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Post by beehunter on Mar 22, 2013 18:03:44 GMT -5
I am planning on buying a new barrel for my encore frame, strictly for deer hunting in indiana. I just can't decide what caliber to go with. I am just having a hard time deciding between the .358 Hoosier .357 Max and the .44 Mag. Do any of you have any suggestions pro or con on what the best caliber would be?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2013 18:39:22 GMT -5
358 would be the most expensive and the best. 44 would be better than the 357 Max and cheaper. Another good choice from the factory is the 460 S & W.
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Post by beehunter on Mar 22, 2013 18:59:15 GMT -5
I am kind of leaning towards the .358 but I am not a handloader. Is .358 ammo hard to get?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2013 19:11:28 GMT -5
A J Brown is one source $50 a box before the rush started.
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Post by HuntMeister on Mar 22, 2013 19:54:44 GMT -5
Another vote for the 358 but ammo will not be commonly found and not made commercially by the known manufacturers like Winchester or Remington.
Are you near Bloomfield?
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Post by beehunter on Mar 22, 2013 20:12:45 GMT -5
Yes I am about 15 minutes west of Bloomfield. The more I read about the 460 the more I like it.
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Post by fullrut on Mar 22, 2013 20:44:25 GMT -5
The 358 is the way to go. GO with the 358 hoosier. IMO the best Indiana legal round available.
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Post by dbd870 on Mar 22, 2013 21:22:19 GMT -5
It really comes down to what hunting conditions you will be facing. If you can only get 100yd shots the extra expense of the 358 is not really necessary. 200+ - I'd be on the 358 bandwagon myself. If you just want to play with the 358, then go for it. I would use my 357Max out to 200; the 44Mag I'd cut it off at ~150, but I don't know that rifle as well. Timex has the experience to shoot his 44 at 200 and I have no problem with that.
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Post by jlemmons on Mar 22, 2013 23:16:53 GMT -5
live close to bloomfield ordered dies last week told me 20 weeks out got barrel from mgm coming
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Post by jlemmons on Mar 22, 2013 23:18:50 GMT -5
live close to bloomfield ordered dies last week told me 20 weeks out got barrel from mgm coming
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2013 9:00:54 GMT -5
This really comes down as a money thing. The 358 is going to end up costing at least $1000 for the barrel and all the exrras you'll need to handload for it. Right now, the components are scarce, except for military brass which requires a few more goodies to be bought.
357 max is not a factory option, so you'll have gunsmithing costs to add. Then it will also be a handloading deal with hard to finr components again.
44 is easy to find but short on power for long range work. The 460 adds at least 50 yards to this one and is also available with factory ammo and the barrel requires no additional work.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2013 4:49:03 GMT -5
The 358 is the way to go. GO with the 358 hoosier. IMO the best Indiana legal round available. From what I'd read of the .358 Hoosier, it sounds like a good caliber. However you must consider making your own ammunition which could be quite expensive, not to mention how hard, it would be, finding the necessary reloading supplies these days. The best and cheapest cartridge would be the .44 Magnum for Deer Hunting in Indiana. |
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Post by HuntMeister on Mar 24, 2013 9:31:52 GMT -5
The 358 is the way to go. GO with the 358 hoosier. IMO the best Indiana legal round available. From what I'd read of the .358 Hoosier, it sounds like a good caliber. However you must consider making your own ammunition which could be quite expensive, not to mention how hard, it would be, finding the necessary reloading supplies these days. The best and cheapest cartridge would be the .44 Magnum for Deer Hunting in Indiana. The ammo can be purchase from AJ Brown...not 100% positive but I think some others are selling too. The OP lives very close to AJ Brown so getting the ammo shouldn't be an issue. If commercial ammo is important to the OP then I would lean to the 44 MAG of the three he listed. |
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Post by beehunter on Mar 26, 2013 14:16:23 GMT -5
I made my mind up and bought a used (looks brand new) Thompson Center, Pro Hunter, 22" Stainless Steel Fluted Barrel in 44 caliber with a Nikon Buckmaster scope already mounted on it. I was worried about getting ammo for the .358 Hoosier and I have no idea how to even get started in handloading. I may try and learn how to reload on the .44 round and go to a wildcat next year. I will tell you one thing the stainless barrel on my TC frame makes one sweet looking rifle. Cant wait to hunt with it. Thanks for the advice.
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Post by HuntMeister on Mar 26, 2013 19:52:05 GMT -5
Great choice, it is a good round to hunt Hoosier Deer with!
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Post by dbd870 on Mar 27, 2013 7:42:09 GMT -5
I like the 2 tone T/C look as well.
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Post by beehunter on Mar 27, 2013 13:35:52 GMT -5
I like the 2 tone T/C look as well. Agreed, I like the ss barrel mounted on a black matte frame. |
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Post by HuntMeister on Mar 27, 2013 16:45:37 GMT -5
My smokeless muzz barrel is black oxide and looks great with the SS Encore frame.
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Post by fullrut on Mar 27, 2013 21:50:43 GMT -5
My smokeless muzz barrel is black oxide and looks great with the SS Encore frame. GOOD, I can't wait to get mine. |
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Post by dbd870 on Mar 28, 2013 1:11:55 GMT -5
I like the 2 tone T/C look as well. Agreed, I like the ss barrel mounted on a black matte frame. yes indeed |
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