Jeff..it is possibly to shoot lighter bullets accurately in a fast twist, NOT possible to do the opposite. Try a 115 grain bullet in an old 6mm Remington compared to a 55 grain in a new one. I bet I know which one keyholes.
Well, as long as they don't keyhole....
I understand exactly what you're saying, Ty' and have have a personal fondness for fast twists, long bullets and moderate velocities. I find that the shorter projectiles are workable in my my 6.5x55s, 7x57s, etc. but I don't use them with the intent of using short, light bullets. I do appreciate your words of encouragement and, as stated before, it may not even be an issue once I start working up my loads.
My real point is more about the topic at hand though - the diminishing choices caused by manufacturing efficiencies (using the same barrel blanks according to caliber, not according to catridge or only offering a handful of the most popular cartridges), which has been evolving for decades. And, I have watched this happen for/over decades. As things get "tight," choices diminish. As things get better, choices widen again. Hey, I waited a long, long time for a factory Ruger Blackhawk .44 Special and THAT dream finally came true! In line with that thought, as Handi-fans, we all have to admit to being a little odd anyway and that means we will have ample opportunity to grouse about not having exactly what we want because "the masses" are out-voting us with their dollars. I am not suggesting that we just give up though either. Grouse away! I certainly will. It's a right I will not forego and it does pay off sometimes. When we get what we want, it's been earned and we get a certain satisfaction all the others miss out on.
Even as I have watched this pendulum swing back and forth over time, I do still get nervous when it swings away from my own preferences and I worry about things like the Handi "going away." 30 years ago, you could get an H&R single shot in 30-30, .22 Hornet and maybe .45-70. Some would say we have little to complain about with the choices today but we should stay vigilant none the less to ensure that we can still get what we want too. If everyone had a 9mm, a .223, an '06 and a 12 gauge, we would be well-armed but pretty boring and that's not what Handi-fanatics are about. Not what owning a Handi is about.
Oh, and I will probably still gripe about 1:9 twist in a Hornet even if I get 1/4" groups with 40 grainers. I mean, c'mon, it's a Hornet, for cryin' out loud.