Least favorite rifles/cartridges you’ve owned?

[3850remhep]

No so much a rifle as a cartridge, specifically the .45-90 which I loaded with BP under a 545gr Saeco cast lead bullet. For the course of fire for a typical NRA sanctioned silhouette match, 60 shots left me with head aches and aggravated a chronic whiplash, the result of a pair of substantial rear collisions. The Shiloh Sharps rifle, at 12 lbs delivered more of a very firm shove rather than a sharp punch. After rebarrelling first to a .40-82 and eventually to a .40-60 Maynard (essentially a .40-70 Sharps Straight with a case length of 2.25" instead of 2.5"). The lighter 420gr bullets were a big reduction in recoil.

Eventually however, I transitioned even smaller to the .38-50 Remington-Hepburn cartridge (3850 remhep) built on a Browning BPCR Highwall rifle. The .38-50 is essentially a .40-60 Maynard with a full length taper from the .378" case mouth, trimmed to 2.2" long and loaded with a 330gr - 350gr bullet. Being tapered, its not a finicky to load as are most BP bottle neck cartridges.

As I aged, the further reduction in recoil was understood and appreciated. The .45-90 and larger .45's have a cult like following in Black Powder Cartridge Rifles, it is just too much abuse for me. Harry Pope, the noted barrel maker, identified excess and unnecessary recoil as detrimental in competition. I adopted the philosophy in a witticism: Use enough rifle, but just enough rifle.

 

[.45Coltguy]

As an earlier poster said, those Rem600/350RM are BRUTAL! Too light a rifle for such a recoiler.

 

[1942farmall]

Any firearm that has rust. Love the rest!

 

[dieselchief]

any gun in 35 whelen, and a 600 in 308. just slap me in the face and save me approx 2500 when i should have paid bills....just a has been but not a never was bob

 

[EIB0879]

Probably my Mossberg Maverick rifle in .270. Not that I dislike it but I have better options.

 

[3850remhep]

Savage edge/axis
rem 700 and seven made after the mid 90s

I have a love / hate relationship with a Remington Seven, currently wearing an 18" pencil barrel in .308, topped off with w Leupold 2 - 7 x 33. As a strictly hunting rifle, it is sufficient for anything I might encounter in Texas. BUT, it is uncomfortable after about 3 shots. As lightweight as it is, I find recoil unpleasant. I plan to rebarrel with a new, unfired 22" takeoff heavy barrel from a Mdl 700 Tactical in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle needs a replacement trigger and a Timney has been acquired to that end. All the pieces are in house, the pandemic has brought this effort to a halt. I think it will be my new year's resolution to complete all projects with a degree of expedience. The Remington Seven is a visually attractive rifle, I would really like to get it to a more comfortable and hopefully at the same time, more accurate rifle.

The .308 is a proven cartridge but perhaps now improved as either the 7mm-08 or 6.5mm Creedmoor, both typically flatter shooting.




BTW, I bought this rifle as a replacement for a Browning bolt action in .30-06 my F-i-L had but was left neglected in a closet and it literally rusted to lump of junk due to a salt cured walnut stock. He missed the recall notices, long closed when I pulled the rifle out of a cabin closet. I'd never seen anything like it, the action was rusted through at the magazine well and the bolt was big time frozen. I discarded the stock and soaked the action in Kano Kroil for a week and even then with the barreled action in a bench vice had to take a 4 lbs hammer to the bolt to get the action open.

The Model Seven was bought for him, I sighted it in and expected it would be used for wild hog control at his ranch. New perimeter fencing with hog netting solved that problem. He died in the first Covid wildfire in Houston, July 6 of last year. I'd rather not get rid of the rifle but would prefer something more suited to me at this time.

Any actual measurements of recoil comparing the .308 and the 6.5mm Creedmoor in similar weight and configured rifles would be appreciated. I'm not a hunter, much more a casual precision shooter. Before I go any further with this rebarrel, I wonder if I might be better served with a 6mm or .243? Thoughts?

