What Changed?

On  5/27/2022 the Illinois governor signed HB4386 into law. This law... "Limits legal handguns and rifles to centerfire handguns that are either single shot or revolvers and centerfire rifles that are single shot. Limits legal ammunition for a centerfire handgun or rifle to a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding one and two-fifths inches, or a straight-walled centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger, both of which must be available as a factory load with the published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capability of at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle."

This law was later updated to allow a total of three rounds in the magazine and chamber combined starting January 1, 2027.

What Does This Mean?

You are no longer limited to a shotgun with slugs or a muzzleloader for hunting during firearm deer season in the state of Illinois. While some rifles are now permitted, unfortunately not all are and navigating which can be difficult. We put this page together to help make picking out your new deer rifle a breeze. Essentially you are permitted a wildlife rifle/handgun or revolving handgun that is chambered in a cartridge without a bottleneck in the shell casing (with some exceptions) otherwise known as a straight wall. While there are some firearms with a factory capacity less than three total rounds, hunters may need to have their magazine shimmed/plugged internally so that it will only hold two rounds. 

What Calibers Are Legal in IL?

See the full list of state approved cartridges below. Keep in mind this list is simply all that meet the requirements of the law. Many listed are obsolete, not commercially available, or just simply not ideal for hunting whitetail deer. Continue down the page where we highlight the gems and help you make the right decision for your situation.