A lot of rifle calibers had their day when they made sense for the rifles and ammo available at the time. But today’s powders, bullets, and rifles have raised the bar. Calibers that once seemed perfectly fine now feel out of step with modern loads. They either don’t deliver the energy hunters expect, drop too fast at range, or just can’t compete with newer designs that stretch distance without punishing recoil. These calibers aren’t worthless, but they’re fading fast when stacked against modern hunting options.
.30-40 Krag

The .30-40 Krag was groundbreaking in the late 1800s, but by today’s standards, it’s slow and limited. Its velocities can’t compete with even budget modern hunting loads, leaving hunters at a disadvantage past moderate ranges.
You’ll still find it in older rifles, and it can take down deer at close range, but modern loads have made it clear this caliber isn’t keeping up. When compared to .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor, its shortcomings in trajectory and energy are hard to overlook.
.35 Remington

The .35 Remington earned respect in lever guns, but modern loads have left it behind. Its trajectory is slow and rainbow-like past 150 yards, which makes it tough to stretch out when hunting in bigger country.
Inside the woods, it can still get the job done, but when you compare it to calibers like .350 Legend or .450 Bushmaster, it feels dated. Its limited bullet selection and lower pressure loads make it clear it isn’t keeping up with current expectations.
.25-35 Winchester

The .25-35 Winchester once filled a role for light hunting, but its mild ballistics are showing their age. Velocities fall short, energy isn’t impressive, and bullet options are thin compared to modern cartridges.
It may still take down deer-sized game at close range, but it pales next to newer rounds like the 6mm Creedmoor. For hunters who expect flat shooting and versatility, the .25-35 feels stuck in another era.
.300 Savage

The .300 Savage helped lead to the development of the .308, but compared to today’s loads, it simply can’t keep up. Its case capacity limits velocity, and bullet options are fewer than modern cartridges that outperform it.
Hunters who grew up with it may still swear by it for deer, but when compared side by side with .308 Winchester, there’s little reason to stick with it. The .300 Savage has become more of a nostalgic option than a practical one.
7×57 Mauser

The 7×57 Mauser was revolutionary in its day, but modern hunters expect more speed and better long-range performance. In factory loads, it’s held to lower pressures out of respect for older rifles, which keeps it from competing with newer 7mm cartridges.
While handloaders can squeeze more out of it, most factory ammo lags far behind. Today’s 7mm-08 and 7mm PRC make it obvious how much the 7×57 has been left behind by modern load development.
.32 Winchester Special

The .32 Winchester Special was supposed to split the difference between .30-30 and .35 Remington, but today it doesn’t really shine anywhere. Its bullet selection is poor, ammo is scarce, and performance doesn’t match up to modern loads.
Hunters still using one in an old lever gun may keep it for tradition, but in terms of ballistics, it can’t keep up. Modern loads make it feel redundant and outdated in almost every way.
.38-55 Winchester

The .38-55 has history on its side, but in today’s world it falls behind quickly. Velocities are low, energy drops off fast, and factory ammo isn’t widely available. Its limited range makes it tough to justify when newer brush calibers exist.
Hunters who use it often do so for nostalgia or historical rifles, not because it’s still practical. Compared to modern cartridges, it’s underpowered and ill-suited for most current hunting situations.
.280 Remington

The .280 Remington was always a solid cartridge, but newer 7mm options have left it behind. With 7mm-08 offering efficiency and 7mm PRC bringing cutting-edge long-range performance, the .280 just doesn’t fit as well anymore.
It can still get the job done on game, but its popularity and factory load support have slipped. Hunters looking at today’s options often pass it up for rounds that either hit harder or shoot flatter.
.220 Swift

The .220 Swift was once the king of velocity, but it burns barrels quickly and has lost ground to modern .22 centerfires. Its performance is flashy but hard to maintain, and ammo availability has dwindled compared to .223 and .22-250.
For varmint hunting, most shooters now lean toward rounds that balance speed with barrel life. The .220 Swift feels like a caliber that had its time, but can’t keep up with what today’s loads bring to the table.
.264 Winchester Magnum

The .264 Winchester Magnum promised flat-shooting performance, but it burns barrels too quickly and has been overshadowed by the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC. Its reputation for short barrel life keeps many hunters away.
While it still offers good ballistics, modern powders and cartridge design have outclassed it. Newer 6.5s do the same job with less wear and more efficient performance, leaving the .264 Win Mag a dated option.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.