Straight-Wall Cartridge States: Which Deer Ammo Is Legal Where

The Midwest straight-wall map has changed more in the last few years than in the previous few decades. Here is what the current official sources say, and how to check your own state.

Laws change and vary by state, county and city. This is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed October 2026. Check your state's current statute or a local attorney.

What "straight-wall" means

A straight-walled cartridge has a case that is roughly the same diameter from base to mouth, like most handgun rounds. A bottlenecked cartridge has a wide body that narrows to a smaller neck, like the .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor.

For decades, several Midwest states, including Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, kept bottlenecked rifle cartridges out of their deer seasons, citing safety in areas with dense human populations. Straight-wall cartridges generally have shorter effective range, which made them a compromise between shotgun slugs and full-power rifles. That rule created a market for cartridges like the .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster.

State-by-state summary

The table below reflects only what we confirmed in official or primary sources in October 2026. It is a starting point for your own research, not a substitute for the current regulations digest.

State	Rifle rule (as reviewed)	Official source
Ohio	Rifle chambered for a straight-walled cartridge, minimum .357 to maximum .515 caliber; necked-down rifle cartridges prohibited	Ohio Admin. Code 1501:31-15-11 (effective July 6, 2026)
Iowa	Cartridge rifles allowed in youth, disabled-hunter and both shotgun seasons, using ammunition allowed for handgun deer hunting: centerfire, expanding bullet, .350 to .500 inch diameter	Iowa Code 481A.48
Indiana	Centerfire rifles with bullet diameter of at least .219 inch; FMJ prohibited; public and private land	Indiana DNR deer hunting equipment page
Michigan	Lower Peninsula Limited Firearms Deer Zone eliminated for 2026; all legal firearms, including bottleneck cartridges, allowed statewide	Michigan DNR release, May 15, 2026
Illinois	Single-shot centerfire rifles allowed since Jan. 1, 2023: straight-walled .30 caliber or larger, or bottleneck .30 caliber or larger with case length up to 1.4 in; minimum 500 ft-lbs muzzle energy; no FMJ	Illinois DNR law-change FAQ

Each state's full rules also cover handguns, muzzleloaders, shotguns, magazine limits, seasons and special areas. Those details are left out here on purpose, because they change often and differ by zone.

Ohio

Ohio remains the most straightforward straight-wall state. Its deer rule allows a rifle "chambered for a straight-walled cartridge with a minimum caliber of .357 to a maximum caliber of .515," and it bars rifles and cartridges that are necked down. Handguns must be .357 Magnum or larger, straight-walled, with a barrel of at least five inches.

The .350 Legend is a special case. Its bullets actually measure about .355 inch, slightly under .357. Winchester listed the cartridge with SAAMI as .357 inch minus .003, and Ohio's published regulations have listed the .350 Legend as legal. Common cartridges that fit Ohio's caliber range include the .357 Magnum, .350 Legend, .44 Magnum, .450 Bushmaster and .45-70 Government. Confirm any specific cartridge in the current Ohio regulations.

Iowa

Iowa's rifle rule is written by reference to its handgun rule. Under Iowa Code 481A.48, a cartridge rifle may be used during the youth, disabled-hunter and both shotgun deer seasons, but it must use the same caliber and ammunition allowed for handgun deer hunting. That handgun rule calls for centerfire ammunition with an expanding-type bullet between .350 and .500 inch in diameter.

The statute leaves details to rules set by the state's Natural Resource Commission, and the Iowa DNR publishes approved calibers in its annual regulations booklet. Check the current booklet; some secondary sources describe changes in how Iowa treats case shape, and we could not confirm those details in an official source for this review.

Indiana

Indiana's rules have loosened in steps. A few years ago, rifles on public land were limited to cartridges with a bullet of at least .357 inch and a case length between 1.16 and 1.8 inches. Indiana DNR's current deer equipment page now lists centerfire rifles with a bullet diameter of at least .219 inch (5.56mm), usable on both public and private land, with full metal jacket bullets prohibited and a limit of 10 cartridges of each type carried at a time.

Handguns have their own rules in Indiana, including a minimum barrel length and case length, with specific exceptions. Read the DNR's equipment page for the full list.

