straight walled deer cartridge

[nilescoyote]

I'm kind of late on this but here is my 2 cents.

I have contender barrels for 44 mag (10 inch) 357 max custom (15 inch) and a encore 454 (12 inch). I use all but my favorite is the 44 mag! At ten inches the balance just feels great, even with a 2-7 power burris on the top. Best group at 75 yards so far has been under 3 inches. And the load I'm using pushes a 240 grain bullet along near 1600 fps. So bullet is still super sonic at 200 yards. (I have not shot on paper to see what kind of groups I have at that range)

The 357 max I just got this fall and have not had the time to work up a good load so I didnt hunt with it this year. The 454 is a nice set up and has taken  3 deer  with excellent results. I should add that I'm not using 454's but 45 colts in it. 250 grain XTPs took down all the deer and droped them with in 10 yards of impact. I have  set up my encore now  with a 209 muzzle loader rifle for my long shots and carry the contender 44 mag for deer that are at or under 75 yards. Works good for me.

[Tobiano]

  Hi Killer...

   I've shot a few deer in South Texas with the .44 Mag and it performed very well. Used 180gr and 200gr Hornady bullets and the longest shot was probably 85-90 yds.

 
  Hi dstegjas ...

   I just moved to Ohio last year and hunted this year with my Super Blackhawk. Tried to find out if I could also use a rifle during the gun season  IF  it is chambered for "a straight-walled" cartridge of .357 or larger" but I got conflicting reports. Any idea about that ? Also tried to find out if I could use my Ruger "Old Army" during the "muzzleloader" season but that appears to be in Limbo too.

[Lawful Larry]

Many people just don't understand  that the .45 Colt cartridge of today is more capable then the 44 mag.  That said though, to achieve this you must reload and have a suitable pistol also.  Freedom Arms, Ruger and TC contenders are just a few of the better known guns that would fit this category. 

But I would say that going with the .44 mag would be the easiest way to go.  I  have taken many deer with this caliber.  Though my first love is the .45 Colt.

[ourway77]

I vote the 460, Got an MGM Barrel with a brake even with heavy loads I don't think recoil unbearable, and I have the versatility of using other rounds to down size the load. Have consistently shot an inch and half groups at 100 using Muzzle loader Bullets (Hornady SS T's) While you won't find a load in the books for this bullet. I started out with 38.0 grain of 2400, settled on 39.0 grains. Have yet to conograph the loads to see the speed. Just got it (460) before pistol season in Delaware as all one can use is straight wall cases. Killed a Deer with it made on h--- of a exit wound. I have loaded other powder combination for this Bullet starting with the lowest I could find and will approach maximum with extreme caution, Quit when the slightest sign of pressure is seen, This information is not for everybody it is what I have found out so far. I do not recommend a newby at reloading to try this, Remember it is you pulling the trigger when it doubt throw out. Lou

[Kurt L]

Killer
I take it you got a 357 max ?
if so great choice. if not a couple things to look at.
if you reload or get into reloading,the 357 max can be reloaded many times,
then when the mouth gets split cut and make 357 mags.
or 44mag then you can make 44 spl when they get bad.
this way you get a lot more brass life.
if you go say 41mag 45 colt etc when they get bad they are done
you can't cut them to another size. buy no means am i condemning those,
just saying you can save a lot more buy the use of the first 2.
Kurt

[duxman]

I like the 375 Winchester if it meets your criteria. I shoot a 14" contender. Recoil is manageable. Listen to what Redhawk1 has to say..... He likes those hand cannons..... The kick in some of those is insane if your not into the big bores. You can't go wrong with the 44mag. I used to have some pet hand loads for hunting. Reduced recoil and plenty for deer sized game.

[ContenderCrazy]

You guys left off two of my favorites - admittedly not common rounds but great ones none the less.   Please do consider the 445 Supermag and the 375 Winchester in your looking.  The 45 Win Mag would be a good choice as well.

[dstegjas]

Hi dstegjas ...

   I just moved to Ohio last year and hunted this year with my Super Blackhawk. Tried to find out if I could also use a rifle during the gun season  IF  it is chambered for "a straight-walled" cartridge of .357 or larger" but I got conflicting reports. Any idea about that ? Also tried to find out if I could use my Ruger "Old Army" during the "muzzleloader" season but that appears to be in Limbo too.

Hi Tobiano,
Sorry for the late reply on your questions. The answer to your first question is no. You can not use a rifle to hunt deer during the gun season in Ohio no matter what the cartridge is. You can use your muzzleloader (rifle) if you like. I know some states have changed there hunting laws to allow straight walled cartridges in rifles. I would certainly take that opportunity to use my Marlin in 45/70 to take a nice Ohio whitetail. However, Ohio seems to lag behind on updating there hunting regulations. Your second question is a good one. I would imagine they would argue that there is no actual cartridge being used in your "Old Army" pistol. So it would not qualify as an acceptable firearm to hunt deer with in Ohio. That's just my opinion, for whatever that is worth. If you find out any different. Please post the answer here to let us all know.

Jim