Which firearm whould you choose?

In IND you can only hund deer with the following. What would you choose?

  • Black powder rifle

    Votes: 16 15.5%

  • Shotgun with slugs

    Votes: 33 32.0%

  • Pistol caliber rifle (ex. Marlin 44 mag)

    Votes: 50 48.5%

  • Bow and arrows

    Votes: 4 3.9%
  • Total voters
    103
  • Poll closed .
I didnt think a 45 colt would be that efective at 200 yards Daryl. anything that far out is bp country with me.
Today 03:14 PM
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Range would be similar to most muzzleloaders,
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I stand by what I said; I'd still use the handgun cartridge, and shoot out to about 150 yards.

In fact, I'd use a handgun over a muzzleloader if I had that choice.

I'm reminded of the time I stalked a bunch of javalina during a HAM (Handgun, Archery, Muzzleloader) season. I got about 20 yards from them, aimed, and my muzzleloader misfired. The cap went off, but the powder didn't. The javalinas took off, and I made a nice running shot on the largest one with my SD carry pistol, which at the time was a Star "Firestar" in .40 S&W.

Muzzleloaders don't usually do that, but it happens. It's less likely with the so-called "new" inlines, but it makes no difference to me.

I'll hunt with a ML during a ML only hunt, but given an option, I'll invariably choose something else. I'd choose a bow, given the choice, and yes, I hunt with one of those, too.

Daryl
 
My favorite all around rifle is a Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag, 18" bbl.

With old eyes and a scope zeroed @100 it shoots a little over 1" high @ 50 and 14" low @ 200 w/3" groups. Good enough to send any deer to the meat pot.
 
I'd like to know who the heck is still voting "shotgun" when a neat handy rifle is legal. Nuts I tell you! Just nuts!!! If Iowa opens up deer hunting to pistol caliber rifles my slug gun is gonna go in on a trade as quick as I possibly can.
 
i feel your pain Daryl. had that happen to me back when i used a percussion cap ML. went to the 209 and no longer a problem. i just wasnt sure a 45 could do that good at that range. myself I hunt with whatever i can.
 
Given the choice, I'd probably opt for a Marlin 1894 in .44 mag. That said, I'd give some consideration to a modern, in-line muzzle loader as well.
 
A good purpose made hunting round in .357 magnum out of a rifle length barrel approaches .30/30 ballistics. That'll anchor most deer just fine with good shot placement. One example is Buffalo Bore product no. 19A which is a 180 grain hardcast .357 that does 1851 fps from an 18.5" barrelled Marlin 1894.
 
I believe that a Savage 10 ML is legal there. Go smokeless. Very real 250 grains down range at 2500 fps at the muzzle. This makes 200 yards a chip shot. With practice of course.
 
Marlin 1894 .44mag, 20" barrel, 270gr Speer Gold Dot ammo (holds 10, by the way for you BP fans...lol). To 125yds it is as good a weapon as any 30/30 and darn near as good as a .308 and we ALL know over 90% of whitetails are killed inside 125yds. See, simple.:D
 
i hunt with my ML more than any other weapon. with a modern ML you can get accurate kills out to 200yds. i'm sure some people on here have shot even farther than that.
 
Well, I've hunted deer, here in Indiana for about 35 yrs. I've shot them with bows, ML, shotguns[for the last 17 yrs.]. This year I bought a Marlin 1894, .44 mag. I killed a buck and 2 does with it. Sold the shotgun to a buddy. I really like the little rifle.

Mad Dog
 
BTW, there are safety reasons for not allowing full power rifles.
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you would think it would be a safety issue.
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What safety issues do you guys have that most other states do not?

Try...we aren't going to use high powered rifles so we can limit the number of deer killed and to make it harder for the hunter. Not safety. LOL
 
If your muzzle loader charge doesn't fire but the primer does you have left some oil residue or other contaminate in it. If you think it was clean and misfired anyway you are kidding yourself. Try using some HCFC contact cleaner blown through the primer hole until it runs out the barrel. This will cure that problem.
 
I have taken more deer with my compound bow and crossbow than anything else. Archery can be difficult but once you get ur first buck (I frown on doh shooters) you will be jumping out of ur boots. Its also a great past time during the weeknd ..head down to ur rod n gun club and hit the archery range, great way to stay active instead of sitting in the house. But its always nice to get somthing with your firearm too. But givin ur choices I think it would be fun to use the blackpowder and the archery. If ur anything like I would love to own One of everything (shotguns) break barrel, semi auto, pump. (never tried the lever or bolt action shotguns never will haha) but go out try hunting with everything and find what you enjoy.
 
(I frown on doh shooters)
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Do you mean you frown on those that choose to fill their freezers with meat? You are playing with a hornets nest around here. I'd rather hunt with someone that shoots does rather than any little buck that comes accross their path.

I hope you mean that you only shoot large/mature bucks. I frown on you for shooting every little immature buck you see. An old mature doe is harder to get in close than a 1.5 year old buck. Any day.
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If I were the OP, I would try and get good enough at all the possible seasons and use them all. It will expand your hunting season and increase your chances of filling your freezer.
 
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