Ohio allows Straight-walled cartridge rifles! Now which one to get?

Which straight walled catridge for deer hunting in Ohio?

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zeek96

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Ohio has passed a bill allowing hunters to use straight walled cartridge rifles for deer hunting.
The options approved are the following:
Legal deer hunting rifles are chambered for the following calibers: .357 Magnum, .357 Maximum, .38 Special, .375 Super Magnum, .375 Winchester, .38-55, .41 Long Colt, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .444 Marlin, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, .45 Long Colt, .45 Winchester Magnum, .45 Smith & Wesson, .454 Casull, .460 Smith & Wesson, .45-70, .45-90, .45-110, .475 Linebaugh, .50-70, .50-90, .50-100, .50-110 and .500 Smith & Wesson.

Since I have had shoulder surgery once and don't want another I don't want one kicking like a mule also gun weight is an issue as well for hunting up and down the eastern hills. So I ask for opinions on which rifle cartridge to get. I will be reloading as well so obtaining components has a lot of weight for the selection. Longest shot would be 150 yards at max distance with most being between 60 - 100 yards. I will be putting a scope on the rifle at some point.

I have a poll selection here for ones I thought would be possibilities I cant list all since I am limited to 20 options.
 
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Can't go wrong with .45 Long Colt in the right platform.
Loads from "sissy" to Wrist-breaking".
 
44mag fit the bill the best , plus you can get then in a bolt gun , lever action , single shot , and Ruger has made them in auto-loaders that trun up now and again , I have a Ruger 44 Carbine , and a Ruger Deerfield , and none of my 44mags kick to bad , and there all nice and light ,
 
Another vote for the 45-70. You can load it way down for mild recoil, yet the big heavy and LONG bullet will push right through the air and loose very little energy at reasonable distances.
I still shoot a couple old original 1886 Winchesters and they love black power substitute loads or even trail boss. A 405 gran cast lead slug at 1200-1300 fps works just fine...

And it will retain resale value, plus be useable with more energetic loads.
 
I've had shoulder surgery, too. Never hunted in Ohio, but folks here have taken mulies with 357 Mag loaded with 180 XTPs.

M
 
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do you have any revolvers that are chambered for any of the offerings? are you set up to reload any of those calibers already? that would likely influence my decision a little.

i've always wanted a .45-70, and recently got one, so that's my vote. other good options are the .44 mag, .444 marlin, and .45 colt.
 
Back 40, I am starting with a blank slate, no handgun in those calibers or reloading components in those calibers.
 
figures after all the years I used a shotgun, that its only after I leave that they use common sense. I vote .44 magnum because of the range in power and relative ease of buying the ammo.
 
I'm going against my gut and saying .357 max. The max will fire max, mag, and 38spl rounds which can all be loaded hot or slow. For a rifle, a single shot TC in .357 max ends the search. 44 mag could do the same but is quite pricey.
 
44mag from a lever-action should work fine and meet all of your requirements.

150yards and in. Recoil minimum from a rifle. Reloading componements are easy to come by but so is really good factory ammo.

Proven deer killer. You can put a scope on if you so choose; either way it is a pleasure to carry through the woods. For those who like the 45-70 it would make the next most sense but recoil could be an issue (yes you can always load down but with the 44 you never need to worry about it).
 
back40 said:
do you have any revolvers that are chambered for any of the offerings? are you set up to reload any of those calibers already? that would likely influence my decision a little.
Click to expand...
That would influence my decision a lot. ;)

Actually, many decades ago I decided that a .44Mag Handgun+Longgun combination would be perfect for black bear hunting.

By the time I finally acquired both in the latter half of the '80s (S&W629 & Marlin 1894S) I no longer had any desire to kill a black bear.

Not a prob, though, since I still enjoy both firearms. :)
 
I voted .45LC, my plan was to get a lever gun because I have a blackhawk but until the new Remlins hit the market I'm waiting. Since our State allows .45acp I admit I've thought about a Hi-point carbine as a cheaper option.
 
That would influence my decision a lot.
Click to expand...

reloading always enters the equation for me. i said 'a little' because having a .44 mag levergun to go along with my super blackhawk would be really nice, and i intend to make that a reality someday.

however, sometimes i just get a wild hair and want a totally new cartridge. i stumbled across a jm stamped guide gun recently for a good price, whereas i haven't seen likewise deals on the .44mag. i decided the .45-70 would have to suffice for now. :D
 
I jumped the gun a little and bought a single shot .44 mag before the bill passed. Wanted to get ahead of the rush. .44 mag is less expensive and more readily available, generally speaking, than most of the other options. Not that this matters in your case but I intend to get a revolver in .44 mag at some point, so that influenced my decision as well. If I was betting on it I think the .44 mag will eventually replace the 12 guage as the most popular firearm for deer in Ohio, followed by 45-70 and then probably .357 mag.
 
As I have several revolvers in .44 mag, that would get the nod from me. And it can be had in lever, bolt, single-shot, and even pump-action (rare) rifles. I think a .444 Marlin would be cool, but probably overkill for whitetail. The .44 mag is also great for guys who don't reload as there are so many different factory loadings available. Even better for those who DO reload, as reloading light in .44 mag cases is a lot less expensive than factory loaded .44 spls.
 
For the 45-70 you don't need to download: buy the 1895 and shoot factory.
That said, I edge toward the 44 mag for many of the above reasons and because out of my 1894 it is a PLEASURE to shoot!
Greg
 
We've had a similar type law for a couple of years now, except ours is based on case length, not straight wall. Anyway, my choice would be .44 Mag, simply because it fits your criteria and has lots of options in firearms. None listed would be a bad choice.

My hunting buddy used a .44 Mag Deerfield to take a 183 class off our farm. Good enough. Accurate, adequate power, and almost zero recoil.
 
You list 45 Colt and 45 Long Colt. They are the same.

I was also able to vote for my 3 favorites. I'm so glad it allowed multiple votes so I didn't have to really narrow it down to one. I voted for 357 Mag - in case your shoulder is really tender - 44 Mag and 45 Colt. Any of the above will work. Any of the above will give you an excuse to purchase a revolver in the same caliber. That is the best reason to choose a caliber.
 
I have hunted deer in W. VA. with a 44 Ruger Carbine and a 444 Marlin. Both are more than adequate. Just know the limits. Given a choice here in Ohio I would remain with my 44 Mag and still carry my S&W 29 to compliment it or I would consider 45 Colt with a complimentary revolver. Either will work fine and either is easy to find ammunition for or roll your own.

Just My Take
Ron
 
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