deer rifle chambered in a handgun caliber.

[ProDriver18]

After all these years Indiana finally ok'd deer hunting with rifles.....if chambered in a handgun caliber. There are no limitations to the rifle itself. It can be lever action, single shot, bolt action or whatever.
It's never too early to start practicing so I'm thinking ahead to next year.
Going after 150-200lb deer and 200 yards would be the longest shot considered.
My preferences would be the .454 Casull,.480 Ruger or .500 S&W. Recoil is not a factor.
Which would be the better choice? Anybody have any experience with these calibers in a rifle vs a handgun? Opinions?

[Rick M]

Mississippi has a "primitive weapon" season that used to be a muzzle loader only but now we are allowed to use single shot metallic cartridge rounds shot from guns that are based on pre 1900 patents such as the New England Firearms Handi Rifles but the rounds used must be .38 caliber or larger so the .38-55 and .45-70 are the most used. Long path to this point, one of my neighbors bought a Handi in the .500 S&W and never could get it to pattern worth a hoot. That said, sounds like y'all get to use any rifle you want as long as it is a pistol round so this may be a moot point for you as I am sure someone's rifle will shoot that round well.

This is the list of our approved rifles: http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10913

[LittleBigRig]

What exactly would be considered a handgun caliber?

Most of the "hunting" handguns that I can think of are chambered for rifle rounds, which leaves me a little confused.

*EDIT* Found the specific requirements...

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.

[roofeditor]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LittleBigRig</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What exactly would be considered a handgun caliber?

Most of the "hunting" handguns that I can think of are chambered for rifle rounds, which leaves me a little confused.
</div></div>

Actually Marlin makes a lever action in 44 mag and 45 long colt both of which are pretty hot pistol ammo guns.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...94_45Colt.aspx

[Bassman349]

I think your choices of rifles that are chambered for handgun ammo will be few. I'm not up to date with all the latest rifles, but I've never seen 454, 480, etc.

I hunt with an old Ruger 44 mag. carbine (Ruger is still making this rifle by the way), and it is excellent on deer, but it probably would not do well at 200 yds. Even if you had a rifle chambered for 480 or 454 handgun cartridge, it likely would not be a great 200 yd. gun. Bullet is large and rather slow.

Hope this helps some.

[roofeditor]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bassman349</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think your choices of rifles that are chambered for handgun ammo will be few. I'm not up to date with all the latest rifles, but I've never seen 454, 480, etc.

I hunt with an old Ruger 44 mag. carbine (Ruger is still making this rifle by the way), and it is excellent on deer, but it probably would not do well at 200 yds. Even if you had a rifle chambered for 480 or 454 handgun cartridge, it likely would not be a great 200 yd. gun. Bullet is large and rather slow.

Hope this helps some. </div></div>

I missed the 200 yards! Long shot for a 44 mag even a rifle.

[roofeditor]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: roofeditor</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bassman349</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think your choices of rifles that are chambered for handgun ammo will be few. I'm not up to date with all the latest rifles, but I've never seen 454, 480, etc.

I hunt with an old Ruger 44 mag. carbine (Ruger is still making this rifle by the way), and it is excellent on deer, but it probably would not do well at 200 yds. Even if you had a rifle chambered for 480 or 454 handgun cartridge, it likely would not be a great 200 yd. gun. Bullet is large and rather slow.

Hope this helps some. </div></div>

I missed the 200 yards! Long shot for a 44 mag even a rifle. </div></div>

Ah Ha the Thompson contender is available in 30-06 or 45-70 in a single shot hand gun (a mighty single shot BTW) but I think that if a 30-06 or 45-70 won't do it for you I don't know what would.

I see shooting either of those calibers in a handgun a challenge.

[PRDATR]

I have a Ruger Super Redhawk in 480 and it is very accurate out to 200 yards.
With that said the 454 is an excellent choice as I have shot it also out to that range.
Does F&G have a list of acceptable calibers? The S&W Model 460XVR caliber is worth looking at.
I would opt for one of these, probably in a TC. S&K can probably make you a barrel if they don't already have one.

[Pappy19]

7mm-08 in a TC Encore stainless is hard to beat.

[Seafarer12]

I would go for a 44 mag or a 45LC +p in an encore.

[YT90SC]

Dad uses a Model 94 Winchester (last of the american built ones)lever in 357 mag. Hammers targets and deer at 100 yards with plain 'factory load' ammo, no scope and off hand. He is salivating over the new Hornaday Leverloution ammo... should be even better. Kick is almost non existant and the thing is an absolute hoot to shoot.
The 357 will more than kill a deer. Plus they won't break the bank.

[LittleBigRig]

Since the bullet has to be .357-inch diameter or larger, that rules out anything smaller than a .38 cal.

A 7mm(.284) does not fit this requirement.

I know quite a few of the older guys in the deer camp use a 44mag semi-auto with great success. Never out to 200yds though!
I asked around and if you can find one, a 9.3mm would be what you are looking for. It was the chamber for the Makarov handgun, and many reputable companies make the size brass and bullets you are looking for. The 9.3 is offered in many different case lengths...not sure if you will find one that is 1.625-inches or less unless you plan on doing some custom reloading.

[Dave B. in VA]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rick M</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mississippi has a "primitive weapon" season that used to be a muzzle loader only but now we are allowed to use single shot metallic cartridge rounds shot from guns that are based on pre 1900 patents such as the New England Firearms Handi Rifles but the rounds used must be .38 caliber or larger so the .38-55 and .45-70 are the most used. Long path to this point, one of my neighbors bought a Handi in the .500 S&W and never could get it to pattern worth a hoot. That said, sounds like y'all get to use any rifle you want as long as it is a pistol round so this may be a moot point for you as I am sure someone's rifle will shoot that round well.

This is the list of our approved rifles: http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10913 </div></div>



Rick,

I've heard about this before in Miss. What I've always been confused about is whether or not you are allowed to use smokeless cartridges. I know you can get plenty of black powder .45-70 and .38-55.

Thanks.

[Rick M]

Yes, we can use smokeless loads. I asked a game officer that I know why they did not stick with the original black powder requirement, his answer was that the dept decided it would be tough to determine in the field and disassembling cartridges and identifying powder was not considered to be an option.

[Rick M]

I believe that it is actually the Thompson Encore that is available in the .30-06 and .45-70, at least when I bought my .308 Encore they were not offering these cartridges in the contender.