|
|
Post by huntin4ever on Nov 17, 2010 11:01:41 GMT -5
Hey all..
I've been doing some research on PCR's and I find mixed feelings on just about every gun I've looked at. I know that many of you have a PCR so let me know what works for you, what you've tried, hand loads or factory loads, max yardage, etc...
I'm thinking of getting a H&R Handi-Rifle as a starter in .44 Mag or 500 S&W...?
Also, I've read a little about custom guns like the .358 Wildcat and 35 Gremlin... Anyone know anything about those guns and the actual cost when its all said and done? Are they worth it?
THANKS!!
|
|
|
|
Post by 76chevy on Nov 17, 2010 11:05:49 GMT -5
357 max is hard to beat
|
|
|
|
Post by 76chevy on Nov 17, 2010 11:07:43 GMT -5
is it worth dropping $1000 for a custom gun for 16 days of deer season that performs only marginally better than a good ML rifle???
that is a personal descision
my 870 scoped and fully rifled works just fine for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by hornharvester on Nov 17, 2010 11:22:16 GMT -5
The answer depends on how much you want to spend.
Top of the line PCR is the .358BFG or 35 WSSM bolt gun, around $1000 un-scoped. Encore barrel $400 - $500.
Next would be the 35 Gremlin or equivalent. Im not sure of the Gremlins ballistics.
3rd Id say would be the .357 Maximum. You can buy a H&R .357 Mag single shot rifle and have the chamber reamed to Max for under $50. Loaded ammo is available from Remington.
Next in order of power would be 500 S&W, 454 Casull, 44 Mag, 41 Mag, 45 Long Colt, .357 Mag. Im sure there are a couple more that fit in that I didn't list.
I have the .358 BFG and it performed flawless on two big bucks this week. One buck was 200 lbs field dressed and the other 180. Neither buck went over 20 yards. h.h.
|
|
|
|
Post by featherduster on Nov 17, 2010 11:58:07 GMT -5
I asked this same question several months ago and and with the advise of the people on this board I settled on a H&R 44 MAG.HANDY RIFLE.
I purchased a stainless model that came with a lot of factory upgrades and if you read my posting that I made yesterday "IT WAS GOOD SEASON" you will know that I am sold on this little deadly rifle.
I used Remington 240gr bullets and even though I am not the kind of person that would take a shot beyond 60-70 yards this gun can put bullet after bullet in a tennis ball size circle at 100 yards.
As far as the knock down punch goes, my shot went clean through the deers rib cage area.
|
|
|
|
Post by swilk on Nov 17, 2010 11:59:33 GMT -5
the SOCOM is a popular choice as well.
I think in order to answer the "is it worth it" question you need to tell us what you would like the gun to do.
If your expectations are nothing more than needing something that will kill a deer stone cold dead out to 125 yards it would be tough to beat a .44 in any configuration. Cheap. Easy to get ammo. Easy on the shoulder. Accurate.
If you start to get more picky than that the recommendation might change.
The 358BFG or WSSM is the top of the mountain when it comes to deer hunting weapons in the state of Indiana. Do you need it? Is it worth it? That is for you to decide.
|
|
|
|
Post by parson on Nov 17, 2010 12:01:25 GMT -5
I have 2 H&R Handi Rifles, a .44 mag and a .357 that I reamed to max, but the .357 mag will do the job.
Either of these can be found for under $250, and they will work just fine within 100 yards. Of course, if you go to .357 max you can reach out farther.
I don't believe that I've ever shot a deer beyond 75 yards or so in Indiana.
|
|
|
|
Post by huntin4ever on Nov 17, 2010 13:04:09 GMT -5
It would be for deer hunting only.... must be accurate... reasonably priced ammo...
Sounds like .44 mag is the best "out of the box" gun...
What is the price difference in ammo?
|
|
|
|
Post by huxbux on Nov 17, 2010 13:07:14 GMT -5
100 yds or less, I'd go with the .44 mag. Handi rifle will do very nicely unless you feel uncomfortable with a single shot. If thats the case, I highly recommend a Ruger carbine. They don't make them anymore, but they're easy to find on any gun auction site. The Handi rifle has the edge in accuracy, but the Ruger will easily shoot 3 MOA out to 100 yds; plenty accurate for deer hunting. Top either off with a 2-7 power scope and you will never use a shotgun for deer again. Out past 100 yds, see hornharvesters post.
|
|
|
|
Post by huntin4ever on Nov 17, 2010 15:31:49 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the info guys....
