Ohio Hunters-Best Rifle Caliber for Deer

[XTR]

I hunt in places with no restrictions and I own two 45-70s. If you don't want to reload get a 450 Marlin, its the ballistic twin of the 45-70 in a modern rimless cartridge. The simple fact that the 45-70 is still around 130 odd yrs later is pretty neat in and of itself.

If you reload, the 45-70 can be a journey that never ends. It can be loaded from benign sub sonic loads to a retina separating slobberknocker in a Highwall or a Ruger#1, and it may well lead you to owing a Sharps, casting lead, and burning Holy Black.

 

[helmut in the bush]

458 win mag

 

[dkhunt14]

I hunt in places with no restrictions and I own two 45-70s. If you don't want to reload get a 450 Marlin, its the ballistic twin of the 45-70 in a modern rimless cartridge. The simple fact that the 45-70 is still around 130 odd yrs later is pretty neat in and of itself.

If you reload, the 45-70 can be a journey that never ends. It can be loaded from benign sub sonic loads to a retina separating slobberknocker in a Highwall or a Ruger#1, and it may well lead you to owing a Sharps, casting lead, and burning Holy Black.

My buddy was a big blackpowder fan. He just had to have one of them Rugers when they came out. He fired it a few times and traded it. He said it kicked bad. I really can't repeat the words he said. He found out real quick that a blackpowder 45-70 and a Ruger load were quite different. Matt

 

[Tommie]

I can’t picture a better combo than a Winchester 94 chambered in .375 Win.

All you gotta do is find a gun and some ammo...

 

[MQ1]

I grew up in Northeast Ohio, and have been very successful there with .44 Magnums in both pistol and rifle. If you reload and like cast bullets, I don’t think you can beat it for an all around woods deer cartridge.

MQ1

 

[284winner]

45-70 is legal

and so is the 50-110 they are specifically named as legal

I stand corrected. Gosh I thought I read that it was a 1.8" case length as Michigan has. Not sure that it really matters with a bullet that large in that heavy. The 45 Raptor pushing a 240 or 250 grain bullet can achieve speeds up word of 2700 feet a second. Deadly out to 300 yards tough to beat.

 

[MrMajestic]

With the usual range caveats I would shoulder my Ruger .44 Carbine or Martini Cadet in .357 Magnum. JMHO

 

[sawcarver]

I use a 357 Max here in Michigan. Pushing a 150 gr bullet at 2350fps it works very well on deer and will reach out there

 

[A_Gamehog]

Shotgun slugs (12 gauge) achieve typical velocities of approximately 1800 fps for 1-oz. (437.5 grain) slugs, for an energy of over 3,100 ft-lbs . In contrast, a .30-06 bullet weighing 150 grains at a velocity of 2600 fps achieves an energy of 2,250 ft-lbs
I like the 12 gauge. 100 yards can't get any better out of a tree stand.

 

[284winner]

Shotgun slugs (12 gauge) achieve typical velocities of approximately 1800 fps for 1-oz. (437.5 grain) slugs, for an energy of over 3,100 ft-lbs . In contrast, a .30-06 bullet weighing 150 grains at a velocity of 2600 fps achieves an energy of 2,250 ft-lbs
I like the 12 gauge. 100 yards can't get any better out of a tree stand.

Yes the 12 gauge will get it done very well but at the uncomfortableness of recoil. Those muzzle numbers are deceiving when you look at them at 100/200 yards. Energy at 100 for that 12 ga slug is 1800 ft lbs and at 200 drops to 1200. While those 30-06 velocities are extremely low for a 150 ( more like 3050 fps/3150 ft lbs). The 100/200 yd numbers are 2700/2300ft lbs, doubling the 12 ga at 200. Apples to oranges for sure I understand but slug guns are for in your face scenarios and not LR work. The southern deer zones once only allowed shotgun slug barrels for deer. The new rules give more options and better accuracy for deer hunters wanting to reach out a bit further with more confidence.

 

[Bojo]

I know it's just my opinion but there is no way in hell I would rather shoot slugs over a rifle been there done that and switched over to a inline instead of slugs.they only way I used my slugger was on drives when more than one shot might be needed. When the New York County I hunt in approved rifles in 2011 I started using my 3006 that I pa hunted with and never looked back. I used a 444 marlinwith iron sights for drives and foggy rainy days.
The cost of slugs to go out buy half a dozen different box's just to see if your slug gun likes them is pocket book murder,let alone the money to practice. The only good thing about slugs is the torture test they give your scope. If it holds up to that abuse it's good to go on just about anything.

 

[swd]

I'm thinking the .50 Alsakan would aerate any cervid you would come across...(insert tongue in cheek here)

I’ve shot a few 50 Alaskan’s and it’s certainly adequate....for anything! lol. Fun but kicks like a mule!

On a more serious note. 375 Winchester’s are out there in Winchester and Marlin lever guns. Great cartridge! Use the “short” 38/55 Starline brass. It works perfect and takes the pressure just fine. 250’s at 2100fps.

 

[timeout]

I know it's just my opinion but there is no way in hell I would rather shoot slugs over a rifle been there done that and switched over to a inline instead of slugs.they only way I used my slugger was on drives when more than one shot might be needed. When the New York County I hunt in approved rifles in 2011 I started using my 3006 that I pa hunted with and never looked back. I used a 444 marlinwith iron sights for drives and foggy rainy days.
The cost of slugs to go out buy half a dozen different box's just to see if your slug gun likes them is pocket book murder,let alone the money to practice. The only good thing about slugs is the torture test they give your scope. If it holds up to that abuse it's good to go on just about anything.

I agree 100%. If I had to return to shotgun/slugs I would quit deer hunting.

 

[MrMajestic]

This 870 has an Enidine shock absorber and it takes the edge off of the 1 1/4 oz. slugs.

 

[Om606]

Take a look at the Winchester 44 mag I have in the classifieds.

 

[remingtonman]

I am currently moving to Ohio from out of state and noticed the rifle equipment restrictions (.357 caliber or higher with straight walls) for deer hunting.

Is a 45-70 as good as it gets?

I like bolt action rifles, so plan to just buy a barrel and chamber for a current action.

Anyone doing anything special?

Thanks in advance!

Just moved out of state from Ohio and I used my encore in 357maximum which is the perfect deer round. Very little recoil and hits like a sledgehammer. Also used a marlin 45-70 guide gun but recoil is more intense and you don’t need that big of a round to kill a whitetail. If I had to pick just one it would be the 357max

 

[remingtonman]

Not sure positively but I believe Ohio has a 1.8" case length maximum. Eliminates the 444, 450 Marlin and 45-70.

Not true, your allowed to use any straight walled cartridge

 

[284winner]

Not true, your allowed to use any straight walled cartridge

Yep was already corrected. Thought I read they had a 1.8" max case length. Apparently not.

 

[GSPV]

Yep was already corrected. Thought I read they had a 1.8" max case length. Apparently not.

I believe that Indiana allows bottleneck cartridges 1.8” or less.

 

[284winner]

I believe that Indiana allows bottleneck cartridges 1.8” or less.

Can't imagine there's many in that range. Depending on diameter of the bullet.