Advice for next year

[vincewarde]

The wife and I have friends in Southern Indiana and we are planning a visit there during deer season next year or the year after that.  Having taken a look at your deer regs, it is obvious that I don't own the "ideal" gun.  Here us what I do own that might work:

1) Scoped Ruger Security Six in .357  -  I would say that I am good to about 50 yards with it.

2) Smooth Bore 20ga NEF with Red Dot sight.  Shoots slugs into a 3" group at 50 yards and about a 5" group at 75 yards.

3) A NEF 45/70 barrel that I could shoot shortened case rounds in to comply with the regs.

A forth option would be to pick up a .357 barrel for the Handi - but if any of the above would work, I will forgo the expense

Any feedback from Indiana hunters would be appreciated!

[Dinny]

I like the 4th option best!   Just make sure to have it fitted to a SB2 frame. GBO has a rental reamer that you can use at home for a DIY .357 Maximum. The Maxi is king of the Indiana deer woods this year!


http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,231528.0.html


http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,244198.0.html



Thanks, Dinny

[vincewarde]

I like the 4th option best!   Just make sure to have it fitted to a SB2 frame. GBO has a rental reamer that you can use at home for a DIY .357 Maximum. The Maxi is king of the Indiana deer woods this year!


http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,231528.0.html


http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,244198.0.html

Thanks, Dinny

Wow, I knew all about the .357 Maximum except the fact that it was short enough to be legal in Indiana.  That is really cool. 

[Dinny]

If you didn't know that, then this is required reading.


http://357maximum.com/




Thanks, Dinny

[Lon371]

Vincewarde
 
 First off I would ask about the area you are hunting. If you are in a wooded area mostly, I would say any of them. Most of the wooded areas down this way, I would be suprised if you get a shot over 50 yards. If a field and tree line hunting, I say carry the Ruger and 45-70(short). I hunt fields with tree lines, opening morning almost always is Mossy 500 12ga. Deer are on the move from everyone steping on them and fireing at them. After the opener I use single shots. 357 Maxi and 44 mag, carry a side arm Contender in a 357 Maxi.  Most of our shots of late have been 75 yards and closer. 
 
 BUT keeping with Indiana traditions(of late) you must go buy a .357 and maximize it    Plus who does not need another gun? 
 
Lonny

[schoolmaster]

That 45/70 short has my attention. That would be a real deer stopper. Most times you can set up to shoot at under 100 yards and my average yardage on deer is in the low 40s. I killed a truckload of deer in my early deer hunting career with an Ithaca pump smooth barrel and Brenneke short mag slugs. The farthest was 150 yards and the dropwas 15 inches or so. But the average was under 50 and that gun shot cloverleafs at that range. Deer never failed to show the effect of the shot when hit with those slugs. The recoil was tremendous but I used it for years until something better came along. I have been chasing the cutting edge of technology ever since.

[srussell]

That 45/70 short has my attention. That would be a real deer stopper. Most times you can set up to shoot at under 100 yards and my average yardage on deer is in the low 40s. I killed a truckload of deer in my early deer hunting career with an Ithaca pump smooth barrel and Brenneke short mag slugs. The farthest was 150 yards and the dropwas 15 inches or so. But the average was under 50 and that gun shot cloverleafs at that range. Deer never failed to show the effect of the shot when hit with those slugs. The recoil was tremendous but I used it for years until something better came along. I have been chasing the cutting edge of technology ever since.

   not hard to do shorten the case and load seat the bullet out to just off the rifling

[Indiana Denny]

Well since the new reg for 2012 I have been looking into the 450 Bushmaster or 50 Beowolf.  The 458 SOCOM is also still on the list.  This past year I used my Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum.  Due to an eye condition I have to use a "sighting device".
 
Good advice on woods we have 100 acres in Orange Co and unless you are on the pipe line that passes through the property a 50 yard shot would be long.  I still wish the 10mm was added to the handgun list  Had this Glock 20 done but its in the safe now