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I finally found my bear rifle errr, I mean bear shotgun. It is an original model Ithaca Deerslayer III. It may not sound like anything special to most folks. However it is a steel receiver Model 37 Ithaca with a very heavy fully rifled bullbarrel screwed into that steel action just like a rifle for a solid connection. It also comes with a laminated stock for a solid connection stock to action mating. The parkerized matte finish on the metal action and barrel takes out all the shine from the metal surfaces that might spook game unlike the new Ithaca Deerslayer IIIs produced by the newly reconstituted Ithaca Company under new owners. The new Deerslayer III has a polished wood stock and a lighter polished fluted & blued barrel. That is why I have searched so long for an original model because to me the original more suited my ideal for a hunting weapon for field use in all weather.
I love the heavy .73 caliber bullbarrel. No, it is not a feather weight at almost 11 ½ pounds with a 1x4 scope on it but I love its feel of heft. Being a large person of 6’5” and 300 lbs., a former defense tackle and weight lifter, I find the heft allows the gun to track well and helps steady my breathing. My two choices of loads until I find something better are the Dixie Terminator and the Winchester 385 grain Partition Gold.
The Dixie Terminator I plan for my Black Bear load. With the 25” barrel on the Deerslayer III the Terminator should clock at 1350 FPS and with a solid heat treated 730 grain .73 caliber fullbore slug offer all the power I ever need.
For Deer I plan to use the Winchester 385 grain Partition Gold at 2000 FPS. Since I am going to mount a Leupold Mark 4 1.5-5x20mm scope on it I will have a range card to be able to change the setting on the tactical scope between the two zeros with minimal hassle.
I can hardly wait to get the total package together and to the range.
Information on Dixie Terminator Slugs penetration:
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=39309
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The center Terminator penetrated 29 inches into the wet pack. On the right is the Terminator recovered nearly 15 inches into the wet pack after powdering the cattle bone in the Bone Box.
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Winchester 385 grain Partition Gold
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Technical Information
Muzzle Velocity: 2000 fps
Muzzle Energy: 3419 ft. lbs.
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I love the heavy .73 caliber bullbarrel. No, it is not a feather weight at almost 11 ½ pounds with a 1x4 scope on it but I love its feel of heft. Being a large person of 6’5” and 300 lbs., a former defense tackle and weight lifter, I find the heft allows the gun to track well and helps steady my breathing. My two choices of loads until I find something better are the Dixie Terminator and the Winchester 385 grain Partition Gold.
The Dixie Terminator I plan for my Black Bear load. With the 25” barrel on the Deerslayer III the Terminator should clock at 1350 FPS and with a solid heat treated 730 grain .73 caliber fullbore slug offer all the power I ever need.
For Deer I plan to use the Winchester 385 grain Partition Gold at 2000 FPS. Since I am going to mount a Leupold Mark 4 1.5-5x20mm scope on it I will have a range card to be able to change the setting on the tactical scope between the two zeros with minimal hassle.
I can hardly wait to get the total package together and to the range.
Information on Dixie Terminator Slugs penetration:
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=39309
The center Terminator penetrated 29 inches into the wet pack. On the right is the Terminator recovered nearly 15 inches into the wet pack after powdering the cattle bone in the Bone Box.
Winchester 385 grain Partition Gold
Technical Information
Muzzle Velocity: 2000 fps
Muzzle Energy: 3419 ft. lbs.