The .357 Max has me very interested, but it will probably be the .44 Mag... I did see that H&R has a .44 mag/12 ga rifled shotgun combo for under $300... When a purchase is made I'll update, but it'll be a bit...
|
|
|
|
Post by whiteoak on Nov 17, 2010 15:43:30 GMT -5
is it worth dropping $1000 for a custom gun for 16 days of deer season that performs only marginally better than a good ML rifle??? that is a personal descision my 870 scoped and fully rifled works just fine for me. A guy does not have to spend a 1000 bucks for a quality PRC . You can buy a H&R Handi rifle in 44 mag or 357 ready to hunt for around 350.00 that will flat put the hammer on a deer. Used ones even cheaper. I recommend exactly that. I love my 44 mag Handi for the 16 days and the switching to one of my ML's the second 16 days. |
|
|
|
Post by swilk on Nov 17, 2010 15:51:35 GMT -5
76chevy was talking about the custom wildcats .......
If you go the encore route and have the frame already $1k would get you the barrel, rings, bases and a scope.
You still have dies and brass to buy which will run you at least $150 more.
Those wildcats aint cheap.
|
|
|
|
Post by barton174 on Nov 17, 2010 16:19:43 GMT -5
Eh... I hunt both gun and ML season with my .50 209 primed ML, using 150 gr. of 777 and 245gr Powerbelts... Seems to work well, does 1.5MOA, and I'd take a 150yd shot with it... Oh, and I've got less than $200 in the ML, scope, and rings... (It's a CVA Wolf)
I may put together a .458 SOCOM AR at some point (if we don't get allowed to use real rifles, sometime soon), but I'd be $1000 into it, and it would also be my in-home "social" go-to rifle...
Mike
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2010 19:23:22 GMT -5
44 mag can easily kill deer out to 150 yards maybe even out to 200. i know mine is dead on at 125 yards, just ask the big pig i shot in georgia, oh wait hes dead so you cant. lol
|
|
|
|
Post by huxbux on Nov 18, 2010 7:41:36 GMT -5
44 mag can easily kill deer out to 150 yards maybe even out to 200. i know mine is dead on at 125 yards, just ask the big pig i shot in georgia, oh wait hes dead so you cant. lol Very bad advice. While it may be possible to kill deer at 200 yds with a .44 mag; it certainly wouldn't be possible to do it consistantly and with a bullet drop of roughly 30" and muzzle energy of well below 700 ft. lbs; it would in IMHO, be totally unethical. The consensus in the hunting community rates the .44 mag out of a rifle length barrel to be a 125 yd. cartridge maximum. |
|
|
|
Post by oldhoyt on Nov 18, 2010 7:56:33 GMT -5
I'm not advocating the 44 for 200 yd shots on deer. BUT, ballistics for Federal's 240 gr load at 1760 fps shot from a 20" barrel are: With a 150 yd zero, about 3" high at 50 yds, 3.7" high at 100, 3.9" low at 175 and 9.4" low at 200. A very good shooter, shooting at known (and practiced) distances, could hit his target easily enough. The energy delivered at 200 does seem on the low end.
A longer barrel would do a little better, and handloads or hornady Leverevolution loads may also improve things.
|
|
|
|
Post by huntin4ever on Nov 18, 2010 8:25:16 GMT -5
I've read the minimum kinetic energy is 800 ft-lbs.... depending on load.... the .44 Mag may be capable of a 200 yd shot, but that is really pushing the limits....
|
|
|
|
Post by Woody Williams on Nov 18, 2010 8:30:18 GMT -5
My two cents...
When I was first looking at a .44 Mag Carbine a friend of mine in Montana says that he regulary kills elk with his out to 150 yards. Most DRT.
|
|
|
|
Post by 76chevy on Nov 18, 2010 13:35:10 GMT -5
Correct. There are cheaper ways to go with the HR rifle route. I looked into them and was not impressed with the quality. For a .357 max, the encore with a custom barrel looked to be the only real option 76chevy was talking about the custom wildcats ....... If you go the encore route and have the frame already $1k would get you the barrel, rings, bases and a scope. You still have dies and brass to buy which will run you at least $150 more. Those wildcats aint cheap. |
|
|
|
Post by BIGHORN on Nov 18, 2010 13:49:25 GMT -5
I will take my .445 Super Mag. out of my Encore barrel any day.
The .44 mag and .357 Max. rifles have their place.
It's all in what you want to spend and what feels good when you put it in your shoulder.
|
|
