Community > Advocacy, Agencies, Access
Proposal to Amend WDFW allowed weapons in Firearm Restriction Areas
Chad McMullen:
--- Quote from: CP on February 10, 2020, 01:21:06 PM --- rifles firearms chambered for straight-wall cartridges discussed below; or shotguns, so long as the equipment and ammunition complies with department rules. Allowable straight-wall cartridges fired from rifles firearms shall have a minimum diameter of 0.35 inches. Legal cartridges must have a minimum case length of 1.25 inches and a maximum case length 2.25 inches. .38 special, .44 special, and similar cartridges of reduced energy are not legal for use on big game.
--- End quote ---
Hey - this makes some sense. No arguing with the game officer whether a "carbine" counts as a "rifle", and it fixes a pointless exclusion: revolvers are allowed, and semi-auto (10mm+) pistols are allowed - but as the law is written now it excludes single-shot pistols.
mikeybuck:
I'm all for it. I've sent emails before. Would love to use my Ruger 44 carbine.
That that said, I have no issues with my shotgun. But my wife can't handle the recoil of the shotgun with slugs. Kinda sucks cause she would like to hunt in the back yard. She has no issues shooting one of the 44 or 357 carbines.
Chad McMullen:
--- Quote from: mikeybuck on February 11, 2020, 01:56:06 PM ---I'm all for it. I've sent emails before. Would love to use my Ruger 44 carbine.
--- End quote ---
The next three-year cycle for significant rule changes starts later this year, when WDFW cracks open the treasure chest of accumulated "significant rule change" suggestions of the past three years. Adoption of a pistol-caliber/straight-wall caliber rifle/carbine rule change to FRAs could potentially hit the books for the 2021 season…but I know better than to hold my breath.
The WDFW person I spoke with (also about two weeks ago) was generally receptive but also said an important thing they take into consideration is public support, and hearing from many voices favoring any particular rule change. This played a substantial role in WDFW incorporating 209 primers and other modifications to muzzleloading equipment rules, and also the adoption of crossbows. The WDFW guy said that the muzzies and the archers are good at banding together, speaking with common goals, and getting their ideas to be heard -- but for whatever reason, the modern firearm hunters tend to be less organized...
--- Quote from: mikeybuck on February 11, 2020, 01:56:06 PM ---...But my wife can't handle the recoil of the shotgun with slugs. Kinda sucks cause she would like to hunt in the back yard. She has no issues shooting one of the 44 or 357 carbines.
--- End quote ---
I'm with you there -- I can handle a mule kick to the shoulder just fine - I am 6'4" and 240lbs - but that should NOT have to be the standard, or be a barrier to entry for the harvest of big game by smaller-framed hunters. And for what it's worth, the target practice involved with becoming proficient with a .357 mag or .44 mag (etc.) is both less intimidating, much cheaper, and far more FUN than it is with a shotgun and slugs. Doesn't WDFW have an interest in growing the ranks of the hunting public? Well there's an idea...
luvmystang67:
I was thinking of picking up one of these bad boys for exactly this purpose:
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/henry-mares-leg-44-remington-magnum-lever-action-pistol
Part of me wishes they'd just start a running list of calibers that meet criteria for firearm restriction instead of being so vague. With the growth in firearm restricted areas why can't they just say the following list of rounds are admissible in a firearm restricted area:
.44 Mag
.41 Mag
.357 Mag
.30-30 (maybe)
.45-70 (maybe)
etc.
These rules are in place for safety and to limit how far a projectile will fly, you cant tell me a 12 gauge sabot slug is any better/worse than a .44 mag rifle, its just he rifle should be more accurate. They should love this compromise. Plus it'd be FUN! Imagine us all out there with our lever action rifles. I really hate shotguns for deer. I always use my muzzy instead.
Chad McMullen:
--- Quote from: luvmystang67 on February 11, 2020, 02:39:19 PM ---I was thinking of picking up one of these bad boys for exactly this purpose:
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/henry-mares-leg-44-remington-magnum-lever-action-pistol
Part of me wishes they'd just start a running list of calibers that meet criteria for firearm restriction instead of being so vague. With the growth in firearm restricted areas why can't they just say the following list of rounds are admissible in a firearm restricted area:
.44 Mag
.41 Mag
.357 Mag
.30-30 (maybe)
.45-70 (maybe)
etc.
These rules are in place for safety and to limit how far a projectile will fly, you cant tell me a 12 gauge sabot slug is any better/worse than a .44 mag rifle, its just he rifle should be more accurate. They should love this compromise. Plus it'd be FUN! Imagine us all out there with our lever action rifles. I really hate shotguns for deer. I always use my muzzy instead.
--- End quote ---
I worked out the trajectories for 12g and 20g sabot slugs and the common lever-action revolver rounds - .357 mag, .44 mag, .45 Colt, and .454 Casull -- for all practical purposes, the flight paths for all of those are identical when they're zeroed to 100 yards. When fired from the level at a height of 36 inches, they all hit the dirt inside of 275 yards. .45-70 will go perhaps 25 yards farther. Some of the newer bear cartridges, plus bottlenecks like .30-30 may go considerable further.
There is some advantage to a rule change naming specific allowed cartridges -- but then inevitably some worthy-but-obscure cartridge will be left off the list, and outrage ensues...it's also a lot for the enforcement officer to have to keep track of. By specifying min-max casing dimensions you give the EO an easy go/no-go criteria, and something that can be measured directly, and in the field.
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