hunting pistols

[Maverick]

what's the rules on a pistol being legal to hunt with in this state? Doesn't the barrel have to be at least like 4 inches long? And what's the caliber size have to be to lets say shoot a deer?

[MP123]

4 inch barrel and 24 caliber centerfire or better for big game except 22 caliber centerfire is legal for cougar.

Pretty crazy if you ask me.  I'd think .357 min would be a little better...

[Maverick]

doesn't the bullet have to have a certain amount of energy at 100 yards to be able to hunt with? Someone told me .357 weren't legal for deer? 

[carpsniperg2]

doesn't the bullet have to have a certain amount of energy at 100 yards to be able to hunt with? Someone told me .357 weren't legal for deer? 

No not true. That person needs to read the regs before they think anything.

[MP123]

Maybe in some states but not WA.

You could legally hunt Moose with a .25 ACP if you could find a 4" barrel. 

[CP]

doesn't the bullet have to have a certain amount of energy at 100 yards to be able to hunt with? Someone told me .357 weren't legal for deer? 

No not true. That person needs to read the regs before they think anything.

That's the old rule, was true at one time but the regs changed.

[Jingles]

PG 68 WA 2011 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations
"HANDGUNS:
Big game except cougar, may be hunted with handguns with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches per manufacturers specifications and fire a minimum 24 caliber centerfire cartridge. The minimum for cougar is a 22 caliber centerfire handgun.  Rimfire handguns are not legal for big game."
Yes severla years ago there was a minimum for Foot pounds of energy in addition to the 4 inch minimum barrel length. But that has since gone by the wayside I guess. I know this because my 357 was legal but my 45 LC wasn't