Post by Stump Buster on Feb 7, 2010 0:28:02 GMT -5
A recent thread reminded me of this post from the old forum. If you're thinking of having a custom built for hunting in the US, this might be handy.
Does anyone have any updates?
Lee, Could we please have this as a sticky for future reference? THANKS.
From the old forum...
Just curious what each state mandates as the minimum barrel length legal for handgun hunting. Out here on the Left Coast, 4" minimum for big game and no length limit specified for small game.
(Smokeless centerfire cartridges just to keep it easy)
Thanks,
Stump
I'll keep tab, only 13 more to go.
(* LNS= length not specified...however, there may be Caliber/ME requirements. Be sure to check Regs prior to your hunt.)
AL 4"
AK LNS*
AZ LNS*
AR 4"
CA 4” (for Elk & Bighorn Sheep) no length restrictions for other game
CO 4"
CT 5.75" (Revolvers and single shot pistols with a minimum barrel length of 5.75 inches and not exceeding 12 inches and chambered for and using straight-wall
handgun ammunition in .357 to .50 caliber.)
DE 5.75"
FL
GA Big Game = centerfire Small Game = rimfire
HI
ID LNS*
IL 4"
IN 4”
IA 4"
KS LNS*
KY 6" (Deer- any centerfire handgun / Elk & Bear- min. 6" barrel, min. 550 ft. lbs. energy @ 100 yds. or .270 cal @ larger)
LA
ME
MD 6” big game (700 ft/lbs), LNS for small game
MA
MI
MN
MS LNS*
MO LNS*
MT LNS*
NE LNS* (cartridge must provide minimum of 400 foot lbs at 50yds)
NV 4"
NH
NJ
NM LNS* (.24cal or greater)
NY LNS* (BBL must be UNDER 16")
NC LNS* (CF) 5.5"(RF)
ND 4" (.35cal min for Deer/Antelope)(For Moose/Elk/Bighorn: Handgun (pistol, revolver or single shot) cartridge cases under .40 caliber must be at least 1.285
inches in length and bullets must be at least .257 inches in diameter. Handgun cartridge cases of .40 caliber or larger must be at least .992 inches in
length.)
OH 5" (.35cal min & straight wall case required)
OK 4"
OR LNS*
PA LNS* (For elk, rifle or handgun at least 27 caliber with an all lead projectile or bullet of at least 130grs designed to expand on impact)
RI
SC
SD LNS* (minimum of 500 ft-lbs for Antelope/Deer and 1700 ft-lbs for Elk)
TN LNS*
TX LNS*
UT LNS*
VT
VA LNS* (.23 caliber or LARGER, Pistols must generate at least 350 foot pounds of energy or greater.)
WA 4"
WV 4"
WI 5.5" big game (from firing pin to muzzle) 4" small game (from firing pin to muzzle)
WY LNS* (handgun cartridges must be at least 1.5" in length and .35cal or larger)
Does anyone have any updates?
Lee, Could we please have this as a sticky for future reference? THANKS.
From the old forum...
Just curious what each state mandates as the minimum barrel length legal for handgun hunting. Out here on the Left Coast, 4" minimum for big game and no length limit specified for small game.
(Smokeless centerfire cartridges just to keep it easy)
Thanks,
Stump
I'll keep tab, only 13 more to go.
(* LNS= length not specified...however, there may be Caliber/ME requirements. Be sure to check Regs prior to your hunt.)
AL 4"
AK LNS*
AZ LNS*
AR 4"
CA 4” (for Elk & Bighorn Sheep) no length restrictions for other game
CO 4"
CT 5.75" (Revolvers and single shot pistols with a minimum barrel length of 5.75 inches and not exceeding 12 inches and chambered for and using straight-wall
handgun ammunition in .357 to .50 caliber.)
DE 5.75"
FL
GA Big Game = centerfire Small Game = rimfire
HI
ID LNS*
IL 4"
IN 4”
IA 4"
KS LNS*
KY 6" (Deer- any centerfire handgun / Elk & Bear- min. 6" barrel, min. 550 ft. lbs. energy @ 100 yds. or .270 cal @ larger)
LA
ME
MD 6” big game (700 ft/lbs), LNS for small game
MA
MI
MN
MS LNS*
MO LNS*
MT LNS*
NE LNS* (cartridge must provide minimum of 400 foot lbs at 50yds)
NV 4"
NH
NJ
NM LNS* (.24cal or greater)
NY LNS* (BBL must be UNDER 16")
NC LNS* (CF) 5.5"(RF)
ND 4" (.35cal min for Deer/Antelope)(For Moose/Elk/Bighorn: Handgun (pistol, revolver or single shot) cartridge cases under .40 caliber must be at least 1.285
inches in length and bullets must be at least .257 inches in diameter. Handgun cartridge cases of .40 caliber or larger must be at least .992 inches in
length.)
OH 5" (.35cal min & straight wall case required)
OK 4"
OR LNS*
PA LNS* (For elk, rifle or handgun at least 27 caliber with an all lead projectile or bullet of at least 130grs designed to expand on impact)
RI
SC
SD LNS* (minimum of 500 ft-lbs for Antelope/Deer and 1700 ft-lbs for Elk)
TN LNS*
TX LNS*
UT LNS*
VT
VA LNS* (.23 caliber or LARGER, Pistols must generate at least 350 foot pounds of energy or greater.)
WA 4"
WV 4"
WI 5.5" big game (from firing pin to muzzle) 4" small game (from firing pin to muzzle)
WY LNS* (handgun cartridges must be at least 1.5" in length and .35cal or larger)