What you may hunt with, and where, is set by law, and the rules differ widely by state and country. This post is general information only, not legal advice. Read the current regulations for the place and season you plan to hunt.

Straight-wall rifle seasons

Some states restrict deer hunting in certain zones to shotguns, muzzleloaders and straight-wall rifle cartridges. The rules specify things such as minimum caliber and maximum case length, and they change from time to time.

The .450 Bushmaster, a straight-wall cartridge, is often chosen for these seasons, and its loads are at 450 bushmaster ammunition. The .450 Marlin, a belted straight-wall cartridge for lever guns, has 500-grain loads at 450 marlin 500 grain ammo.

Small game, varmints and target use

The .22 LR is a small-game, varmint and target cartridge. Most states do not allow rimfire cartridges for deer, and some restrict them for other game as well. CCI's 40-grain loads are at cci 22lr 40 grain ammo. Lapua's lead round-nose loads, made for target shooting, are at lapua 22lr lead round nose ammo.

The 5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum is also a small-game and varmint cartridge. The rifles it was made for date from the early 1970s, and loads for it are at 5mm remington magnum ammo for sale.

Magnum and dangerous-game cartridges

Minimum caliber and energy rules apply to big and dangerous game in many places. Many African countries and outfitters set a minimum caliber or energy for elephant and buffalo, and the .458 Winchester Magnum, whose loads are at 458 win mag ammo for sale, is a traditional example of a cartridge chosen to meet such rules.

The .470 Nitro Express, a double-rifle cartridge from 1907, is at 470 nitro express ammo. The .500 Jeffery's 570-grain loads are at 500 jeffery 570 grain ammo. Both belong to the class of cartridges used on elephant.

AR-pattern big bores

Whether the .458 SOCOM or the .458 HAM'R qualifies for a particular season depends on the state's wording about caliber, case length and rifle type. SBR's .458 SOCOM loads are at sbr 458 socom ammo. The .458 HAM'R's polymer-tip loads are at 458 hamr polymer tip ammo.

Check before you go

Read the current regulations, ask the agency if a rule is unclear, and keep the answer in writing if you can. Rules are changed by legislatures and commissions, and last year's answer may not be this year's.

General information only, not legal advice. Hunting regulations, legal calibers and bullet requirements differ by state and country, so check them before you hunt, and confirm current stock and state shipping restrictions before ordering.