Plan on trapping a new area (state land) and and right now the property rules are upland trapping says only foothold traps that are (smaller) than 1.75 , meaning the biggest land trap that can be used is a 1.5 . Now I did call the property manager about this and he said it's probably a type-o and will probably get changed to say 1.75 or smaller.
That being said I own no 1.75,so my question is should I just use my 1.5 Bridger specials that have a 5" jaw spread and are base plated or buy some 1.75s and only gain a 1/8 to 7/16 more jaw spread?

For those that have not put their hands on a Bridger 1.5 special they are a stout trap probably only no-bs are more stout.

Does the Bridger 1.65 get you closer to the max allowed?

I wouldn't count on any property mgr having inside game law info from F&G unless he is retired from there with friends still in F&G.

The MTP catalog shows jaw spreads of all traps they sell...at least the paper copy does, not sure of online info.

The property manager has final say on such things as long as they don't go over state laws and a 1.75 is below state allowed jaw spread. Indiana land traps can go up to 6 1/2 if it has a 1/8 offset or 5 3/4 and under if no offset.

And the Bridger 1.65 only gains me 7/16 of an inch not sure if I want to buy more traps to only gain a minimal amount.

ok, now I understand a lil more.

BUT, you haven't told us what your targeting.

If its yotes, I'd invest in larger traps personally, because you are making it harder on yourself to get a yote to step on a 1.5..(depending on your level of experience)....plus it needs full mods...If the Bridger Special isn't already.

Although, running Trench Sets would help guide them to a small target pan.

Sorry, yes my concern is in catching coyotes. All my 1 1/2s that I use on land for coon/skunks ard baseplated just in case I get a random coyote and they do hold them but is not a trap I prefer for coyotes specifically because of the limited catch area just can't decide if that 7/16 of an inch I'll gain by buying Bridger 1.65 would be worth it.

With the variation in size between brands and some major brands like MB not even using 1.75 or such "size" names for traps that regulation would have to name a specific trap and brand before it would even make sense never mind be enforceable.
Person that wrote that requirement obviously does not know traps or is attempting to prevent trapping.

I trapped coyotes alot in the past with 1.5s, A well modded 1.5 holds yotes fine but, your handicapping yourself even if you have a PHD in trap placement. The 1.75 (5.5 jaw spread) size trap makes a huge difference. Buy MB550 offsets, you'll thank me later.