Matt_M

"Is it legal?"

That's what I'm trying to figure out. The regulations state that we need manufacturer specs showing at least 500ft-lbs.

I think I may have taken this the wrong way and assumed that if the caliber has a loading available over 500ft-lbs, then it is opened to use and handloaded cartridges may be used.

My father thinks that if we need 500ft-lbs shown, it needs to be data on that specific box of ammo, thus making handloads illegal. This does make sense to me, but at the same time extremely upsets me, so I'm hoping it isn't true.

I shoot a 45LC revolver, and have developed some good performing 1000ft-lb loads for it that shoot better than anything yet. It would stink to know that Illinois would force me to use weaker, less-accurate, factory-loaded 45LC ammo.

Then what's even more confusing to me is that Illinois regs want us to have 500ft-lbs, but at the same time they place a case limit of 1.4" on bottlenecks. Is that somewhat contradictive, or is it just me? Because, I can still load a 458Win Mag in a pistol and fire 4000ft-lbs a deer's way, yet at the sime time I cannot legally use a 30 Herritt.

Illinois, you sure have stumped me on this one.

salukipv1

I would say that you're trying to interpret the law too much, I would take that as simply as stated.......every cartridge/load must be 500ftlbs or greater......but again this law is in place to have guys using a quality round on an animal, keeping guys away from taking a deer with a .22LR pistol......

So if your shooting a quality heavy load...that may get under 500ftlbs but going to get the job done, I wouldnt worry too much. Buy a box of some heavy loads, and just place your handloads in that box! case closed! end of problem. But ya if you're shooting something way under that mark...300ftlbs.....I'd think twice, about that fine that may be approaching......

Go buy a.480 Ruger, that gets over 500ft-lbs, haha.

WhitetailsInc.info

The published minimum I find in my Hornady book show 863Ft-Lbs so I don't think there will be any concern. As I understand the rule the cartridge has to be capable of producing the minimum and this is for marginal cartridges which the 45 LC is not.

The bottleneck restriction is so people aren't carrying handheld rifles like the 30-06 once offered by Magnum research.

Good luck with that .458 Wm pistol...........OOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooch. My guess is so much of the powder would burn outside of the barrel and burn your eyebrows off.

If truely in doubt call the local Conservation officer as this is no place to get legal fact.
Only sh*thouse lawyers like me here.