Rifles with Pistol Cartridges

[doug1980]

Looking at deer hunting for the 2011 season and would like to use a rifle instead of my 12 or 20 gauge shotgun. I haven't hunted Whitetail in Indiana since 2005 because of deployments and moving to Alaska, so this is the first I've heard of using rifles in Indiana. The problem is I can't seem to find any rifles chambered in the caliber allowed. Does anyone have any recommendations or info on where I could find a rifle chambered in the caliber allowed for deer hunting?

Seems pretty restrictive but better than nothing I guess.


Rifles must fire a cartridge with a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger; have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches; and have a maximum case length of 1.625 inches.

.357 Magnum
.38-40 Winchester
.41 Magnum
.41 Special
.44 Magnum
.44 Special
.44-40 Winchester
.45 Colt
.454 Casull
.458 SOCOM
.480 Ruger
.475 Linebaugh
.50 Action Express
.500 S&W ​

 

[fireball168]

BFG Cartridges, the Home of the 358 Grendel, 358 BFG, 450 BFG, 458 BFG and 500 BFG

 

[paperboy]

I use a 44 mag rifle and won't go back to a slug gun. I have shot it at 115 yrds and can hit an 8" plate. I took 3 deer with it last year with 3 rounds. The farthest a deer went was about 50 yrds and left a huge blood trail. I really like the Winchester WB 240 gr JSP.

 

[infidel]

Lever actions are going to be your best bet, but other guns are available in these cartridges.

Henry
Marlin
Puma
Winchester

These are some brands off the top of my head, but there are sure to be more.

Also, there are 458 Socom uppers for AR lowers. Those look fun.

 

[antiwheeze]

44 mag is cheap, common and good for most of Indiana deer hunting <100yds. single shot H&R handi rifle is a good starter

 

[doug1980]

Thanks for the info. That 458 for AR sounds very interesting.

 

[42769vette]

i bought a 44 lever action today

 

[antiwheeze]

I figure by the time I build a 458 socom the rules will change and allow 30-06

 

[antiwheeze]

almost forgot about the new rage for a 200yd Indiana deer gun.
Google:
357 maximum

 

[rhart]

Dont forget 445 super mag. At least worth a look if you like to reload and you have a very versatile gun. TC makes a barrel for the Encore and so does MGM

 

[fireball168]

Dont forget 445 super mag.

Don't forget to look for brass before you buy/recommend.

I've got customers that have been waiting nearly 18 months for it.

 

[DaKruiser]

I've been wanting to build a .458 socom upper but all I can find for a barrel is a $400 dollar bull barrel! When you add up everything else you may as well buy a rra upper from fireball! Maybe somebody else can find a cheaper barrel that would make it more pratical.
But then agin I seen some nice lever actions at the 1500 this weekend that made me think that might be better!

 

[Duce]

Gander in Indy had 2 bolt action Ruger .44 mags. last week.
Look hard .44 mag. ammo is reasonable in cost and is available almost any where.
Winchester white box 240 grain soft point works well.
Good Luck Duce<><

 

[kwatters]

Ditto

44 mag is cheap, common and good for most of Indiana deer hunting <100yds. single shot H&R handi rifle is a good starter

I too have been looking at the .458 Socom but have a hard time spending the cash when my .44 will drop them every time.
The other strange thing I noticed with my .44 Handi-Rifle is it doesn't seem to spook the deer. I can shoot one and the others in the group stand and look around. I have shot 2 in the same herd this way.

 

[snapping turtle]

Contender frames and rifle barrels are an easy way to shoot a few of those pistol cartridges if you can't find a lever or bolt. Once you have a frame just buy a barrel.

custom barrels 300 or so. Frame and stock forearm makes a very light and accurate single shot rifle. More expensive than a handi rifle. Better trigger pull and accuracy.

those ruger bolts are accurate little suckers and the two at gander won;t last long.

 

[firehawk1]

I too have been looking at the .458 Socom but have a hard time spending the cash when my .44 will drop them every time.
The other strange thing I noticed with my .44 Handi-Rifle is it doesn't seem to spook the deer. I can shoot one and the others in the group stand and look around. I have shot 2 in the same herd this way.

Hard to beat the H&R .44 mag IMO. One shot One kill, no spraying lead all over the place. I call the H&R the "poormans Encore". I have the .44 mag. barrel and a .243, and 20 ga. slug.

Funny you mention about not spooking deer. I hit a buck last November, and two other deer were within 15 yards of him. They never moved, I had to sit and wait for them to wander off so they wouldn't see me come down out of my stand.

 

[rockydog]

If you're looking for inexpensive, you might try the rossi sets. I bought one for my Dad and one for me and it will keep 5 rounds under 2" @ 100 yrds (crazy)

 

[robbran144]

i've been looking for a legitimate reason to own an ar so with the 458 socom i now have that reason.....i feel BRD coming on

 

[dbd870]

I love it when an [STRIKE]excuse[/STRIKE] reason comes along to pick up a new gun. If I wasn't fat in PCR's already I think I'd pick up a SOCOM upper myself - a fine choice.

 

[mike trible]

My favorite is a T/C Encore rifle in 500 S&W cal. With 300gr Hornady Leverevolution ammo it gives 2300 fps over the chrony (20" barrel), and will shoot 1.5 inch groups at 100 yds. Took two deer last year, farthest at about 70yds, no need to trail either one.