Indiana is letting us hunt deer with rifle this year.

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Indiana finally is going to allow pistol caliber rifles for deer this year... YES! I wish I could use a .308 but that's probably never going to happen here so I'm going to have to be content with a .357, .44, or .454 rifle which is fine by me. I just hate using shotguns and black powder.

So, I dusted off my old Marlin 1894 CS and whipped it into shape for brush hunting which is mostly what we do around here (short ranges). Most of my buddies are going with traditional optics but at the ranges we're talking about (50 to 100 yards) I've opted for a red dot scope with no magnification. So, I ordered a weaver base for my Marlin and dropped an Aimpoint Comp M2 on it.

marlin_aimpoint.jpg

I'm going to sight it in tomorrow at 100 yards to see how it shoots. Since the deer on my property don't move until dusk, the open sights are pretty worthless on this rifle. The red dot is practically cheating. :)
 
Well, you can use a .308, but not a rifle and not for deer. Why do you think that using your .308 will never happen around here? You realize you can use .308s now, right? Guys with predation permits rountinely use them. I've used my fave (6.5 Swede) against deer around here.

BTW, Indiana didn't "allow" it. We had to fight for this, and had to fight fellow hunters. Let me know if you want to help pull the wagon and you can fight too.

I've used red dots for coyotes at the ranges you described. Works just fine.

It's the stupidity of the IDNR and their moronic magic ballistics theory. Somehow a .308 from a rifle launched at a deer is a weapon of mass destruction, but a .308 launched at a coyote turns into magic pixie dust.

Hopefully the Pennsylvania study will end the moronic centerfire rifle prohibition. We got centerfire pistol carbines, next step is to end the "rifle ban.":)
 
Having lived in Indiana myself, I feel that the issue of which caliber to use against deer is more one of self-defense than hunting. They may look cute, but they are actually suicidal jihadi out to kill as many drivers as they possibly can.
 
Ok, after a little dremel tool work I have the sight properly mounted to the rail. The rail only had two cuts for rings, one in the rear and one in the front. I needed a cut mid-way so half of the Aimpoint base didn't hang off the rail.

Now it's super rock solid.

marlin_aimpoint3.jpg
marlin_aimpoint2.jpg
 
What kind of rounds do you think might be good? I have some 158gr soft noses I'm going to sight it in with, but I may go with a hot personal defense round with something like a Gold Dot... Hummm, decisions.
 
Nope, no pet handloads... I don't load for .357 (I rarely use it). I'll go with factory. Since I have a bunch of 158 soft noses I'll probably just run with that... as I have plenty of sight in ammo and hunting ammo that way.
 
Never used a .357 on a deer. I would think any heavy soft point would be a good choice. Have any pet handloads?
Click to expand...

No idea on handloads, but depending on range, I'd say any decent expanding point in .357 mag = meat in the freezer. (if you do your part)


-- John
 
Yep, it's a marlin 16" 45 LC with an aimpoint for me. Can't wait to get into the field.

Remember, if you hunt from a tree stand, please make sure you are wearing a PROPER harness and safety line. Good luck everyone!
 
Part of me wants to yell at you for useing an aimpoint instead of a peep sight on a lever gun but I have to admit that a top of the line red dot is going to work better in low light situations. Good work keeping the mount nice and low , but you might still need to build up the stock to get your eye up where it belongs . I am thinking of one of those lace on cheek pieces that look similar to the ones used on the M1 garand sniper rifles .
I would think you might want to use 158 or heavier ammo. The supper fast 125's and such might not penetrate as far as you might want.
A friend who has been a life long hunter ( and has a very full freezer) uses a similar gun with peep sights and uses 200 gr lead reloads.
Here in CT we can use rifles on private land but must use slugs and shottys on public land. Slug guns kill well at both ends!
 
I'm going to be going on my first EVER deer hunt in a week or so, out around Weatherford, Texas. I'm bringing a Remington 700 in .308. I haven't shot an animal since that rabbit I bagged with a pump action .22 caliber pellet rifle back in the 7th grade. LBJ was in his first term as President back then, and even in suburban California, it wasn't at all unusual to see boys roaming around with weapons.

I'll confess to being a little bit nervous, but I am sure that I'll enjoy myself.
 
Just be careful shooting in low light.

Don't be shooting a unicorn thinking it's a deer.;)
 
I am thinking of one of those lace on cheek pieces that look similar to the ones used on the M1 garand sniper rifles .
Click to expand...

The hight is surprisingly pretty good for me. I'm used to using red dot scopes on my rifles and I don't usually get a traditional cheek weld... like I do with a regular scope. For quick shots I've found that it's more natural for me to look over the rifle and not try to settle in for a tight check weld.

Here, I just took this pic:

marlin_shouldered.jpg
 
Congrats to all you Hoosiers for the new regs. Injunanna hasn't had a monopoly on Knuckleheadery though.
Welcome to Ohio - you can use a shotgun or a BP shotgun or BP rifle or a pistol with straight-wall cartridges for deer. You can't use a rifle with straight-walled cartridges though. And you can't use a BP pistol. Of course we're talking during the deer seasons. :banghead:
For predation hunting, or coyote or woodchuck hunting you can use anything from a spear to a Hotchkiss Field Rifle.:eek:

By the way - I'm sure you've noticed that - unlike most scopes - the RedDot sights still allow you to carry the rifle with your hand at point-of-balance. Sweet !

Good Luck Dudes ! :D
 
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