Some calibers were useful once—but these days, they’re more headache than help. Maybe they’re outdated, overpriced, or underpowered compared to what you can buy off the next shelf over. If it’s hard to find, doesn’t perform well, or creates more problems than it solves, you have to ask why it’s still being stocked at all. These are the rounds that make you shake your head when you see them in the case—because there are better options across the board.
.25-20 Winchester
The .25-20 might’ve had a role a hundred years ago, but today it’s more of a curiosity than a useful round. It’s underpowered for most hunting, and the ammo is expensive and tough to track down.
There are far better options for varmint work or light game, and you won’t have to dig through obscure sites or pawn shops to find ammo. If you’re not running a vintage lever gun for nostalgia, there’s no reason this should still be on shelves.
.30 Carbine
Originally designed for a lightweight military rifle, the .30 Carbine is a poor performer for hunting and not much better for home defense. It lacks the punch of modern intermediate rounds and falls short in energy delivery.
You’d be better off with a .223 or even a good 9mm carbine. Unless you’ve got an M1 Carbine you’re trying to keep alive, this caliber doesn’t serve much purpose anymore. It’s outclassed in just about every category.
.32 ACP
Plenty of folks have carried .32 ACP in pocket pistols, but in terms of modern standards, it doesn’t deliver enough. It’s underpowered, has marginal stopping ability, and is harder to find than 9mm or .380.
Even the compact .380s outperform it now, with better ballistic performance and wider availability. If you’re serious about self-defense, there are better, more practical choices—so there’s not much excuse to keep this one stocked.
.45 GAP
The .45 GAP was Glock’s attempt to shrink .45 ACP performance into a smaller frame, but it never caught on. Ammo is scarce and overpriced, and performance gains are minimal at best.
Most folks shopping for a .45 are still going to choose .45 ACP because it’s proven, available, and works in dozens of platforms. GAP only creates compatibility headaches without solving a problem that really needed solving in the first place.
.22 Hornet
The .22 Hornet has a long history, but in today’s market, it’s been overtaken by better varmint rounds. It doesn’t deliver the velocity or energy of newer cartridges like the .204 Ruger or .223 Rem.
Ammo is expensive, hard to find, and underwhelming in terms of terminal effect. If you’re looking for flat shooting and effective pest control, this one doesn’t earn its keep anymore.
7mm Remington Ultra Magnum
On paper, this round looks great. But in the real world, it’s more bark than bite. It burns through barrels fast, kicks hard, and doesn’t give you much you can’t get from a more manageable 7mm Rem Mag or .300 Win Mag.
Ammo availability is poor, and cost per round is high. Unless you’re deep into reloading and chasing velocity for fun, this one doesn’t belong in your hunting pack—or on shelves.
.41 Magnum
Stuck between .357 and .44 Magnum, the .41 Magnum never found its place. It doesn’t offer a big enough upgrade from .357 to justify the recoil, and it doesn’t outdo the .44 enough to matter.
You’ll spend more on ammo and find fewer platforms chambered for it. It’s a caliber without a clear job, and at this point, it’s hard to see why it’s still hanging around.
5.45x39mm
This Soviet-era caliber was once a bargain for AK builders, but the supply has dried up and import restrictions have made it a hassle. Most new shooters are better off with 5.56 or 7.62×39 for cost, availability, and platform support.
Unless you already own a rifle chambered in it and have a stash of surplus, there’s little reason to mess with 5.45 anymore. It’s been slowly disappearing, and that trend makes sense.
.35 Remington
The .35 Rem was built for close-range knockdown in lever-actions, and while it did fine in its day, modern calibers have left it behind. Ammo is getting harder to find, and performance doesn’t justify the hassle.
If you want a thumper for the woods, there are better choices like .450 Bushmaster or even .30-30 with modern loads. The .35 Rem feels like a throwback that’s overstayed its welcome.
.17 Mach 2
This rimfire round never really took off. It was supposed to be the fast, flat-shooting cousin to the .22 LR, but ammo availability has always been spotty and rifles chambered for it are rare.
If you’re looking for a small game or varmint round, the .17 HMR is better across the board. The Mach 2 doesn’t fill a gap that wasn’t already covered—and most shooters forget it exists until they see dusty boxes still sitting in the case.Tools
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
