Yes, all of those manufactures that you listed do produce rifles that fire pistol cartriges. I am not saying that they are not impossible to find, they just aren't as easy to come by as say the 30-30 which many people thought would be allowed.

I did a quick search on simple ballistics for some of these rounds and the only thing that comes really close is the .500 cartridges. They throw a similar bullet at velocities equal to an inline muzzle loader. As far as the normal options like a .357 or .44 mag in a carbine the inline muzzle loader or sabot slug gun would be better in the performance department. They can throw a bullet the same caliber or bigger that is heavier (almost twice in some cases) at higher velocities.

This is from the winchester catalog on their website.

44 mag rifle ballistics with a 240 grn Super X hollow soft point

Muzzle------ 1760 fps with 1650 ft/lbs of energy
100 yards--- 1362 fps with 988 ft/lbs of energy

With the winchester platinum tip 12 ga slug loads using a 50 cal 400 grn XTP style bullet it looks like this.

Muzzle-----1700 fps with 2566 ft/lbs of energy
100 yards--1420 fps with 1791 ft/lbs of energy

And there are more potent slug offerings than that.

And inline ML's fall somewhere in there as well, some a bit better, some a bit less. Depends on what you have and how you load it. My Remington 700 ML shoots a Precision Rifle lead bullet with a polymer tip that weighs 350 grns. I get around 1650-1700 fps out of it with 100-110 grn of clean shot (pioneer). And that is sort of weak compared to some other loadings. No where near a magnum charge. My bullets have a pretty good BC compared to most ML bullets or slug gun bullets though.

That being said I think a 44 mag in a carbine would be plenty for deer out to 100 yards, and I think it would be easier to shoot and find an accurate load for. Keep in mind these slugs I listed are near 15 bucks for 5 rounds!! And they kick waaaaaay more than a 44 mag.

If they legalize it in Michigan I might seriously consider looking into one. I have always wanted a 44 or .357 mag lever gun. This would be a good reason to get one.

My take on it anyway. Keep in mind I am not considering the oddball loads or hand loading. Just what your average guy would go down to the local guns store and purchase.

Paul

I am not real sure where some of this information is coming from. I have been hunting with a 44 magnum, and other pistol caliber rifle's for years. The 454 can generate over 2300fps in a Puma lever action rifle. These rifles with a 240 grain(44 or 454) bullet can easily kill deer at 200 yards. Farther for the 454. Most BP shooter's are shooting 44 magnum bullets in their MZ!! The 44 magnum can easily attain 1800fps in a lever rifle with a 240 grain bullet.

People shoot 44 magnum pistol's over 100 yards?? Why would you believe a rifle is less capable?? People in Indiana are in for a real treat. If you want open sights then buy a Puma in 454. If you want a scope then buy a Marlin in 44 magnum. They will be very east to find.

I do not know if the 460S&W is legal, but if it is then imagine one in an Encore!! Man that would be a real hammer!! Or just get a 500S&W in an Encore, and hang on!!

Muzzle loader's and shotguns more effective. I do not think so!! Tom.

For me there isn't a large benifit for someone to go out and buy one of these guns just for the 2 weeks of season you can use it. If a person is going to put their money into a new gun they might as well invest into a muzzleloader because you could use that one gun for both firearms season and muzzleloader season.I don't think it matters if you kill a deer with a pistol cartrige rifle or a muzzleloader because both will kill a deer at a distance you feel comfortable shooting at.

Jim, wouldn't spend the money on one of these "cowboy rifles" unless you are just dieing to have one. My H & R Ultra Slughunter has worked great for me. I also like muzzleloaders, just like the ease of carrying a few slugs with me instead of a goody bag etc, for the muzzleloader. The shotgun is also a lot less finicky, always fires. Since you already have muzzleloaders, just use those would be my advice.