Michigan

Michigan used to have a Limited Firearms Deer Zone across the southern Lower Peninsula that restricted rifles. On May 15, 2026, the Michigan DNR announced that the Natural Resources Commission had approved eliminating that zone for the 2026 seasons. The DNR says hunters may now use all legal firearms, including bottleneck cartridges, across the Lower Peninsula, and that firearms larger than .22 rimfire are permitted statewide.

If you hunted Michigan's southern zone with a straight-wall rifle, it is still legal; you simply have more options. Older guides and forum posts describing the zone are now out of date.

Illinois

Illinois is a different model. Since January 1, 2023, under Public Act 102-0932, hunters may use centerfire single-shot rifles for deer. Qualifying cartridges are straight-walled centerfire rounds of .30 caliber or larger, or bottlenecked rounds of .30 caliber or larger with a case no longer than 1.4 inches. They must be factory ammunition with at least 500 ft-lbs of published muzzle energy, and full metal jacket bullets are not allowed. The Illinois DNR notes that its cartridge list is not comprehensive and that hunters should confirm their own cartridge qualifies.

How to check a cartridge before you buy

Find the current regulations on your state wildlife agency's website, not a forum post or an old article. Note the season year.
Look up the cartridge's bullet diameter and case length from SAAMI or the manufacturer. Use the actual bullet diameter, not the name; a ".350" or ".44" in a name does not always match the measurement.
Check case shape. If your state requires straight-walled cases, confirm the case is not necked down.
Check bullet type. Many states prohibit full metal jacket bullets for deer.
Check capacity and season rules. Magazine limits and which seasons allow rifles vary.
When in doubt, ask. Call or email the state wildlife agency and keep the reply.

Where to find straight-wall ammo

If your state still requires straight-wall cartridges, these are the common choices. Ammunition Depot lists hunting loads in each:

.350 Legend ammunition, including Winchester Deer Season XP 150 gr
.450 Bushmaster ammunition, including Hornady 250 gr FTX
.45-70 Government ammunition, including Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr FTX
.44 Magnum ammunition, including Fiocchi Hyperformance 240 gr XTP

Use expanding hunting bullets in the field, not FMJ practice loads. For a head-to-head of the two most popular AR-friendly options, see our deer ammo by caliber guide, and for lever-gun loads, our .45-70 guide.

Safe handling applies in every state: treat every gun as loaded, be sure of your target and what is beyond it, and unload before crossing fences or entering vehicles. Straight-wall rules exist partly because bullets travel well beyond the deer.

Ohio still requires straight-walled rifle cartridges from .357 to .515 caliber, and Iowa's rifle rule is tied to its .35 to .50 caliber handgun ammunition rule. Indiana and Michigan have moved away from straight-wall-only rules, and Illinois allows certain single-shot rifles. Whatever your state, read the current year's official regulations before you buy a rifle or a box of ammo.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings and published sources. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and the law where you live.

Frequently asked questions

Which states require straight-walled cartridges for deer?

As reviewed in October 2026, Ohio requires straight-walled rifle cartridges from .357 to .515 caliber. Iowa ties its rifle rule to handgun ammunition of .35 to .50 caliber. Rules change often, so check your state wildlife agency.

Is .350 Legend legal in Ohio?

Ohio's published regulations have listed the .350 Legend as legal, even though its bullets measure about .355 inch. Confirm in the current Ohio hunting regulations.

Did Michigan get rid of the straight-wall zone?

Yes. Michigan eliminated its Lower Peninsula Limited Firearms Deer Zone for the 2026 seasons, allowing all legal firearms, including bottleneck cartridges, across the Lower Peninsula.

Can I use a .243 or .308 for deer in Indiana?

Indiana DNR currently lists centerfire rifles with a bullet diameter of at least .219 inch as legal on public and private land, with FMJ prohibited. Check the current DNR equipment page before you hunt.

Is .45-70 a straight-wall cartridge?

Yes. The .45-70 Government is a rimmed, straight-walled cartridge with a .458 inch bullet. Whether it is legal depends on your state's caliber and case-length rules.

Sources and further reading

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.