Anybody hunting this year with something out of the ordinary? I've got a reasonably acurate load worked up in my 300 Sherwood (small Martini action) with 7 grains of bluedot behind a 140 grain SP, hoping for 1400 FPS out of it. I've worked up a load giving me excellent accuracy in my 1891 Mauser in 7.65 Argentine with a 180 gr. SP pushed by 46 grains of H4350 looking for about 2350 FPS.

I'm going to get them both on the chrono in the next two weeks to make sure the velocity is close. I've been practicing with the 1891 and getting very good groups (for my tired old eyes) of about 2.5-3" at 100 yards, with the Martini I have only been shooting at 50 yards but will work up to 100 at the range next time.

I'm going to try for deer with the Argentine mauser this year and smaller game with the 300 Sherwood, maybe even a small doe if it's a close broadside shot.

Not me, yet. But a guy at the range is working on a "Poor man's 300 Whisper." He figures a 7.62x39 with a long throat and 1in8 barrel should give him decent performance with heavy bullets.

Browning - I'd hardly call the Argentine mauser an oddball cartridge. Although I admit you don't see one everyday. Still it's basically a 30/06 in disguise. It will do anything you want.

And I think you'll have a lot of fun with the little Martini if you keep your critters smallish.

I converted one to .357 Mag years ago and had a blast with it.

My "oddball cartridge" for this year is going to be my new CZ 7.62x39 with cast bullets.

I guess my custom Contender carbine w/ 20 1/8th" Bullberry barrel in 7mm Bullberry would fall into the oddball category. It is superbly accurate, and the 130 grain Sierra Single Shot Pistol bullet at 2505 fps has accounted for several deer (including my best buck ever in 2002), a number of varmints and a hog as well (though it would not be my first choice for the latter).

I hope to kill a Texas whitetail in December with a CZ 527 carbine in 6.5 Grendel.

Does elk with a 500 AHR (500 Jeffery Improved) count? If so count me in.

ASS_CLOWN

If wildcats are oddball, then I reckon I'm in. Hunted Africa with a .320 DGC--that's my own design, so likely the only one--in June. I'll be hunting Ibex next week in Switzerland and again in Mongolia in November with a .284 Jamison. Hunted Pronghorn last year with a standard--but not common--.25-35. These things add to the "fun".

I'll be hunting deer with a Mannlicher Schoenauer Model 1903 in 6.5x54. This rifle will be loaded with a 160 gr Hornady round nose interlock bullet over 37.4 gr of H4831SC powder and a Federal 210 primer. This load gives a little over 2000 fps and will shoot through any deer in this area. This rifle also wears a Lyman bolt release peep sight and will group 10 bullets in a 1 1/2 inch group at 75 yards.

Should be fun.

Mac

I've been using a 350 rigby for the past couple years. The big game load is a 250 gr hornady rn over 66 gr Varget for 2700 fps. I also load 200 gr cast bullets over a light charge of unique for head shooting spruce hens.

I love my 7 mm/tcu's both pistol and rifle. I also shoot a 309 jdj, a 250 savage improved, a 35 Whelen improved, and a 357 Herrit. Maybe not oddball, but encountered in the deer woods every day.

although not that odd, i hope to be using my new custom 8mm06 this year(if the smith moves fast enough). if the finances work out correctly, my gun project next year will be to put together a 6.5x57. that one should be a real nice whitetail gun. cheers...bud

Well, as most of my deer hunting is still buck shot only I'll use my Auto-10,but if I get a chance to go to the hills,I'll use my 86,in 33wcf

Does my .375 Win. (aka Little Thumper) count? Very, shall we say, "authoritative" on my close- to medium-range deer.

RSY

How about a Contender carbine in 6mm 30-30 AI for prairie goats......does that qualify as an oddball ?

I hunt with several 35's which are uncommon, though not "oddball". I guess the most unusual cartridge I've ever hunted with is called the ".303 Canadian Epps Belted Magnum". Its actually just a .308 Norma Magnum necked up to a .303 bore for use in P14's. A .311 Norma Magnum if you will.