BEST STRAIGHT-WALLED DEER CARTRIDGES

For those who hunt exclusively in the West, the Deep South, or anywhere outside the Midwest, this article isn't for you (unless this is a topic you're interested in). Why? Because, in the Midwest, including my home state of Ohio, we don't enjoy the same cartridge freedoms for hunting that others do. Can I hunt coyotes with my 6.5 Creedmoor rifle? Sure! Can I hunt deer with that same rifle? Absolutely not! In states like Ohio, Michigan (excluding the UP), Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois, we are mainly limited to straight-wall rifle cartridges for deer hunting. However, it's not just that; there are also diameter restrictions and case length limits for cartridges (TTUN). It's incredibly frustrating and, as you can imagine, causes confusion. So, for this article, I thought I'd share a list of popular straight-wall rifle cartridges currently available. But first, a couple of disclaimers: this list will not include straight-wall pistol cartridges (like 44 Rem. Mag) nor wildcats (such as the 45 Raptor or 45-70 Automax—both are cool, and you should definitely buy one, but those aren't usually an option for most deer hunters).

THE CARTRIDGES

Below is a list of the most common(ish) straight-wall cartridges. Most of the time, you can find modern rifles chambered in these, while others might require you to do some hunting.

350 Legend: Arguably the most successful of the modern straight-walled cartridges, the 350 Legend was developed by Winchester and debuted in 2019. Formed from a straightened 223 Remington case, the 350 Legend fires 35 caliber projectiles at speeds exceeding 2300 fps (with 150 or 160-grain bullets). It also maintains a sub-1.80" case length to meet individual state laws. This is what I currently use and have found to be more than capable. It's also light-recoiling and the most affordable of the cartridges on this list (FMJ loads can be found for under $20, while hunting loads can be as low as $25). There's even subsonic ammo available! The best part is that nearly every manufacturer produces ammo. You can find ARs, bolt-action rifles, and single-shot rifles chambered in 350 Legend.

360 Buckhammer: One of the newest members of the straight-wall club, the 360 Buckhammer was designed to mimic the performance of the legendary 30-30 Winchester. Sitting at 1.80" overall length, the Buckhammer fits within Michigan's case length limit (1.80" max). For performance, it fires a 180-grain projectile at 2400 fps, while the 200-grain projectile is fired at 2200 fps. Due to its rimmed case, this is only available in lever-action and single-shot rifles. For reloaders, it utilizes .358-inch-diameter bullets, making things a bit easier than with the 350 Legend. Its most significant detriment is the availability of ammunition. Outside of Remington, not many places are producing it.

38-55 Winchester: This may seem like an unusual preference, but I have a fondness for the 38-55 Winchester. Introduced in 1884, the 38-55 was among the first cartridges offered in Winchester's famous Model 1894 rifle. It is also notable for being the parent case of the 30-30 Winchester, 32 Winchester Special, and 375 Winchester (another of my favorites). The cartridge features a rimmed case that measures 2.085 inches in length, with an overall cartridge length of 2.51 inches. While it's not known for high velocity, it can propel 255-grain bullets to muzzle speeds ranging from around 1,300 fps—comparable to the original 19th-century loads—to up to 1,950 fps in +P configurations like those offered by Buffalo Bore. While there aren't many ammunition options available, Buffalo Bore, HSM Cowboy Action, Black Hills Cowboy Action, and Winchester are available. Not bad for a cartridge from the 19th Century. As of now, Henry offers one of their Brass Side Gate rifles in the classic chambering.

400 Legend: The 400 Legend, the newest addition to the straight-wall cartridge lineup, was crafted to fill the performance gap between the 350 Legend and the 450 Bushmaster. Utilizing .4005-inch diameter bullets, the 400 Legend's case was entirely designed from the ground up—unlike the 350 Legend, which is based on the .223 Remington. This approach gave Winchester the flexibility to tailor the cartridge precisely to its specifications. The design features a case body diameter similar to the 6.5 mm Grendel, complemented by a rebated rim that matches the 6.8 mm SPC bolt face, ensuring compatibility with MSR platforms from the outset. This could ultimately prove to be the best option for Midwest deer hunters. However, time will tell. Due to its newness, rifle and ammunition supplies are limited.

444 Marlin: Here's a mid-20th century release from Marlin, developed in collaboration with Remington to fill the gap left by the then-declining .45-70 government cartridge. Think of it as Marlin and Remington's attempt to modernize the classic, given the advancements in manufacturing. Their combined efforts resulted in what could be seen as an elongated .44 Magnum case, designed to fire the same .429-inch-diameter bullets but achieve a muzzle velocity of 2,350 feet per second. Both Hornady and Federal still manufacture ammunition, but not many places chamber rifles in it. The most common option available is a CVA single shot.

450 Bushmaster: The .450 Bushmaster was introduced in 2007 by Tim LeGendre of LeMag Firearms, who initially licensed it to Bushmaster Firearms International. Originally called the .45 Professional, this cartridge is based on the .284 Winchester, a rebated-rim design that was shortened to 1.700 inches and uses a small rifle primer instead of the large primer used in the .284. It is a straight-walled cartridge featuring a .473-inch rim, making it fully compatible with the AR-10 platform. The cartridge uses 0.452-inch diameter bullets, which are compatible with the .45 ACP, .45 Colt, and .454 Casull calibers. But really, this cartridge was at the beginning of the straight-wall revolution. When Michigan approved straight-wall cartridges for deer hunting, the 1.80 case excluded many of the classic cartridges like the 45/70 Government. Through a joint effort between Randy's Hunting Center in Bad Axe, Michigan, and Ruger Firearms for developing the Ruger American in the 450 Bushmaster. Now, Michiganders have an affordable bolt gun to fit their needs. That success spread to the rest of the straight wall states, where the Ruger American is one of the most popular options.

45-70 Gov't: the Grandaddy of them all. The ageless wonder. What once was the standard chambering for service rifles during the black powder era, the .45-70, has defied the ages and remains a popular and potent chambering today. Commonly found in lever-action and single-shot rifles, this has long been one of the most popular straight-wall cartridges. It is known for its potency (on both ends) and energy on target. However, ballistically, it isn't as superior as other options on this list. Its downfall is its recoil and price. Luckily, you do have a wide selection of ammunition from nearly every manufacturer. My longtime go-to has been Hornady's LEVERevolution with a 325-grain. FTX projectile.

Zooming Out

This list contains the most common and popular options. Others missing from the list include the .450 Marlin and the .375 Winchester. However, I excluded them from this list due to ammunition limitations and the scarcity of modern rifles chambered in them (Browning occasionally offers the BLR in 450 Marlin, but this is rare). Unfortunately, in the Midwest, we have unique laws that restrict the types of calibers that can be used for deer hunting. While to some, this might seem ridiculous, this is actually a massive step forward. Previously, many of these states were restricted to shotguns only (or muzzle loaders and handguns within certain restrictions). So, this is progress. Fortunately, the industry has responded with a range of new cartridges and rifles designed for the Midwest deer hunter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I've been working in the firearms industry for over 11 years, turning what began as a part-time job during my undergraduate studies into a full-fledged career. Along the way, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with outstanding people and companies while also earning a Master of Arts in History from Cleveland State University. Outside of shooting, reloading, and working on firearms, I enjoy reading, writing, and tinkering with Legos.