For those who hunt exclusively in the West, the Deep South, or anywhere outside the Midwest, this article may not be for you (unless the topic still interests you). Why? In the Midwest, including my home state of Ohio, we don’t enjoy the same hunting cartridge freedoms 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 such as Ohio, Michigan (excluding the UP), Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois, hunters are largely limited to straight-walled rifle cartridges for deer. Some states have begun expanding the use of straight-wall cartridges as well. In Arkansas, for example, straight-wall cartridges are now legal during the state’s “alternative firearms season.” On top of that, there are also diameter restrictions and case length limits for cartridges (TTUN). Yet another thing that adds to the confusion.
So, for this article, I’ve put together a list of popular straight-wall rifle cartridges currently available. A couple of quick disclaimers first: this list won’t include straight-wall pistol cartridges (like the .44 Rem. Mag.) or wildcats such as the .45 Raptor or .45-70 Automax. Both are cool, but they aren’t realistic options for most deer hunters.
The Cartridges
Below is a list of the most common(ish) straight-wall cartridges. Most can be found in modern rifles, though a few may require some searching.
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350 Legend:
Arguably the most successful modern straight-wall cartridge, the 350 Legend debuted in 2019 from Winchester. Built from a straightened .223 Remington case, it fires .35-caliber bullets at speeds exceeding 2,300 fps while keeping its case length under 1.80 inches to meet certain state regulations.
This is the cartridge I currently use, and it has proven more than capable in the field. Recoil is light, ammunition is affordable, and nearly every manufacturer produces it. You’ll find ARs, bolt guns, and single-shots chambered in 350 Legend. It is my go-to, and it’s the one I’ve recommended the most.
360 Buckhammer:
One of the newest additions, the 360 Buckhammer was designed to replicate the legendary .30-30 Winchester’s performance. It launches a 180-grain bullet at around 2,400 fps or a 200-grain at roughly 2,200 fps. Because it uses a rimmed case, rifles are generally limited to lever-action and single-shot designs. Reloaders will appreciate its use of common .358 bullets, though factory ammunition is still somewhat limited. For deer hunters who want the latest in cartridge design but want to stick with the classic lever-action platform, this is the way to go.
38-55 Winchester:
Introduced in 1884, the .38-55 Winchester was one of the original chamberings for Winchester’s Model 1894 and later served as the parent case for the .30-30 Winchester. While not known for high velocity, it pushes a 255-grain bullet between roughly 1,300 and 1,950 fps, depending on the load. Ammunition options aren’t plentiful, but companies like Buffalo Bore, HSM, Black Hills, and Winchester still keep it alive. Henry currently offers a Brass Side Gate rifle chambered for it. Otherwise, you’ll be hunting for an old Winchester.
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400 Legend:
The newest member of the straight-wall lineup, the 400 Legend was designed to bridge the performance gap between the 350 Legend and the 450 Bushmaster. Unlike the 350, its case was built entirely from the ground up and uses .4005-inch bullets. The cartridge also incorporates a rebated rim compatible with the 6.8 SPC bolt face, making it well-suited for modern sporting rifles. It shows serious promise for Midwest deer hunters, though rifles and ammunition are still limited due to its recent release.
444 Marlin:
Introduced in the mid-20th century through a collaboration between Marlin and Remington, the .444 Marlin was intended to modernize big-bore lever-gun performance. Firing .429-inch bullets at speeds around 2,350 fps, it delivers magnum handgun bullet performance at rifle velocities. Hornady and Federal still produce ammunition, though rifle options are somewhat limited today. While I don’t see many lever-action rifles chambered in it, CVA does offer the chambering in its Scout line of single-shot rifles.
450 Bushmaster:
Introduced in 2007 by Tim LeGendre of LeMag Firearms, the .450 Bushmaster quickly became one of the driving forces behind the straight-wall movement in the Midwest. Based on a shortened .284 Winchester case, it fires .452-inch bullets commonly used in cartridges like the .45 ACP and .454 Casull. Its popularity exploded after Michigan approved straight-wall cartridges for deer hunting, aided by the Ruger American rifle, developed in partnership with Randy’s Hunting Center in Bad Axe, Michigan. Today, it remains one of the most common straight-wall hunting cartridges.
45-70 Gov’t:
The granddaddy of them all. Originally adopted during the black-powder era for military rifles (the Springfield 1873 Trapdoor), the .45-70 Government has endured for well over a century. Commonly found in lever-action and single-shot rifles, it delivers tremendous energy on target. Its downsides are recoil and ammunition cost, but availability remains excellent. My longtime favorite load has been Hornady’s LEVERevolution with the 325-grain FTX. All the major lever-action manufacturers offer rifles chambered in this thumper.
Zooming Out
This list highlights the most common options. Others, such as the .450 Marlin and .375 Winchester, were excluded because ammunition is limited and modern rifles chambered for them are scarce. Midwest hunting laws may seem restrictive, but they represent real progress. Many of these states once allowed only shotguns or muzzleloaders for deer hunting. Today, thanks to industry demand and innovation, hunters have a growing selection of straight-wall cartridges and rifles built specifically for the Midwest deer woods.
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