DNR Clarifies what rifle round are legal

[singlesix]

Every hunter needs to know their limitations. I've seen far too many instances where a poorly placed shot with a .243 just caused an injured deer to run off, not be tracked correctly, and die. Now, I've seen the same thing with a 7mm Rem Mag., so it's not so much caliber, but "buck fever."

I don't disapprove of the .243 for hunting, I hunt with an old man who has never had a running kill with one, but he's never missed the brain with it, either. I guess being a sniper in 'Nam helps him out there.

I didn't take your comment as a "run" on me, I just don't understand how certain calibers are deemed "OK," while others, that make more sense for thin-skinned game are banned. Length of average shot, maybe?

ft-lbs at 100 yards? I don't know how to come up with the "OK" rounds, no matter what it not going to meet everyone's definition. Didn't some judge say: " I can't define pornagraphy, but i know it when I see it", are we left with , I can't define a humane round but I know it when I see it?

 

[miguel]

Hunting with a Garand would be cool too

I would dare say hunting with a Garand would be g[a]ran[n]d...

How about hunting with a Mosin!

 

[451_Detonics]

I would dare say hunting with a Garand would be g[a]ran[n]d...

How about hunting with a Mosin!

shooting an American deer with a commie gun? This is 'Merica boy...that's not how we roll here....

 

[Texican]

How about hunting with a Mosin!

I thought a more suitable target for the Mosin was the SR-71 at cruising altitude...

 

[Yeah]

In Texas most hunters find it inhumane to hunt with a .243, so they move up to the .270

Texans are hardly ever well grounded in reality, and kill very little in the least trying conditions, so it isn't surprising they'd believe 270 Win was a 'move up'.

 

[biggen]

Opening morning is going to be great this year, sitting snug in my stand, hopefully with a chill in the air and as the sun comes up hearing the sound of 10 round "mag dumps."

 

[whiteoak]

Opening morning is going to be great this year, sitting snug in my stand, hopefully with a chill in the air and as the sun comes up hearing the sound of 10 round "mag dumps."

I can hear the faint echo of 5 round tube dumps from the state forest about 1.5 miles from my farm now. Still the same story "One shot dead deer, 2 shots maybe a dead deer, 3 or more shots no deer".
The DNR calling the 7.62x39 a .30 is going to be the biggest issue for the future of deer rifles in my opinion. The stigma of the AK will hurt Indiana hunters, with the public.

 

[K_W]

I can hear the faint echo of 5 round tube dumps from the state forest about 1.5 miles from my farm now. Still the same story "One shot dead deer, 2 shots maybe a dead deer, 3 or more shots no deer".
The DNR calling the 7.62x39 a .30 is going to be the biggest issue for the future of deer rifles in my opinion. The stigma of the AK will hurt Indiana hunters, with the public.

That's why my first deer will be with an SKS. :-D

 

[cerebus85]

I agree. People will want to try their new "setup" just because they can. Not because they should. I've seen and heard how they act with shotguns much less 10 rounds of centerfire.

 

[Streck-Fu]

Opening morning is going to be great this year, sitting snug in my stand, hopefully with a chill in the air and as the sun comes up hearing the sound of 10 round "mag dumps."

You get to hear that already with shotguns.

 

[Cerberus]

You get to hear that already with shotguns.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[Notalentbum]

What constitutes possession of 10 rounds? On my person? Can I have more loaded 10 round mags in my truck?
Not likely I'd ever go deer hunting but you just never know. My AR-10 could see actual use.

Matt

 

[whiteoak]

I can already see that the 30Carbine, 300aac and the 7.62x39 are getting quite a bit of attention as "deer guns" in some forums. Indiana approves Rifle Cartridges for Deer and the Tacticool Croud gets thrown a bone, and official approval of the their rounds that are just a little weak for deer hunting. The 10 round cap for possession just means you can still have the banana clip hanging from the AK just load it to 10. Not what most people want to see coming out into the deer woods! I just hope it is not something that causes us to loose rifles in Indiana. People who are uninformed about firearms see AR's and AK's get spooked, and make calls to state reps. Don't get me wrong I am a 2nd Amendment guy and love all guns. But just want hunters to remember this is a judgement period for us as hunters, and we will be watched and scrutinized for our actions.
I kind of wonder if the DNR did not just jump up and call the .311 diameter rounds .308's just to throw a wrench at the whole thing? They clearly did not want us to have rifles in Indiana, and allowing AK's and AR's just might give them some fuel to rouse some feathers in the media. After all its hard to hold up a lever action rifle and show the media the dangerous weapons that are being used in the woods now with the Gov signing this new law. But do the same thing with an AK and the liberals go nuts? Think about it before you call me all kinds of nasty names.

 

[Mgderf]

DNR gets clarification on new rifle law for deer hunting - 4/5/2016 - State of Indiana

Indiana DNR clarifies what rounds are legal and its the whole kit and caboodle!!!

