Hunting w/ 30 rd magazine

[Salmonmoocher12]

Im sure this has been talked about, did quick search and did not see anything current.  With the new Wa laws don't want to get pinched unknowingly.  Can I Deer hunt with my 300 BLK with a 30 rd magazine? Or do I need a 10 rd mag ? I dont own a10 rd mag, no need to buy one if 30rd are legal,  also I know this sounds dumb but the guy at bi mart gun counter i over herd him say you can not have a loaded magazine while driving in your vehicle? Is this True ? If so I have  been breaking that law for ever.  Any help clearing these up would be great.  I Did online seaches and get conflicting answers.
Thanks

[philepe]

I can give you my opinion based on my memory(your friend is wrong) but you will be much safer to read in the definition section of WDFW hunting regs.  It defines modern rifle and muzzle loader of what is legally loaded.

[jackelope]

Read the laws. Don’t take it from a bunch of dudes you don’t know on the internet.
FWIW I feel like people are telling you made up laws that are not remotely accurate.
You can conceal carry your Glock in your car with the appropriate permits, right?

[Timberstalker]

.

[jrebel]

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460

As it pertains to rifles and shotguns, I think the last line answers your question.  A loaded magazine that is not in the firearm is legal.  If it is in or attached to the firearm....it would be considered loaded and illegal.  At least that is how I was taught and how I interpret the law. 

As for the 30 round magazine.....just go buy a 10 round magazine.  They are cheap and will make carrying your rifle for hunting situations much easier.  I can't imagine walking through the woods with a 30 round magazine while hunting......not to mention the weird looks you will be getting from other hunters.      Two 5 or 10 round magazines would be perfect....one for your pocket / pack and one in the rifle.  More ammo than you a person should need for a day of hunting. 

[trophyhunt]

I just put 10 rounds in my 30 round mag if I’m using my .300 blackout, the mag doesn’t get in the way and I really don’t care what other hunters think.  Just my 2cents

[Bob33]

There is no magazine limit for a rifle when hunting bug game.

[Bearhunter308]

Loaded magazine in the vehicle is fine, as long as it’s not in the rifle. At least that’s my understanding. I just pop the magazine in the rifle and chamber a round when I exit the vehicle.

[Bob33]

Loaded magazine in the vehicle is fine, as long as it’s not in the rifle. At least that’s my understanding. I just pop the magazine in the rifle and chamber a round when I exit the vehicle.

The law actually changed this year. To be considered loaded there needs to be a round in the chamber.

[10thmountainarcher]

Loaded magazine in the vehicle is fine, as long as it’s not in the rifle. At least that’s my understanding. I just pop the magazine in the rifle and chamber a round when I exit the vehicle.

The law actually changed this year. To be considered loaded there needs to be a round in the chamber.

I remember seeing that, then finding something that was conflicting elsewhere. I just pulled up the regulations online and it appears to be the same verbiage as it used to be now.

LOADED FIREARMS IN A VEHICLE
It is illegal to carry, convey, transport, possess,
or control a loaded shotgun or rifle in any motor
vehicle (except for disabled hunters in compliance
with WAC 220-200-170. Hunters with disabilities
please reference page 82). A rifle or shotgun con-
taining shells or cartridges in either the chamber
or magazine, or a muzzleloading firearm that
is loaded and capped or primed is considered loaded. It is illegal to use an off-road vehicle to
pursue, harass, concentrate, or kill wildlife.


Edit to add the RCW where it is different from the above text.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460

[Salmonmoocher12]

Thanks for the info

[Bob33]

Loaded magazine in the vehicle is fine, as long as it’s not in the rifle. At least that’s my understanding. I just pop the magazine in the rifle and chamber a round when I exit the vehicle.

The law actually changed this year. To be considered loaded there needs to be a round in the chamber.

I remember seeing that, then finding something that was conflicting elsewhere. I just pulled up the regulations online and it appears to be the same verbiage as it used to be now.

LOADED FIREARMS IN A VEHICLE
It is illegal to carry, convey, transport, possess,
or control a loaded shotgun or rifle in any motor
vehicle (except for disabled hunters in compliance
with WAC 220-200-170. Hunters with disabilities
please reference page 82). A rifle or shotgun con-
taining shells or cartridges in either the chamber
or magazine, or a muzzleloading firearm that
is loaded and capped or primed is considered loaded. It is illegal to use an off-road vehicle to
pursue, harass, concentrate, or kill wildlife.


Edit to add the RCW where it is different from the above text.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460

The RCW was changed this year. Perhaps the online regulations have not been updated. This is the condition as stated in the RCW:

(b) The rifle or shotgun contains a shell or cartridge in the chamber, or is a muzzle-loading firearm that is loaded and capped or primed.

[jrebel]

Loaded magazine in the vehicle is fine, as long as it’s not in the rifle. At least that’s my understanding. I just pop the magazine in the rifle and chamber a round when I exit the vehicle.

The law actually changed this year. To be considered loaded there needs to be a round in the chamber.

I remember seeing that, then finding something that was conflicting elsewhere. I just pulled up the regulations online and it appears to be the same verbiage as it used to be now.

LOADED FIREARMS IN A VEHICLE
It is illegal to carry, convey, transport, possess,
or control a loaded shotgun or rifle in any motor
vehicle (except for disabled hunters in compliance
with WAC 220-200-170. Hunters with disabilities
please reference page 82). A rifle or shotgun con-
taining shells or cartridges in either the chamber
or magazine, or a muzzleloading firearm that
is loaded and capped or primed is considered loaded. It is illegal to use an off-road vehicle to
pursue, harass, concentrate, or kill wildlife.


