Weapons and Ammunition.
(1) The only straight-wall cartridge rifles allowed (No AR platform or handgun) are as follows: (357 magnum, 44 magnum, 45 Long Colt, 444 Marlin, 45-70 Govt., 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster). Shotguns-for deer/turkey (20 gauge –10 gauge), shotguns for small/other game (.410 – 10 gauge), muzzleloaders, pellet rifles and archery equipment may be used for hunting.
I have some experience with a few of these. I’ve shot whitetails with the 357 mag and 44 mag in revolvers. Close ranges, 60 yards or less. They killed surprisingly well though little to no blood trails and they always ran a few yards. I’ve shot several deer with a 20 gauge pump shotgun with open sights. Smooth bore, full bore lead slugs. Most were well under a 100 yards. Mostly good results. I also shot a couple deer with a bolt action 20 gauge. Rifled barrel, scope and sabot slugs. 130 yards and 150 yards. I had good results. I’ve shot several deer with a 12 gauge auto loader, rifled barrel, scope and sabot slugs. Out to 150 yards but most under 100. I shot several deer with a percussion cap, black powder, rifled barrel, open sights with round ball and maxi hunter slugs. Then inline Muzzloader, pyrodex, scope, rifled barrel sabot bullets. This past season I shot my first deer with a smokeless muzzleloader. Scoped rifle with no sabot.
I just recently bought a 350 legend and started working up loads for it. It’s a cva scout. I am going to buy a cva scout 444 marlin next. I have access to a 450 bushmaster that I’ve shot several times but never hunted with it.
So for me there are pros and cons to all, well maybe not the smooth bore shotgun with slugs and the percussion cap muzzleloader. Probably more cons when compared to the rest of the firearms.
A shotgun with a rifled barrel and sabot slugs can be effective but slug designs can be hit and miss. Many hunters claim most of the sabot slugs are too hard and don’t expand enough. Recoil can be an issue unless shooting a gas operated system. Also finding an accurate slug in your barrel can be challenging, especially with recent availability. I’d say a 150 yards is my max.
Pistol cartridges in a rifle would be fun but limit your range.
Muzzleloaders, well they have been my go to for years until IL recently made straight walled cartridges legal. Some muzzleloaders using pyrodex pellets can be very accurate but also have significant recoil. And they need cleaned regularly. By far, a smokeless muzzleloader with a muzzle break is the way to go if legal and buying a muzzleloader.
The 444 marlin and the 45-70 both headspace off the rim of the cartridge at the base. The 350 legend and the 450 bushmaster headspace off of the case mouth because they have a rebated rim. The 350 legend has the least recoil of this group and great ballistics. But the 350 and the 450 can be problematic to hand load for with hammers. They need to be crimped because of case fill and the type of powder used but still have enough case mouth diameter to headspace properly. So if loading cup and core any of this group is great. If loading hammers I’d recommend the 444marlin or 45-70.
So the easy button for me is the 444 marlin or 45-70 when it comes to hand loading hammers. If loading cup and core then 350, 450, 444, 45-70 or a smokeless muzzleloader would be great.
That’s all I have time for now. Hope it helps
Kneedeep
