all around barrel

[clodbuster]

question's been asked and answered but I wasn' t paying attention so could we go through it again?  Here in Iowa we can only use straight wall cartridges in handguns for deer.  I'd like to have abarrel that could be used for elk out west also.  The winchester 375 comes to mind as possibly filling this use.  I was surprised that reported velocities for the 375W  were not all that impressive.  Seems like a 44 in a 10 inch will sling an equal weight bullet about as fast as a 14" 375.  Is this been the experience of the group?  And what about a 10" 44 mag for elk? thanks 

[hunterspistol]

  The general concensus has been that the 44 mag works better in a 14" barrel. Recoil is heavy, regardless of length. The short 10" barrel means it climbs quite a bit and is less controllable. With store bought ammo, a 357 mag is quite a handful at 10".  A 41 Mag with reloads will get out to 100 meters easily and has a lot less recoil. The 45 Colt isn't bad either. The 45 Win Mag is straight walled with a pure magnum punch-something best left to the super 14s.

 The 375 would definitely be an option.

[Grumulkin]

First of all, are you shooting an Encore or a Contender?

If I'm not mistaken, Indiana has some type of rule as to how long a case a deer legal cartridge can have.  Be sure your 375 Winchester falls within the designated parameters.

As far as cartridges for deer and elk go, provided the range isn't excessive and provided the bullet is placed correctly, a 44 Rem. Mag. would work fine.  In addition, the whole story isn't told by how fast you sling a piece of lead.  For elk, you need good penetration.  For good penetration, you need a favorable sectional density.  In bullets of equal weight, a 375 Win. bullet would have a higher sectional density than the 44 Rem. Mag. and thus better penetration.

Other cartridges to consider would be the 357 Maximum and 45-70 Gov. in a Contender.  For an Encore, my choice would be the 460 S&W Mag.

[handi243]

I think Grumulkin said it best encore 460 contender 44 or max i think the 45 70 is out it is to long.

[clodbuster]

We're talking about Iowa not Indiana.  The allowable cartridges are named individuallly including 375 win, 444 marlin and 45-70.  I'm shooting a contender.  Does anyone have pet loads and velocities for 375w?  The 375 w charts surprised me with how slow the 235 and 250 gr bullets travel.

[Hopalong7]

I really can't imagine anything better for your situation than the .375Win.  I haven't shot any critters with mine nor have I run it over my cronograph, but I can't see a 10" .44Mag keeping up with it.  I shooting a 220gr Hornady over a near max charge of Rel7 out of a 14" Contender.  I figure I'm close to or just over 2000fps.  The smack-down ought to be pretty good.  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[Redhawk1]

For the Encore the 45-70 or S&W 460 Mag.

[Lawful Larry]

I load up a 270 gr. Gold Dot JFP in my 12" Contender and it clocks  in at 1333 fps.  I can't think of much I can't shoot with that round.  And I would be happy hunting out to 100yds. with it!

[Lon371]

If I'm not mistaken, Indiana has some type of rule as to how long a case a deer legal cartridge can have

That is for Rifles not handguns.

This Indians Handguns permitted. It is basically wide open for rifle cartridge 

Legal Handguns for Deer
Hunting
Handguns, other than muzzleloading,
must have a barrel at
least four inches long and must
fire a bullet of .243-inch diameter
or larger. The handgun cartridge
case, without the bullet, must be at
least 1.16 inches long. Full metaljacketed
bullets are not permitted.
Handguns are not permitted on
any military areas. Some types of
handgun cartridges legal for deer
hunting include 357 Magnum, 41
Magnum, 44 Magnum, 44 Special,
45 Colt, 45 Long Colt, 45 Winchester
Magnum, 35 Remington and
357 Herrett.
Some illegal handgun cartridges
for deer hunting are 38 Special,
38 Smith and Wesson, 38 Colt New
Police, 38/200, 38 Long Colt, 38
Super, 38 ACP, 38 Colt Auto, 45 ACP,
45 Automatic and 45 Auto Rim. All
25/20, 32/20 and 30 carbine ammunition
is prohibited also.

Ours is a little better about handgun use.

Although I dont have one yet, .357 max is getting great reviews.

Sorry for the interruption, please continue

Lonny

[handi243]

If thats the case 7 30 waters!!!!!!!!!!

[onesonek]

I don't have any experience with the .375 win. yet, but the round does intrigue me. I haven't run the ballistic program on it's possiblities as of yet either, but just looking at it in the manual with available bullets it looks promising.
At first glance, with a 250-255 gr. the .375 win ballistics would seem to run better than the .41-.44 mag class of rounds. The higher BC's of the .375 win. are going to carry the velocity much better than any standard pistol bullet, making it a very good modest range performer in my mind.
I think if you were to chamber the .375 win. in the Encore, have it throated longer and seat that 255 gr Barnes Original out (or not), you'll have a dandy elk round. Then I would go with the 220 grainer's that are available for deer and other medium game
The .45-70 is is an awesome round in 14-15" platform regardless. And there is certainly nothing wrong with .460 S&W. Both however are starting to push the recoil limits of most shooters without a brake, and I personally don't care for brakes much on big game rigs.

just my 2 cents worth

Dave

P.S.,, if you want clodbuster drop me a PM and I can run a couple theoretical loads on the program and see what that .375 might actually look like.