Hunting & Fishing Coping with indiana deer hunting laws

[mrbooks10]

Hey fellow hunters!
Ive been using a mossberg .20 with a rifled barrel for the past few years and call me weird but I really don't feel comfortable using a shotgun to shoot accurately and humanely kill an animal. Ive been looking at some pistol caliber rifles to use and was really liking the marlin 1985 in .44 magnum.
What rifles/weapons do you use in your state for deer hunting? Especially those states with the commie deer hunting laws! Haha. And any tips on trying to get one of those pretty wildily popular marlin 1985's? Thanks in advance

 

[ZLBubba]

I grew up in Milan, Indiana and I always hated hunting whitetails with a slug gun. Should I ever move back to Indiana, I'll be using a 458 SOCOM upper on an AR. They're accurate, heavy-hitting, and they buck brush pretty damn well from everything I've heard.

Check out this thread from Indiana hunters: Rock River .458 Socom for Deer Season

 

[BoilerUP]

I don't hunt deer in this state due to its stupid laws, but I will probably break down this spring and pick up a 450 Bushmaster prefit barrel for a Savage action.

For about $200, that seems to be the most cost-effective way to get in the game, short of a Handi rifle.

 

[sako.308]

i have deer hunted w/ 12ga slug gun when i grew up in IN. i have take 10 deer with it varying from 20yrds-125yrds. 1 shot EVERY time. you are throwing 1oz or more at a deer. Slugs have a TON of energy down range. just get more comfy with shooting slug gun.

 

[hlee]

A slug gun should be able to keep a 3" group at 100 yards which is more than precise enough to take a deer. They may not be the best tools for shooting across cultivated fields, across canyons, or down senderos, but they are plenty good enough for wood lots. I live in Texas and I can shoot pretty much whatever I want- no rim fire for deer- but I have experienced shot-gunning for deer in upstate New York. In that instance, the "nuts behind the bolts" were the limiting factors, not the guns.

I use a remington 700 in 270 win for most of my deer hunting, but this year I used a Thompson center omega 50 cal muzzleloader (no scope) to take a nice 4x5 at 115 yards. This year, I plan to get back to my roots and break out the 30-30 I used as a kid. The only change is that I'm going with the factory iron sights this year instead of the scope I had as a kid.

 

[Engine 22]

Calling 7mmRM………. To the OP, I suggest checking in with this member and seeing what he's been working on.

 

[BoilerUP]

Coping with indiana deer hunting laws

DNR-legal wildcats like 358 Grant (358 Hoosier, etc) that require a fair bit of brass work are cost and/or time prohibitive for many people that aren't serious hunting enthusiasts.

 

[wakajawaka]

I like this in a T/C Contender
.357 Harrett

 

[LanceS4803]

I've heard of Indiana's weird rifle regulation. Looked up your Regulations Guide tonight.
What is the basis for the .357 and above rule?

 

[hangunnr]

I had a 358WSSM built by Mark Penrod for killing Indiana whitetails. It is the 1.625" version which will throw a 200gr TTSX at 2650+. The 1.8" version will better that by about 100fps.

....second from left....

Broke the cherry on this rifle with a 200yd shot on this buck.

There is also the option of using a handgun chambered in traditional "rifle" cartridges. I use my XP100s in 6BR, 7BR, 260Rem, 308Win and 300WSM when the situation allows.

With the modern slugs and slug guns available there isn't any reason 200yds isn't within reason if you do your homework.

CR

 

[FN in MT]

I've heard of Indiana's weird rifle regulation. Looked up your Regulations Guide tonight.
What is the basis for the .357 and above rule?

MY question as well....You can use a .358" or above?? But nothing smaller?
I thought we were crazy here in MT with our "Centerfire" rule for big game...allowing a hunter to shoot an elk with a .22 Hornet or .222/.223.

 

[Sauce787]

At least you have the rifle option. Illinois is stuck with either a shotgun, pistol, or muzzleloader. I may be wrong but Indiana just started to allow hunting with suppressors too didnt they? Indiana cant be all bad.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

My gunsmith is building a 358 Hoosier for me, so my 358 WSSM may go on the chopping block. The 358 Hoosier is just a 358 Win case trimmed down to 1.800" and the shoulder bumped back. Will feed very slickly through any old Rem 700 or Win 70 short action rifle.
My 358 WSSM with 1.625" case and a 200 grain Hornady SP will get 2,550 to 2,600 with 48 grains of Benchmark.
The 358 Hoosier should get about 2,500 with a little less powder.
Either is plenty to reach out to 300 yards and whack a deer!

