Which primitive gun?

[CW]

As posted above, I wouldn't buy anything until the legislature is out of session. Assuming the primitive weapons criteria stays the same, the best that I know of is a 358 STA barrel from MGM on an encore frame. I'm shooting 225 gr Accubonds at 3100 fps and it is a tack driver. Put one of those in a deer, and it is DRT.

[onesunflowerriver]

35CVA

[ufgators68]

Have any of y'all thought about buying the Knight KP1 centerfire rifle? It can be bought in 45-70 and 444.

I bought one a month ago, in 30-06, and it is a tack driving little machine. It's also priced between the Handi and the TC at $299(at most places).

[Deadeye]

I bought the CVA Optima Elite in 35 Whelen and absolutely love it. For the money, I personally do not think you can beat this rifle. Only shot about a box of ammo thru it and not one problem. I've killed 3 deer with it this season and the truama is devastating, I've never seen anything like it. I've shot a 270 for many years and never once can remember damage like this. I don't think you can go wrong with teh 35 Whelen caliber.

My .02, Dead

[duramax]

Get a 35 whelen in the encore pro hunter and be done with it. Its the only gun I use anymore, from beginning of rifle season till the end of primitive weapon. I'm not that great of a shot and Ive killed 2 does at 275 yards with it.

Encore doesn't count as a primitive weapon unless it's a muzzle loader. Unless something changed this year.

[hdforester]

Get a 35 whelen in the encore pro hunter and be done with it. Its the only gun I use anymore, from beginning of rifle season till the end of primitive weapon. I'm not that great of a shot and Ive killed 2 does at 275 yards with it.

Encore doesn't count as a primitive weapon unless it's a muzzle loader. Unless something changed this year.

Why not? Pretty sure it is.

[tombstone]

Get a 35 whelen in the encore pro hunter and be done with it. Its the only gun I use anymore, from beginning of rifle season till the end of primitive weapon. I'm not that great of a shot and Ive killed 2 does at 275 yards with it.

Encore doesn't count as a primitive weapon unless it's a muzzle loader. Unless something changed this year.

yes encore is fine.. It changed 2 yrs ago. Thompson must have payed some money.

The ruger #1 IS NOT APPROVED

[duramax]

Get a 35 whelen in the encore pro hunter and be done with it. Its the only gun I use anymore, from beginning of rifle season till the end of primitive weapon. I'm not that great of a shot and Ive killed 2 does at 275 yards with it.

Encore doesn't count as a primitive weapon unless it's a muzzle loader. Unless something changed this year.

Why not? Pretty sure it is.

Because it's not a pre-1900's replica. That's how the law originally was interpreted, and Encore's with rifle barrels (even with calibers larger than .35) did not count. But I guess that changed as Tombstone pointed out.

[donia]

Get a 35 whelen in the encore pro hunter and be done with it. Its the only gun I use anymore, from beginning of rifle season till the end of primitive weapon. I'm not that great of a shot and Ive killed 2 does at 275 yards with it.

Encore doesn't count as a primitive weapon unless it's a muzzle loader. Unless something changed this year.

Why not? Pretty sure it is.

from what i was told it is due to the design of it, doesn't fit the description.

PRIMITIVE WEAPONS
"Primitive firearms" for the purpose of hunting deer, are defined as single or double barreled muzzle-loading rifles of at least .38 caliber; single shot, breech loading, cartridge rifles (.35 caliber or larger) and replicas, reproductions or reintroductions of those type rifles; and single or double-barreled muzzle-loading, shotguns with single ball or slug. All muzzle-loading Primitive Firearms must use black powder or a black powder substitute with either percussion caps or #209 shotgun primers or flintlock ignition. Breech loading single shot rifles must have exposed hammers and use metallic cartridges. Cartridges may be loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless powder. Scopes of any magnification are allowed on primitive weapons.

[BR549]

The Encore was illegal at first but only because it had an interchangeble barrel. Just like LA is today. Since they changed that it has been legal in MS. This was done several years ago.

[donia]

The Encore was illegal at first but only because it had an interchangeble barrel. Just like LA is today. Since they changed that it has been legal in MS. This was done several years ago.

so did the pre-1900 design of the handi's nullify the same part that made the encore illegal w/interchangeble barrel? or is it that the encore had a different, more modern way of changing barrels? i've never even seen an encore to see how the barrel change functions, so that is why i'm asking.

[BR549]

The Encore was illegal at first but only because it had an interchangeble barrel. Just like LA is today. Since they changed that it has been legal in MS. This was done several years ago.

so did the pre-1900 design of the handi's nullify the same part that made the encore illegal w/interchangeble barrel? or is it that the encore had a different, more modern way of changing barrels? i've never even seen an encore to see how the barrel change functions, so that is why i'm asking.

Actions were never a question on any of em. The critiera said must have swinging hammer, rolling block type action (break open) and could not have interchangeble barrels. Same as LA law is today and all Federal Refuges even in MS. The Encore still is not legal on a Federal refuge even today as a muzzel loader becuase of the interchangeble barrel. Same with the optima elite muzzel loader. The interchangeble barrel was repealed several years ago though in MS. on all state and private lands.

[deltadukman]

I dont think the handi rifle is legal as a muzzle loader on any Federal Refuges either. I think it is truly muzzle loader. And I believe you can use an encore with a muzzle loader barrel on a Federal Refuge. Also, I believe when the laws were first written, it said that the action had to have a design date, or a patent date before a certain date...so yes, I think actions were a question....thats how the handi rifle got 'loopholed' into being legal.

[Seymore]

At first the actions did have to be designed before a certain date. 'ow I think it is just single shot with a hammer, no interchangeable barrel, and 35'cal or more

[cwink]

The 45/70 has killed Elephant in Africa and about wiped out the Buffalo here in the US, so it is WAY enough gun for a 120lb doe.. So I am not sure what happened on the deer you shot, but its not the caliber's fault. With that being said, the only weakness of the 45/70 is the trajectory of the bullet. It is not quite as good as the 35 Wheelen. If your not going with the Encore your limiting your caliber selections to 444, 35 Rem, 35 Wheelen..