Just a reminder

[Sagebrushwilly]

I don't post much because this is mainly a West side forum. I've hunted in WA for
almost 60 yrs, so I'm not a rookie.
Last fall something caught my eye in the deer forum.  A member shot a deer with a
44 cal cap and ball revolver during the modern season.  Even posted a picture.  Now
most would think that the revolver meets the requirements because it has a 7 1/2 in barrel and is bigger than .240 cal.  However, the regs state that the minimum projectile is .240 cal or larger center-fire cartridge.  Therefore this weapon is illegal as a modern season weapon.  They also do not meet the requirements for big game muzzle-loading season.  They can only be used to hunt grouse and rabbits, per the regulations.  They cannot be used to dispatch a wounded deer or elk either.
This person has stated that he was not going to repeat this action in the future.
So this is just a reminder if you saw his posting and were thinking about maybe
trying it this fall.  Cap and ball revolvers are illegal for all big game.

[Bigshooter]

I don't post much because this is mainly a West side forum. I've hunted in WA for
almost 60 yrs, so I'm not a rookie.
Last fall something caught my eye in the deer forum.  A member shot a deer with a
44 cal cap and ball revolver during the modern season.  Even posted a picture.  Now
most would think that the revolver meets the requirements because it has a 7 1/2 in barrel and is bigger than .240 cal.  However, the regs state that the minimum projectile is .240 cal or larger center-fire cartridge.  Therefore this weapon is illegal as a modern season weapon.  They also do not meet the requirements for big game muzzle-loading season.  They can only be used to hunt grouse and rabbits, per the regulations.  They cannot be used to dispatch a wounded deer or elk either.
This person has stated that he was not going to repeat this action in the future.
So this is just a reminder if you saw his posting and were thinking about maybe
trying it this fall.  Cap and ball revolvers are illegal for all big game.

Yeah right.

I do remember the story though.

[EDT]

I dont find this forum to be mainly a "west side forum" at all. 

[snowpack]

I thought given the population of the state there would be more wetsiders actually.  Seems to have big numbers of wolf siders for how few live on that side of the crest.

[bobcat]

"Wolf siders"   

First time I've ever heard that term. And let's keep it that way!   

[winshooter88]

Give it time and East and West will both be wolf siders.

[stevemiller]

I don't post much because this is mainly a West side forum. I've hunted in WA for
almost 60 yrs, so I'm not a rookie.
Last fall something caught my eye in the deer forum.  A member shot a deer with a
44 cal cap and ball revolver during the modern season.  Even posted a picture.  Now
most would think that the revolver meets the requirements because it has a 7 1/2 in barrel and is bigger than .240 cal.  However, the regs state that the minimum projectile is .240 cal or larger center-fire cartridge.  Therefore this weapon is illegal as a modern season weapon.  They also do not meet the requirements for big game muzzle-loading season.  They can only be used to hunt grouse and rabbits, per the regulations.  They cannot be used to dispatch a wounded deer or elk either.
This person has stated that he was not going to repeat this action in the future.
So this is just a reminder if you saw his posting and were thinking about maybe
trying it this fall.  Cap and ball revolvers are illegal for all big game.

Unless its 45 cal or bigger right?with the 7.5 long barrel 

[crazysccrmd]

I might have to email WDFW about this to check up on it. I've considered trying to hunt with a percussion revolver, they are more than powerful enough when loaded properly.

e  A muzzleloading handgun must have a single or double barrel of at least eight inches, must be rifled, and must be capable of being loaded with forty- five grains or more of black powder or black powder substitute per the manufacturer's recommendations.
f  A muzzleloading handgun used for big game must be  45 caliber or larger
g  A handgun designed to be used with black powder, including black powder percussion revolvers, can be used to hunt forest grouse, cottontail rabbits, and snowshoe hares

Unless the distinction is being made between "muzzleloading" and "cylinder loading" I don't see the problem. Depending on model, percussion revolvers have an 8"+ rifled barrel, can be loaded with 45gr or more black powder, and fire a .45cal projectile.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I dont find this forum to be mainly a "west side forum" at all.

 

[Boss .300 winmag]

"Wolf siders"   

First time I've ever heard that term. And let's keep it that way!   

That is worth a chuckle

[crazysccrmd]

Thank you for contacting the Department with your question regarding lawful hunting methods.  In my experience most, if not all, black powder revolvers load from the cylinder and not the muzzle.  A lawful muzzleloader is a firearm that is loaded from the muzzle and uses black powder.  If your firearm meets this definition and all the restrictions set forth on page 76 of the 2013 Big Game Hunting pamphlet then it would be lawful to use.  A handgun designed to be used with black powder, including black powder percussion revolvers, can be used to hunt forest grouse, cottontail rabbits, and snowshoe hares.

Received a reply from WDFW on this topic. Sagebrushwilly is correct, a cap and ball revolver is not legal for big game hunting.

[MtnMuley]

I don't think his point was to debate whether this is or is not a west side majority forum.  None the less, I learned something new about a cap and ball revolver not being legal for big game.  Thanks, Sagebrushwilly.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Good info all around! Wolf Siders it is!

[oneshot12]

always good to know the rules when you go hunting  they very so much for state to state . you can us the pistol for hunting in some states on the east coast  .and the rules on black power hunting can be a real bear to understand in different states  just would like   them all kind of get on the same page for once