no idea why some were and some were not.

 

[VThillman]

405 is pretty much alive and well, there are a number of new manufacture Model 95's available, plus the 1885 winchester, and Ruger No.1 . I don't find the 95 winchester difficult to carry at all. Cases are available from Hornady and Captec. The cartridge is a good one.

Thanks; good to know - about availability, I mean. You aren't going to change my mind about the balance point.

 

[Merle1]

Thanks; good to know - about availability, I mean. You aren't going to change my mind about the balance point.

Different strokes for different folks; to each their own, etc!

 

[CraigC]

Thanks; good to know - about availability, I mean. You aren't going to change my mind about the balance point.

Like I said, I've carried one for years and it balances just fine with my middle finger in the crook at the front of the magazine.

 

[Don McDowell]

Thanks; good to know - about availability, I mean. You aren't going to change my mind about the balance point.

Not trying to change any minds. I do find the 95 easier to handle when stomping around the hills in cold and snow than a savage 99.
But hey differing opinions are the origins of a horse race .

 

[Nature Boy]

The FN 5.7x28

It may not be dead, but someone should have killed it in the crib

 

[jeff-10]

8mm Remington Magnum. No idea why but I have always liked 8mm rifles. The 8mm Mauser is the only one I have ever owned but I if the 8mm Remington Magnum were more popular I would consider getting one. I don't nor do I ever intend on reloading.

 

[tactikel]

.256 Winchester-a nice varmint round for handgun or carbine.
.250 Savage- accurate, mild recoil, with proper bullets will take any deer alive.

 

[hdwhit]

Nature Boy wrote:
The FN 5.7x28
It may not be dead, but someone should have killed it in the crib

Amen!

Especially when the venerable 5.7mm Johnson (particuarly if resurrected in a modern action capable of handling higher pressures) offers much better performance.

Sorry, I just couldn't resist putting a plug in for the cartridge that has captured my heart.

 

[RPRNY]

348 Winchester and the Model 71. Although, in view of the bullet diameter problem, perhaps the 35 Winchester in a Model 71.

 

[T.R.]

32 Special because its a great cartridge for deer sized game.

TR

 

[Don McDowell]

348 Winchester and the Model 71. Although, in view of the bullet diameter problem, perhaps the 35 Winchester in a Model 71.

Problem you then run into is 35 winchester brass. But still a new production 95 in 35 winchester would certainly be something that would grab my attention right by the pocket book.