The article in brief
French legislation strictly regulates the use of firearm calibres. Here is a summary of the main restrictions:
- Prohibited sizes : ≥ 20 mm for rifled barrels, 8 gauge for smooth bore barrels
- Ungulate hunting : ban rimfire weapons and calibres < 5.6 mm
- Limitations on semi-automatic weapons (max 3 shots without reloading)
- Prohibited equipment: night sights, armoured bullets, shotguns
- Regional particularities as in Moselle
Greetings friends! I'm delighted to be talking to you today about a subject close to my heart: prohibited calibres. As an avid shooter, I've seen a lot of confused customers on this subject. So fasten your seatbelts, we're going to have a look around!
Prohibited sizes: what the law says
Let's start with the basics. French legislation is quite clear on prohibited calibres. Hold on to your hats, because this might surprise you!
Restrictions on large calibres
The first rule to remember: calibres equal to or greater than 20 mm for rifled barrels are totally prohibited. For smoothbore barrels, the limit is set at 8 calibre, with a few exceptions. These behemoths are for military use only, not for hunting or sport shooting!
Limits for hunting ungulates
Let's talk about hunting large animals. If you want to go hunting for deer or wild boar, forget about rimfire rifles. Calibres smaller than 5.6 mm centrefire are also banned. And remember, your projectile must develop an energy of at least 1 kilojoule at 100 metres. No slingshots!
The special case of the .22 LR
Ah, the famous .22 LR! This small calibre is very popular for sport shooting, but it is strictly forbidden to hunt ungulates throughout France. I've already seen novice hunters grimace when they find out, but it's for a good cause: we want to avoid dangerous shots and unnecessary injuries.
Specific regulations and exceptions
Now that we've seen the broad outlines, let's delve into a few specific cases. This is where it gets really interesting!
Regional particularities
In Moselle, they have their own rules. A prefectoral decree prohibits the use of rimfire weapons for hunting and destroying vermin. But there are exceptions! The 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire and the 5 mm Remington Magnum Rimfire are authorised. On the other hand, the 17 HMR, although popular elsewhere, is banned. It's like that, every region has its own particularities!
Limitations on semi-automatic weapons
Let's talk about hunting machine guns. Self-reloading guns that can fire more than 3 shots without reloading are banned for hunting. Gone are the days when you emptied your magazine into a wild boar! It's a question of fair play and safety.
Here is a small table summarising the limitations for semi-automatic weapons:
| Type of weapon | Maximum charger capacity |
|---|---|
| Hand weapon | 20 cartridges |
| Long gun (centrefire) | 10 cartridges |
| Long gun (rimfire) | 30 cartridges |
Prohibited equipment and ammunition
Let's finish with a few prohibitions that may come as a surprise to novices:
- Sighting systems that allow shots to be fired at a distance of more than 300 m are prohibited for hunting. We're not snipers!
- Armoured bullets are banned. They would do too much damage.
- Night sights with electronic light amplifiers are banned. No night hunting!
- Rifle sticks are also prohibited. Sorry James Bond, no gadgets here!
I remember one customer who absolutely wanted a thermal sight for hunting. I had to gently explain to him that it wasn't Call of Duty !
The right calibre is the one you master
After all these prohibitions, you may be wondering which calibre to choose. The answer is simple: the one you know best! A small calibre well placed is better than a large calibre badly used.
Here, let's talk about the authorised and popular calibres. The 357 Sig: characteristics and uses of the calibre is an excellent choice for sport shooting. For big-bore enthusiasts, the Smith wesson 500: the world's most powerful revolver is impressive, but be careful not to hurt your wrist!
And if you're looking for a powerful but legal pistol, the Desert Eagle 50 AE: pistol features and power might appeal to you. But remember, power isn't everything!
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to obey the law and practise your passion in complete safety. Don't hesitate to ask your favourite gunsmith (that's me!) or the relevant authorities if you have any doubts. Safety and respect for the rules are the basis for enjoying our hobby to the full!
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