Straight-Wall Rifle Cartridges: Where Are They Legal?

For decades, hunters in several states (or areas within those states) have been restricted to shotguns and muzzleloaders when it comes to taking deer-sized game with a long gun. At some point in history, these states/regions decided that prohibiting the use of high-velocity rifle cartridges would make the woods safer. Putting aside the lack of science behind these laws and rules, they existed for decades. Today, though, things are changing.

As of this writing, only Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and the southern half of Minnesota do not allow rifle cartridges of any kind for taking deer. In essence, rifle cartridges can be used for deer hunting in 46.5 U.S. states. In most of the nation, deer cartridge restrictions are relatively liberal, but in the Midwestern states that most recently approved the use of rifles for taking game, only straight-wall rifle cartridges are permitted.

A straight-wall rifle cartridge is just what it sounds like: a cartridge whose case is straight or slightly tapered without a defined bottleneck or shoulder. Straight-wall cartridges are a holdover from the black powder era, and classic examples would include the .45-70 Government or .45 Colt. These rounds often use relatively heavy bullets with large frontal areas but operate at lower muzzle velocities than their bottlenecked cousins. At reasonable ranges, these cartridges can be devastatingly effective on game.

Firearm and ammunition manufacturers have recently developed cartridges that are specifically designed to fill this niche, including the .350 Legend and .360 Buckhammer. These cartridges maximize ballistic performance while complying with most states’ restrictions.

Each jurisdiction’s laws and rules differ in respect to using these cartridges, so the details are important. We have prepared a state-by-state breakdown of which straight-walled cartridges are authorized in the deer woods within the states that mandate their use. When in doubt, consult the state’s DNR or relevant agency’s website.

Indiana

According to Indiana’s rules, most common bottlenecked cartridges are legal for use on private land. Rifle cartridges for public lands (state and federal property) must fire a bullet of .357 inch diameter or larger, have a minimum case length of 1.16 inch, and have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches. It bears noting that popular cartridges such as the .45-70 Government and .444 Marlin exceed the maximum case length and are therefore not authorized for use. The .360 Buckhammer makes the cut with a brass length right at 1.8 inches.

Indiana’s DNR agency even provides a non-exhaustive list of cartridges legal for deer hunting on public land: .350 Legend, .357 Magnum, .38-.40 Winchester, .41 Magnum, .41 Special, .44 Magnum, .44 Special, .44-.40 Winchester, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .458 SOCOM, .475 Linebaugh, .480 Ruger, .50 Action Express, .500 S&W, .460 Smith & Wesson, .450 Bushmaster, and .50 Beowulf. Indiana’s regulations do not restrict which types of rifles that can be used, only the chambering.

Iowa

The Hawkeye State allows centerfire straight-walled rimless cartridges chambered for handgun use with bullets from .357 inch to .500 inch diameter and a case length from .850 inch to 1.800 inch. This translates to cartridges including the 10mm Auto and .50 AE. Centerfire straight-walled rimmed cartridges are also legal for hunting when chambered for handgun use with bullets from .357 inch to .500 inch diameter with a case length from 1.285 inch to 1.800 inch. Curiously, the .44 Magnum does not fit within this size window, but the .454 Casull does. According to the state, this criterion includes the .450 Bushmaster and .45 Raptor. A handful of cartridges that do not meet these definitions are grandfathered in for use, specifically the .375 Winchester, .444 Marlin, and .45-70 Government since they were allowed as handgun hunting cartridges prior to the 2017 rule change. Iowa doesn’t restrict what type of rifles can be used, so long as they are chambered appropriately. Note that, during the special antlerless season in select counties, any centerfire rifle in .223 caliber or larger is allowed.

Illinois

As of January 2023, Illinois allows the taking of deer with single-shot rifles in the state. Rifles can be chambered in either bottlenecked or straight-wall cartridges .30 caliber or larger, though the heavy restrictions that the state places on bottlenecked cartridges (case length no longer than 1 2/5”) makes straight-wall cartridges like the .350 Legend or .360 Buckhammer the natural choice.

Michigan

Within Michigan’s “limited firearms deer zone,” rifle hunters are restricted to using straight-walled cartridges that are .35 caliber or larger with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches. The .360 Buckhammer is ideally suited in this definition with a case length right at the 1.80-inch maximum.

Michigan’s regulations also specify that it is unlawful to hunt with “a semiautomatic shotgun or rifle other than .22 caliber or smaller rimfire, capable of holding more than six shells at one time in the magazine and barrel combined.” Translation: Semi-automatic rifles must use five-round magazines or fewer.  Pistols used for deer must be “capable of holding no more than nine shells at one time in the barrel and magazine combined and loaded with straight-walled cartridges.”

Ohio

Ohio’s rules are relatively straightforward. All straight-walled cartridge calibers from a minimum of .357 inch to a maximum of .50 inch are authorized with no restrictions as to length. Straight-walled cartridge rifles can be loaded with no more than three cartridges in the chamber and magazine combined.

Given the data that I’ve examined, I question whether cartridge restrictions add any margin of safety in the woods. Shotgun slugs, for example, can travel to extreme ranges. Still, hunters must comply with the applicable laws and rules in place until common sense prevails. The good news is that hunters are not handicapped by straight-walled cartridges, at least in terms of terminal performance. Sure, the .350 Legend and .360 Buckhammer can’t match the .300 PRC in terms of a flat trajectory, but they are well-suited to Midwest whitetail hunts.

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