BH209 Illegal in New Mexico 2011

[AJ]

I am trying to get this out to all of the muzzleloading sites.

The newest 2011-2012 New Mexico Proclamation is out and I was shocked to read that on page 6 under Definitions and Terms it says:

Muzzleloader
Includes rifles and shotguns in which the charge and projectile
are loaded through the muzzle. Only black powder, Pyrodex
or an equivalent substitute may be used. Smokeless
powder, including “Blackhorn 209” powder is illegal. Legal
muzzleloading shotguns are those capable of being fired from
the shoulder only. Muzzleloaders may use in-line ignition,
pelleted powder, sabots, belted bullets and scopes. See
Restricted Muzzleloader, next column.

Restricted Muzzleloader (for certain deer hunts)
Any muzzle-loading rifle (including a smoothbore flintlock or musket)
using open sights in which the charge and projectile are loaded
through the muzzle. Only black powder, Pyrodex or an equivalent
substitute may be used. Smokeless powder, including “Blackhorn
209” powder, in-line ignition, pelleted powder, sabots, belted bullets,
multiple projectiles and scopes are illegal.

They allow Pyrodex, Triple 7, and other black powder substitutes but not BH209? This is crap. If you hunt in New Mexico or plan to apply for hunts here, and feel this is incorrect, be sure to contact the NM G&F and let them know this rule needs to change. Click here for contact information of NM G&F.

[AJ]

Attached is the latest Blackhorn 209 Fact Sheet that says it's not smokeless.

[sabotloader]

aj

This is a basic chemical analysis of BH

[kotaman]

Wow...I've hunted New Mexico each of the last two years with Blackhorn 209. THanks for the heads up. As a sidenote, I feel they are way off base calling BH209 a "smokeless" powder.

[AJ]

I agree. I have heard that Hodgdon is spreading info to states saying BH209 is smokeless powder. It would not surprise me as it's taking a big chunk of Pyrodex ane Triple 7 sales away.

[sabotloader]

aj

There is no doubt that BH is cutting into ths sale of Pyro and T7 but that has nothing to do withthe fact that BH is a Nitro powder. One thing you can do as citizen in the US is to request a product MSDS from the manufacture, as did this gentleman and when you read it you will find...

After that call I had western powders fax me a MSDS on BH209.
The main component is Nitrate ester. I did some research on explosives then. My take on this is that nitrate ester is a "general" or "group" term of certain explosives. This type of explosive includes Dynamite, Nitroglycerine, RDX, C4, PETN, Semtex H, Nitrocellulose and smokeless powder.
I think marketing BH209 was a good idea. I have not tested it yet in my guns but from what results some others on this forum have had, I am expecting good results.

All of this really has nothing to do with the fact that BH was engineered and built to be a ML sub powder, but also you can not hide the fact that it has Nitro in it - just open the lid and take a smell. The fact is T7 is a smokeless also but it does not haver any Nitro in it.

One other thing I find somewhat questionable, why ban BH when you can achieve almost identical velocities with T7 and Swiss Black powder. BH is not a magical powder it is just more convienient for a lot of people.

[rsbhunter]

As a resident of N.M. i can tell you that this is the most screwed up state i have lived in (military in younger days).....for any residents, join the New Mexico Wildlife Federation....and contact Gov. Elect Suzanna Martinez and tell her to fire the present game commission and install a new AND FAIR board......rsbhunter

[randywakeman]

Was just informed that the Blackhorn 209 is legal in our state. We will be posting a news release later today for that correction.



NM Dept. of Game & Fish

Public Information & Outreach Division

PO Box 25112

One Wildlife Way

Santa Fe, NM 87504

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2010 2:04 PM
To: ISPA, DGF
Subject: Muzzleloading Propellants



Hello folks,



I've received several phone calls and questions about your muzzleloading regulations that now prohibit Blackhorn 209. What is the basis for this? It seems that only Hodgdon owned propellants are allowed, as in Hodgdon Pyrodex "the smokeless muzzleloading propellant" and Goex blackpowder, Goex also owned by Hodgdon.



Why is discrimination shown by brand or propellant? This is a first. Please explain.




Randy Wakeman Outdoors

Senior Editor, Guns & Shooting Online

[jeepman]

www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/06/11/is-blackhorn-209-really-a-smokeless-powder/

[AJ]

What ever you want to call it, I don't care. It is not a smokeless powder.

The game commission now says it was printed in error and is retracted.

Bottom line, it is legal in New Mexico for 2011-2012.