The Department of Natural Resources has received numerous questions regarding recent legislation that legalizes certain rifles for deer hunting beginning later this year. Most questions have to do with calibers and cartridges allowed under the new law.

House Enrolled Act 1231 that was passed earlier this year by the Indiana General Assembly allows some additional rifle cartridges to be used only on private land during the firearms season.

The new legal cartridges include, but are not limited to, the .243 Winchester, .30-30 Winchester, .300 AAC Blackout, and .30-06 Springfield. Additional requirements are:

• The rifle must have a barrel length of at least 16 inches
• The rifle cartridges must have a cartridge case length of least 1.16 inches
• The rifle cartridge must fire a bullet with a diameter that is
o .243 inches (or 6 mm); or
o .308 inches (or 7.62 mm)
• No cartridges with a bullet diameter between .243 and .308 are legal (such as the .270 Winchester)
• A hunter may not possess more than 10 such cartridges while in the field

Rifles with pistol cartridges that have been allowed in previous years may still be used to hunt deer on both private and public land.

Additional cartridges that are legal under HEA 1231 include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 6mm-06
• 6mm BR Remington
• 6mm PPC
• 6mm Remington
• .240 Weatherby
• .243 Winchester
• .243 Winchester Super Short Magnum
• .30 Carbine
• .30 Herrett
• .30 Remington AR
• .30-06 Springfield
• .30-30 Winchester
• .30-40 Krag
• .300 AAC Blackout (.300 Whisper)
• .300 H&H Magnum
• .300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum
• .300 Savage
• .300 Weatherby Magnum
• .300 Winchester Magnum
• .300 Winchester Short Magnum
• .300 Remington Ultra Magnum
• .308 Marlin
• .308 Winchester
• 7.62x39mm
• 7.62x54mmR

There are other cartridges that meet the law’s specifications, and there are others that do not. A partial list of cartridges that are not allowed under HEA 1231 includes the .270 Winchester, .38-55 Winchester, .444 Marlin, and .45-70 Government.

HEA 1231 is scheduled to expire after the 2020 deer season, at which time the DNR will submit an impact report to the Governor and the General Assembly.

Contact Information: Name: Phil Bloom Phone: (317) 232-4003 Email: PBloom@dnr.IN.gov

I emailed PBloom @ DNR with a request that they clarify their clarification.
Specifically, I wanted to know where I can find a comprehensive list of all allowed cartridges under the new regulations.

I was asking about the .303 British, and the 7.7x58Jap, which use common diameter bullets with the 7.62x39 and 7.62x54r respectively.
Their published list reads, "...including, but not limited to..." and then fails to enumerate the "...other cartridges that meet the new requirements...".

I'll let you know if/when I get a response.

 

[EvilKidsMeal]

That's why my first deer will be with an SKS. :-D

Oooo i could give my Vz-2008 a go as well. That could be fun.

 

[singlesix]

I can already see that the 30Carbine, 300aac and the 7.62x39 are getting quite a bit of attention as "deer guns" in some forums. Indiana approves Rifle Cartridges for Deer and the Tacticool Croud gets thrown a bone, and official approval of the their rounds that are just a little weak for deer hunting. The 10 round cap for possession just means you can still have the banana clip hanging from the AK just load it to 10. Not what most people want to see coming out into the deer woods! I just hope it is not something that causes us to loose rifles in Indiana. People who are uninformed about firearms see AR's and AK's get spooked, and make calls to state reps. Don't get me wrong I am a 2nd Amendment guy and love all guns. But just want hunters to remember this is a judgement period for us as hunters, and we will be watched and scrutinized for our actions.
I kind of wonder if the DNR did not just jump up and call the .311 diameter rounds .308's just to throw a wrench at the whole thing? They clearly did not want us to have rifles in Indiana, and allowing AK's and AR's just might give them some fuel to rouse some feathers in the media. After all its hard to hold up a lever action rifle and show the media the dangerous weapons that are being used in the woods now with the Gov signing this new law. But do the same thing with an AK and the liberals go nuts? Think about it before you call me all kinds of nasty names.

Just a little too weak for deer hunting, such a fact filled line, care to provide some actual evidence to back your claim?

 

[whiteoak]

Just a little too weak for deer hunting, such a fact filled line, care to provide some actual evidence to back your claim?

OK the standard that has been held up for determining if a round is good for whitetail deer has been will it produce over 1000 ft lbs of energy at the range the animal is shot from. I also sometimes see 800 ft lbs held out as the standard. Sectional Density should also be north of .200 for a hunting bullet. You will also see 1600fps held out as a minimum velocity for rifle bullets to expand as designed.

30M1 carbine does good to make 1000ft lbs at the muzzle. Sd's on 110gr bullets run 160's

300AAC Blackout is just 8 grains more powder than the 30 carbine. and will hold 1000 ft lbs of energy out to around 100 yards. 125gr bullets have SD's at 180ish. Yes you can jump up to heavy bullets but the net is full of reports of subsonic Wisper's not performing on game.

