What is your favorite Indiana Deer Rifle?

[steve@357maximum.com]

So, with the current 1.80" maximum case length and all, what is your favorite Indiana deer rifle?

When the original slightly shorter allowable case length started with Indiana's first rifle season, I was sold on the .357 Maximum.  I was so enthusiastic that I created a website to share my results of test loads, field testing, firearms and pressure testing.  With the constant feedback I still receive on the site, this is still a good choice with many hunters continuing to fill their freezers without issues.  Light recoil is an added benefit of the Max. especially for younger or recoil sensitive shooters.

Last year I chose the short case in .45-70 and experienced good field results with my Ruger No. 1.  I have a soft spot for the No. 1's and the .45-70 is just a cool round.  Not the flattest shooting or the longest range cartridge, but I really like it.  There is a ton of history with this round as it was the USA military rifle in the late 1800's.

This year, I opted for the .358 Winchester short neck.  I had a Remington 700 Varmint in .308 rebored to .358 Winchester and I could not have been happier.  This rifle will shoot sub-m.o.a. at 200 yards and I feel confident out to 300 yards with a good rest.  The doe I shot at 110 yards on opening day did not run far after the shot.

Mid season, I switched back to the Ruger No. 1 in .45-70.  I did not have another chance with the big bore while trying to fill my buck tag.  Hopefully, muzzleloading season or late archery will provide an opportunity and a nice buck.

After some serious soul searching in my favorite rifle I opted for is the Ruger No. 1 in .45-70.  It just seems right in my hands while deer hunting.  I know the .358 Win. will add 100 yards in effective range, and the Rem 700 trigger is great, but there's just something about the .45-70 I like.  My 700 ADL Varmint .358 Win. will eventually find it's way to Gunbroker.  As much fun as the whole project was, I honestly prefer to hunt with the Ruger No. 1 in .45-70.

So, what's your favorite rifle?

Steve

[Dinny]

Steve,
  This is a tough decision. I have to say my H&R Handi rifles are my favorite. Right now the caliber race is too close to call. I like both my 357 Max and 45LC alot. Next year either my mother or I will try my 45-70 Handi with a shortened case. Maybe that will win over the other two??

Thanks, Dinny

[steve@357maximum.com]

Dinny,
While I think the .357 Max. and .45 LC are both great rounds, I think you'll really like the .45-70.  It still amazes me that a cartridge from 1873 is still sparking interest among shooters and hunters.
Steve

[schoolmaster]

Ya know that doe at 110 yards was doable with the 45-70. If you know your gun and load and practice enough it is effective at much longer ranges. I am sticking with my Savage/Mcgowen .358 BFG 1.625 wssm. Absolutely hammers deer and I hunt agricultural fields that present long shots.
 

[broom_jm]

This has nothing to do with the 1.800" regulations, but my favorite gun to carry in Indiana is my grandpa's old Model 92 in 44/40.  It balances so well and with my stout WCF handloads it is very close to 44 Rem Mag performance.  It has open sights, so I limit my shots to 100 yards or less.

I also have an H&R chambered in 358GNR, which gives me about twice as much effective range, but it doesn't feel as good as the old 44/40. 

[Vic49]

Steve, when you get ready to sell the .358 no need for Gunbroker,  just PM me  I am very interested and close by.

[Hank in Indiana]

My favorite would be a Browning Lever in 450 marlin. Very close seconds would be Marlin 45-70's and Ruger Hawkeye 358 win.

[tobster]

Since my daughter claimed my .45 Colt carbine and I haven't got around to trimming 45-70 or .35 Remington cases, I've still been carrying a .50 T/C muzzleloader. It's probably more accurate than I am and with Blackhorn 209 I'm not quite as concerned with oxidation after shooting it a few times. And Hank, just where in Indiana are you hunting with your favorite high-powers?

[8uck5nort]

I have taken 2 does with my 500 S&W, but I have to admit my favorite is the 357 max. Followed closely by my 44 mag and 500 S&W. I still like my muzzy too. CVA wolf. Simple and effective.

[steve@357maximum.com]

It's interesting to see how many hunters opt for simplicity in their deer rifles considering the flexibility offered by the new regulations.  I totally get this.  A guy I work with told me he was going to hunt with a bolt action 16 gauge with a smooth bore and bead that has been passed along in his family.  He hunts thickets and shots are close, should work for him.

Jason, I know you and I are alike, in that we enjoy experimenting with the newest flat shooting, long range options that come along.  Still, you really enjoy hunting with your Grandpas old model 92 44/40.  Again, I get it.  Very cool!