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

DNR-legal wildcats like 358 Grant (358 Hoosier, etc) that require a fair bit of brass work are cost and/or time prohibitive for many people that aren't serious hunting enthusiasts.

If they're not serious enthusiasts, the slug gun will do them fine out to 100-150 yards.

If they are serious, the 358 Grant and its associated brass prep is a big time winner.

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

[MENTION=471]hangunnr[/MENTION]

Nice Penrod rifle, he's a helluva smith!

 

[7mmRM]

Take a look at this thread. If you have any questions feel free to ask. The 358 Grant is proving to be an awesome chambering. I feel the Hoosier is a great option as well- not near the horsepower as the Grant, but a big jump up from the front stuffers, sluggers and pistol chambered rifles.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/snipers-hide-reloading/198392-358-grant-1-8-a.html

 

[mrbooks10]

There are a specific set of case length, bullet diameter, and case shapr rules you have to follow. A quick search will send you to our dnr's website.

 

[sako.308]

hell why not use a .410 slug? again seen this used MANY times out to 150yrds or so and prob has damn near same energy down range as the .358 if not a tad more. or use a .50 muzzle loader?

 

[hangunnr]

hell why not use a .410 slug? again seen this used MANY times out to 150yrds or so and prob has damn near same energy down range as the .358 if not a tad more. or use a .50 muzzle loader?

The heaviest .410 slug that I'm aware of runs about 110gr (1/4oz) at 1800fps. Muzzle energy less than 800ft#. My 1.625" 358 WSSM runs a 200gr Barnes TTSX at 2650fps. Muzzle energy a bit over 3100ft#. The 1.8" version will run them well faster than that. Hardly equal or lesser performance than the .410 slugs out there.

I would love to see the .410 shotgun that would group well at 150yds.....

hangunnr

 

[sako.308]

The heaviest .410 slug that I'm aware of runs about 110gr (1/4oz) at 1800fps. Muzzle energy less than 800ftp. My 1.625" 358 WSSM runs a 200gr Barnes TTSX at 2650fps. The 1.8" version will run them well faster than that. Hardly equal or lesser performance than the .410 slugs out there.

I would love to see the .410 shotgun that would group well at 150yds.....

hangunnr

well i stand corrected, none the less i have seen/done 1-1.25" groups at 100 w/.410 slugs MORE than enough to wack a deer. and dont have to make ammo or hunt high/low for ammo (if it is even a factory ammo). those IN wildcats just dont seem worth effort IMO when there are PLENTY of capable slugs/BP bullets. i think OP just needs to get used to the rule and deal with them as they are.

 

[ker2222]

we have places here in MN where its no rifle…... Shotgun or muzzle loader only so while not completely the same, I kinda feel your pain.

here's what I set up this year should such an occasion present itself….
I've got a pretty run of the mill optima……but its dressed up and set up how I like……I can put 250gr hornady sst rounds into a 2 inch group at 150 yards……and keep them in a 3 inch circle at 200. If I played around with the loadings more I am sure it could do better but that is acceptable for what I am doing---since every shot has been under 100 anyway. The scope comes off during "traditional" season here…..

I can reload and get a second round on target pretty fast. Use the right powder and the right stuff to carry pre measured charges and you can get three to four rounds off in short order.


If a muzzle loader doesn't float your boat….take a look at the savage bolt action rifled bore shotgun….I know guys getting good results with that too

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

well i stand corrected, none the less i have seen/done 1-1.25" groups at 100 w/.410 slugs MORE than enough to wack a deer. and dont have to make ammo or hunt high/low for ammo (if it is even a factory ammo). those IN wildcats just dont seem worth effort IMO when there are PLENTY of capable slugs/BP bullets. i think OP just needs to get used to the rule and deal with them as they are.

Dude...

The 358 Grant can legitimately take deer at 600+ yards, it is far beyond what muzzle loaders and shotguns are capable of.

No, its not for everyone, and clearly not you.

Understand however, on the snipers hide, there are individuals that enjoy long range marksmanship and hunting. Many of those same folks enjoy reloading and wildcatting. Thus, cartridges like the 358 Grant exist and are used to do things no other [legal] cartridges/shells can.

 

[BoilerUP]

A deer hunter in Indiana shouldn't have to step up to an exotic wildcat (because that's what the 358 Grant is) or be relegated to a slug gun or smokepole.

There's no reason modern centerfire rifles cannot be legal in this state for hunting whitetail. NONE. There will be no piles of wounded deer, no rivers of blood from innocent people hit with stray bullets fired miles away, no downside whatsoever...except the elimination of business for wildcatters and making the sport more viable for new hunters.