Edit to add the RCW where it is different from the above text.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460

The RCW was changed this year. Perhaps the online regulations have not been updated. This is the condition as stated in the RCW:

(b) The rifle or shotgun contains a shell or cartridge in the chamber, or is a muzzle-loading firearm that is loaded and capped or primed.

I see your section 1 sub section b.....is accurate.  But then read the bottom or last sentence....section 5.  This reads as if the magazine cannot be in the rifle or shotgun.  Or am I reading it wrong??

RCW 77.15.460
Loaded rifle or shotgun in vehicle—Unlawful use or possession—Unlawful use of a loaded firearm—Penalty.
(1) A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a loaded rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle, as defined in RCW 46.04.320, or upon an off-road vehicle, as defined in RCW 46.04.365, if:
(a) The person carries, transports, conveys, possesses, or controls a rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle, or upon an off-road vehicle, except as allowed by department rule; and
(b) The rifle or shotgun contains a shell or cartridge in the chamber, or is a muzzle-loading firearm that is loaded and capped or primed.
(2) A person is guilty of unlawful use of a loaded firearm if:
(a) The person negligently discharges a firearm from, across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway; or
(b) The person discharges a firearm from within a moving motor vehicle or from upon a moving off-road vehicle.
(3) Unlawful possession of a loaded rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle or upon an off-road vehicle, and unlawful use of a loaded firearm are misdemeanors.
(4) This section does not apply if the person:
(a) Is a law enforcement officer who is authorized to carry a firearm and is on duty within the officer's respective jurisdiction;
(b) Has been granted a disability designation as provided by RCW 77.32.237 and complies with all rules of the department concerning hunting by persons with disabilities; or
(c) Discharges the rifle or shotgun from upon a nonmoving motor vehicle, as long as the engine is turned off and the motor vehicle is not parked on or beside the maintained portion of a public road, except as authorized by the commission by rule. This subsection (4)(c) does not apply to off-road vehicles, which are unlawful to use for hunting under RCW 46.09.480, unless the person has a department permit issued under RCW 77.32.237.
(5) For purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a rifle or shotgun shall not be considered loaded if the detachable clip or magazine is not inserted in or attached to the rifle or shotgun.

[10thmountainarcher]

Yup, that’s the section that makes me think it’s not actually acceptable to roll around with a magazine inserted.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Yup, you have the read the ENTIRE law as written...

[jrebel]

As I read deeper.....I am 100% convinced that ammo in the magazine constitutes a loaded firearm in WA.  The City of Arlington has posted this on their web page in the Q/A.  A quick google search states that RCW 77.55.460 has not been recently changed or challenged. 

If something has changed, I would like to see the documentation. 

[10thmountainarcher]

As I read deeper.....I am 100% convinced that ammo in the magazine constitutes a loaded firearm in WA.  The City of Arlington has posted this on their web page in the Q/A.  A quick google search states that RCW 77.55.460 has not been recently changed or challenged. 

If something has changed, I would like to see the documentation.

It did change, at the bottom of the page where the numbers are, those are hyper links. You can click the “2018” and see how the law read before this year. Also the 2025 at the bottom indicates it was revised this year.

I have no idea why they changed it from the previous version. I guess like anything else in Washington these days, they just wanted to make it worse.

[Brute]

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/10/15/two-idaho-hunting-deaths-on-the-minds-of-wyoming-hunters/?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=FwZ19wZLR-HOc9-caQWPJybdks9aipxjUYlzqh4mAlM.UXPtrV

[jackelope]

Is there 2 parts to this? :


Can’t have one in the chamber^^


^^Magazine has to be detached^^ from the firearm?

[andrew_in_idaho]

Is there 2 parts to this? :


Can’t have one in the chamber^^


^^Magazine has to be detached^^ from the firearm?

I mean, would it shock anybody if the liberal lawmakers of Washington state who do not understand firearms would also have the wording of chamber and magazine mixed up?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bigtex]

Is there 2 parts to this? :


Can’t have one in the chamber^^


^^Magazine has to be detached^^ from the firearm?

I mean, would it shock anybody if the liberal lawmakers of Washington state who do not understand firearms would also have the wording of chamber and magazine mixed up?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is no change to the actual prohibition of a loaded firearm in WA (round in mag vs round in chamber)

What changed is how the law can be enforced. Prior to 2024 if the round was in the chamber or magazine it was a criminal offense. A criminal offense is not simply a ticket and requires a prosecutor to prosecute the case.

WDFW asked the legislature to essentially separate the offenses by keeping the offense of having a round in the chamber as a criminal offense, but reducing the offense of having the round in a magazine in the gun (empty chamber) as an infraction (similar to a traffic ticket).

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[Fidelk]

How about buying a couple of 5 round mags for hunting and keeping an empty one in the rifle and a loaded one in the glove compartment or to be ultra cautious elsewhere in the vehicle (bed of pickup, camper shell, whatever). You can't shoot while you are driving but they are readily available via glove box of back of truck. I have 30, 20, 10 and 5 round Magpul magazines and the 5 round ones are great for range use from a benchrest. Once you stop the vehicle and start hunting, either use the 5 round mag or switch it out for the 30 rounder.