Standard 7.62x39 123gr at 2350fps will drop below 1000 ft lbs of energy at under 150 yards with a SD of around 180's

I know there are handloads, and some hot rod rounds from specialty companies like Cor-Bon that will do better, I just took info here of a standard factory load spread sheet.

The .243win that has been the standard minimum cal for whitetail hunting in many states will hold over 1000lbs of energy out to 400+ yards.
The 30-30 is upheld as a good deer round out to about 150 yards, and anything beyond is frowned upon , Guess the energy of a standard 30-30 150rn bullet at 150 yards? Yep right about 1000ft lbs, the new flex tip bullets will do 1300 ft lbs at 200 yards. and are toted as being a great advancement for taking the 30-30 to that range. and the SD of a 150gr 30-30 will run in the 220's

Sorry but the 3 rounds I listed are the bottom of the energy level when HP rifles are concerned and will take deer but you need to understand that they are very limited. And not what most people think of as "Deer Calibers" like a 270win or 30-06 which by the way will 1000 ft lbs of energy at more than 600 yards... Bullets are not energy, gunpowder is energy that gets transferred to the bullet to carry down range. and those little cases just don't hold enough to make them able to play with standard deer rounds. That's why I don't like the any .30 is legal standard the DNR is using.
But new hunters think "rifle" and assume that they can shoot deer at "rifle ranges" say 200-300 yards and those "weak" .30 rounds just can't do it ethically.
Remember this is a new law, and there are a lot of hunters in Indiana that don't have any experience with hunting with rifles, and spreading the word that the 30carbine, 300aac and 7.62x39 are legal deer rounds, and acting like they are just as good as the any other rifle, because you happen to like the guns that chamber the rounds, is doing nothing but causing us as hunters issues, when we are being watched to see if this law will be made the standard.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

shooting an American deer with a commie gun? This is 'Merica boy...that's not how we roll here....

What about a Mosin that was made in 'Murica?

 

[DoggyDaddy]

OK the standard that has been held up for determining if a round is good for whitetail deer has been will it produce over 1000 ft lbs of energy at the range the animal is shot from. I also sometimes see 800 ft lbs held out as the standard. Sectional Density should also be north of .200 for a hunting bullet. You will also see 1600fps held out as a minimum velocity for rifle bullets to expand as designed.

30M1 carbine does good to make 1000ft lbs at the muzzle. Sd's on 110gr bullets run 160's

300AAC Blackout is just 8 grains more powder than the 30 carbine. and will hold 1000 ft lbs of energy out to around 100 yards. 125gr bullets have SD's at 180ish. Yes you can jump up to heavy bullets but the net is full of reports of subsonic Wisper's not performing on game.

Standard 7.62x39 123gr at 2350fps will drop below 1000 ft lbs of energy at under 150 yards with a SD of around 180's

I know there are handloads, and some hot rod rounds from specialty companies like Cor-Bon that will do better, I just took info here of a standard factory load spread sheet.

The .243win that has been the standard minimum cal for whitetail hunting in many states will hold over 1000lbs of energy out to 400+ yards.
The 30-30 is upheld as a good deer round out to about 150 yards, and anything beyond is frowned upon , Guess the energy of a standard 30-30 150rn bullet at 150 yards? Yep right about 1000ft lbs, the new flex tip bullets will do 1300 ft lbs at 200 yards. and are toted as being a great advancement for taking the 30-30 to that range. and the SD of a 150gr 30-30 will run in the 220's

Sorry but the 3 rounds I listed are the bottom of the energy level when HP rifles are concerned and will take deer but you need to understand that they are very limited. And not what most people think of as "Deer Calibers" like a 270win or 30-06 which by the way will 1000 ft lbs of energy at more than 600 yards... Bullets are not energy, gunpowder is energy that gets transferred to the bullet to carry down range. and those little cases just don't hold enough to make them able to play with standard deer rounds. That's why I don't like the any .30 is legal standard the DNR is using.
But new hunters think "rifle" and assume that they can shoot deer at "rifle ranges" say 200-300 yards and those "weak" .30 rounds just can't do it ethically.
Remember this is a new law, and there are a lot of hunters in Indiana that don't have any experience with hunting with rifles, and spreading the word that the 30carbine, 300aac and 7.62x39 are legal deer rounds, and acting like they are just as good as the any other rifle, because you happen to like the guns that chamber the rounds, is doing nothing but causing us as hunters issues, when we are being watched to see if this law will be made the standard.

SKSs have been known as the "poor man's deer rifle" down south for decades I believe. Just sayin'... And at typical Indiana distances (under 100 yds.) they're probably plenty effective.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

What constitutes possession of 10 rounds? On my person? Can I have more loaded 10 round mags in my truck?
Not likely I'd ever go deer hunting but you just never know. My AR-10 could see actual use.

Matt

I don't know if I'll go deer hunting or not either, but I did just order a 10 round mag for my 308 AR.