Introduction
Ohio’s hunting regulations, specifically concerning deer hunting, allow the use of straight-walled cartridge rifles. This change in the law, implemented several years ago, expanded the options for hunters, providing greater versatility and accessibility.
List of Legal Straight-Wall Cartridges for Ohio Deer Hunting
As of the latest information available up to November 2023, the following straight-walled cartridges are legal for deer hunting in Ohio:
- .357 Magnum
- .357 Maximum
- .38 Special
- .375 Super Magnum
- .375 Winchester
- .38-55 Winchester
- .41 Long Colt
- .41 Magnum
- .44 Special
- .44 Magnum
- .444 Marlin
- .45 ACP
- .45 Long Colt
- .45 Winchester Magnum
- .45 Smith & Wesson
- .454 Casull
- .45-70 Government
- .45-90 Winchester
- .460 Smith & Wesson
- .50 Action Express
- .500 Smith & Wesson
- .450 Bushmaster
- .50 Beowulf
- 10mm Auto
- .350 Legend
- .360 Buckhammer
- .400 Legend
These cartridges are recognized for their efficiency in hunting deer and comply with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) guidelines.
.357 Magnum: A versatile revolver cartridge known for its balance of power and manageable recoil.
.357 Maximum: A longer version of the .357 Magnum, designed for increased velocity and energy.
.38 Special: A popular revolver cartridge, less powerful than the .357 Magnum, but known for its accuracy and light recoil.
.375 Super Magnum: A relatively rare and powerful revolver cartridge, offering high velocity and energy.
.375 Winchester: A modernized version of the older .38-55 Winchester, known for good range and stopping power.
.38-55 Winchester: An old, but still effective, cartridge originally used in lever-action rifles, known for accuracy and moderate recoil.
.41 Long Colt: An older revolver cartridge, less common today, originally designed for self-defense.
.41 Magnum: A high-velocity revolver cartridge, offering a balance between the .357 Magnum and the .44 Magnum.
.44 Special: A lower velocity counterpart to the .44 Magnum, known for accuracy and a smoother recoil.
.44 Magnum: A powerful revolver cartridge, popularized by its use in hunting and by media exposure.
.444 Marlin: A high-powered rifle cartridge, designed for large game hunting.
.45 ACP: A famous semi-automatic pistol cartridge, known for its use in military and law enforcement.
.45 Long Colt: A classic revolver cartridge from the Old West, still popular for its effectiveness.
.45 Winchester Magnum: A more powerful version of the .45 ACP, designed for semi-automatic pistols.
.45 Smith & Wesson: Similar to the .45 ACP but with a longer case to prevent use in .45 ACP firearms.
.454 Casull: A very powerful revolver cartridge, capable of taking large game at close to medium range.
.45-70 Government: An old, powerful, and versatile rifle cartridge, used historically by the military and still popular for large game.
.45-90 Winchester: An extended version of the .45-70, offering increased power and range.
.460 Smith & Wesson: A high-velocity revolver cartridge, known for its long-range capabilities.
.50 Action Express: A large caliber semi-automatic pistol cartridge, known for its use in the Desert Eagle.
.500 Smith & Wesson: One of the most powerful production revolver cartridges available.
.450 Bushmaster: Designed for AR-15 rifles, it provides a high-power option within the legal limits for deer hunting in many states.
.50 Beowulf: A very large and powerful cartridge designed for AR-15 platform rifles, effective at close range.
10mm: The 10mm Auto is a powerful semi-automatic pistol cartridge. It offers higher velocity and energy than the more common 9mm and .40 S&W. Initially designed for the FBI, the 10mm is known for its stopping power and has gained popularity in hunting and self-defense.
.350 Legend: Introduced in 2019 by Winchester, the .350 Legend is a straight-walled hunting cartridge designed for use in AR-15 style rifles. It was specifically created to meet the regulations in states like Ohio that require straight-walled cartridges for deer hunting. The .350 Legend is known for its effectiveness in deer hunting, offering a balance of low recoil, sufficient power for ethical kills, and accuracy. It’s particularly appealing to hunters in states with restrictions on bottleneck cartridges.
.360 Buckhammer: The .360 Buckhammer, also known as 360 BHMR (9.1×46mmR), is a SAAMI-standardized straight-walled intermediate rifle cartridge developed by Remington Arms Company. It is specifically designed for use in American states that have regulations for deer hunting with straight-walled centerfire cartridges. Here are some of the key features and aspects of the .360 Buckhammer:
Purpose and Performance: The .360 Buckhammer is a cartridge optimized for lever-action rifles and is known for delivering flat trajectories and significant energy and velocity out to 200 yards. It is considered a top performer in the straight-wall cartridge category, particularly for hunting medium to large game such as whitetails, black bears, and hogs.
Cartridge Specifications: The 360 Buckhammer is a rimmed round that uses .358” diameter bullets, similar to those found in other cartridges like the 35 Remington or 35 Whelen. Initially, the bullets offered in 360 Buckhammer include a 180-grain soft point Core-Lokt and a 200-grain soft point Core-Lokt, with muzzle velocities around 2,200 fps. This design contributes to its effective performance over a 200-yard range.
Comparison with Traditional Deer Cartridges: When compared to traditional deer cartridges like the .30-30 and .35 Remington, the 360 Buckhammer is said to outperform them, making it a potentially great choice for deer hunters. Its combination of power, accuracy, and relatively manageable recoil makes it a promising option for various hunting scenarios.
Overall, the .360 Buckhammer is positioned as a robust and versatile cartridge, especially suitable for hunters in states with specific ammunition regulations, offering a blend of power, precision, and effectiveness at moderate ranges.
.400 Legend
The .400 Legend, also known as the 400 LGND, is a SAAMI-standardized straight-walled intermediate rifle cartridge developed by Winchester Repeating Arms. This cartridge was specifically designed to meet the hunting regulations of American states that allow only straight-walled centerfire cartridges for deer hunting. Here are some key aspects of the .400 Legend:
Design and Purpose: The .400 Legend was introduced following the popularity of the 350 Legend among hunters, particularly in states with restrictions on hunting cartridges. It is a hard-hitting, mild-recoiling cartridge optimized for deer hunting within a 300-yard range.
Ballistics and Performance: This cartridge is designed for hunting medium to large game. It has an effective range of approximately 200 yards and is capable of delivering significant energy to the target. The .400 Legend uses a .40 caliber bullet, typically weighing 160 grains, offering superior ballistics, deep penetration, excellent accuracy, and quick knockdown capabilities.
Compatibility with Firearms: The 400 Legend is a 40-caliber straight-wall rebated rim cartridge. Its rim diameter is the same as the 6.8 Remington SPC, and its maximum overall length is 2.26 inches. This design allows the 400 Legend to be used in AR-15 pattern firearms, making it a versatile option for a variety of hunting rifles.
Understanding the Regulations
The ODNR outlines specific regulations for deer hunting, including the allowed types of firearms and ammunition. The introduction of straight-walled cartridges provides hunters with more choices, accommodating those who prefer modern sporting rifles or have difficulty using shotguns due to recoil.
Conclusion
For deer hunters in Ohio, the range of legal straight-walled cartridges offers an array of options suitable for various hunting styles and preferences. Staying informed about the latest regulations and practicing safe hunting is crucial. Always check the current Ohio Hunting Regulations before planning your hunting season to ensure compliance with state laws.