Ohio to propose new changes for deer

[trapper1]

This has been visited before by the ODNR, and looks like it may be happening soon. Ohio has always been slug gun (and muzzleloader, pistol of certain calibers) only for deer hunting, but with the new proposed changes, offers a variety of pistol calibers chambered long guns.
I'm just wanting some input from fellow hunters that use these, and may you offer some insight to a model or cartridge your partial to. My current slug gun is pretty accurate out to 100 yards, but if these proposals come to fruition, it's an opportunity to hunt with something else...and to put another gun in the safe.

The below paste is from the ODNR website.

A proposal was also offered that would allow the use of pistol cartridge rifles for deer hunting. The proposed rifles are the same caliber and use the same straight-walled cartridges that are currently legal for use in handguns. The proposal is designed to allow additional gun-hunting opportunities for hunters that own these guns or want to hunt with these guns. These rifles have reduced recoil compared to larger shotguns, and the proposed rifles are more accurate than the same caliber handgun.

Proposed 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.

 

[huntsman]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=743372

 

[Grumulkin]

This has been visited before by the ODNR, and looks like it may be happening soon. Ohio has always been slug gun (and muzzleloader, pistol of certain calibers) only for deer hunting, but with the new proposed changes, offers a variety of pistol calibers chambered long guns.
I'm just wanting some input from fellow hunters that use these, and may you offer some insight to a model or cartridge your partial to. My current slug gun is pretty accurate out to 100 yards, but if these proposals come to fruition, it's an opportunity to hunt with something else...and to put another gun in the safe.

When you refer to a "pretty accurate" shotgun out to 100 yards, I'm not sure what you mean by accurate. I have Encore handgun barrels in 444 Marlin and 460 S&W Magnum that are good for 1.5 inches at 200 yards; in a rifle version they would be good for a bit further. I've never shot my 500 S&W Magnum at 200 yards but it will do about 1.5 inches at 100 yards. The 460 S&W Magnum has the flattest trajectory.

I also have an Encore 45-70 rifle barrel that I've never shot. If I decided to use a rifle, I'd probably just use that barrel.

If I needed to buy a rifle for Ohio gun season it would be between 444 Marlin and the 460 S&W Magnum. The latter has the best performance but was the hardest to work up an accurate load for of any cartridge I've loaded for; the 444 Marlin was one of the easiest.

 

[trapper1]

"When you refer to a "pretty accurate" shotgun out to 100 yards, I'm not sure what you mean by accurate"

3" groups

And thanks for the input. I see there is another thread, as noted above, but wanted more of a response from members that use these for deer

 

[Patocazador]

I don't have one but the .45-90 would be my choice.

My favorite "pistol" round is my XP-100 repeater in .250 Savage. Being a bottle-necked case, it wouldn't qualify. It has worked on 16 deer for me in the past.

 

[yzguy87]

Wow! I can't believe I missed the first thread regarding this subject and that I'm just seeing this one! I have been wanting this for a long time! Always thought shotgun only was kinda dumb.
If this passes I'll be leaping for joy and about $500 poorer!


Heck maybe even $1000! A 450 Bushmaster is a strait walled cartridge

 

[H&Hhunter]

These rifles have reduced recoil compared to larger shotguns,

45-70, .45-90, .45-110, .50-70, .50-90, .50-100, .50-110

Whaaaat.......

I guess in weak original factory loadings maybe. But anyone of those cartridges can loaded to thermo nuclear levels if one wishes.

 

[1911 guy]

Yeah, that was my thought when I saw .45-70 on the list. Not exactly what I'd call a "pistol" cartridge.

 

[Manny]

Though a .357 Rifle might be the most practical, for some reason I've got visions of a .45-70 rifle dancing in my head if this passes.

I've had a yen for either a Ruger Number 1 or a Marlin guide gun in .45-70 for as long as I can remember, but it never made sense to own one. This possible new change has me excited about the upcoming deer season for the first time in years. I sure hope it becomes reality.

 

[Grumulkin]

Yeah, that was my thought when I saw .45-70 on the list. Not exactly what I'd call a "pistol" cartridge.

You can get a BFR revolver chambered in 45-70. Recoil isn't as bad as some of the handguns I've shot.

 

[StrawHat]

ODNR has been "considering" this for about three decades. I am not holding my breathe this time either. I wish they would get it done. Of course, they left the best handgun straight walled cartridge off the list, the 405 WCF.

 

[jmr40]

If they are going to allow rounds such as the 375 Winchester, 45-70 etc., there is on reason not to just allow all centerfires.

 

[Grumulkin]

If they are going to allow rounds such as the 375 Winchester, 45-70 etc., there is on reason not to just allow all centerfires.

Yea, actually there is. Straight walled cartridges as a class have lower velocities and shoot bullets less ballistically efficient than many bottlenecked cartridges. They therefor have less range which is what is preferred by the powers that be.

I am a hunter, a landowner and I respect gun rights but I've seen what inconsiderate idiots hunters can be. With Ohio as flat and populated as it is in many places, I don't really care to have a bunch of inconsiderate yahoos blasting away with long range rifles at the opening of deer season.

 

[matrem]

I am a hunter, a landowner and I respect gun rights but I've seen what inconsiderate idiots hunters can be. With Ohio as flat and populated as it is in many places, I don't really care to have a bunch of inconsiderate yahoos blasting away with long range rifles at the opening of deer season.

Hmm.
Seems to me that maybe the tool isn't so much in question, as the tool behind the tool?
Yep, that can always use improvement.

 

[targetshooter22]

A few years ago, Wisconsin changed their rules to allow rifle cartridges in a lot more of the state. It was only the Northern third or so for a long time. I would be very interested to know if the change back to a more permissive cartridge selection has led to more accidents and dangerous shooting. Personally, I think hunter's education plus aggressive alcohol enforcement and PSA's has done more to improve safety than any gun rules.

Regarding the list from OH, my best guess is it has to do with two things, first cartridges that tend to have a lot of drop at longer ranges; second, cartridges likely to draw people into the field (now that Sharps is a candidate for the hunt).

 

[yzguy87]

I personally would like the state gov. to section off the state for centerfire use. A friend of mine lives in Middleport, Ohio and we're a shotgun only state. The hills are pretty big down there and not very populated either. Go up north to central and northern Ohio the area is flat as a pancake.