Primitive Firearms

[LiENUS]

In my state we have a primitive firearms season. The DWLF has a list of approved firearms at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/primitive-firearms-louisiana-seasons
I was thinking about getting a H&R Handi Rifle in 45-70 with iron sights and if i can find it a rail as well. Anyone have any suggestions as to a better option? Maybe a different caliber or would i be better off with a different gun on that list in the same price range?

 

[1prcntr]

Plenty of guys use them at our lease in southeast LA. Mostly 45/70 and 444 Marlin. I would strongly suggest getting the trigger done also. Not a bad rifle for only hunting with it two weeks a year. I just bought my son the compact H&R in 7-08 and it shoots fine. I'm waiting on DWF to approve the T/C Encore for Primitive weapon season.

 

[LiENUS]

I plan to pick up a couple of additional barrels, that's the big thing that appeals to me about it. Being able to use it as a 20 gauge, 12 gauge 22-250 45/70 whatever I want. I'll be using it for hog and deer hunting. My current gun I use is a marlin 917v with its 9 lbs of trigger pull so I think I'll be ok with the handi rifle as is but I do plan to get my Marlin's trigger redone at some point so I may as well do the same with my H&R. If my new credit card gets in early this week I plan to take it out to Sherburne this weekend so I'll be shooting it store stock.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

.45-70 is probably the smartest bet. They have discontinued the model in .450 Marlin, and .45 Colt, though they still show the .444 in a rifle as well as in a second, fitted barrel. They also show the .44 magnum. I am sending my handi-rifle in a smaller caliber out to get a second barrel fitted in .500 S&W, just 'cause I think that's a cool (though costly) round for a single shot rifle.

LD

 

[LiENUS]

I was aware of the 444 marlin. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a better option for some reason. I'm more interested in picking up a 30-06 barrel and maybe a 308 as well as 12 and 20 gauge barrels not too interested in multiple large calibers. Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[LiENUS]

Well I drove an hour away to stay at a friends house to go hunting in the morning. I got all the way there brought the stand, my .17 hmr my 22 lr my 12 gauge and borrowed my fathers winchester model 94 lever action. Get there and check my guns find out I forgot the bolt to the .17 hmr. Unload the stand for him to begin assembling and drive the hour home. I get home and stop by the mail to check for my credit card I was planning on putting the 45-70 on. It turns out it got in today. So I figure I needed another case for the small game guns so I run by Academy and figured I'd stop and ask about the H&R handi rifle to see if any were in stock (none in stock yesterday). Well they had one in stock, everywhere else they're 299$ at Academy they're 229$ I couldn't pass on it I bought it, the case and 20 rounds. Dropped the Winchester back off with my father, picked up my bolt and my boots and tools I'd forgotten for sighting in. Hour back to friends and now we're set up to leave early in the morning. Hope my luck with the 45-70 holds out. I've been checking all week and no one has had any in stock. I got incredibly lucky that the place with the cheapest ones got it in at the same time I got my credit card. So it's settled I got a 45-70 H&R Handi Rifle.

 

[critter]

You would have a very hard time in finding a round to top the grand old 45-70. I have a Ruger #1 in that round and have taken several deer and hogs with it. Big hole in-big hole out. Yet it doesn't mess up a lot of edible meat. Thumps on both ends. It just works. Wide variety of ammo types available. Can't go wrong.

Just remember that it isn't a long-range sniper rifle and you'll be ok.

Enjoy it and good luck.

 

[Daniel Boone]

I don't know why a 45/70 or any of the other calibers would be considered a primitive firearm.

Where I live at the only primitive season we have is flint lock muzzleloader season.

No scopes and no peep sights and no copper bullets.
No NP 203 primers and no centerline ignition systems.

 

[LiENUS]

Danial, here nowadays crossbows qualify as archery, I'm just waiting for them to approve the m203 for regular rifle season

 

[Sunray]

"...plan to pick up a couple of additional barrels..." They have to be fitted in the factory. H&R, now owned by Remington, doesn't sell extra barrels otherwise.
Kind of surprised a Handi-Rifle is considered to be primitive.

 

[LiENUS]

Sunray oh I definitely will be having them fitted in the factory. They're individually head spaced to the gun. But I want .30-06, 20 gauge and 12 gauge barrels in addition to my 45-70 barrel.
and the rule for primitive is designed before 1900, single shot breech loaded, exposed hammer and larger than .38 caliber.

 

[rogn]

A few states have declared some of the older BP cartidge forms as primitive to create more activity in the extra seasons. Apparently front loading in some communities is lacking.

 

[Elkins45]

Where I live at the only primitive season we have is flint lock muzzleloader season.

No scopes and no peep sights and no copper bullets.
No NP 203 primers and no centerline ignition systems.

You live in Kentucky? We don't have a primitive weapon season I'm aware of, and I just checked the KDFWR website before posting this. Here's what they list as legal muzzleloading weapons for our two legal muzzleloading seasons:

MUZZLELOADING EQUIPMENT RESTRICTIONS



Legal

Hunters may use the following to take deer:

• Muzzleloading rifles or handguns of any caliber

• Muzzleloading shotguns no larger than 10-gauge used with slugs only

• A muzzleloading firearm that can be fired more than once before reloading, as long as it meets the definition of a muzzleloading firearm (pg. 65)

• In-line muzzleloading firearms

• Telescopic sights (scopes)

Are you FROM Kentucky but are living somewhere else now? Or am I badly misinformed?