twfowler,
re: I was not aware of any bans of .223/5.56mm ammo
slc.leg.wa.gov
WAC 232-12-047
Unlawful firearms for hunting.
It is unlawful to hunt any big game with:
(1) A fully automatic firearm.
(2) A handgun that does not meet the following criteria:
(a) For deer, bear, or cougar
(i) Be a minimum of .24 caliber;
(ii) Have a minimum barrel length of 4 inches, per manufacturer's specification; and
(iii) Fire a centerfire cartridge which uses a mushrooming or expanding type bullet that develops a minimum of 500 foot-pounds of energy at 100 yards.
(b) For all other big game species:
(i) Be a minimum of .24 caliber;
(ii) Have a minimum barrel length of 4 inches, per manufacturer's specification; and
(iii) Fire a centerfire cartridge which uses a mushrooming or expanding type bullet that develops a minimum of 750 foot-pounds of energy at 100 yards.
(3) A rifle with a bore diameter less than .240 of an inch (6mm), or barrel length less than 16 inches, except that cougar may be hunted with a .22 caliber centerfire rifle.
(4) A rifle cartridge with a bullet weighing less than 85 grains, or that develops less than 900 foot pounds of energy at 100 yds, except that cougar may be hunted with a rifle cartridge with a mushrooming or expanding type bullet weighing greater than 50 grains.
(5) A rifle cartridge containing a bullet other than a mushrooming or expanding type designed for big game hunting.
(6) A shotgun, provided that a 20 gauge, or larger shotgun, using shells loaded with slugs or buckshot size #1 or larger, may be used to hunt deer, bear, and cougar.
(7) A muzzle-loader that does not meet the definition as provided in WAC 232-12-051.
It is unlawful to hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.
It is unlawful to hunt game birds or game animals, except bullfrogs, in a manner other than with a firearm, a bow and arrow, or by falconry.
It is unlawful to hunt game animals or game birds with a shotgun larger than 10 gauge.
It is unlawful to hunt game birds with a rifle or pistol, with the exception of blue grouse, spruce grouse and ruffed grouse.
I think the idea is the average hunter isn't to good at shot placement, therefore the animal would walk away wounded if a light round (.223 55 grain) struck a bone. A larger caliber, .30-06 180 grain bullet, would smash through and increase the chances of a successful harvest. |