Schoolmaster, I have considered that my Ruger No. 1 .45-70 would have done fine on the 110 yard shot at the doe on opening day.  It will work fine inside 200 yards, just like the .357 Maximum, of course with more energy at the cost of more recoil.  I have to say, it just suits me well.

[jy951]

I've been using an Encore in 500 S&W the last few years.  I spend too much time thinking of something else to use.  In all reality, it probably doesn't make any difference for me as long as it shoots decent.  I'm usually in the hardwoods and any shot i've ever taken at a deer has been less than 100 yds.  I know it's probably overkill, but that 500 really knocks them out.

[Hank in Indiana]

South Central. Relax, they are all cut to 1.8" I maybe adding the 35 rem to the list after the Special Anterless Firearm season.

[YRUpunting?]

Handi 357 Max.  Steve your website lead me here and I won't look back.  I was skeptical of the hand gun load in a rifle but the performance of the
357 Max was impressive.

[Lon371]

 My favorite is my Maxi with the Handi grips. Shoots better than I do, with performance on deer to mach. Just bought a can of AA1680 and 200 more 180 ssp's. My ast favrite as my Mossy 12 which put down many deer. But reading the H&R forum and Steves site, I was hooked. This year made a great shot(for me) and did not haveto look for blood, that was icing on the cake. I too want a 358 win also, but until I get there I am good   
 
I am working on 38 loads for it now. Maybe my favorite squirrel gun too.
 
Lonny

[randy_68]

My CVA Apex in .357 max and my Marlin 1894 .357. Even though I haven't shot a deer with either one yet.  2 years in a row that I got skunked. Still going out with the Apex in 50 ml on Sat.

[broom_jm]

My next Indiana-legal rifle will be utilizing the full 1.800" limit.

It's going to be a 357 Magnum barrel, likely an H&R SB2, with the chamber cut to a full-sized 35 Remington and a rim cut counter-bore that allows me to use 303 British cases, trimmed to 35 Rem-1.8.

I'll load these up with either 200gr FTX or 200gr Remington Core-lokt RN bullets.  I may try out the 180gr SSP's as well, but not sure I want to drive them that hard.  The great thing about this rifle is that it will be capable of firing factory (or handloaded) full-length 35 Remington cases, the 303-based short cases, or 303-based full-length rounds that will basically be loaded to +P+ pressures, as compared to the standard 35 Remington.  Very versatile and unique, plus it should give performance that is very near 358 Winchester factory rounds.   

[dave29]

I love single shots. I usually have a hard time deciding between my H&R .357 max, Encore with 18" MGM .357 max barrel, H&R in .445 SuperMag, and my Encore with a 20" .460 S&W mag barrel.

If, I had to pick just one, it would be the Encore with the 18" MGM Max barrel.

I hope to have a flatter shooting 1.8" .35 cal next year though. I never got around to it this past year, but it is not like I needed something to use.

[dave29]

My next Indiana-legal rifle will be utilizing the full 1.800" limit.

It's going to be a 357 Magnum barrel, likely an H&R SB2, with the chamber cut to a full-sized 35 Remington and a rim cut counter-bore that allows me to use 303 British cases, trimmed to 35 Rem-1.8.

I'll load these up with either 200gr FTX or 200gr Remington Core-lokt RN bullets.  I may try out the 180gr SSP's as well, but not sure I want to drive them that hard.  The great thing about this rifle is that it will be capable of firing factory (or handloaded) full-length 35 Remington cases, the 303-based short cases, or 303-based full-length rounds that will basically be loaded to +P+ pressures, as compared to the standard 35 Remington.  Very versatile and unique, plus it should give performance that is very near 358 Winchester factory rounds.   

Who did the GNR for you. I would love to do something like that, except in a .35-.460.

[broom_jm]

Well, Gary Reeder maintains proprietary control of his cartridges, so he did that work for me.  He also broke his reamer, apparently, and swore he'd never work on another H&R barrel. 

David White is who I'll have do any future work.  He's a better riflesmith and a markedly better person, making it a no-brainer, to me. 

There have been many people talking about the 35X460, but I can't say I've heard of anyone actually DOING one.  Many of the other cartridges that folks expected to see with the advent of the 1.800" regulations are being tried, but one of the most obvious, the 460S&W, necked down, doesn't seem to be one of them.  I think the main reason is the full-custom dies and reamer that's needed for such a beast.  The 357 Herrett, 358-short, 35Rem-short, and even the shortened 444 and 45/70 rounds, all use tooling that is more readily available and less expensive.

