What about rifles in handgun calibers?

[Jspy]

I have it on good authority that in the near future Indiana will be allowing the use of rifles for deer hunting as long as they are considered handgun cartridges. My question would be is there any real advantages by going this route as compared to the shotgun/slug combo. Any downrange advantages concerning accuracy,energy, etc. and if so what might be a good chambering and rifle to go with it? I do know in general terms this might include calibers from 357 Mag up to 500 SW.

 

[Gunfixr]

I have a rifle or two in a handgun caliber, but not ideally suited for deer hunting. It is a lot of fun, though.

 

[Boats]

Having fired many a slug from many a shotgun, if I were in such a state and offered up the chance to use my Marlin 1894 in .357 Mag on deer rather than a shotgun slug, I'd leap on the chance.

More accurate.
Faster handling platform.
Easier to lug in the field
Scopable
Easier practice
Faster followups if necessary.
Better looking in a post hunt photo.

Many will say the .357 Mag is marginal on deer. I'd say that in a state where you were formally restricted to shotgunning, the ranges aren't great enough to make the .357s power maximum an issue. The .357 out of a carbine will make humane kills within 150 yards easy if you improve on the buckhorn sights and know your bullet drop.

 

[bigmedicine]

The Indiana 2007 hunting regs have been published - straight-walled pistol cartridges of specific lengths are a GO. http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/huntguide1/0708_HG/0708_hg_generalinfo.pdf

You really can't debate the effectiveness of slug guns, but I cannot wait to be carrying my Puma 92 in 45 colt (something on the warm side of my reloads). If you don't already have a lever action in a pistol cartridge, you just can't go wrong with a '92 with a good peep sight or a marlin. Nothing beats the feel and ease of operation of a good lever action rifle.
I have waited a long time for the chance to (legally) shoot deer in our state with a rifle - for me, they just are SO much easier to use. According to the DNR, the following requirements are in place for this season:
Rifles with pistol cartridges that fire 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 are legal to use only during the deer firearms season. Some cartridges legal for deer hunting include the 357 Magnum, 38-40 Winchester, 41 Magnum, 41 Special, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 44-40 Winchester, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh, 480 Ruger, 50 Action Express, and 500 S&W.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[pcosmar]

I think this would be a good deer getter.
http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/lightning_carbine.asp

I like it, It's on my wish list.

 

[turdfergason]

Hey Gunfixr, that wouldnt be one of those hi-point carbines with a different stock and tricked out would it?

 

[Aaryq]

Rifles with pistol cartridges that fire a bullet... Some cartridges legal for deer hunting include the 357 Magnum, 38-40 Winchester, 41 Magnum, 41 Special, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 44-40 Winchester, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh, 480 Ruger, 50 Action Express, and 500 S&W.

Wouldn't those cartridges in bold be a little overkill? Especially the .454 and .500?

 

[Richard.Howe]

.357 in a Marlin can be loaded to .30-30 levels, if you're careful.

 

[Jayb]

I heard about the pistol caliber rifle bill last fall. I began looking then and came up with a NIB Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited in 44 mag. I'm very impressed with it. Using Win white box 240 gr JSP ammo, it shot about 1.5" groups at 50 yards, and 3" groups at 100 yards, with a drop of about 4". With my old eyes, I mounted a Weaver K2.5 with a post & crosshair. Looking forward to venison this fall.......

 

[hexidismal]

turdfergason: Hey Gunfixr, that wouldnt be one of those hi-point carbines with a different stock and tricked out would it?

Well, I'm not Gunfixr, but no that's clearly a real deal Beretta CX4. Nice paintjob too. I guess from what bigmedicine said in an earlier post, all the chamberings those beretta/kel-tec/high point/etc carbines are available in though are a no go. Which is good really. I don't think 9mm/.40s&w, or .45acp would be very effective or humane for deer anyway.

 

[R.W.Dale]

How bout 460 S&W

 

[Gunfixr]

No, that's not a Hi-Point, it's a real live Beretta CX4 Storm. It's chambered for .45 acp, no less. I did the camo using Duracoat. And no, I don't consider it a good deer rifle.

 

[browningguy]

Actually I'm thinking the Taurus slide action rifle in .45 Colt would be ideal, thinking about one my own self.

 

[Regolith]

Wouldn't those cartridges in bold be a little overkill? Especially the .454 and .500?

How could they be overkill? The .500 S&W, which IIRC is the largest handgun round available, comes just short of having the same muzzle energy as a .308 Win (depending on what you shoot it out of). I fail to see how this is overkill, especially compared to a 1 oz .740 caliber slug fired from a 12 gauge, which is what people normally use in the area.

 

[Ranger J]

Consider a Ruger Deerfield simi auto in .44 mag. with 240 gr. SP. I love my Marlins in .357 and .44 mag and while I wouldn,t be afraid to take either deer hunting, if I were really serious I would take the Deerfield.
RJ

 

[Jspy]

Good feedback guys. I haven't put a lot of thought into it, but would the Thompson Center lineup be a good choice for building a rifle around a particular pistol cartridge? I guess you would be back into the same 1 shot mode similar to using a muzzleloader whick I currently use.