Handgun loads for Indiana rifle season.
 

Indiana recently made riflles that shoot handgun cartridges legal to use during gun season. I have been looking at some rifles lately that would be legal to use but I don't know what caliber to get. Some people have told me that a 44 mag is the best option while others have been telling me I need a 357. I would like some other opinions. I would use it when stalking deer in heavy cover.

RE: Handgun loads for Indiana rifle season.
 

I personally like the 44 mag. A friend of mine just bought a lever action 44 mag and we shot it at the range and it can easily shoot 150 yards. It doesn't really have that much kick. He said he thought about a 357 but decided that the 44 was a better gun.

RE: Handgun loads for Indiana rifle season.
 

Do you happen to know what the make of the rifle was?

RE: Handgun loads for Indiana rifle season.
 

The 357 would work, especially out of a carbine type rifle. However a 44 mag would work even better and would give you better options when shopping for a rifle. 44 mag lever guns are not incredibly hard to come buy, pretty much anyone that makes a lever gun makes one in 44 mag. I would personally suggest a Marlin though.

You can go larger if you want as well. The only real stipulation is that it has to be a straight walled pistol cartridge. So you could also use the .454 or .50 cal if you want and can find a rifle chambered in them.

If they pass this law in lower MI I will without a doubt own a 44 mag lever action though.

Paul

RE: Handgun loads for Indiana rifle season.
 

This is the way Indiana law reads regarding rifles shooting handgun cartridges:

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, 458

SOCOM, 475 Linebaugh, 480 Ruger,

50 Action Express, and 500 S&W.

RE: Handgun loads for Indiana rifle season.
 

.500 S&W in a carbine would be a neat little package and a real thumper at close range! I'm not sure if they make one though, as for the choice between the .357 and a .44 mag i would prob lean towards the .44. 357 would likely be enough on deer but just barely, .44 would be better should you decide to ever take it after black bear or hogs.

RE: Handgun loads for Indiana rifle season.
 

heybdosas, it was a marlin model 1894.