Ohio legal deer rifle

[ohiosam]

Ohio has always been a shotgun/muzzleloader/handgun/archery state. No breech loading rifles allowed for deer. The ODNR is proposing allowing PCRs (pistol cartridge rifles) this fall. Ohio's definition of a PCR is "straight wall cartridges over .357" with no minimum or maximum length. Tapered like 45-70 is ok just no bottleneck.

I'd love to use a No.1. As far as legal factory chamberings I know of are .357 mag, 460 S&W, 38-55, and .45-70. IMO .357 mag is out but I might consider turning one into a maximum.

Am I missing any? A .375 Win is what has about the best ballistics, I might consider a rebarrel to that.

 

[Blammer308]

44mag,41 mag 360 DW, 357 mag (a fine round) 357max, 45 colt, 454 casull are all that come to mind right now.

 

[Blammer308]

rifles easily and fairly priced that are obtainable

44mag Ruger M77
357mag Ruger M77

any levergun in 357mag, very hard to get and pricey at the moment. I'd suggest you start looking now instead of a month before deer season. :)

 

[ohiosam]

rifles easily and fairly priced that are obtainable

44mag Ruger M77
357mag Ruger M77

any levergun in 357mag, very hard to get and pricey at the moment. I'd suggest you start looking now instead of a month before deer season. :)

Those 77s have the bolt on the wrong side, I'm a lefty. I've hunted most of the last 30 years with a muzzleloader so one shot isn't a limitation so I'm leaning towards a No.1 in an appropriate caliber.

 

[mike7mm08]

Might take some hunting to find one but the #3 was chambered in 375 Winchester. Also the 475 linebaugh was offered in the #1 in small numbers.

 

[SteelShooter]

Te 460 S&W works well and you can fire the following cartridges in it or load to those levels if you reload.

45 Colt

454 Casul

460 S&W

Starline sells the brass, whole range of bullet weights and types (if you reload) and even if you do not.

 

[BayouBob]

45-70 will give you lots of options. Ruger #1's are fairly common and you can load it up to darn near elephant gun levels. Lever actions from Marlin and Rossi are common and with the Hornady lever evolution ammo you aren't limited to the old flat nosed poor external ballistic bullets. If you don't hand load ammo is available in a big variety.
'

 

[Ruger Junkie]

I'm sure this varies from state to state, but my understanding is that a PCR had to be a cartridge originally chambered in a pistol.

 

[GMan351]

I found this from Ohio's DNR website...

"It is proposed that this rule be amended to allow the use of certain caliber rifles during the firearms season for deer. These rifles are traditional black powder cartridge or pistol cartridge rifles and include the following calibers: .357 Magnum, .357 Maximum, .38 Special, .375 Super Magnum, .375 Winchester, .38-55, .41 Long Colt, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum,.444 Marlin, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, .45 Long Colt, .45 Winchester Magnum, .45 Smith & Wesson, .454 Casull, .460 Smith & Wesson, .45-70, .45-90, .45-110, .50-70, .50-90, .50-100, .50-110, .475 Linebaugh, .500 Smith & Wesson. It is further proposed that these rifles be limited to a total of 3 live cartridges through the use of a plug or inert ammunition inserted into the magazine."

So you do have a lot of choices. The 357mag, 44mag, 444 Marlin, 45-70 would be the easiest to find as well as the 45LC if you reload, would be good.

Decisions, decisions.......good luck with finding one you like!

 

[Kyhunt]

The 45-70 is an awesome round. I've been wanting to add a 45-70 for a few years now.Still haven't done it.

 

[balthazar]

do not for get the 475 linebaugh, No 1

 

[leon670]

If the change in the law (which has only been proposed) was as is suggested here, many rifle cartridges would be legal including the .458 Win Mag. I seriously doubt that such a grievous oversight would exist.

 

[Kanook]

If the change in the law (which has only been proposed) was as is suggested here, many rifle cartridges would be legal including the .458 Win Mag. I seriously doubt that such a grievous oversight would exist.

These rifles are traditional black powder cartridge or pistol cartridge rifles and include the following calibers:

1956 for the 458, probably not going to be a BP

 

[Tnhunter]

If you look around a bit, you'll find a nice Marlin in .375 for less $$ than a #1 in 45-70 (I have owned both). The Marlin is a great rifle and will also give you a bit more range with it's flatter trajectory.

FWIW, my #1 in 45-70 is now gone, but I own four Marlins in .375 :mrgreen:

 

[6gun]

Ohio has always been a shotgun/muzzleloader/handgun/archery state. No breech loading rifles allowed for deer. The ODNR is proposing allowing PCRs (pistol cartridge rifles) this fall. Ohio's definition of a PCR is "straight wall cartridges over .357" with no minimum or maximum length. Tapered like 45-70 is ok just no bottleneck.

