Minimum caliber allowed for big game in PA?

[Tmygun]

Can someone please educate me on the smallest center-fire cartridge allowed for big game in PA? I don't hunt, this is just out of curiosity because I read elsewhere that any center-fire cartridge is allowed for big game in PA. I'm pretty sure that's wrong and knew this would be the place to verify.
Thanks!

[Remington788]

Its in here somewhere.

http://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Law/P...ingDigest.aspx

[SevenMilePete]

Can someone please educate me on the smallest center-fire cartridge allowed for big game in PA? I don't hunt, this is just out of curiosity because I read elsewhere that any center-fire cartridge is allowed for big game in PA. I'm pretty sure that's wrong and knew this would be the place to verify.
Thanks!

Any center-fire cartridge. Muzzleloader, 44 caliber or greater.

Deer and Bear, Regular Seasons
• Manually operated (pump, lever, bolt actions, single-shot)
centerfire rifles, shotguns (shotguns do not have to be plugged
when hunting deer, bears or elk) and handguns (revolvers or
single-shots) with all-lead bullet or ball, or bullet designed to
expand on impact;
• Muzzleloading long guns of any type, 44 caliber or larger, or
a muzzleloading handgun 50 caliber or larger, and;
• Long, recurve, compound bows (minimum draw weight of
35 pounds) or crossbows (minimum 125-pound draw weight),
with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at
least 7/8 of an inch with at least two cutting edges located on
the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface,
and may not exceed 3.25 inches in length. The use of buckshot
is not legal, except in the Southeast Special Regulations Area.

[Tmygun]

It's odd that they don't have any cal. limit in the "regular big game season", which includes deer, bear and elk. But on the specific elk season they say that the minimum is 27 cal. using a bullet of at least 130grs.
Thanks for the links.

[dkf]

Whats really odd is referring to turkey as "big game".

[4thdimension]

Any center fire is legal. My uncle has taken two bucks with a .22 Hornet. One with a head shot and one with a vital shot.

[Caeser2001]

Any center fire is legal. My uncle has taken two bucks with a .22 Hornet. One with a head shot and one with a vital shot.

a 5.56 AR would be fine with good ammo under 100 yards. By good ammo, I mean Barnes TSX or Federal Fusion.

[Yoder]

Here's a question for you guys: Can you use a semi auto shotgun in an area that does not have special regulations being shotgun only? So if my friend comes up to 3D from the Philly area can he use a semi auto shotgun with slugs or does it have to be manually operated like the rifles?

[Gyoas759]

It's a long ongoing discussion. I prefer a bit of a margin for error and only use 30 caliber and up. A 223 will kill deer, but if the shot is off a little, you have a lesser wounded animal with less chance of a good blood trail.

[4thdimension]

Here's a question for you guys: Can you use a semi auto shotgun in an area that does not have special regulations being shotgun only? So if my friend comes up to 3D from the Philly area can he use a semi auto shotgun with slugs or does it have to be manually operated like the rifles?

Someone posted the regs for deer. Looks like semi autos of any kind are a no go.