Below I have listed what the State of Indiana calls legal calibers for rifles to deer hunt with.
Which one do you like the best?
Why?
Rifles with cartridges that fire 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
are legal to use only during the deer firearm
season. Some cartridges legal for deer
hunting include the .357 Magnum, .38-.40
Winchester, .41 Magnum, .41 Special, .44
Magnum, .44 Special, .44-.40 Winchester,
.45 Colt, .454 Casull, .458 SOCOM, .475
Linebaugh, .480 Ruger, .50 Action Express,
and .500 S&W.
As I have killed deer with most of these calibers, I feel I can offer some insight on bullets. Here is what I have had luck with and recommend. As usual Dee is spot on steer clear of hollow points when shooting "pistol" calibers in rifles or carbine length barrels.
I would have a very hard time choosing between my 357 Maxi and the 45 Colt... the 454 is making a hard run to topple both of them....
357 Mag: This one I have much experience with. My #1 choice is a Hornady 158 XTP FP bullet. #2 Speer 170 GD SP.
38-40; This is the orig 10mm... I would have to go with a good SWC profile cast bullet.
41 Mag; I like the heaviest bullets and IIRC Sierra made a 220 SP. I have a Marlin in 41 and a blk Hawk both like this bullet!
41 Spl: No experience
44 Mag: I'm not a huge fan, but it's a excellent choice and I have had best luck with another Gold Dot bullet. The 270 SP!
44 SPL: I have shot allot from my 696 but never at game.
45 COLT; Here is another caliber that close to my heart. I have shot a truck load of deer with my long colts. I lie both the Speer and Sierra 300SP bullets. Hornady's XTP is another good one. Speer also now makes a 300 GD for the Casull, but it also works great at rifle vel from the Colt.
454 Casull; that same 300 GD and the mag version of the XTP also in 300 gr. I see FTX has a 200 a 225 and a 250 pointed bullet. I have shot one deer and a coyote with a 200 with success.
458 Socom; Again, no experience. But it approximates 454 ballistics.
475 Linebaugh; I would choose a good cast bullet.
480 Ruger; I have fired it, but have no experience hunting with one. But Hornady makes a XTP mag that aught ta work.
50 A&E; Not really a hunting caliber, most use lighter hollow point bullets. But it has the power to work quite well. I no experience on game.
500 S&W; A power house for sure!! Again Hornady and it's XTP bullet is a good choice. Sierra makes good bullets for this one. Even Remington with its 385g bullet from shotgun fame.
You did not mention the 357 Maximum!!! My #1 choice is 180 SSP second choice is. 180 XTP bullet or the Speer 170 GDSP.
I hope this helps.
CW
