Which mainstream cartridge to go obsolete because of the 6 & 6.5 CM

[Calvin45]

With the cartridges shown in the Poll...None.... while sales volumes may be effected, there are too many of them accumulated in the market to become obsolete. The Winchester 94 30-30, alone is estimated to have +5 million in circulation....add all the rest of the cartridges which have been popular for decades, and for many....still get the job done.

Yeah it's not going to cartridges going obsolete so much as sales of new rifles chambered in said cartridges. The demand for ammo ought to hold strong into the foreseeable future. Even if they aren't selling as many new rifles in them, the .270, .243, .30-06, and .30-30 aren't going anywhere. At this point they, along with the .308 and .223, must surely still be responsible for the lion's share of centerfire sporting rifle use.

 

[bigngreen]

If anything on the list it'll hurt the 243 for new shooter or youth sales. It did kill the 6.5x47 and 260 IMO. The 270 is almost as popular as the 6.5 Creed around here as far as ammo on the shelf, most of our group a 270 is the meat gun but it's fun to play with the creeds!

 

[Calvin45]

It already has as a wild cat. The likelyhood of it being a commercial offering is unlikely with the 6.5 and 6mm creeds already having a good foot hold in the commercial side.

The advent of any new .257" or .277" caliber cartridges seems all but certainly impossible. I like both those bore diameters, but sandwiched between all the high bc 6, 6.5, and 7mm offerings, hamstrung by standardized twists established long ago which preclude the use of true high bc bullets in factory rifles the average joe might own, there's just no reason for any big manufacturer to make them.

 

[antelopedundee]

It already has as a wild cat. The likelyhood of it being a commercial offering is unlikely with the 6.5 and 6mm creeds already having a good foot hold in the commercial side.

Figgered that. It was likely wildcatted within days. will it be commercialized? Who knows?

 

[Bigeclipse]

Yeah it's not going to cartridges going obsolete so much as sales of new rifles chambered in said cartridges. The demand for ammo ought to hold strong into the foreseeable future. Even if they aren't selling as many new rifles in them, the .270, .243, .30-06, and .30-30 aren't going anywhere. At this point they, along with the .308 and .223, must surely still be responsible for the lion's share of centerfire sporting rifle use.

Do I think the 270 and 243 will go the way the dodo? No but I have noticed bulk stores like cabelas/field and stream and such not carrying as many different types of 270 and 243 ammo as they used to.

 

[Calvin45]

Do I think the 270 and 243 will go the way the dodo? No but I have noticed bulk stores like cabelas/field and stream and such not carrying as many different types of 270 and 243 ammo as they used to.

Interesting for sure...I haven't bought or even really looked at factory ammo for a few years and live in a small town where for a long time Winchester was the only brand of ammo around for any cartridge. I'll keep my eyes open for this. That was always sung as an added virtue of these cartridges, that pretty much any small town hardware store would have some kind of ammo in a pinch.

 

[Calvin45]

The advent of any new .257" or .277" caliber cartridges seems all but certainly impossible. I like both those bore diameters, but sandwiched between all the high bc 6, 6.5, and 7mm offerings, hamstrung by standardized twists established long ago which preclude the use of true high bc bullets in factory rifles the average joe might own, there's just no reason for any big manufacturer to make them.

That being said I find myself intrigued by them. My first and most used rifle is a .270. I've long wanted a .270 wby, no interest at all in the wsm. The .257 wby is on the "someday I'd like one" list as well.

 

[Lonnie Pendleton]

6.5CM is not really a fad anymore. Too many bench rest shooters and the military adopted it. Every gun manufacturer makes a 6.5CM and not just one but many different versions of rifles in 6.5CM. It is also quickly becoming THE deer caliber. Just my two cents.

I agree the creed has proved itself and won't be going anywhere.

 

[flylo]

6.5 has been out for over 120 years so why would it make another obsolete?

 

[flylo]

Read up on the 6.5x55, the 264 Win mag & both leave the Creedmoor in the dust. https://sportingclassicsdaily.com/264-win-mag/

 

[antelopedundee]

If Sierra offers their GameChanger bullet in a 120 grain .25 cal it might result in more interest in a .25 Creed. There are similars like the .257 AI, but I can see a .25 Creed if someone wanted a light short action rifle.

 

[rdobrow]

I agree the creed has proved itself and won't be going anywhere.

243, and 260 will have to be impacted most IMO

 

[73driver]

The 6.5C bested the 260 with a better SAMMI twist rate and SAMMI specks to allow loading the longer bullets further out of the case. Thats not a gimmick or hype that is sound design that the 260 missed out on. I think the 260 and 7-08 will be hurt the most by the 6.5C. The 270 will be stuck between the 6.5C and the resurgent 280/280AI, tough territory for the old 270 to do well in.

 

[SavageHunter11]

I don't think any of them will go obsolete. But I do think .243 rifle and ammo sales will be effected the most.

In my area the .243 is often viewed as a starter rifle for youth. Who then eventually move up to an '06, .270, 300win, etc. (Even though the .243 if a perfectly acceptable option as a primary deer Slayer)

I think the 6.5 Creed fills the gap of starter rifle and 'grown up' rifle. Just buy that to start with instead of buying something then upgrading to something else later.

-Jake

I really dislike this common sentiment that the 243 (or anything short action and/or under the .30 caliber) is a starter, kids, etc rifle. I think calibers have their purpose. I wouldn't shoot small whitetail and antelope with a 300WM (although some do) I'd much rather shoot them with a 243win, 6mmCM, or 6.5CM because they are more suited for that size of game. I think hunters need to start using rifles that fit the game they're hunting unless they can only afford one or few firearms.