 

[troy fairweather]

I have a love / hate relationship with a Remington Seven, currently wearing an 18" pencil barrel in .308, topped off with w Leupold 2 - 7 x 33. As a strictly hunting rifle, it is sufficient for anything I might encounter in Texas. BUT, it is uncomfortable after about 3 shots. As lightweight as it is, I find recoil unpleasant. I plan to rebarrel with a new, unfired 22" takeoff heavy barrel from a Mdl 700 Tactical in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle needs a replacement trigger and a Timney has been acquired to that end. All the pieces are in house, the pandemic has brought this effort to a halt. I think it will be my new year's resolution to complete all projects with a degree of expedience. The Remington Seven is a visually attractive rifle, I would really like to get it to a more comfortable and hopefully at the same time, more accurate rifle.

The .308 is a proven cartridge but perhaps now improved as either the 7mm-08 or 6.5mm Creedmoor, both typically flatter shooting.


View attachment 1046948

BTW, I bought this rifle as a replacement for a Browning bolt action in .30-06 my F-i-L had but was left neglected in a closet and it literally rusted to lump of junk due to a salt cured walnut stock. He missed the recall notices, long closed when I pulled the rifle out of a cabin closet. I'd never seen anything like it, the action was rusted through at the magazine well and the bolt was big time frozen. I discarded the stock and soaked the action in Kano Kroil for a week and even then with the barreled action in a bench vice had to take a 4 lbs hammer to the bolt to get the action open.

The Model Seven was bought for him, I sighted it in and expected it would be used for wild hog control at his ranch. New perimeter fencing with hog netting solved that problem. He died in the first Covid wildfire in Houston, July 6 of last year. I'd rather not get rid of the rifle but would prefer something more suited to me at this time.

Any actual measurements of recoil comparing the .308 and the 6.5mm Creedmoor in similar weight and configured rifles would be appreciated. I'm not a hunter, much more a casual precision shooter. Before I go any further with this rebarrel, I wonder if I might be better served with a 6mm or .243? Thoughts?

If just shooting deer 6.5cm or 7-08 would be good, if used for a do all gun a 6mm round is nice.

 

[.308 Norma]

I have nothing against the 7.62X39 cartridge itself, but if someone was to give me another Ruger Mini-30, I’d trade it off without even trying to sight it in. I wasted enough time trying to make the first Ruger Mini-30 (that I sort of “inherited”) shoot straight. And with the cost of ammo and components nowadays, I simply won’t mess around with a scoped rifle that won’t reliably put 3 bullets in a 6” circle at 100 yards. For heck sakes, I’ve had several handguns that I could do better than that with.

The only other rifle I’ve had that I really didn’t care for was a Marlin Model 444, chambered for .444 Marlin cartridge of course. It kicked pretty hard, but that wasn’t the main thing I had against it. The main thing was I couldn’t make it do what I wanted it to do, which was work with some heavy, 300gr cast bullets - they were too long. I couldn’t seat them deep enough in the cases to make the completed cartridges work through that rifle.

I probably should have just bought a lever action .45-70 in the first place. A couple of my reloading manuals list loads for lever action .45-70s using cast bullets even heavier than those 300gr cast bullets I was trying to run through that .444 Marlin. And like I said - I’m not all that concerned about the recoil. I’d be running mild cast bullets loads anyway - just for fun.

 

[someguy2800]

I have nothing against the 7.62X39 cartridge itself, but if someone was to give me another Ruger Mini-30, I’d trade it off without even trying to sight it in. I wasted enough time trying to make the first Ruger Mini-30 (that I sort of “inherited”) shoot straight. And with the cost of ammo and components nowadays, I simply won’t mess around with a scoped rifle that won’t reliably put 3 bullets in a 6” circle at 100 yards. For heck sakes, I’ve had several handguns that I could do better than that with.

The only other rifle I’ve had that I really didn’t care for was a Marlin Model 444, chambered for .444 Marlin cartridge of course. It kicked pretty hard, but that wasn’t the main thing I had against it. The main thing was I couldn’t make it do what I wanted it to do, which was work with some heavy, 300gr cast bullets - they were too long. I couldn’t seat them deep enough in the cases to make the completed cartridges work through that rifle.

