Min barrel length required for 450 bushmaster rifle for deer

[subzero350]

I am thinking about building a new (shoulder fired) rifle based on the AR-15 platform chambered in .450 Bushmaster, a rifle cartridge which the current hunting guide says is legal to hunt deer with in Indiana.

Can a 16" barrel be used or must it be 18" or longer to make it legal to hunt deer with in Indiana?

[morrison]

Upon reviewing the administrative codes that regulate the equipment allowed for deer hunting, they do not specify the length of a barrel required for a rifle. The only reference that is made to barrel length is under "handgun" which states that it cannot be a rifle with a barrel length of less than 18 inches. I have posted the administrative codes that apply below.

While what I have written above states what the administrative rule says at the time of this posting, I feel inclined to inform you that this has been a question/concern raised in the past. I know that discussions have taken place about editing the administrative rule in this area to make it more clear. If I was to give my opinion to someone 'building' a rifle that would be legal now and in the future, the most cost effective would probably use the 18 inch barrel. I could see an edit bringing everything in line also serving to make it consistent which would lead me to believe that "IF" a barrel length was ever provided it would most likely be the 18 inches. Again, that is my two cents which is not based on anything in statute or administrative rule.

THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE RULE IS POSTED BELOW.


(4) A rifle must fire a cartridge that meets the following specifications:
(A) Fire a bullet of three hundred fifty-seven thousandths (.357) of an inch diameter or larger.
(B) Have a minimum case length of one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches.
(C) Have a maximum case length of one and eight-tenths (1.8) inches.
Full metal jacketed bullets are unlawful.

(2) A handgun must:
(A) conform to the requirements of IC 35-47-1-6;
(B) have a barrel at least four (4) inches long;
(C) fire a bullet of two hundred forty-three thousandths (.243) inch diameter or larger; and
(D) not be a rifle that has a barrel less than eighteen (18) inches.