need help {deer barrel}

[RelicHound]

Hello folks. Im sorta new to the handi rifle...I own a handi in 22 hornet and love that gun...id like to get a deer barrel for it for next year. in Indiana we are allowed to use straight walled rounds. what would you all recommend for a new barrel for my handi? im thinking either the 357 or 44 but have also considered the 45/70 and maybe the 444. most all of my shots are under 100yrds more common is 50 and below as I hunt some thick cover..any suggestions/comments would be appreciated. thanks folks.

[Ranger J]

If it is allowed (I thought only pistol rounds were legal) go for the 45/70.  If  not take the .44 mag.  Even if not legal sometime get a 45/70 as it will probably be the most trouble free barrel and just fun to shoot barrel that Handi makes.  If you can use the 45/70 you will probably need to reload as factory rounds can be rather expensive and believe me you will find shooting it addictive.  The current run of .44s are an improvement over the older ones but as in the case of mine they can be picky about what they want to shoot but can be made to shoot well.

RJ

[RelicHound]

Thank you for the reply...I thought it was any straight walled round was legal but I could very well be wrong. the only deer hunting I do is with bow and arrow so I may be a bit behind on the new laws regarding firearms...its probably been 6-7 years since Ive hunted in the firearm season. ive heard the 45/70 was a fun round to shoot..being the barrels are so cheap it might be worth getting the 44 and 45/70..i assume they can fit as many barrels as I want at one time?

[quickdtoo]

The 45-70 isn't a legal round for the Indiana season, Handis chambered in 357mag, 44mag and 500S&W are tho.

Yes, you can get multiple barrels fitted on one order, or at least Gardner would, dunno if Remington has changed that, but the record number of barrels fitted on one order thru Gardner was 13!!! 

Tim

http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/fw-Deer_Hunting_Equipment.pdf

Rifles with pistol cartridges
Rifles must fire a cartridge with a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger; have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches; and have a maximum case length of 1.625 inches.
 These rifle cartridges can be used only during the deer firearms season.
Some cartridges that are legal include the following:
.357 Magnum
.38-40 Winchester
.41 Magnum
.41 Special
.44 Magnum
.44 Special
.44-40 Winchester
.45 Colt
.454 Casull
.458 SOCOM
.480 Ruger
.475 Linebaugh
.50 Action Express
.500 S&W
Some illegal rifle cartridges for deer hunting are the .30-30 Winchester, .444 Marlin and .45-70 Govt.

[RelicHound]

oh cool thank you for that! seems the 44 mag would be a good choice then...inexpensive to shoot as well.

[zoner]

given the shot distance...100 yds or less...you could also consider the 357 mag...a full power load with a good hard cast bullet @ 158grs will kill deer nicely at that distance and be a easy shooter resulting in good bullet placement....just an idea, and a lot of these guys have reamed to 357 Maximum and have had good results with that

[rattlesnake]

I have just bought some of the Hornady Leverolution for my 44mag and 45-70. I have heard great things about this load.

[krod47nw]

Don't overlook the 45 Colt.  You can use it as is, or ream it to 454 Casull.  Both are on Tim's legal list in the above post. 

Kevin