After looking at all of the options and really contemplating what level of performance and recoil I consider optimum, the 35 Remington, running at 303 British pressures, seems like a very cool and unique way of getting to where I want to be.  Also, if I wind up moving to or hunting in another state, I can always use/load factory spec ammo.  That's a big plus, to me.

[dave29]

Yeah, I have thought about the .35-303 as well. I just remembered I have a .357 herrett with an 18" barrel that I haven't developed loads for yet. I have 4 different recipes loaded up, but just forgot all about it. 

[broom_jm]

Yeah, I have thought about the .35-303 as well. I just remembered I have a .357 herrett with an 18" barrel that I haven't developed loads for yet. I have 4 different recipes loaded up, but just forgot all about it. 

Is that an 18" Contender barrel?  That would be a very good option for Indiana, as well.

[dave29]

Yeah, I have thought about the .35-303 as well. I just remembered I have a .357 herrett with an 18" barrel that I haven't developed loads for yet. I have 4 different recipes loaded up, but just forgot all about it. 

Is that an 18" Contender barrel?  That would be a very good option for Indiana, as well.

Rechambered H&R.

[broom_jm]

Yeah, I have thought about the .35-303 as well. I just remembered I have a .357 herrett with an 18" barrel that I haven't developed loads for yet. I have 4 different recipes loaded up, but just forgot all about it. 

Is that an 18" Contender barrel?  That would be a very good option for Indiana, as well.

Rechambered H&R.

Interested in selling it?  I'd be interested in playing around with that combination, if I owned such a setup.

[dave29]

Yeah, I have thought about the .35-303 as well. I just remembered I have a .357 herrett with an 18" barrel that I haven't developed loads for yet. I have 4 different recipes loaded up, but just forgot all about it. 

Is that an 18" Contender barrel?  That would be a very good option for Indiana, as well.

Rechambered H&R.

Interested in selling it?  I'd be interested in playing around with that combination, if I owned such a setup.

No, not really. If I end up doing one of the wildcats, I would be though.

[6x6 elk]

Last year it was a T/C Encore with a MGM 23'' 454 Casull.  This year with the change in cartridge length, it is a 450 Bushmaster. The accuracy for a AR-15 style rifle is amazing!!  1.75'' groups at 225 yards, with Hornady 250 gr. FTX.  Deer don't go far after getting hit, if they don't drop in there tracks.

[Lon371]

Last year it was a T/C Encore with a MGM 23'' 454 Casull.  This year with the change in cartridge length, it is a 450 Bushmaster. The accuracy for a AR-15 style rifle is amazing!!  1.75'' groups at 225 yards, with Hornady 250 gr. FTX.  Deer don't go far after getting hit, if they don't drop in there tracks.

So I am guessing you dont have to tenderize the meat, after the 450 throws it to the ground? LOL That is huge and flat shooting critter.
 
Lonny

[nhecht25]

This year I bought a 20" MGM .460 barrel for my Encore and I love it.  I dropped a doe with it using a hand loaded .460 and my son dropped another doe with it shooting a 454 Casull.  Both dear dropped without running an inch.  Granted, it's a little more than is probably needed but with limited funds I wanted a barrel with versatility.


Nathan

[rname]

      This year my favorite is my Ruger No. 1 in 358 D&R mag which is a 460 Weatherby cut and necked to 358 and pushes a 180 Barnes bullet at 3100 fps.
   I have shot 2 does this year and neither took a step.

[omegahunter]

My favorite is my Savage Edge/Axis .358 WSSM.  30 yard shot last year and 136 yard shot this year.  Love the performance!  I had three of them built, but looking to let one of them go as the length of pull is too long for my wife.  I am planning on getting her one built on a youth Savage Model 10 with a sporter contour barrel to keep total weight down for her as well.  My uncle owns the third that was built and his shot this year was just over 100 yards.  All three were maintaining 3/4 inch or better groups at 100 yards with three different loads (each rifle shooting a different bullet).

[dave29]

My favorite is my Savage Edge/Axis .358 WSSM.  30 yard shot last year and 136 yard shot this year.  Love the performance!  I had three of them built, but looking to let one of them go as the length of pull is too long for my wife.  I am planning on getting her one built on a youth Savage Model 10 with a sporter contour barrel to keep total weight down for her as well.  My uncle owns the third that was built and his shot this year was just over 100 yards.  All three were maintaining 3/4 inch or better groups at 100 yards with three different loads (each rifle shooting a different bullet).

How much you have in those built rifles if you don't mind me asking? I've been thinking about picking up an Axis and doing the same thing with a 1.8" round.