Good Rifle For Deer

[PKendall317]

I'm looking into taking up hunting this fall, and was shopping around on Gungenie for a good rifle to use for deer when the season starts. I guess in the Great State of Indiana, you're limited in what kinds of ammunition you can use while using a rifle for deer hunting. Can anyone recommend a good rifle & caliber to me?

 

[CPT Nervous]

Didn't know you could hunt deer with a rifle in IN. Not a hunter, so it could have changed, but that was my understanding.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Where you will likely be hunting?

Will you have a predation permit?

What type of budget are we dealing with?

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Didn't know you could hunt deer with a rifle in IN.

Yes, you can but if you point this out to people they become upset.

 

[.452browning]

Didn't know you could hunt deer with a rifle in IN. Not a hunter, so it could have changed, but that was my understanding.

You can hunt deer in Indiana with a rifle. They are just very particular in caliber. Handgun calibers only pretty much. .357, .454/.45LC, .44 mag, .500 S&W, etc. the regulations for rifle hunting calibers allowed are listed in DNR website. I can't link right now because I'm on iPhone and it's a pain.

(but you can hunt coyotes and squirrels with a .50bmg or .338 legally...)

 

[Sgt7330]

I use an H&R single shot 500 S&W. Fun gun, but really you cant go wrong with a good shotgun outfitted with a rifled slug barrel and optic.

 

[RHorn]

My preferred deer gun is a lever action 44 mag.

 

[.452browning]

My buddy just picked up a .454/.45 lever rifle and it's a sweet.

 

[SILVERBACK]

My 1st pick would be MARLIN 1894 LEVER ACTION IN 44 MAG.Next would be the RUGER 77/44 BOLT ACTION IN 44 Magnum, could not go wrong with either but the lever actions are fun as hell to shoot.

 

[bbarker]

44 mag in a lever action would be a good choice.....there are some different ones out there. Single shot in the same caliber would be good too.

I also use a muzzleloader. I am more accurate with my TC Triumph and my 1894 that I ever was with my shotgun. Also a lot cheaper each time I pull the trigger!

 

[Fordtough25]

I will add another lever action approval. I love mine in 45 Colt.

 

[gregkl]

My 1st pick would be MARLIN 1894 LEVER ACTION IN 44 MAG.Next would be the RUGER 77/44 BOLT ACTION IN 44 Magnum, could not go wrong with either but the lever actions are fun as hell to shoot.

What is going on in your avatar?

 

[GaDawg]

Get into a muzzleloader. You can reach out to the same yardage as a high power rifle.

 

[fireball168]

50-70 Government

Or any other of our offerings for that matter.

 

[PKendall317]

Good lord! It did not take long to get a bunch of replies!

The Ruger 77/44 was actually among my first choices after I found out I couldn't use the Remington 700 with the type of ammo I wanted for it. Never fired a lever-action but I want to try it at least once.

 

[RHorn]

50-70 government isn't legal for deer in Indiana. Case is too long.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/fw-Deer_Hunting_Equipment.pdf

 

[Lammchop93]

I just bought a single shot .44 magnum to use this season.

I was using a Remington 1187 12ga. slug. It's up for sale in the classifieds right now though.

 

[Iroquois]

My taxidermist uses a Remington 1100 with a rifled slug barrel and saboted. slugs.
He claims he can hit a 7" circle at 225 yards. Considering the knockdown power of a slug
I can't think why you'd need more in Indiana.

 

[netsecurity]

I would suggest a used Marlin lever action .357. That way you can use it as a range gun, and shoot cheaper.38 rounds. Plus .357 is cheaper than .44 or anything larger. You can deer hunt with .357 revolver or rifle.

 

[GlockZ]

Henry golden boy "big boy".44 mag. Extremely accurate.