Any hunting situations where 5.56 is illegal for being underpowered?

[wacki]

Are there any hunting situations where 5.56 is illegal for being underpowered?

Just trying to debunk NPR anti-gun myths....

Thanks!

 

[MutinousDoug]

It's illegal in Colorado to hunt big game with a caliber smaller than .24"

 

[41]

Yep, I can't name them off the top of my head, but several states ban .22 caliber center fires from hunting big game. I'm sure someone will chime in in a minute with specific states.

 

[bikemutt]

I believe WA is .240 as well, for big game.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Hunting regulations vary greatly form state to state and change often.

This article may help:
http://www.nrahuntersrights.org/Article.aspx?id=6148

"States use a confusing variety of standards when writing firearm regulations for deer hunting. Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Virginia and Wisconsin indicate the minimum caliber hunters can use. But while Georgia, Michigan, North Dakota and Wisconsin all allow deer hunters to use a .223, states like Colorado, Iowa and Kansas do not. "

 

[bikerdoc]

.24 or above for deer in Virginia.

 

[steveno]

for a rifle to be legal in Nebraska the bullet has to have at least 900 ft-lb of energy at 100 yards. for a handgun it has to have at least 400 ft-lb of energy at 50 yards

 

[kimbershot]

many states have .24 minimum--big game (ie. deer)--usually state lands. check on line with state of interest--easy google search.

 

[ndh87]

Va as a min. Caliber requirement. 243 is the smallest diameter we can use

 

[k_dawg]

Even where legal, one would usually be better off with a good bullet in a .223 loading, than the typical M193 or M885 bullets found in most 5.56 NATO.

 

[wow6599]

Missouri is so laid back it's stupid. Any center-fire cartridge using expanding-type bullets can be used on deer.
As in .25 ACP......

 

[R.W.Dale]

As previously stated many states have caliber based limits on deer sized game that may exclude ANY 22 centerfire not just 223

While no belted magnum powerhouse its absolutely suitable for whitetail within its limits.



Probably a better more visual way to inform folks would simply be to have a 5.56 and a 7mm rem mag cartridge handy to show them.




posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complains about

 

[wgp]

Kansas, minimum .24 for big game with a rifle.

 

[pendennis]

Kentucky is .240 minimum; and Michigan is zoned, but any center-fire caliber is allowed in those zones where rifle is permitted.

 

[waidmann]

TN dropped .24 in favor of all centerfire in very recent years.

 

[goon]

The AR-15 is more popular than you'd think here in Alaska. I guess the general idea is to shoot the Caribou once and if it goes down, perfect. You've only used one round of ammunition (that's cheaper to start with and cheaper to have flown in). If you have to shoot it again, that's what the 30 round magazine is for.
Personally though, I'd use a more powerful round.

 

[bnsaibum]

Oregon restrictions:
.22 cal and larger for deer
.24 cal or larger for elk

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/big_game/regulations/weapons.asp

 

[jerinco]

MN allows .22 cal center fired for big game.

 

[Sav .250]

State DNR`s determine what min cal can be used for hunting. States may vary.

 

[JellyJar]

The OP didn't say anything about "big game" so I suspect that in most jurisdictions you can use 5.56 or .223 for "smaller" game. No?

 

[billybob44]

No .223 for Deer in Indiana. Can use .243+up in handguns. Can use .357Mag.+ all rifle calibers up to 1.800" case length on rifles.

 

[rhinoh]

On the flip side- in SC coyotes can be hunted at night, but if using a rifle it can be no LARGER than .22 rimfire

 

[rhinoh]

On the flip side- in SC, coyotes can be hunted at night, but if using a rifle it can be no LARGER than .22 rimfire......

 

[kwguy]

When folks from media outlets try to make the argument that AR's are not for hunting, they are really showing their ignorance. I know the OP originally asked about 5.56, but the AR really isn't a 5.56 rifle any more. It can be any caliber that you want with a change of the upper. Due to this, it's actually one of the best hunting rifles out there. Anything from varmints large game with a caliber change. Maybe that is the angle from which to approach that discussion. They try to frame the argument with the caliber type, but that's a flawed premise from the start.

 

[Master Blaster]

Another issue that bears on this question and affects the use of an AR-15, is that of magazine capacity. Many states limit the number of rounds in the magazine irregardless of the type of firearm. Some states do not allow a centerfire rifle at all, and require the use of a shotgun.