44 mag vs 454 Casull

I can see my post in favor of the Savage was out of line. Our interests are different. I don't reload and I do let my gun sit all year. And the rounds I pay for are strictly intended for taking a deer if a shot presents itself. I didn't shoot at a deer all this season and as a matter of fact, I engaged in little to no recreational shooting. I meant to imply that if you considered a Savage 220, I would tell you how very well impressed I am with mine.
 
Not sure your going to get a 3000+ fps 1000 yd gun in the restricted area you are talking about. But the 44 mag in lever fits the bill nicely for that 1.8 limitation--with a hot load and some practice I'm sure you can drop the deer out to 200 and perhaps further. It is also very easy to reload and quite cheap: 18 to 25 grs per shot sure makes that keg last longer than 70 - 75 that I do for my 300 win mag. xtps's are pretty cheap and load/shoot well and if you develop a good hard lead cast load you'll save even more. If you look around hard enough I bet you could find a 44 lever for really cheap slightly used--try it out and if it doesn't float your boat move on without great loss. I'd be VERY surprised if you didn't stick with the gun if for no other reason it's the best and most fun way to send 44's on their way. : )
 
I don't know why--but I've been fascinated and obsessed by this situation; I guess it's because as a handloader it gets my imagination going. I kept my original trend of thought on easily available lever guns since the OP mentioned that was sorta what he had in mind.

BUT.......

Within the limitations of a 1.8 case that brings up a whole 'nother world of possibilities if you're willing to consider more exotic rounds that are generally the wildcats--as well as the realm of .223 and 7.62 x 39 and their "stepchildren."

Super short magnums will get those bullets out there but it would likely involve very careful selection of caliber and weight for medium game (I haven't done any ssm's myself). Both the 223 and 7.62 have spawned a lot of spin-off wildcats--I've tried one of each having built AR's in 6.8spc and 6.5-264 (same as Grendel essentially). If you go to barrel manufacturer's sites that do lots of AR barrels you'll probably find all kinds of other wildcats from those parent cartridges. The grendel has inherent high BC in being 6.5--the 6.8 spc I think is gonna deliver a harder hit out to about 250 since it's essentially a 270.

One new development that looks promising is Black Hole's just released 30 American barrel (parent case 6.8 spc). Ballistically, they claim it's superior to both 30-30 and 300 blk while being more accurate.
 
Only problem with that is he can't use step children.

The rule is..
A .35 caliber or larger rifle loaded with straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80

A .35 caliber or larger air rifle or pistol charged only from an external high-compression power source such as an external hand pump, air tank, or air compressor.
 
I missed the part about .35 caliber limitation--sorry!!

No matter what all trails lead back to the 44 : )

Orrrr...450 bushie / 50 beowolf in an AR? : )

blackpowder?
 
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Buy a Rossi PUMA in .454, and a box of .45 Colt rounds from Buffalo Bore. Reserve them for actual deer hunting.

Shoot a couple of boxes of "plain ol" factory .45 Colt made by any reputable manufacturer. Reload all brass obtained therefrom to whatever load pleases you.

Even with Buffalo Bore ammo, it won't be a 200-yard rifle, but it will probably be a 150 yard rifle, with enough practice.
 
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