Highpower rifles for hunting in Indiana

[Matt52]

Does anyone think that Indiana will every open up the rules to allow Highpowered rifles for deer hunting. I read an article recently and the author seems to think it will happen within the next ten years. I would like to use highpowered rifles not because the are any more effective than slug guns but because I reload and could make rounds alot cheaper than what the cost of the average box of sabot slugs is goin for these days 12-18 dollars its getting ridiculous.

 

[kludge]

What is your definition of high power? Do the .358 Winchester and .35 Whelen fit your definition?

The .358 WSSM and now the .358 WSM 1.8" wildcats can match or exceed some factory loads of those aforementioned cartridges. Yes, 200gr bullets at 2500+ fps from the WSSM and I have seen 2900 fps reported with 180gr bullets from the 1.8"

Do I think I will ever be able to hunt deer with a more reasonable deer cartridge, like say the .257 Roberts, 6.5mm Creedmoor, or a 7mm-08? I think it will be a long time coming... perhaps not in my lifetime. But then again, miracles happen.

For an easy, inexpensive, yet very effective 200 yard deer cartridge, get a H&R single shot in .357 Magnum (try to find one on a SB2 frame if you can) and then ream it out to .357 Maximum. It will match .35 Remington ballistics.

 

[Hookeye]

Or buy a .35 rem and trim

 

[TiminMishawaka]

You could use a highpower pistol. You'll get a 300 yard gun that way, which is about all the distance you'd need here. I have an Encore in .270. All the range I could need and ammo is not bad.

 

[Hookeye]

IMHO a pistol with an EER scope isn't easy to use and on movers in timber can be tough.

Rifles are much easier to use well and can handle wider shot scenarios.

 

[kjf40]

Pick yourself up a Marlin .357 lever rifle....all youll need.

 

[williamnewman1]

Pick yourself up a Marlin .357 lever rifle....all youll need.

this here is the best idea , though i would love to use my 30-30 or a 30-06 but i'll settle i suppose

 

[avboiler11]

There's absolutely no reason why "traditional" highpower rifles couldn't be used in Indiana.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Or buy a .35 rem and trim

so... 16" barrel or an SBR?

 

[hammer24]

so... 16" barrel or an SBR?

I was about to ask the same thing! Interesting rig!

 

[Willie]

It seems that the DNR is doing it a little at a time. Surely they knew that their original PCR rule would allow some pretty potent wildcats. Then they increased the case length to .180 bringing in more wildcats. Sooner or later they will go full Monty

BTW - the original PCR proposal had "straight wall" in the write up, but that was dropped before the final approval by the NRC. So I think the DNR wants to go "high power", but public perception is holding them back.

IF enough hunters campaign for full center fire inclusion it can be done. Very few thought we'd ever see crossbow full inclusion in this state and we are there now.

 

[hammer24]

It seems that the DNR is doing it a little at a time. Surely they knew that their original PCR rule would allow some pretty potent wildcats. Then they increased the case length to .180 bringing in more wildcats. Sooner or later they will go full Monty

BTW - the original PCR proposal had "straight wall" in the write up, but that was dropped before the final approval by the NRC. So I think the DNR wants to go "high power", but public perception is holding them back.

IF enough hunters campaign for full center fire inclusion it can be done. Very few thought we'd ever see crossbow full inclusion in this state and we are there now.

Yep, baby steps. The "high power" term and its' connotations as seen by the OP is the hang up. We have them now, just limited to wildcats. "The dreaded 30-06" is a high hurdle in public perception.
The DNR works hand in hand with landowners. Who owns most of the private land in Indiana? Older farmers. Mention deer hunting and "high powered" rifles to my 80 yr. old grandfather who is a life-long farmer of about 400 acres (not a hunter) and BE PREPARED FOR A RANT! Many think there would be a wholesale slaughter of livestock and houses riddled with bullet holes!
The DNR has been moving in the right direction though.

 

[Matt52]

Ive looked into wildcats but dont really want to invest alot into them if they are going to eventually open it up for highpowered rifles. I have a 25-06 encore pistol and have killed a deer with it but I find it slightly impractical not to mention the hypocrisy of using a highpowered pistol but not being able to use the same cartridge in a rifle.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

1. High powered rifles are already used on game other than deer. What does your 80 year old grandfather think will be different with deer hunting?

2. How many times has your 80 year old grandfather's livestock or house been hit by .22lrs, shotgun pellets, pistol bullets or centerfire rifles now?

3. Centerfire rifles are far safer than shotguns according to studies on this subject.

4. Centerfire rifles are ALREADY used for deer under predation permits (remember, I pointed this out on INGO in a different subforum and made the OP who assumed that centerfire rifles were illegal or something all butthurt) without safety problems.

5. IDNR's magic bullet theory is nonsense and more and more people realize that it has no merit and no rational basis.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

I have a 25-06 encore pistol and have killed a deer with it...

Hopefully not in Indiana...

-J-

 

[Matt52]

Hopefully not in Indiana...

-J-

Why not its perfectly legal?? Its a pistol with a bullet diameter greater than .243.

 

[Hookeye]

On my lil rifle..........factory 16.25" .35 Rem bbl (sorry it aint SBR cool).

 

[Hookeye]

Why not its perfectly legal?? Its a pistol with a bullet diameter greater than .243.

Yup.

 

[Jamesaritchie]

Why not its perfectly legal?? Its a pistol with a bullet diameter greater than .243.

That's not the law in Indiana. There is a doiamter minimum, that isn't the only criteria. A .45 ACP is also a pistol cartridge with a diameter greater than .243. A .270 is illegal for deer hunting in Indiana because it is not a pistol cartridge, even when fired from a pistol, and doesn't meet case criteria.

Inidana has very specific limitations or what can and can't be used from eitehr a rifle or a pistol, and the .270 does not quality. Or so the DNR tells me. I suggest you call and ask them, just as I did.

 

[Hookeye]

Why not its perfectly legal?? Its a pistol with a bullet diameter greater than .243.

It seems that the DNR is doing it a little at a time. Surely they knew that their original PCR rule would allow some pretty potent wildcats. Then they increased the case length to .180 bringing in more wildcats. Sooner or later they will go full Monty

BTW - the original PCR proposal had "straight wall" in the write up, but that was dropped before the final approval by the NRC. So I think the DNR wants to go "high power", but public perception is holding them back.

IF enough hunters campaign for full center fire inclusion it can be done. Very few thought we'd ever see crossbow full inclusion in this state and we are there now.

Most folks don't reload. So the wildcat thing, while gaining popularity, is (and probably will always be) only a small %.