Without a doubt the .25 ACP, there's a reason nobody chambers for it: it's the most useless cartridge ever devised, you'd be better served with a .22 LR.
I can't for the life of me figure out why they prohibited it, you'd think they would have made it mandatory instead. As for rifle cartridges, there's so much
duplication of performance between the various loads, it's difficult to single out one particular cartridge. I'd venture the truly useless ones have already faded
into history. How's that for fence sitting?![]()
.280?
For my money, I'd say .17.
I know guys love their .17's, but there's nothing a .17 can do that a fast .22 can't do better and more accurately due to better wind bucking (IMO).
Still, I say more power to you if you own a .17 - they're fun as hell, and I've shot them with good results at gophers and coyotes, but something like a .221 Fireball will knock the pants off of anything in .17 I've ever seen - at longer distances, with about the same recoil.
If you love your .17, no offense - but I don't ever plan on owning one. I'm glad you like it, and I hope you continue to enjoy it - because more choice is a good thing!
-M