The only real answer to this question
"I was always told the only dumb question is one not asked, so why can't you use any caliber?"
is the same one that answers what we can shoot, what we can hunt with otherwise, and how many we can shoot.
It's (presently) the law, but as we are seeing here lately, laws do change.
Comparing the battle the crossbow has getting included, I feel it will be YEARS (if ever since our population grows and grows) before standard rifles are allowed.....in RIFLES.
I've mixed emotions on the subject, so no offense intended, please.
MOST of us are responsible people and hunters whom take notice of what is behind our game before shooting nor do most of us rat tat tat at a deer emptying our shotguns at a moving target knowing OTHER hunters are out and about.
However, I know of and see SOME people doing the opposite.
IM a bit (as some have noticed ;D ) "out there" in my train of thought on some subjects but most often I try to back up my thoughts with some kind of reasoning that makes sense (to some hopefully).
I, personally, feel the CFR cartridges being included was went at the WRONG way.
It just seems so much of the issue could have been side stepped if standard rifle rounds were allowed but ONLY in a single shot weapon.
Some kind of limitation on size wouldnt be out of line IMHO...I just dont see any kind of need for 338 Mags or such or anything as miniscule as the 222 Rem here but someone would use one if no limitations were there.
Sure both "work" but.......yeah well. Lets go middle ground. Lots of rounds available.
A single shot 30-06 for instance gives me less pause hunting around than someone I dont know using a black rifle with multiple shots (recall we have multiple tags) that MAY follow the same example of the rat-tat-tat shotgun shooters and empty their clip at a "herd" of deer running through my area.
Im a BIG BIG fan of any kind of single shot weapon. I'm sure lots of you trained your youngsters with one for the same reasons that a single shot center fire rifle could be safely used.
You have ONE shot.....take your time and make it a good one.......it's probably all you will get.
YES........they shoot further and the hunter needs to pay MORE attention to the direction he or she is shooting but.....honestly HOW OFTEN does one get a shot here over 200 yards, even 150?
I just feel the "time taken" to make one good shot will normally include the person including where the bullet may go and what is "in line with" the trajectory.
I don't see standard rifle cartridge being available for us to hunt deer in the remainder of my lifetime. At least not in multi-shot rifles. HOWEVER, since they ARE available in single shot handguns......how big a leap would it be to get them included in SINGLE SHOT rifles?
IMHO, I think that COULD HAVE been doable in the beginning but NOW?.....arghh.......and have TWO sets of "rifle rounds" legal? Not.
The leap to crossbows acceptance has been a huge one, not yet over come. Something capable of shooting WAY out there for anyone? I've just got my doubts that the powers that be will accept any kind of "logic" offered for their inclusion, is all. I could be wrong though. Stranger things have been introduced for discussion (shorter season to shoot more deer......ahem).
THAT SAID, I find it ODD to say the least that others, like myself, that want more range, dont see any limitation of a single shot weapon, take time to work accurate loads, practice and take the time to take that shot..........to the best of their ability.......dont look more at the single shot pistols.
While I had to sell my MOA, I am still using a 16 inch barreled Thompson in 35 Rem this year. Certainly not a 300 yard gun but at 150 it's pretty solid and a 200 yard one with perfect conditions isnt out of line if the hunter knows what HE can do.
Not the cartridge of my choice but borrowed from my nephew and I dont have the funds for another barrel in what I feel is a better round (mainly in bullet performance ) the 6.8 Remington that is included in the limited choices for a Contender over the Encore.
I have, however, used the 35 Rem previously and know they work fine.
The Encore pistols, XP 100s, and lots of custom jobbies are legal to use any round you wish to from 243 diameter up, shoot right up there with rifles in accuracy and offer extended ranges to those that want to take the time to learn to use one effectively.
I'm not a betting man, but would wager MOST of those that have never done so would be quite amazed at their capabilities and very little limits your choice of round.......other than what you want to pay for and what you want to hang on to.
243, 7mm-08, 260 Rem, 308 etc are all SUPER ( AND LEGAL) handgun rounds and available all the time plus many many more.
I am posting this mainly due to the NUMBER of such comments I see online and yet NO ONE ever mentions......YOU CAN shoot rifle rounds......you just have to do so in a pistol and you DONT lose much in range or trajectory with a shorter barrel at least in ranges mostly shot deer hunting here in IN.
2cents, offered as info only.
God Bless
