When are semi autos legal for small game?

[R L Suehr]

Sorry for the zombie thread reply...

I have a question regarding semi-auto rifles and caliber specifically for groundhog hunting.

Page 48of the new Hunting & Trapping guide has the ammo and firearm rules. It states in part (paraphrasing) that semi-auto rifles in .22 or less can be used for small game hunting. At the end of the same paragraph, there is a Note which states there is no caliber restriction for groundhogs.

Does this mean we can now legally hunt groundhogs with a 5.56/.223 AR?

Hmmm...

Yes

[ExFlyinguy]

Sorry for the zombie thread reply...

I have a question regarding semi-auto rifles and caliber specifically for groundhog hunting.

Page 48of the new Hunting & Trapping guide has the ammo and firearm rules. It states in part (paraphrasing) that semi-auto rifles in .22 or less can be used for small game hunting. At the end of the same paragraph, there is a Note which states there is no caliber restriction for groundhogs.

Does this mean we can now legally hunt groundhogs with a 5.56/.223 AR?

Hmmm...

.223 Remington is .22 caliber just like a .308 is 30 caliber.

Not sure which part you are confused with

[Democrat Gun Owner]

.223 Remington is .22 caliber just like a .308 is 30 caliber.

Not sure which part you are confused with

I dunno about your interpretation. Technically, it says .22 OR LESS, and .223 is three thousandths larger than .22

Would the PGS have an issue with those three thousandths?

In any event, without the note as mentioned in my previous post, the actual language of the guideline mentions “rimfire,” .223 would be disallowed as it’s obviously centerfired.

[WWGunslinger]

the book states no caliber restrictions for groundhogs, so you can use .223, .308, .458, etc

[ExFlyinguy]

I dunno about your interpretation. Technically, it says .22 OR LESS, and .223 is three thousandths larger than .22

Would the PGS have an issue with those three thousandths?

In any event, without the note as mentioned in my previous post, the actual language of the guideline mentions “rimfire,” .223 would be disallowed as it’s obviously centerfired.

A .22lr is .223 in diameter

[Remington788]

.223 Remington is .22 caliber just like a .308 is 30 caliber.

Not sure which part you are confused with

While your statement is correct in a general mathematical sense it is not generally in a regulatory sense.
In the regs, small game references .22 caliber or smaller RIMFIRE. .223 Remington is centerfire.

There is however an exception for woodchucks. There are no caliber restrictions on woodchucks.

[aubie515]

Agreed...always read the fine print as PA hunting laws are goofy. Big difference between rimfire and centerfire...especially in say an WMU like 5C as you can only use rimfire and no centerfire calibers.

While your statement is correct in a general mathematical sense it is not generally in a regulatory sense.
In the regs, small game references .22 caliber or smaller RIMFIRE. .223 Remington is centerfire.

Also, 223/5.56 is actually a .224 bullet if anyone wants to be technical.

There is however an exception for woodchucks. There are no caliber restrictions on woodchucks.

[SevenMilePete]

While your statement is correct in a general mathematical sense it is not generally in a regulatory sense.
In the regs, small game references .22 caliber or smaller RIMFIRE. .223 Remington is centerfire.

There is however an exception for woodchucks. There are no caliber restrictions on woodchucks.

Or coyotes or furbearers, whatever that means.

[CoffeeMan]

The Savage 17HMR semiauto is incredible. No need for anything else on a groundhog