quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
I fail to see why nobody has mentioned the .25 auto for deer.

The way our hunting power regs are written, would be legal if fired from a rifle. Long as it's over.23 dia.

Grizz

quote:

The way our hunting power regs are written, would be legal if fired from a rifle. Long as it's over.23 dia.

In Wis it would be a legal pistol caliber if one could get a 5 in barreled model and there was a rifled chambered for it.

Anything centerfire is legal in PA. Our rules are a little goofy. Assuming you could get it in a revolver, a .25 acp is legal for deer and black bear, but not legal for squirrel and rabbits.

quote:

Originally posted by kjjm4:
Anything centerfire is legal in PA. Our rules are a little goofy. Assuming you could get it in a revolver, a .25 acp is legal for deer and black bear, but not legal for squirrel and rabbits.

Goofy gun laws are better than "1000 ft-lbs at the muzzle" silliness. Tennessee requires a four inch barrel for your centerfire, no minimum caliber. I started with a .41 Magnum followed by a .44 Magnum. Both were effective bordering on spectacular compared to being over bulleted with a 180 grain PSP Remington in .308 Winchester caliber. I've worked my way cautiously down to my typical carry guns, including a 45 Colt (255@1060), .44 Special (240@1000), 45 ACP/AR(200@950). I want to try my 40S&W(200@1100) and 10mm Auto (200@1200) and finally .357 Magnum (158@1200). The 9mm isn't my choice of primary carry or hunting gun and neither is a J frame .38 Spl. The US Navy did require me to carry a 4 inch S&W 38 Special with 158 grain JRN. In that one case a good 9mm auto would have been an improvement. The original poster may decide a 9mm is OK with a heavy for caliber bullet. He isn't a beginner as he has taken a deer with a 454 Casull at 110 yards. (Wow!) Getting up close to a black bear with a 41 magnum should shown he isn't susceptible to buck fever. I like the fact he passed up on the shot, the hallmark of a true handgun hunter. He may just want to expand his experience and prove some theories from personal experience.