Smokeless Muzzleloading Allowed by State

[Deleted]

If I recall correctly about 1 to 2 years ago an article came out in one of the hunting/shooting magazines regarding what is allowed by each state for muzzleloader hunting. Did anyone else here see the same article and recall where it was? I'm interested specifically if smokeless powder and scopes are allowed in Kansas and Colorado. Thanks, Kyle

[ratsnakeboogy]

I know smokeless is fine in Kansas and scopes I believe are allowed there now as well. When I went scopes were not allowed.

I don't know about Colorado.

[rambler]

This is what I found online:

Kansas:
MUZZLELOADERS
Muzzleloading rifles, pistols or muskets that can be loaded only through the front of the firing chamber with separate components and that fire a bullet of .40 inches diameter or larger. Only hard-cast solid lead, conical lead, or saboted bullets may be used with muzzleloading rifles, pistols and muskets. Handguns may be possessed during big game muzzleloader only seasons but may not be used to take big game unless they are muzzleloading handguns.

Range-finding devices and optical scopes or sights that project no visible light toward the target and do not electronically amplify visible or infrared light may be used with any equipment

Colorado:

Colorado

Muzzleloader Regulations

Legal Description:
“
“Muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets, provided the minimum caliber shall be forty (.40) for all big game except elk and moose. The minimum caliber for elk and moose shall be fifty (.50). All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets from forty (.40) caliber through fifty (.50) caliber must use a bullet of at least 170 grains in weight. All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets greater than fifty (.50) caliber must use bullets of at least 210 grains in weight.”

a. During the muzzle-loading firearms seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, and moose only lawful muzzle-loaders and smoothbore muskets may be used by muzzle-loading license holders.
b. During the muzzle-loading firearm seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, and moose the following additional restrictions apply:
1.Propellent/Powders: The use of pelletized powder systems and smokeless powder are prohibited.
2. Projectiles: Sabots are prohibited. For the purposes of this regulation cloth patches are not sabots.
3. Loading: Firearms must load from the muzzle. Firearms, which can be loaded from the breech, are prohibited.
4. Sights: Any muzzle-loading rifle or smoothbore musket with any sighting device other than open or “iron” sights is prohibited.
5. Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to the muzzle-loading firearm.
General Muzzleloader Seasons
(Deer) September 14th-22nd and October 12th-20th
(Elk) September 14th-22nd and October 12th-20th

This information is subject to change, for more information visit: wildlife.state.co.us/

[rambler]

Oh, Colorado frowns on the use of drones

[Deleted]

New Mexico doesn't allow it and During primitive weapon season Florida does not allow it either...It just depends which game warden would enforce the restriction...Alabama no restrictions other than .40 cal and bigger for deer....

[yule]

Pennsylvania late season only allows Flintlocks !

[linebaugh]

Rambler,
Drones. That made me giggle, thanks.

[redmule]

yep Colorado, you can get high and smoke all the dope ya want just don't hunt with a modern smokeless muzzleloading rifle. Aint been there in a while but would love to go hunt elk there again.

[biddler2]

The KS regs posted are correct. Scopes and smokeless muzzleloaders are legal equipment. They were changed at least 2 years ago which is when I moved to the state.

[Deleted]

Mississppi primitive weapon is a single shot centerfire....Some states are considering straight wall case centerfires 45/?? as primitive weapons

[nmhunter]

NM - Smokeless is not legal, BH 209 is legal, no smaller than 45 caliber, Sabots are legal, and scopes are legal. Also, odds are much, much better for ML vs rifle. Unfortunately, the draw odds are horrible for out of staters unless you utilize a guide with a "land owner permit". In other words, the landowners and outfitters are making the big dollars… Seasons are horribly short, typically 5 days for ML so do your scouting before season starts.

[hawghunter]

Michigan

Smokeless is legal in the upper peninsula and northern rifle zone during regular firearms season only. You can't use smokeless powder during muzzleloader season.

Ohio

Smokeless is legal during the regular and muzzleloader season.

[superkirby]

Minnesota

Smokeless is legal, any rifled bullet over .40, no scopes during muzzleloader season.

[dirtball]

Virginia:

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Muzzleloader Deer Seasons

Special restrictions apply to specific fire arms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

Only muzzleloading firearms, .45 caliber or larger, loaded from the muzzle of the gun.
Muzzleloading firearms must be single shot, capable of firing only a single bullet or saboted bullet (.38 caliber or larger).
Flintlock, percussion, or electronic ignitions are permitted.
Must use at least 50 grains of black powder or black powder equivalent.
Muzzleloading pistols which meet the four restrictions listed above are legal.
It is unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading firearm while hunting with a muzzleloader (see exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders).
Smokeless powder is allowed in muzzleloading firearms designed for it. Never use smokeless powder in a muzzleloading firearm that is not specifically designed for it.
Scopes are permitted.
For the purposes of transportation in a vehicle, muzzleloading firearms are considered "unloaded" when all powder has been removed from the flashpan, or the percussion cap, primer, or battery has been removed from the firearm.

Dave

[dirtboy]

I have always wondered how technical a game warden in VA. would get if he knew about the 700ml conversions. Because it really is not designed for smokeless until you rebarrel it. I guess it is two sided in a way it is right and in a way it's not.

[airborneike]

North Carolina renamed their muzzle loading season "black powder season" but then defined it as ANY propellant loaded through the muzzle. Gotta love those smart government types :-)

[Deleted]

Bought my first Savage ML II in 2004.
MN banned them in 2005, so I went out and bought a TC Z5 black powder gun.
In 2006, MN made the SML's legal again.
I think the TC is there still in the back of the safe... some where.

[Deleted]

I'm peeling through stacks of old hunting/shooting magazines trying to find the article. Thanks for all of the responses members. Kyle

[Deleted]

Email your questions to the DNR's of the respective states.
That's what I always do when I have questions about regs in other states I've hunted in, as well as my home state.
It's nice to have the answer to your question in writing.

Good Luck Hunting!

[rick59]

It's "run whatcha brung" here in Indiana as long as it falls in the guidelines below.



Muzzleloading firearms must be .44 caliber
or larger, loaded with a single bullet of at least
.357 caliber. Saboted bullets are allowed,
provided the bullet is .357 caliber or larger.
A muzzleloading firearm must be capable of
being loaded from only the muzzle. Multiplebarrel
muzzleloading long guns are allowed.