9 Most Pointless Modern Cartridges

Two new cartridges, Hornady's 338 ARC and Winchester's 21 Sharp, have been released, sparking industry debate. The 338 ARC is designed for subsonic hunting on AR-15 platforms, directly challenging Q's 8.6 Blackout with differing opinions on case capacity and twist rates. The 21 Sharp aims to replace the 22 LR with a non-heeled bullet design, though rifle availability is currently limited.

This content introduces two new heavy subsonic cartridges: Q's 8.6 Blackout and Hornady's 338 ARC. The 8.6 Blackout features a 300-grain bullet for subsonic performance up to 300 meters, initially designed for a 'suitcase gun'. The 338 ARC claims compatibility with standard AR-15 lowers, uses less powder, and offers similar performance in a compact package.

This video delves into the recent surge of new rifle cartridges hitting the market, specifically mentioning the 6.5 Creedmoor and .22 ARC. It aims to explore the reasons behind their development, their unique characteristics, and whether they offer genuine value for both experienced and new firearm enthusiasts. The content promises a comprehensive analysis of these innovations and their place in the current firearms landscape.

This video explores five less common .35-caliber rifle cartridges that were once popular for big game hunting but are now largely forgotten. The creator questions how these once-loved and effective cartridges have fallen out of favor and wonders if they are truly doomed to extinction or if there are still enthusiasts keeping them alive. The video encourages viewer engagement through likes and subscriptions to reach a target of 500,000 subscribers.

This video discusses six handgun cartridges that are predicted to become outdated or less relevant in 2024. The creator explains that cartridges often fall out of favor for various reasons, including being poorly conceived from the start or failing to meet expectations. Despite some niche appreciation for every cartridge, the video highlights those that are considered "dead" or on their way out. The "About Best Guns" section indicates the channel covers a wide range of firearms, including specific models and calibers like Glocks, Berettas, 9mm, .45, and Sig Sauer.

This Gun Talk LIVE episode covers newly SAAMI-accepted cartridges and a comparison between the Sig Sauer P365XL Spectre Comp and the standard P365XL. Host Ryan Gresham is joined by Kevin "KJ" Jarnagin. The discussion also features a surprise for Ryan. The episode is brought to you by prominent firearms industry sponsors like Hodgdon Powder Company, Sig Sauer, Ruger, and Springfield Armory. The video aims to inform viewers about new ammunition standards and specific firearm models.

This comparison tests the .50 AE Desert Eagle against the .44 Magnum in various barrier tests, including wood, steel, sand, and concrete. While both calibers showed impressive power, the .50 AE demonstrated superior performance in ballistic gel with deeper penetration and a larger wound channel. Ultimately, the video questions if the .50 AE's marginal gains justify its significantly higher cost per round compared to the versatile .44 Magnum.

This video provides a detailed comparison between .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammunition, demonstrating their performance differences through rigorous barrier testing. While visually identical, 5.56 NATO shows a slight advantage in velocity and energy. Crucially, 5.56 NATO exhibits superior barrier penetration against lumber and steel, whereas .223 Remington struggles. Specialized rounds like M855A1 also show enhanced performance against sand barriers.

This video tests the lethality of various 'less lethal' shotgun rounds, including rubber buckshot, bean bags, and specialized projectiles. The .410 rubber buckshot demonstrated significantly higher velocity and penetration than 12-gauge versions. Bean bag rounds proved to be the most damaging, causing substantial plywood destruction and ballistic gel displacement, leading the host to conclude they are the most lethal 'less lethal' option.

This video compares 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP through various barrier tests including lumber, sand, and concrete, alongside ballistics gel testing. While all calibers performed similarly through most barriers, the .40 S&W showed slightly better penetration and expansion in ballistics gel. The host ultimately favors 9mm due to its lower recoil and higher capacity, despite the .40 S&W's respectable performance.