WB
6mm is a good mimimum to me. For deer.
Monday, December 15, 2025, 13:11

Although a 55-70 gr. 6mm would be sort of moot point and about par with good .224 bullet loads. The 85 gr. is a good minimum game bullet to start and at around 3000 fps it gets interesting. The old .250 Savage took on a "87" gr. bullet to first get 3000 fps and the speed crown in it's day. My 6mm Ackley can push a 85 gr. bullet north of 3600 fps! About like a .243 Improved, but on the 6mm Rem. (7x57) case.

I think Arkansas has a .22 or larger "center-fire" ruling for rifles. They also have a .30 cal. and bigger "straight wall cartridge" allowance for the extended Black-powder season. Handguns bleed over into that ruling as well with 4" + barrels. Yippie!

The handgun ruling is .22 center-fire or bigger with a minimum 4" barrel for a primary game arm during normal deer season. So unlimber that M53 S&W .22 Jet! (not). I'm not sure who writes these rules every year. It's even more complex by listing the state in about a dozen specific "zones" each with possible unique rules.