This term was put forth in a current discussion on here so let's take a look at what folks consider fringe cartridges.

Question:
As an individual, which of the following medium bores do you consider a "Fringe" cartridge.

Choices:
.260 Remington.
.270 WSM.
7mm-08.
.338 Federal
.325 WSM

Question:
How many of you own or have used any of the above listed cartridges on a regular basis.

Choices:
.260 Remington.
.270 WSM.
7mm-08.
.338 Federal.
.325 WSM.
Have not owned or used.
Considering obtaining one in the future.

 

you have to pick one and only one to answer q#2


.270 WSM.

.338 Federal
.325 WSM[/quote]

and

Have not owned or used.

Not sure what you are getting at?

Let's see .260, 7-08, and .270 WSM seem to be hear to stay as far as commercial production. Can't say the same about the Fed and .325 WSM. So I guess the latter two wiuld be considered fringe by definition. The only one I've owned was the 7-08, good cartridge didn't like the rifle so away it went. I would consider buying any of them if the price was right, but the Fed and .270 WSM are the most interesting to me.

What he means us he can't pick multiple answers for poll question #2. So you've limited the choice to just one answer even if we owned more than one if the cartridges you listed.

Fringe cartridges for what? Rabbits? Deer? Brown bear? Target shooting? What?

Damn Skippy, to be a pointless, unheard of cartridge, the 7-08 seemms to be doing pretty good. Maybe us "fringe" people are onto a good thing.

quote:

Fringe cartridges for what? Rabbits? Deer? Brown bear? Target shooting? What?

Don't matter! The questions concern individual opinions on a select few chamberings and whether they will last and possibly gain in popularity or will they slip into obscurity with only a limited number of individuals singing the praises of these rounds.

I'm a fringe dweller, I own rifles chambered for four of the cartridges in the second list.

All are fringe rounds. Never thought of using any of them.

none are on the --fringe-- of becoming big bore carts.

Depends how you define fringe.

I have a 7-08 and a 338 Fed off that list.

I also own

257R
6.5x55
350 rem mag
9.3x62

I think you argue all of those are fringe in the US.

The .325 WSM and the 338 Federal are probably the most likely to disappear out of that list. The 7mm-08 isn't going anywhere, and the .270 WSM probably isn't either. I think the .260 will stick around too. All of them are "fringe" in the sense that they are very popular or widely known to casual hunters.

I don't have any of them, but I do have a 6.5x55, a .35 Whelen, and an 8x57, all of which are fairly uncommon as hunting rounds where I live.

I don't know what fringe means, I can only tell you my experience with one of those listed. I own and shoot everything from .223 Rem up to the 50 cals. I own and shoot four .270 WSM's and provide them for my 3 hunting grandsons and son. They all want to shoot it at Deer sized game and one grandson and I will be using it this year for Elk. Our load is a 160 grain Nosler Partition at 2900 fps. For Mule Deer and Whitail Deer we use the 130 grain Northfork at 3450 fps. We consider the .270 WSM an excellent all around chambering and will be using it for many years. I also furnish and load for them many other rifles in .257 Wby-.25 WSSM-.243 WSSM-.300 Win mag, but they all call for the .270 WSM for it's hard hitting, flat shooting loads. Good shooting.

Not to get to far off the topic, but I've noticed that "fringe caliber" can mean any cartridge that isn't commonly available in the local gun store regardless of popularity elsewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:
All are fringe rounds. Never thought of using any of them.

X 2 but have owned a 7-08 for 20 rounds. roger

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:
Depends how you define fringe.

I have a 7-08 and a 338 Fed off that list.

I also own

257R
6.5x55
350 rem mag
9.3x62

I think you argue all of those are fringe in the US.

Why I believe you're right. roger

When I used the word fringe on another thread it was with the idea that it would never be a main stream seller like the .270 , .308, .223 and 30-06 to mention a few.
Why in the poll can we only choose one cartridge?
roger

quote:

Not to get to far off the topic, but I've noticed that "fringe caliber" can mean any cartridge that isn't commonly available in the local gun store regardless of popularity elsewhere.

Actually, that is not off topic at all. This after all is an International Forum. Members from all 50 states/Mexico/Canada and the rest of the world participate.

Also, it is not about what may or may not be available ammo wise in any particular spot. I remember going into the Fort Worth Cabela's a couple of years ago and they had no .257 Robert's shells on the shelves at that point.

Just because a caliber/cartridge is not listed, that does not mean a person cannot or should not mention it in a response to the OP.

I hunt Texas White Tails with a .375 H&H. On here that is no big deal. On regional forums/around the local hangouts of whatever kind for hunters in this area, the .375 is definitely a "Fringe" cartridge.

On the whole however, there are some cartridges that are barely hanging on/or are not really commercially viable, even though they do have their supporters.

I use a .38-55, that is a fringe cartridge that I believe will eventually become a hand loaders only round.

Not to upset anyone but I feel the .264 Win. Mag. is in that same boat.

The reason I listed the cartridges I did was because they are among the newer offerings and came out with a lot of hype, but from what I have seen of those that I listed, the 7mm-08 is making the strongest showing, while the .270 WSM has its followers, more people seem to be switching to the .300 WSM, which does seem to be giving the .300 Win. Mag. a run for it's money.

CHC: the 264Win Mag seems to be making a small but real comeback. Witness the fact that Winchester is now offering it in several versions of its Model 70.

7mm WSM, the Remington SAUMs, and the 338 and 375 RUM. Also the RCMs. The 6.5 Creedmore also seems like a 3rd party candidate that joined the race with little difference from the 260, but trying to push both out of the race. Maybe the 6.5x284 Norma will be left by default? All are quite capable, and very redundant.

quote:

CHC: the 264Win Mag seems to be making a small but real comeback. Witness the fact that Winchester is now offering it in several versions of its Model 70.

I am not sure how much of that is an actual comeback or just a marketing strategy to try and revive cartridges that for what ever reason have declined in popularity. Aren't they also offering these new guns in 7x57?

Personally, I see the problem being one of too many offerings, that as someone else, equal to a good bit of lap over with in my opinion, no single one outshining the rest.

I feel, and with no real information to back it up, that these short term runs of calibers like the .264 or 7x57 may also be intended to see if these calibers should be completely dropped or relegated to custom/special order status.

I remember that for a while back in the mid 90's when I still had a .264 and before any of the hoarding frenzies, Winchester only turned out a limited amount of .264 brass and then on a once a year or every other year basis.

The main reason I got rid of that gun was the difficulty in finding brass, period, new or used. Going into practically any gun store and buying factory loaded ammo was a dead issue.

I have owned 2 different .264's, one a second hand custom made on a 98 Mauser action and the other a new Model 70 Classic Sporter. Hunted with both, killed game with both, just never fell in love with the caliber.

FWIW. The 7x57 FWT is offered as a special "Shot Show Special" this year only. Just like the 257 Roberts was offered last year. The 264 is listed as a regular offering in the FWT, Sporter, and Shadow.

Thanks for the info.