is the .223 considered a "high-powered" rifle by state laws?

huntingkidPA · 02-01-2011, 02:17 PM

well there are some coyotes in the county i live in (allegheny county PA) if any of you know what round is the smallest the would be considered not a high powered rifle it would help, tho i tend to think this is the start of the high powered rifles. because this county is a no-high powered rifle county. it limits me to shotguns, muzzle loaders, and anything smaller than a high powered rifle! if you know it would be appreciated. oh and could my .22 short take out a coyote?
thanks

Ridge Runner · 02-01-2011, 03:02 PM

yes, its centerfire, your best bet in a 22 mag and I like the 50 gr hp federal ammo, we here in wv are limited to rimfires for night hunting.
RR

huntingkidPA · 02-01-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridge Runner

yes, its centerfire, your best bet in a 22 mag and I like the 50 gr hp federal ammo, we here in wv are limited to rimfires for night hunting.
RR

yes, if only i had a 22 mag. maybe ill just use my slug gun. i cant believe you can only night hunt with rimfires, that is stupid IMO

Vapodog · 02-01-2011, 05:36 PM

Did you ever hear of a "low powered rifle"?

GTOHunter · 02-02-2011, 04:53 AM

Man....I think a High-powered Rifle could even be the following Calibers?

.22-250 (center fire)
.22 Hornet (center fire)
.220 Swift (center fire)
.204 Ruger (center fire)
.17 Remington Fireball (center fire)
.17 HMR rim fire

Centaur 1 · 02-02-2011, 05:43 AM

I'd check with the state, but I believe that the term high power is synonymous with centerfire.

SwampCollie · 02-03-2011, 10:51 AM

Depends on the exact legal jargon. A decent lawyer could make it go either way. if they are that vague I'd shoot a .223 for sure. It is in the lower 25% of centerfires as far as muzzle energy is concerned. Just make sure you scan all of the law and not a piece of it. Words like rimfire and centerfire are usually found around such laws.

huntingkidPA · 02-03-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vapodog

Did you ever hear of a "low powered rifle"?

well i asked about my .22 didnt i?! i dont think thats a high powered rifle! like these other guys are saying that they think anything that is a center fire would be high powered. so dont be a smart ass, atleast thats what your reply sounded like to me.

JOE PA · 02-04-2011, 09:01 AM

huntingkid:

I looked up the PA Hunting digest, page 83 Special Regulations area (all of Allegheny county). For small game and huntable furbearers (coyotes), you can use shotgun, bow/arrow, and rimfire rifles of 22 cal and smaller. So a 22, 22mag. or 17 HMR would be legal. Any centerfire, (even a 22 hornet) would not be legal as I am reading it.

huntingkidPA · 02-04-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOE PA

huntingkid:

I looked up the PA Hunting digest, page 83 Special Regulations area (all of Allegheny county). For small game and huntable furbearers (coyotes), you can use shotgun, bow/arrow, and rimfire rifles of 22 cal and smaller. So a 22, 22mag. or 17 HMR would be legal. Any centerfire, (even a 22 hornet) would not be legal as I am reading it.

thanks, i couldnt find my game book. it hard to believe that coyotes are getting into these areas. im only 15 minutes from pittsburgh!