I probably should have just bought a lever action .45-70 in the first place. A couple of my reloading manuals list loads for lever action .45-70s using cast bullets even heavier than those 300gr cast bullets I was trying to run through that .444 Marlin. And like I said - I’m not all that concerned about the recoil. I’d be running mild cast bullets loads anyway - just for fun.

On my 444 marlin handi rifle I had to ream the throat to get it to chamber with the heavies but it was worth it. Between marlin designing the chamber way too short, using the wrong bore size, and Remington loading ammo for it with pistol bullets, they did just about everything they could to sabatage the poor old 444. When you fix all that it sure is a honey though. My favorite cartridge.

 

[Seedy Character]

I have a love / hate relationship with a Remington Seven, currently wearing an 18" pencil barrel in .308, topped off with w Leupold 2 - 7 x 33. As a strictly hunting rifle, it is sufficient for anything I might encounter in Texas. BUT, it is uncomfortable after about 3 shots. As lightweight as it is, I find recoil unpleasant. I plan to rebarrel with a new, unfired 22" takeoff heavy barrel from a Mdl 700 Tactical in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle needs a replacement trigger and a Timney has been acquired to that end. All the pieces are in house, the pandemic has brought this effort to a halt. I think it will be my new year's resolution to complete all projects with a degree of expedience. The Remington Seven is a visually attractive rifle, I would really like to get it to a more comfortable and hopefully at the same time, more accurate rifle.

The .308 is a proven cartridge but perhaps now improved as either the 7mm-08 or 6.5mm Creedmoor, both typically flatter shooting.


View attachment 1046948

BTW, I bought this rifle as a replacement for a Browning bolt action in .30-06 my F-i-L had but was left neglected in a closet and it literally rusted to lump of junk due to a salt cured walnut stock. He missed the recall notices, long closed when I pulled the rifle out of a cabin closet. I'd never seen anything like it, the action was rusted through at the magazine well and the bolt was big time frozen. I discarded the stock and soaked the action in Kano Kroil for a week and even then with the barreled action in a bench vice had to take a 4 lbs hammer to the bolt to get the action open.

The Model Seven was bought for him, I sighted it in and expected it would be used for wild hog control at his ranch. New perimeter fencing with hog netting solved that problem. He died in the first Covid wildfire in Houston, July 6 of last year. I'd rather not get rid of the rifle but would prefer something more suited to me at this time.

Any actual measurements of recoil comparing the .308 and the 6.5mm Creedmoor in similar weight and configured rifles would be appreciated. I'm not a hunter, much more a casual precision shooter. Before I go any further with this rebarrel, I wonder if I might be better served with a 6mm or .243? Thoughts?

Do it right and build it in .260 Rem.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Least favorite rifle I've shot was a WASR AK. Shoots 8 MOA shotgun patterns and feels clumsy to use.

Least favorite cartridge was some 8mm Mauser machine gun loads I bought. Ouch!

 

[Chuck R.]

Ive

I have a love / hate relationship with a Remington Seven, currently wearing an 18" pencil barrel in .308, topped off with w Leupold 2 - 7 x 33. As a strictly hunting rifle, it is sufficient for anything I might encounter in Texas. BUT, it is uncomfortable after about 3 shots. As lightweight as it is, I find recoil unpleasant. I plan to rebarrel with a new, unfired 22" takeoff heavy barrel from a Mdl 700 Tactical in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle needs a replacement trigger and a Timney has been acquired to that end. All the pieces are in house, the pandemic has brought this effort to a halt. I think it will be my new year's resolution to complete all projects with a degree of expedience. The Remington Seven is a visually attractive rifle, I would really like to get it to a more comfortable and hopefully at the same time, more accurate rifle.

The .308 is a proven cartridge but perhaps now improved as either the 7mm-08 or 6.5mm Creedmoor, both typically flatter shooting.


View attachment 1046948

BTW, I bought this rifle as a replacement for a Browning bolt action in .30-06 my F-i-L had but was left neglected in a closet and it literally rusted to lump of junk due to a salt cured walnut stock. He missed the recall notices, long closed when I pulled the rifle out of a cabin closet. I'd never seen anything like it, the action was rusted through at the magazine well and the bolt was big time frozen. I discarded the stock and soaked the action in Kano Kroil for a week and even then with the barreled action in a bench vice had to take a 4 lbs hammer to the bolt to get the action open.

