Straight-Wall Rifle Cartridges: Where Are They Legal?

For decades, hunters in several states (or areas within those states) have been restricted to shotguns and muzzleloaders when it comes to taking deer-sized game with a long gun. At some point in history, these states/regions decided that prohibiting the use of high-velocity rifle cartridges would make the woods safer. Putting aside the lack of science behind these laws and rules, they existed for decades. Today, though, things are changing.

As of this writing, only Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and the southern half of Minnesota do not allow rifle cartridges of any kind for taking deer. In essence, rifle cartridges can be used for deer hunting in 46.5 U.S. states. In...

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