Texan_Til_I_Die Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 Did anyone catch the article in this month's NRA American Hunter magazine? They published some amazing facts regarding the relative safety of high powered rifles vs shotguns with slugs. It seems that for many years a lot of areas have been mandated as shotgun only based on the assumption that a slug wouldn't carry as far as a rifle bullet. But their controlled scientific tests proved otherwise. Except for a shot fired at an upward angle (how many of you ever shoot UP at a deer?), the rifle bullets traveled less distance than the slugs! It appears to be a function of ricochet. A rifle bullets striking the ground at almost any angle ricochets for a much shorter distance than a slug. I wonder what impact this data may have on future regulations regarding legal weapons for deer hunting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 Isn't that interesting..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born4it Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 I don't really think I would want rifle hunting in IL. With all the advances in technology and far shooting shotguns and slugs, it's really not needed. Plus, with all the people who drive and hunt deer like they hunt rabbits, shooting them on the run at 100 or 200 yards and such, I can't imagine what would go on if you put a 7mm in their hands! Good info though! Thanks :-) Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 As an IL resident I've always been told rifles were prohibited for safety reasons. With advanced technology slugs are being used effectively at 100 yards and even longer. However, I still believe rifles are much more accurate at long distances (unless current research I'm unaware of proves me wrong). Lately I've been hearing more and more on states that only allow shotgun hunting as a means of "managing" deer. The idea is that getting within 100 yards of a mature buck is more difficult than getting within 200-300 yards. Therefore more mature bucks survive to spread on their genetics. Not sure if I buy into that or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predator Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 Read the article. 1900 fps for slugs is certainly on the high end but I guess 1200 would not make much difference for ricochets. I hope PA's study does not cause more problems. New Jersey is looking to allow crossbows next yr for all archery seasons. Next they'll say no slugs anymore, you have muzzleloader and cross bows - what's you're problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted August 21, 2008 Report Share Posted August 21, 2008 An interesting study, but it is just one study and where it was conducted and the ground that these slugs were ricocheting off of were probably not realistic hunting habitat. Also, it does not address the issue of percentage of injuries from ricochet versus a direct hit. My other comment would be that these laws were passed more with the thinking that Foster or Brenneke style slugs (all that was available when most of these laws were passed) were what was being used. The use of saboted slugs, in both shotgun and muzzle loader, have dramatically changed the ballistics of these firearms. Since most deer are shot at distances of less than 100 yards I would have to think that in heavily populated areas it would make more sense to require the use of Foster style slugs than to allow high powered rifles just because they ricochet less. While saboted sub-caliber projectiles result in improved ballistics they do not make for better "hunters". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyman Posted August 21, 2008 Report Share Posted August 21, 2008 I live in a "Shot Gun only" State (and Muzzleloaders and some handguns). My understanding always was it is not so much about how far the projectile will carry, but with a shotgun being a relatively short range weapon, you're more likely to be sure of your target and background than with a centerfire rifle. I don't believe you will see centerfire rifles become legal in Illinois any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mailmanmark Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 Shotgun only? In the past few years upstate ny has been allowing certain counties to be able to use rifles in previous shotgun only zones. Since this inception, there have been the safest hunting seasons in history. Fluke? I think not. You don't have as many IDIOTS out there trying to lob a slug at a deer at over 200yds. I'm sure there are many more reasons why but that one is the first in my head.Just my .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starbux Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 I don't believe you will see centerfire rifles become legal in Illinois any time soon. I certainly hope not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazylegz70 Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 In my opinion....People have harvested alot of great deer in Illinois without the use of a rifle....why change it now? I think that I would feel alot better knowing that my target is within 50 yards of me and I KNOW what it is. I really dont know much about the ricochet of 2 different firearms, however I do know a man that was shot from a ricochet slug and it DIDNT pierce his body. Just a nasty bruise on his arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slughunter Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 I Like using my shotgun over my rifle. Where my home farm is we cant use rifles and I have no problem with it. Up at my lease we can use rifles but I still just use my remington 870 slug gun. -shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beagleboy Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 That's very interesting especially since I hunt and live in a shotgun only territory which is getting crowded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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