Post by bluedot on May 11, 2015 19:30:55 GMT -5
O.K. It looks like the centerfire rifle for deer hunting proposal in Indiana won't pass this year. Since it's legal to use a pistol in centerfire rifle caliber to deer hunt, one is now on my radar.
Criteria:
.243 and larger diameter.
I would prefer a bolt action, multiple shot capability.
It will be scoped, and wear an APS muzzlebrake. Bipod too for the longer shots when I can use one.
Here is Indiana's definition of a handgun that can be used for deer hunting.
Handguns, other than muzzleloading, must have a barrel at least 4 inches long and must fire a bullet of .243-inch diameter or larger. The handgun cartridge case, without the bullet, must be at least 1.16 inches long. Full metal-jacketed bullets are not permitted. The handgun must not be a rifle that has a barrel less than 18 inches or be designed or redesigned to be fired from the shoulder.
If I wanted to use a single shot, I can use my .45 cal Savage Muzzleloader. .40 caliber 195g Barnes bullet going 2850 fps is what that muzzleloader will do, and it's dang accurate going that fast too.
Besides the Savage Striker (which is no longer being made but is still available on the used market) what other choices do I have besides going full custom route?
The Striker was produced in .243, .260 Rem, 7-08 and .308. It's early enough in the year that I'm not discounting buying one and re-barreling it in another caliber, so keep that in mind too.
Considering the short barrel in the pistol (vs. a rifle) I assume that fps will be less than a rifle will generate. I really would like to be able to use it not up close, but out past 300 yds if needed.
O.K. Guys (and gals). Give me your suggestions and why, keeping in mind that the longer shots are the reason for going with the pistol. If I was only going to shoot less than 100 yds, I'd use my Tar-Hunt slug gun.