A good start would be DNR naming specific sub-358 SAAMI cartridges that are legal, such as 300 AAC/Whisper, 7.62x39, 6.5 Grendel, and 6.8 SPC. These cartridges have minimal case capacity and shoot low/moderate BC bullets at moderate velocities, and are widely available both in terms of rifles and ammunition.

Because let's be honest, it is totally and completely stupid that a 16" 300 AAC AR pistol is legal, but the same exact weapon with a rifle stock on the receiver extension is not.

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

A deer hunter in Indiana shouldn't have to step up to an exotic wildcat (because that's what the 358 Grant is) or be relegated to a slug gun or smokepole.

There's no reason modern centerfire rifles cannot be legal in this state for hunting whitetail. NONE. There will be no piles of wounded deer, no rivers of blood from innocent people hit with stray bullets fired miles away, no downside whatsoever...except the elimination of business for wildcatters and making the sport more viable for new hunters.

A good start would be DNR naming specific sub-358 SAAMI cartridges that are legal, such as 300 AAC/Whisper, 7.62x39, 6.5 Grendel, and 6.8 SPC. These cartridges have minimal case capacity and shoot low/moderate BC bullets at moderate velocities, and are widely available both in terms of rifles and ammunition.

Because let's be honest, it is totally and completely stupid that a 16" 300 AAC AR pistol is legal, but the same exact weapon with a rifle stock on the receiver extension is not.

Agreed. The regulation is stupid, the people circumventing it are not.

Still, clever folks will always find a way around the spirit of the law.

A "cleverer" law would limit case capacity, rather than length.

One last thought before I retire to simply watch the thread:

I hate Hate HATE that all hunters aren't at least somewhat accomplished and experienced rifleman. Sad truth is, however, they are not. I don't think the rivers would "run red" by the blood of random high powered rifle bullets cruising around the countryside, but there would be more accidents if every shmuck was allowed to use any rifle they wanted to shoot whitetail on the flatlands. I used to work with a guy that had a 338RUM to shoot Michigan whitetails.

At least in the case of Indiana's legislation, you've got to be damn serious about your hunting to A, know what your not getting out of your slug gun, and B, know what to do about it to fix the problem. That in an of itself weeds out a LOT of the dumb fucks.

 

[George63]

the results of the laws and the maneuvering to maximize the allowable performance is that only if you have the resources, can you use a rifle with 30-06 performance -

 

[sako.308]

Dude...

The 358 Grant can legitimately take deer at 600+ yards, it is far beyond what muzzle loaders and shotguns are capable of.

No, its not for everyone, and clearly not you.

Understand however, on the snipers hide, there are individuals that enjoy long range marksmanship and hunting. Many of those same folks enjoy reloading and wildcatting. Thus, cartridges like the 358 Grant exist and are used to do things no other [legal] cartridges/shells can.

yes that fine those are NOT for me, however given the OP 's description of not feeling a 20 slug can take a deer humanly i think that weeds him out of YOUR line of thinking. but hay by your line of thinking he should go WAY left field and buy a custom rifle to "feel" like he can kill a deer. i dont think the cartridge being used or not used is. he issue is how op "feels".


either way carry on

 

[XTREM HTR16]

I'm an Indiana Hunter and I'm used to the rules. Hunted with smooth bore 870 sluggers and then moved up to the Omega 50 cal muzzleloader.

I'm building rifles based on Indiana's less than ideal regulations because it's hard to beat putting 3 or 4 shells in a bolt action rifle and just going hunting without worrying about the weather.



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[mrbooks10]

Op here :Believe it or not I worded my opening post wrong. The issue was not that I didnt think a 20ga would kill a deer humanely, it was that I didnt think MY shotgun was accurate enough and was looking for other options. No I do not have to money to go out and buy a rifle then reloading equipment to have a wildcat round available to me. I did buy a marlin .44 magnum rifle yesterday to suit my needs perfectly!

 

[Wicked Weapons]

I live just 30 minutes from Indiana. I've built two new rifles specifically for Indiana deer hunting. Both are Savage short actions in 458 SOCOM and threaded for cans. First gun has a 1-22" twist for Barnes 300gr TTSX and 2nd rifle has a 1-8" twist for the sub-sonic Lehigh 582gr controlled fracturing pills. No, these don't have the range of the 35 caliber wildcats but everything except the barrel is COTS. Easy day to source components, get data and load for these. Headed to SC for a hog hunt in April and expect great things from both rifles down there.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

My gunsmith is building me a 358 Hoosier based on the 358 Win with a 1.800" case. Should get 2,400 to 2,500 with a 200 grain Hornady. Built on a regular old 700 short action. Looking forward to shooting some deer this fall!


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