Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Interesting thread. If one wanted to do a quick and dirty data analysis, one could run searches on ammoseek on a population of cartridges and simply count the number of options returned.
What is a "common" cartridge?
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22-rimfire
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Generally agree with your categories or breakdown. I also agree that if Walmart or similar big box stores routinely carries it, it is "common". There is one exception that comes to mind and that's 45 Colt (45 Long Colt) which Walmart generally doesn't carry. It is common but not commonly available.
I was surprised that mention of the 41 magnum hasn't happened yet unless I missed it. The 204 and 480 Ruger were mentioned; both remarkedly good cartridges.
I was surprised that mention of the 41 magnum hasn't happened yet unless I missed it. The 204 and 480 Ruger were mentioned; both remarkedly good cartridges.
I put it under "uncommon." In fact, it was precisely the cartridge I was thinking of when I wrote the description. I happen to love that cartridge. I weep for the joy missed by those who refuse to dip below the "common" level... there's a lot of really fun stuff at the "uncommon" level, and the internet removes pretty much all the pain and hassle that used to come with things in that category.
NIGHTLORD40K
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I wonder if .22-250 may have gained a little popularity during the Obama era due to it being one of the few calibers that was almost always on the shelf. I think a few people definitely got turned onto the .17 rimfires as cheap beginner/plinking alternatives to the mythical, unobtanium .22.
VThillman
Member
A 'common' cartridge is a non-aristocratic one. Ask any Brit.
Hokkmike
Member
Anything found at 75% of my LGSs is common. My 6.5x55, for example is found at all four of them, but NOT at Wally World. Hence, I do not use the latter retailer for a common denominator. My 5.7x28 is found at half of my LGSs so it is relatively uncommon but NOT rare.
dogtown tom
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Which would tell you what?.................that someone has old stock that never sells?
WalMart/Cabelas/Academy inventory is a much better predictor of popularity. If it's a "seller" then WalMart stocks it. If WalMart doesn't stock it, there is probably little demand.
mudstud
Member
I think this thread fails to take into account regional differences. This afternoon, based on what I've read here, I took a quick survey of rifle ammo available at a local establishment. I did not consider handgun ammo, as they have all the usual suspects. And this place does not stock ammo that does not sell. If it doesn't sell, it gets closed out, never to be seen again. Of course, there were the usual shelves stocked full of .223/5.56. Other than that, the most common rifle ammo, based on the variety available, was unquestionably, .243Win, .270Win, 7mmRM, .308Win, 30-06 and 300WM. Also quite a good selection of 22-250 and 25-06. Surprised me with the variety of 30-30 available! I don't think I even know anyone who actually hunts a 30-30! Also quite a good selection of 300WSM and 270WSM. Around my hood, the 7mmRM IS "ubiquitous", and if the 22-250 isn't ubiquitous, it's doggone close (most 22-250 shooters reload for prairie dogs). Virtually everyone has a 7mmRM and a 22-250 around these parts. If you like to shoot some other off the wall cartridges, your selection is going to maybe one, or none. YMMV.
Jim Watson
Member
I divide calibers into four groups:
1. I have the gun and shoot it.
2. I have the gun but seldom shoot it.
3. I want a gun for it.
4. I don't want a gun for it.
1. I have the gun and shoot it.
2. I have the gun but seldom shoot it.
3. I want a gun for it.
4. I don't want a gun for it.
huntsman
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Forget WM or LGS a "common" cartridge is what a country store stocks. the one about 8 miles from me has .380, 9mm, .40 and .45acp, 12 and 20 gauge buck/slug.
I'd say 28 gauge is in between "Common" and "Uncommon". If it was not for competitive skeet, 28 gauge would be rapidly disappearing.
I'll admit I have not kept up with what's available on the market, but it used to be not too long ago when I was shooting competitive skeet, target 28 gauge ammunition was fairly easy to get but hunting rounds not so much.
CoalTrain49
Member
OK.
I know of one pistol cartridge (9 mm Ultra) that becomes available for a few months a year online from Fiocchi. I know of no other source for that cartridge. I would say that is still a common cartridge. As long as the cartridge is still manufactured every year by someone I would consider it common. There is obviously enough users to profit by making the ammo.
Wal-Mart isn't a good gauge of what's available. But then there are people who have never ordered ammo online or have even considered it. I understand that if you only buy a box or two at a time but you are truly limiting your sources.
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The difference between this (perfectly legitimate) view and the (also perfectly legitimate) view that the Wal-Mart test is the gauge of what is "common" is precisely why I got frustrated at some other threads and decided it might help things to lay out a more complete range of availabilities.
I agree completely. Only being willing to buy ammo at Wal-Mart is like only being willing to eat food sold at McDonald's.
But there's no doubt that the food sold at McDonald's is more common and available than, say, Malaysian char-kway-teow. Not better. But more readily available.
CoalTrain49
Member
Based on this input, I have broken Legacy cartridges down into 2 categories: 9A Legacy Supported and 9B Legacy Unsupported. Fiocchi's periodic runs of 9mm Ultra would put that into 9A (continued manufacture by a major maker, even if periodic and small-run is support). In contrast, one would wait forever for another factory run of .41 Swiss rimfire ammo (so people often convert rifles in that caliber to a centerfire wildcat), which is 9B.
huntsman
Member
It's a small storewhat? no 22LR or 30-30???
22-rimfire
Member
I would have to disagree with the 9mm Ultra comment. That said, Remington generally makes a batch of 41 mag only once or twice a year (it seems). Both are not common however, but that doesn't mean either isn't a bad cartridge/caliber.
No, Walmart is not a good gauge on "what's available". But if it sells well, Walmart will carry it and that makes it generally common. The 10mm comment at Academy above struck me as well. I don't feel it's common, but it's certainly not uncommon. Academy also sells 475 Casull, but that doesn't make it common.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Whether you try and track Walmart, or count listings on ammoseek, I'm guessing that these are proxies for the number that really counts: number of rounds sold commercially of any given cartridge in a given year. Are those data available anywhere?
Even if you can count on a "special run" of an exotic cartridge every year, it would be far less common than something that sells millions of rounds a year. One could track increases or decreases in popularity by watching trends across multiple years. 6.5 CM is growing in popularity and is thus becoming "more common." Its cousin, the .260 Remington, seems to be waning.
Overall, I like the OP's categorization. But it is still a proxy for a set of numbers we don't have easy access to.
Even if you can count on a "special run" of an exotic cartridge every year, it would be far less common than something that sells millions of rounds a year. One could track increases or decreases in popularity by watching trends across multiple years. 6.5 CM is growing in popularity and is thus becoming "more common." Its cousin, the .260 Remington, seems to be waning.
Overall, I like the OP's categorization. But it is still a proxy for a set of numbers we don't have easy access to.
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