The Model Seven was bought for him, I sighted it in and expected it would be used for wild hog control at his ranch. New perimeter fencing with hog netting solved that problem. He died in the first Covid wildfire in Houston, July 6 of last year. I'd rather not get rid of the rifle but would prefer something more suited to me at this time.

Any actual measurements of recoil comparing the .308 and the 6.5mm Creedmoor in similar weight and configured rifles would be appreciated. I'm not a hunter, much more a casual precision shooter. Before I go any further with this rebarrel, I wonder if I might be better served with a 6mm or .243? Thoughts?

Problem is, the stock M7s aren't a "causal precision shooter's" rifle

I've got 3 of them; .223, .260 and .350RM.

They are without a doubt my favorite hunting rifles, and my least favorite bench guns. But, since I despise shooting off a bench except for load development and zeroing, I love M7s. Two of mine are now in the works to get lighter stocks (Manners), no doubt making the recoil more robust, but will also make them handier. IMHO they are ideal stand and blind guns, not too shabby in the thick stuff either. But, I'll admit if going to the range and putting holes in paper is your thing, there are much, much better choices.

Before re-barrelling, I'd sell it outright. The M7 prices right now on Gunbroker are obscene and chances are you'd get more than you paid. Then you can get something you really want.

I bought my .260 as a youth transition rifle. I initially loaded it with 100grn BTs at reduced velocity for my then 12 year old. Since he was only hunting from my backyard box blind with a max range of 132 yds, it worked well. Then I uploaded to the 120s when he was ready. Even with the 120s, it's a mildly shooting rifle. It never really shot well, about 1.5" was the best I could get with either bullet, it also was one of the worst fouling rifles I've ever owned. I loved practicing with it from field positions, hated cleaning it, and it frequently needed cleaning. A couple years ago I dropped it in an HS Precision stock and it instantly went to sub MOA, still fouled, but was accurate. Staying on an 8" plate at 300 from field positions was easy. We both killed a few deer with it. By then I decided I liked the caliber, so I sent it off in MAR to be rebarreled by PacNor in .260 (mostly to spite the 6.5C fanboys) and ordered a Manners stock that will shave about 14 ounces off the weight. The barrel is a 1:8, 20" fluted Super Match 3 groove in a Bartlein 2B profile. It's sitting at my smith's now to be bedded. All up, the complete rifle will be just shy of 7lbs when done in 'XX' days..slightly lighter than a stock M7; compact, handy, and probably still not a lot of fun off a bench.

Bottom line, the .260 can be a light recoiling cartridge, but in the M7 it will still be in a lightweight gun unless you want to go wild with your mods and beef up the barrel profile. The HS precision stock weighed in at 36 Ounces, about 12 more than the factory, so that would tame some of the .308 recoil. The B&C stock is similar.

 

[sisyphus]

I bought into the 6.5 Grendel hype before I really started looking seriously at rifle calibers. Replaced it with two 308s that I am much happier with.

 

[codytrucker]

I have a love / hate relationship with a Remington Seven, currently wearing an 18" pencil barrel in .308, topped off with w Leupold 2 - 7 x 33. As a strictly hunting rifle, it is sufficient for anything I might encounter in Texas. BUT, it is uncomfortable after about 3 shots. As lightweight as it is, I find recoil unpleasant. I plan to rebarrel with a new, unfired 22" takeoff heavy barrel from a Mdl 700 Tactical in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle needs a replacement trigger and a Timney has been acquired to that end. All the pieces are in house, the pandemic has brought this effort to a halt. I think it will be my new year's resolution to complete all projects with a degree of expedience. The Remington Seven is a visually attractive rifle, I would really like to get it to a more comfortable and hopefully at the same time, more accurate rifle.

The .308 is a proven cartridge but perhaps now improved as either the 7mm-08 or 6.5mm Creedmoor, both typically flatter shooting.


