What is the most underrated cartridge?

1899

1899

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So what do you think, and why?

I thing the nod goes to the 8x57mm, partly due to the anemic North American factory loads - how about that factory 170gr bullet at 2350fps? Basically a stout .30-30, not that anyone is really complaining about that old girl. Sure Norma loads a variety of 196gr bullets to +2500fps, and that is a big step up, but when was the last time you saw that on the shelf? Fortunately we now have more accessible ammo from Sellier & Bellot and Privi, but that is a fairly recent phenomenon.

Or you handload the good old 200gr Partition to +2600 fps and I wouldn't hesitate to take any North American game at normal ranges.

I used to have a couple of 8x57's in Brno 21H's. I think I may have just talked myself into another one! ;)
 
Probably ditto for most former military cartridges especially the ones developed around the turn of the century... the "other" turn of the century, for you young folks ;)... my vote goes to the .45/70... it is insipid in factory offerings, but shows its teeth when reloaded for modern actions such as the Ruger No.1.
 
7.62x39. People complain about "soft" power and poor accuracy... but look what they're shooting and the rifles their shooting out of. 7.62x39 handloaded, or a quality commerical variant, out of a bolt gun is every bit as accurate as the more popular middle weights. Power? 123 grains at 2400 fps? That can take most game, and of course, will ruin anybody's day! I rank it in my top 5 favourite rifle cartridges, amoung the venerable 30-06, 7x57, 308, and 45-70.

32 S&W Long. Most people have written that off as nothing more than a pee shooter cartridge. Well, out of a quality pistol or rifle, it is one of the most accurate "light weight" cartrigdes I have every fired, period. If handloaded to it's fullest potential out of strong pistol or rifle, you are looking at 71 to 108 grains at up to 1100 fps. Not too shabby !
 
1899 said:
So what do you think, and why?

I thing the nod goes to the 8x57mm, partly due to the anemic North American factory loads - how about that factory 170gr bullet at 2350fps? Basically a stout .30-30, not that anyone is really complaining about that old girl. Sure Norma loads a variety of 196gr bullets to +2500fps, and that is a big step up, but when was the last time you saw that on the shelf? Fortunately we now have more accessible ammo from Sellier & Bellot and Privi, but that is a fairly recent phenomenon.

Or you handload the good old 200gr Partition to +2600 fps and I wouldn't hesitate to take any North American game at normal ranges.

I used to have a couple of 8x57's in Brno 21H's. I think I may have just talked myself into another one! ;)
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Off the top of my head I cannot think of any underrated cartridge, however; the said 8x57 Mauser is a great cartridge. If you are looking for one I would suggest checking out Guns America, Guns International and Gun Broker. I have seen them in there recently, some with fair pricing, others not so fair. I find it quite difficult to find a FS or HS in great condition in Canada.
 
I'm gonna beat Gatehouse and proclaim my New King......................the .375 Ruger. Hits harder than the H & H, uses a shorter action, more efficient powder column, Needs shorter barrels to get "up to speed" than the H & H making it OH so nimble in the woods.....................I love my Ruger Alaskan.
 
I would say the .308.....still a pretty versatile but boring cartridge that often get overlooked.
 
It would be toss up between the .308 and the good ole 30-06, with the node going to the 30-06. It has been around for a long, long time, it has been there done that, and deservedly got all the T shirts. It's casing has spawned many off shoots. It has definitely got to the top of the under rated and boring list. After all these years it remains very quietly popular, and is still responsible for taking a lot of north American game. These days it is very often passed over in favour of one of the WSM's.
 
A few that come to mind right off the top ... 22 Hornet, 222, 222 Rem Mag, 6mm Rem, 250-3000, 257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 7x57, 280, 30-30, 300 Savage, 32 Special
35 Remington, 358 Winchester, 38-55, 44 Magnum(rifle) and 45-70.

The venerable 30-30 probably has to take the rap for the most underrated, despite all the game it's taken over the years.
 
444 Marlin. Great round!
A lot of people wrote it off way back, when Remington loaded the round with glorified pistol bullets.
 
My hunting rifles are in 6.5x55 and 45/70. I don't think people give them enough credit. They are old, but modern guns keep them very relevant and useful.

Yet to use more than one shell per deer with either of them :)
 
308 win, one of the most accurate cartridges ever made and more than capable of taking any big game animal in north america with proper shot placement.
 
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