Indiana, what are some of your deer rigs?
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I've got two PCR (Pistol-chambered rifles) that I use in Indiana. One is a Model '92 in 44/40. With an aftermarket Green Mountain barrel and 200gr XTP bullets, it shoots ~1550fps and my daughter used it to bag her first deer last fall. I'm sure it will serve her well this year, when we go up to Michigan and here at home. The other is an H&R Handi-rifle that started life as a 357Mag but has been rechambered to a wildcat called a 358GNR. It's a 445 SuperMag case, necked down to 35 caliber, so it's like a lengthened 357/44 B&D.
I've also got a T/C Contender with a 44 Mag barrel that used to be a pistol (14" barrel) but I had an extension added, which makes it legal to set up with a buttstock and forend, as a carbine. My other 3 Contenders are 30 Herret, 6.5JDJ and 7-30 Waters, but they are all shot as pistols. Irony? The last four deer I've taken in Indiana have been with a bow or ML; 2 each.
I've also got a T/C Contender with a 44 Mag barrel that used to be a pistol (14" barrel) but I had an extension added, which makes it legal to set up with a buttstock and forend, as a carbine. My other 3 Contenders are 30 Herret, 6.5JDJ and 7-30 Waters, but they are all shot as pistols. Irony? The last four deer I've taken in Indiana have been with a bow or ML; 2 each.
You bet it is!
357Max, 358GNR, 357B&D, 357Herrett-Short, 358WSSM, 358Gremlin...I had a gentleman email me just this morning who has built 16 bolt-action rifles that use a 30-'06 case shortened and necked up to 35 caliber. I guess that is the 35 Whelen-Short?
The interesting thing is, the DNR might be increasing the max length from 1.625" to 1.800", to allow for the 460S&W and standard 357 Herrett. If that happens, expect a whole new round of wildcat development to begin. In a way it stinks that we can't use regular rifle cartridges, but at the same time, it gives a lot of people something fun to do in the winter and interesting rounds to hunt with, each fall.
I think it would be less fun with being able to use regular rifle cartrides, less motivation for wildcatting.
As it is, it kind of sounds like stock car racing. How fast can you make 'em go within the rules!
hmm, .35 whelen-short. I like it.
I think Iowa is the way Indiana used to be, just a few years ago; slug guns and muzzle-loaders, only? Can you use any of the Contender/Encore "hand cannons" or are you allowed to use bottle-necked pistols at all? I know in IL, you can use only 2 pistol cartridges in a rifle configuration. Oddly, they are the 357 Max and one of the Mike Bellm creations.
Can you use anything in Iowa, other than a bow, shotgun or ML?
Can you use anything in Iowa, other than a bow, shotgun or ML?
It's bow, muzzy, shotgun, and pistol shooting pistol cartridges. I don't think any bottlenecks are allowed. No 7mm-08 hand cannons. The late antlerless season in Jan. does allow all center fires to be used in .24 caliber on up.
IL allows two PCRs in uncommon chamberings? Wonder why just those two
IL allows two PCRs in uncommon chamberings? Wonder why just those two
This year My wife will 'own' our Ruger 44 magnum Carbine for deer season. She did well on the recent Missouri Hog Hunt, so is ready for Hoosier deer. I have my Saiga 12 ga from previous years, but also may try a new 20 ga slug gun I picked up this summer.
I have been working with a local gun shop owner as he develops loads for a 45/70-Short. He trimmed cases to 1.785" and used a heaping-helping of H4198 under a 400gr cast bullet. He's shooting these from an H&R rifle and getting ~1,500fps, according to his chronograph. In essence, it's a 12 gauge slug, without the high cost of buying the slugs. (It's highway robbery, what they're charging for slugs these days!)
I'm going to be hunting with a 358GNR or 7-30 Waters (in a pistol) this year. I had plans for a 35 Remington that just never came together. College tuition for my son seemed more important.
I'm going to be hunting with a 358GNR or 7-30 Waters (in a pistol) this year. I had plans for a 35 Remington that just never came together. College tuition for my son seemed more important.
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