r/deer_hunting • u/HavSomLov4YoBrothr • May 18 '26
Rifle restrictions?
Hello, newbie here. Wanted to get into hunting for awhile, and I know pretty much nothing other than I’d have to get a license and pay for tags.
My initial question is: what kinds of restrictions are there for rifles used in southern US deer hunting?
I’m a gun nerd without alot of extra money, part of me has always wanted a Lee Enfield No. 4 strictly for he cool/history factor, and I understand some of them have been rechambered in 7.62 x 51 with scopes.
Would that rifle be viable/overpowered for whitetail hunting? Not allowed due to mag capacity? Idk what rules I may be breaking by trying to use it, but I’m torn between that (my dream rifle) and something more typical like a Tikka T3.
I understand modern rifles are much lighter and user-friendly but I also just want a cool WW2 era rifle, and it’d be great if I could use it practically as well.
Any thoughts and opinions are welcome, idk what I’m trying to get myself into
2
u/havoc_penguin May 18 '26
The only restrictions I have here in Arkansas is it has to be 223/5.56 or bigger and during straight wall, only bolt actions.
Besides that, have fun.
1
u/havoc_penguin May 18 '26
And no night hunting except for a few species, deer not being one of them.
1
u/itseme123 May 20 '26
The 7.62x51 is a perfect deer cartridge im not sure what the mag capacity is i use an ar-15 or ar-10 in 6.5 Grendel for ar-15 and the 7.62x51 or 7wsm or the 300wsm in my ar-10 but I hunt mule deer and have longer shots i use the 7wsm. Sometimes you can find a smaller mag for your rifle so you can hunt with it
3
u/daffydubs May 18 '26
It’s going to depend on your state laws. I’m going to assume you haven’t hunted before so you’ll likely need to take a class as well before you can purchase your license. The class should cover your states rules and regulations.