Centrefire calibres to avoid?

[harlow]

G'day all.

Thinking about a bigger centre fired calibre soon.

The usual angel on choosing calibre is what do you want to do? Buy X or Y or Z because it's suitable.

Other side of the coin though, what calibres do you guys think are best avoided.

Just in general, asking for conversation not a run down on the history of every calibre.

Lets say small game up to deer. No buff or African big game.

Say 22 - .338 max? Anything above that I think things like short ammo supplies is going to be a given and something you knowingly live with when buying one.

So?

[Baldrick314]

Unless you're into reloading avoid proprietary cartridges such the WSM's, 26 Nosler and so on. My next thought would be nothing with too short of a barrel life so I'd rule out anything too overbore such as 264 win mag

In short something popular with proven ability that has acceptable barrel life

[tom604]

22-250 way too loud,,222 ,just like a 223 but not as good, 22,,no good on deer ,,really the only one to go for is a 308,,legal for deer,you can take a buff or a 100kg pig and if you head shoot the bunnys they do a good,,ish job on those as well. there are no bad centrefire's or rimfire's only expensive ones

[Combat_Wombat]

Can't imagine there really is any "bad" calibres out there. Every round serves a purpose and nothing would be mass produced if it was considered crap

[harlow]

Yeah, not thinking there will be many lemons.

Like one that was mentioned here in another topic was 7mm-08 factory hunting ammo is 2-3x the price of similar .308 hunting ammo.

Stuff like that.

And the guys comments above.

[Chronos]

Yeah, not thinking there will be many lemons.

Like one that was mentioned here in another topic was 7mm-08 factory hunting ammo is 2-3x the price of similar .308 hunting ammo.

Stuff like that.

And the guys comments above.

lemons? no, poor choices? yes definately

you mention the 7-08 and it's factory ammo prices who would buy a 7-08? me for one, why? because i was looking for a larger calibre suitable for metallic silhouette and the energy advantage the 7mm has over a .30 cal at 500m makes it a no brainer

many of these cartridges are a hand loading prospect but that said i reload for my .308 anyway so $30 for factory ammo for it is expensive to me

to some who hunt rabbits out to 60m a 17hmr is considered an expensive proposition, or look at centerfires and decide between a .223 and a 22-250 and then factor in the cost of barrel wear and you might add the cost of wear to every shot you fire

Chronos

[zook60]

Ok bring on the haters. I reload but would still never buy any think with Weatherby on the end why? Brass is just too expensive and hard to find.
Next on my hit list is any thing with WSSM or WSM on it. Except maybe the 300wsm its about the only winchester short magnum that has had popularity.
Look at the 223wssm you see brand new Winchester M70 rifles go for $5-600 because they cant get rid of them.

Velocity come at a price and that price is barrel life nd brass life. Thats why the boring old 223 and 308 are some of the most popular cals because of availability and brass/barrel life.

[yoshie]

Anything that your local gun shop says they'll have to order in specially for you.

[Kater]

Anything that your local gun shop says they'll have to order in specially for you.

This is the right answer.

[bunnybuster]

Anything that your local gun shop says they'll have to order in specially for you.

This is the right answer.

+ 1

Be Safe, BB.

[harlow]

you mention the 7-08 and it's factory ammo prices who would buy a 7-08? me for one, why? because i was looking for a larger calibre suitable for metallic silhouette and the energy advantage the 7mm has over a .30 cal at 500m makes it a no brainer

Didn't mean to pick on the 7mm-08. Just happened to be an example I could give off the top of my head

[Tiiger]

Anything that your local gun shop says they'll have to order in specially for you.

Seems like everything is special order these days...

Took me 6 weeks to get .308 brass recently

[zook60]

Seems like everything is special order these days...

Took me 6 weeks to get .308 brass recently

Yep, your not wrong I want a 260rem but will probably just go down the 308 path for ease of components.

[beerhog]

i had to order in my marlin 1895. i still did though and only 3 weeks left hopfully till i get it. i was humming an harring on wether i wanted the marlin or a henry but the longer barrel on the marlin got me over the line in the end, although im still thinking i will get the henry 45/70 eventually to!

[jeretilda]

Avoid the obscure calibre that is going to send the red flag up when the financial controller checks the credit card statement.
"What's this large amount of dollars spent at XYZ Firearms?"
I have a 7-08 as my "large centre fire" but reload, so cost is controlled a little more as I mostly resize 308 brass anyway.
It's the go to gun if pigs are on the menu and I'm not stalking.
I agree that factory 7-08 ammo is pricey.
Since you already have a 223, then (like many have said) a 308 wouldn't go astray for your intended use.

[Chronos]

Didn't mean to pick on the 7mm-08. Just happened to be an example I could give off the top of my head

Ha ha. No offence taken just pointing out horses for courses. Besides I had the 7mm before they were cool, now it's .260 that's cool and again factory ammo? Not an option.

Chronos

[MeccaOz]

Holy Smokes !!! I doubt it's on your menu mate But 416 Rigby .. $445 per packet of 20 ... Ummm defo a reloading cartridge

[zook60]

Ha ha. No offence taken just pointing out horses for courses. Besides I had the 7mm before they were cool, now it's .260 that's cool and again factory ammo? Not an option.

Chronos

Federal and Remington both do factory ammo for the 260rem but at $50 abox no thanks.

[yoshie]

You can make both 260 and 7mm08 from 308 and 243 cases, it's fairly easy.

[Chronos]

Federal and Remington both do factory ammo for the 260rem but at $50 abox no thanks.

Yeah, by not an option I meant price wise for factory ammo. I recently saw 140 gr 7-08 ammo for $60 a box.

Costs me .60c to load a 150gr corelokt into the 7-08

Chronos

[Westy]

Yeah, by not an option I meant price wise for factory ammo. I recently saw 140 gr 7-08 ammo for $60 a box.

Costs me .60c to load a 150gr corelokt into the 7-08

Chronos

Hey Chronos welcome to the law of supp;y and demand!!! at $60 bucks a box there will be very little demand As a 6.5 guy I looked real hard at buying a 260 in Tikka but stayed with the 6.5x55,samething costs like 55cents a round and shoots just as well if not better than the 260

[Hilux2003]

I'm with you Westy, the 6.5x55 is tops.

I would avoid anything you need to have custom reloading dies made for........... (unless your really wat it!)

They all shoot, just some a bit better than others.

[Warrigul]

I'm with you Westy, the 6.5x55 is tops.

I would avoid anything you need to have custom reloading dies made for........... (unless your really wat it!)

They all shoot, just some a bit better than others.

Some calibres just work without any fuss, day in and day out, the swede is one of them.

[MeccaOz]

Some calibres just work without any fuss, day in and day out, the swede is one of them.

Have to agree, Ive used a mates a few times and it works like a charm.

[Chronos]

Have to agree, Ive used a mates a few times and it works like a charm.

i've only shot a sweede once, one shot at 400m and it was a hit so i suppose they're OK

Chronos

[chacka]

i've only shot a sweede once, one shot at 400m and it was a hit so i suppose they're OK

Never shoot one again.

Then you can honestly say you've never missed with one