I'd love to use a No.1. As far as legal factory chamberings I know of are .357 mag, 460 S&W, 38-55, and .45-70. IMO .357 mag is out but I might consider turning one into a maximum.

Am I missing any? A .375 Win is what has about the best ballistics, I might consider a rebarrel to that.

How would a 45-70 or .375 Winchester be a pistol cartrage? I would have to say they are thinking more like short range cartrages since they are a shotgun state right now, a 44mag is a good deer hunting rifle

 

[dfletcher]

At the risk of being "Anti - No 1" how about getting an Encore rifle? You're already OK with single shot, but up in the air on caliber. Buy an Encore and experiment a bit.

BTW, no one mentioned one of my favorite "pistol" cartridges - 405 Winchester. I have an Encore with a 15" barrel and it's a great shooter, more than adequate for any deer.

 

[Rockrat]

445 super mag also. I had a 45-70 BFR, and they also come in 375 and 444 IIRC. You could have JES rebore a 357mag rifle to 375 or 38-55 if you wanted to go that route.

 

[NH Rugerman]

Since you are a southpaw, perhaps you should consider the Ruger 44 Carbine....an easy to handle, woods rifle....I have hunted with one for years in the woods here in northern New England....

But a No. 1 in appropriate caliber is a great choice...I think Bud's has No.1's in. .45-70 in stock currently if you want to purchase one now and take the chance!

 

[44rugerr]

Indiana went through the same change a few years ago. It seems like Ohio will not be as restrictive as Indiana. We have maximum case lengths to consider. If Ohio contacts Indiana, there could be some adjustments. Check out Indiana's DNR policy. I have always been fond of 44 magnum's, so my gun cabinet was stocked. Buy now, 44's went up and have never come down. Since you are a leftie, Marlin, winchester , Mossberg, and Ruger all have made decent lever guns in 44 magnum. If you are interested, I have a nice winchester legacy in 44 magnum for sale. Every deer I have taken has dropped in it's tracks from the wrath of the 44 mag. The pistol caliber rifles does add excitement to the sport.

 

[mohavesam]

Go to anyone using a handgun in southern Michigan's "shotgun zone" for deer. They've had the same type of restriction for years now.

I used a 375Win Contender with a 2" ported brake that made it a 16.5" barrel, so I had the choice of using the same barrel with a handgun grip for deer, and a buttstock for other game. Until I sold the 454Casull wrist-snapper SRH and bought the same SRH in 480 Bill-Ruger-chambering. Boom, Deer down. And that was that.

I'd recommend the lever-action 96/480 woods-thumper for deer... oh wait. That's right, Ruger NEVER MADE ONE!

 

[rugnelli]

M77/357. Fun to practice with and will put down deer when applied correctly.

My daughter is left-handed and she used one (that she is claiming now) to take a doe last year.

 

[leon670]

Yes, there is no greater thrill than shooting deer with a deliberately chosen, marginal caliber! :D

 

[mohavesam]

hangnoose, I'm REALLY having trouble understanding your point(s). Where did you get the "loading inert rounds" issue?

All things considered, ANY cartridge can be a handloader's improvement, but there are plenty of factory rounds and modern, computer-designed factory oprtions in any straight-walled cartridge.
I'm glad you mentioned the 20 gauge, as today's factory loads and rifled barrels can outpace some 44 mag and others for on-game performance and accuracy.

 

[ohiosam]

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to go with a .375 Win. barrel for my Encore. It's been my deer gun for the last 7-8 years with a ML barrel so it makes the most sense to stay with it. Ordered a 24" SS barrel from MGM. I know .375 win ammo is tough to come by but I've found some new brass and I have a buddy that has a good supply of hornady 220 gr bullets he'll share.

Still if the "right" No.1 comes along...

 

[ohiosam]

hangnoose, I'm REALLY having trouble understanding your point(s). Where did you get the "loading inert rounds" issue?

The proposed rule would limit repeating rifles to 3 live rounds, just like the current slug gun rule. Since rifle mags aren't as easy to plug as shotguns the ODNR is saying you can put dummy rounds in the mag. Yes it's stupid but if this is what we have to put up to get to use a rifles we'll live with it.

 

[mohavesam]

ah, I stand informed.
Think I'd just get some plastic dowel.

 

[rugnelli]

It's only a marginal caliber if one is undisciplined and uses it to take a marginal shot...

 

[FergusonTO35]

Oh man! I hope this goes through. Southern Ohio has lots of deer and my Marlins in .357 and .45-70 are ready to go.

 

[Pal Val]

I'm hoping Pennsylvania reads the writing on the wall and passes a similar rule. Hunting deer in "shotgun only" counties is the pits. I hunt with a T/C Encore with a slug barrel. It kicks like a mule, the slugs are expensive, and when you hit a deer, you ruin a lot of meat. I have a .44 mag Winchester 94 that would give me a similar range, and I have taken deer with it elsewhere with none of the problems I have with the slugs.
PA game Commission, take notice!