View attachment 1046948

BTW, I bought this rifle as a replacement for a Browning bolt action in .30-06 my F-i-L had but was left neglected in a closet and it literally rusted to lump of junk due to a salt cured walnut stock. He missed the recall notices, long closed when I pulled the rifle out of a cabin closet. I'd never seen anything like it, the action was rusted through at the magazine well and the bolt was big time frozen. I discarded the stock and soaked the action in Kano Kroil for a week and even then with the barreled action in a bench vice had to take a 4 lbs hammer to the bolt to get the action open.

The Model Seven was bought for him, I sighted it in and expected it would be used for wild hog control at his ranch. New perimeter fencing with hog netting solved that problem. He died in the first Covid wildfire in Houston, July 6 of last year. I'd rather not get rid of the rifle but would prefer something more suited to me at this time.

Any actual measurements of recoil comparing the .308 and the 6.5mm Creedmoor in similar weight and configured rifles would be appreciated. I'm not a hunter, much more a casual precision shooter. Before I go any further with this rebarrel, I wonder if I might be better served with a 6mm or .243? Thoughts?

A fast twist 22-250 would be economical , and really bring recoil down to nil . And a 6mm creedmoor would be neat , to . especially if you reload . Nice looking model 7.

 

[Catpop]

Durn, I can’t think of a single one! Heck I’m even happy with an old shot put 7.35 mil surp!

 

[jmorris]

…not really useful for anything except target work. It's only real merit is high capacity guns. It also reloads and casts on the cheap and is plentiful.

Sounds like a promotion to me.

 

[Grumpy_old_Fart]

My least favorite rifle was a beautiful Browning A-Bolt Medallion in 338 Win Mag. First time I pulled the trigger, it knocked off my hat.
I traded it off three times. Got a Ruger#1 and a Remington 700, then a pair of Birdshead Vaqueros in 45 Colt. I like all of the other guns I obtained using it as swap material.
Turns out nobody else like the recoil much either.

 

[Seedy Character]

Belted magnums are why muzzle brakes were made.

 

[Goosey]

Any actual measurements of recoil comparing the .308 and the 6.5mm Creedmoor in similar weight and configured rifles would be appreciated. I'm not a hunter, much more a casual precision shooter. Before I go any further with this rebarrel, I wonder if I might be better served with a 6mm or .243? Thoughts?

With a 7-1/2# gun,

.308 150 gr = 14.3 ft lbs
6.5 140 gr = 11.5 ft lbs
.243 100 gr = 8.0 ft lbs

 

[AMraider]

7.65 Argentine for me. Even though I am not an accurate shooter I could never get it to perform to an interesting level even whilst reloading for it. Sold the 1909 Argentine long rifle, Die set and brass and never looked back.

 

[NMachine]

.243 for me. Lost a few deer using it. Took quite a few deer with it. Very few full penetration shots. I know bullets have come a long way with monos and such. It’s just too marginal of a performer for me, especially with thick brushy country and lots of shots with game on the move.

 

[Jack Ryan]

25acp, the most useless thing ever called a cartridge.

30-30 was something 100 years ago. Always seemed just "almost". Should name it the "almost" cartridge.

 

[someguy2800]

.243 for me. Lost a few deer using it. Took quite a few deer with it. Very few full penetration shots. I know bullets have come a long way with monos and such. It’s just too marginal of a performer for me, especially with thick brushy country and lots of shots with game on the move.

Fast and light has not be a dependable performer for me. Heavy and slow has never let me down. I don’t like playing how light can I go.

25acp, the most useless thing ever called a cartridge.

30-30 was something 100 years ago. Always seemed just "almost". Should name it the "almost" cartridge.

Agreed on both counts. I don’t understand why the first ever existed or why the second has carried on for so long.

 

[Picher]

Many years ago, I had a Mossberg .22 WMR single-shot. I never could get to love either the cartridge or the rifle. Traded it for another rifle, but so long ago I don't remember the cartridge or rifle. I must have traded about four guns a year back then.

 

[792mauser]

Least favorite eh.

One of pops friends had a 460 weatherby mag. They were shooting light loads and handed me what looked like a cigar and I duly stuffed it in.

Moments later in hanging on for dear life as Satan himself is doing his best to drive me into the next dimension.

The old folks are laughing their asses off and commending me on keeping ahold of the rifle.

Had no love for the 460 after that.