.243 question

[Leggdpms]

Are the .243 rifle legal to hunt with? I see where the .243 handgun is but I can't find if it's legal to hunt with a rifle.

 

[Mgderf]

Coyote? Yes
Squirrel? Yes
Groundhog? Yes


Deer NO!

 

[Leggdpms]

Crap that sucks. Guess I'll be buying a .44

 

[walker]

Crap that sucks. Guess I'll be buying a .44

Thompson Center makes the Encore pistol in .243

 

[throttletony]

we have weird regulations. Without getting too custom or wildcat, the most common options for DEER using a RIFLE are: a .357 mag, a.44 mag, or a 12 gauge slug. There are plenty of other options out there, but these seem to prevail. (not including black powder, or handgun)

Ruger 77/44 or 77/357, or most available lever guns are generally quite capable for the intended cartridges.

I don't know anyone who use a 45-70, but I have a neighbor that wants to try with one this fall. (anyone clarify, 45-70 in a rifle is legal for deer, right? I don't think it exceeds the cartridge length limit, does it?)

 

[hammer24]

Legal deer cartridges/ 45/70 short

Legal case length for a deer rifle is between 1.16" and a max of 1.8" with a bullet diameter of .357 or larger. The 45/70 is 2.105" making it illegal, but a number of people have been cutting the case down to legal length and hand seating the bullets long for reliable feeding in lever guns.

As stated above, pistol cartridge requirements are much more liberal, bullet diameter of .243 or larger with a case length of 1.16" or longer.

 

[Jerry45Acp]

I hope your neighbor is planning to hunt deer this fall in another state, because he will not be legal in Indiana!

 

[Mgderf]

Legal case length for a deer rifle is between 1.16" and a max of 1.8" with a bullet diameter of .357 or larger. The 45/70 is 2.105" making it illegal, but a number of people have been cutting the case down to legal length and hand seating the bullets long for reliable feeding in lever guns.

As stated above, pistol cartridge requirements are much more liberal, bullet diameter of .243 or larger with a case length of 1.16" or longer.

One part of our weird laws is that a caliber legal in a pistol may or may not be legal in a rifle, and vice-versa. I have a Thompson Contender "Super 16" .45/70govt with a 16" barrel.
If I install the pistol grip, it is legal for deer as a factory load.
If I install the rifle stock the case would need to be shortened to satisfy the maximum case length requirement.

No, it doesn't make sense, but I exploit the margins where I find them.

 

[hooky]

A buddy shoots an Encore pistol in .270 and anything standing within 250 is good to go. His freezer is always full come the end of the season.

 

[throttletony]

Legal case length for a deer rifle is between 1.16" and a max of 1.8" with a bullet diameter of .357 or larger. The 45/70 is 2.105" making it illegal, but a number of people have been cutting the case down to legal length and hand seating the bullets long for reliable feeding in lever guns.

As stated above, pistol cartridge requirements are much more liberal, bullet diameter of .243 or larger with a case length of 1.16" or longer.

alright, I will let him know

 

[Mgderf]

A buddy shoots an Encore pistol in .270 and anything standing within 250 is good to go. His freezer is always full come the end of the season.

I also have a Savage Striker pistol with a 16" barrel in .308 Winchester.
I can't wait to see a deer in range in those sights.

 

[ThatOneKid]

I have a buddy who does. He just cuts the cases to the legal max. He shoots em out of his Sharps rifle