I am searching for a whitetail rifle to learn to hunt with. I currently have a Mossberg 500, but at $3 (plus the recoil) per slug, I want to get a rifle. I live in Indiana, so here are the DNR rifle requirements:
Rifles with cartridges that fire a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger, have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches, and have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches are legal to use only during the deer firearms and special antlerless seasons. Some cartridges legal for deer hunting include the .357 Magnum, .38-.40 Winchester, .41 Magnum, .41 Special, .44 Magnum, .44 Special, .44-.40 Winchester, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .458 SOCOM, .475 Linebaugh, .480 Ruger, .50 Action Express, .500 S&W, .460 Smith & Wesson, .450 Bushmaster, and .50 Beowulf. Full metal jacketed bullets are illegal.
So I am looking for economical, and easy to find ammo as I don't have the equipment for, or anyone to teach me how to reload. Due to this, low recoil abd being able to plink with cheaper .38, I'm leaning toward .357 mag.
As far as new rifles in said caliber, I'm split between a Rossi 92 20" blued (the 20 over the 16 due to the feel in MY hands) and a Ruger 77/357 stainless/synthetic. I like both equally but have had the chance to fire neither, but at $150 cheaper, the Rossi is more appealing. Pros and cons?
I know that this may seem that my mind has been made, but until I plunk down my hard earned cash, I'm still open to advice from those who have more knowledge and experience than I. Is my choice of calibers and models on point, or am I overlooking anything?
I apologize if this has been done before, but if it has, I couldn't find it.
Rifles with cartridges that fire a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger, have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches, and have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches are legal to use only during the deer firearms and special antlerless seasons. Some cartridges legal for deer hunting include the .357 Magnum, .38-.40 Winchester, .41 Magnum, .41 Special, .44 Magnum, .44 Special, .44-.40 Winchester, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .458 SOCOM, .475 Linebaugh, .480 Ruger, .50 Action Express, .500 S&W, .460 Smith & Wesson, .450 Bushmaster, and .50 Beowulf. Full metal jacketed bullets are illegal.
So I am looking for economical, and easy to find ammo as I don't have the equipment for, or anyone to teach me how to reload. Due to this, low recoil abd being able to plink with cheaper .38, I'm leaning toward .357 mag.
As far as new rifles in said caliber, I'm split between a Rossi 92 20" blued (the 20 over the 16 due to the feel in MY hands) and a Ruger 77/357 stainless/synthetic. I like both equally but have had the chance to fire neither, but at $150 cheaper, the Rossi is more appealing. Pros and cons?
I know that this may seem that my mind has been made, but until I plunk down my hard earned cash, I'm still open to advice from those who have more knowledge and experience than I. Is my choice of calibers and models on point, or am I overlooking anything?
I apologize if this has been done before, but if it has, I couldn't find it.