Best Rifle in a large pistol cartridge chamber?

ACutting · 07-23-2007, 08:01 AM

I am located in Indiana and we are allowed to use rifles this year provided they are chambered for pistol cartridges larger then a 357 mag they have a max length of 1.625 inches as well. What are your opinions on the best cartridge and rifle combination?

ford351win · 07-23-2007, 10:35 AM

This question came up in early June (last post on 6/4). A link to that discussion is http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2147347&mpage=1&key=&#214734 7. A list of some of the approved cartridges can be found at (http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/about/rules.html). The list is :
The rifle must fire a cartridge that meets the following specifications:
A) fire a bullet of three hundred fifty-seven thousandths of an inch (.357) diameter or larger; (B) have a minimum case length of one and sixteen hundredths (1.16) inches; and (C) have a maximum case length of one and six hundred twenty-five thousandths (1.625) inches.
Some cartridges that will be legal include the following:
.357 Magnum
.38-40 Winchester
.41 Magnum
.41 Special
.44 Magnum
.44 Special
.44-.40 Winchester
.45 Colt
.454 Casull
.480 Ruger
.475 Linebaugh
.50 Action Express
.500 S&W

My overall suggestion was to get an 1894 Marlin in 44 Magnum. Due to the quick handling, relatively short 20inch barrel and a quick follow up shot I use for one of "œbrush gun". I have no scope on it, but one would be very easy to put on. Other notable options seemed to be the H&R single shot in .500 S&W or 44 Magnum.

ACutting · 07-23-2007, 02:05 PM

I was honestly leaning towards the Marlin Lever Action 44 Mag but was wondering if anyone had a better idea. Ballistically it seems to be a very good choice and the gun has the accuracy. I'm just tired of shooting my slug gun I can get the accuracy but it kicks like a mule. 3 1/2 inch Lightfield Sabots. Everything else doesn't hold consistantly.

TUK101 · 07-23-2007, 02:25 PM

I have the Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum and love it. It is easy to reload for, shoots as accurate as I am capable of and makes a helluva hole in whatever it hits. Ammo is cheap even if you dont reload too. The only other one that I would look at too is the 45 Colt since it is similar to the 44 but some have said that it has a tendency to be more accurate. I like the 44 Magnum though, it is a time proven cartridge.

DM · 07-23-2007, 07:57 PM

My choise would be the 44 mag... and as i'm not fond of lever action center fires, i own the Ruger semi auto... Nothing wrong with lever actions, i just don't prefer them....

DM

HEAD0001 · 07-23-2007, 11:18 PM

Model 92 Rossi in a 454 Casull(spelling). That would be a doozie(spelling again). Is the 460 S&W legal??? 45 long Colt in 1894 Marlin would also be a great choice. I have an 1894 Marlin in 44Mag. I cast a 240 grain bullet for it. Very effective to 200 yards. Be careful with large for caliber bullets in a Marlin. 240's in a 44Mag, and 250's in a45 Long Colt work great. A long barreled Encore would also be great with a slow burning powder. The H&R Buffalo Classic in 45 Long Colt would also be a classic-the longer barrel should give up great velocity. Doa search-I believe some one posted about having one. Tom.

goos_blues · 07-24-2007, 12:09 AM

200 yards really? Have you shot a deer that far the the 44. I really like those staneless 1894, I just wasnt real sure how effective they would be at 100 yards+ It might make me want to get one a little more now.

HEAD0001 · 07-24-2007, 12:29 AM

My longest shot with mine was 165 yards(deer). Ground Hogs to 200 yards(much harder shot). But I feel fully capable of taking game to 200 yards with the 44 magnum. I would only advise this if you really know your rifle. IMO it takes 500 or 600 rounds through a rifle to truly know the rifle or caliber. Again IMO I think the 45-70 is the ideal training rifle to learn trajectory compensation. The Williams Target peep sight is also a great enhancement for learning shooting up to 200 yards.

It seems like all you hear about these day's are MZ's shooting to 200 yards, even slug guns. Why would you feel any less effective with a centerfire 44 magnum??? Remember rifles give a great advantage due to their longer barrels and higher velocities, especiallywith the slower powder's. Tom.

Dryridge · 07-24-2007, 06:03 AM

I guess I will just reinforce the point. We too have the Marlin 1894 in 44mag and it is a real shooter.

Not sure of the energy left at 200yds being sufficient? I will defer that to the folks that have done it.

I guess if I were you I would let the likely shot distance help with the selection ofmy firearm. IF shots are likely to be 200 or more, I would choose an encore of like style of Muzzleloader. They can get you honest 275 yds or more depending on the caliber and load. If woods or short distances are for certain, the quick handling and awesome power of the Marlin Leverguns.
Good Luck with your choice and your season,

Dave.

eldeguello · 07-24-2007, 09:20 AM

I would opt for either a Rossi (Legacy Arms Puma) in .454 or a .44 Mag. in either the Marlin or Win M94, if a lever action is desired. But personally, I'd look for a Browning Low-Wall single-shot in .454 Casull. This would be my first choice, ifI could find one!

When I lived in Indiana, the longest shot I ever took at a deer was at about 80 yards, and at that distance managed to kill a nice little buck with a .50 round ball from my Virgil hartley-built Hawken with 90 grains of DuPont FFg.......