Flying With Muzzlelodaers

jhibbs · Mar 22, 2013

I am planning on my first muzzle loader hunt for elk in Colorado this September and was wondering if it is legal to trasport Pyrodex or Blackhorn 209 and primers in my luggage in a hard case for the trip? Or should I plan on buying some when I get there. Was wondering what other people's experience was when traveling with muzzleloaders. I've always just packed rifle ammo in my luggage, but thought that I'd better get some advice on this. We will be flying on Southwest Airlines and they've always been pretty easy to deal with when traveling with firearms.

We've got 7 NR points and put in for unit 48 so we should draw and are really looking forward to the hunt.

Thanks,
Jody

marley · Mar 22, 2013

You will have to buy powder when you get here

jhibbs · Mar 23, 2013

Thanks Marley, I figured that they wouldn't want me traveling with an opened can, but thought that maybe a sealed/un-opened can might be alright, guess not.

When traveling out I 70 from Denver, where is the best place to pick up some BH 209? I know here in Maine everything for is getting hard to find these days. I kinda hope that things get a little more back to normal by fall.

Jody

marley · Mar 23, 2013

I live in Colorado Springs. If you need I can pick you up some between now and then and you can swing by my place and pick it up. Probably just as much time to get to 48 through my direction as through I 70. I hate trying to find powder right before ML season. I will probably be next door in 49 as well so I could meet you around there too but cell phone service can be spotty.

jhibbs · Mar 23, 2013

Marley, thanks thats a nice offer. At this point we're not planning on flying in until the 16th, hoping that the rut will be getting better towards the end of the season if the full moon doesn't mess it up. So if you'll be hunting 49 you'll probably already be in country. I'll have to get in touch with you after the draw when we finalize our plans.

It would be great to know that we wouldn't have to run around trying to find powder once we get there.

Thanks,
Jody

llamapacker · Mar 23, 2013

You can ship your powder and primers to a nearby post office or hotel before you leave. I would hate to count on finding powder once you arrived, the whole hunt could be a bust if you have problems. Black powder and primers cannot be carried in your luggage on commercial flights.
Bill

jhibbs · Mar 24, 2013

Bill, thanks for the heads up on the primers. I thought that bullets and primers would be fine in a hard case but assumed the powder would be the real issue. We definately don't want to find out the hard way.

I had a friend accidentially leave a single 30 06 shell in a wrap around pocket of a hunting coat that he wore on a return flight a couple of years ago. He got pulled aside and asked 50 questions, had to sign some paperwork and get his photo taken with the bullet. We still raze him about that one.

Jody

dack77 · Mar 24, 2013

There is a Basspro shop not too far from the Denver airport that you can stop into. I would think that would be one of the better bets if you have to buy locally.

jhibbs · Mar 25, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-25-13 AT 03:42PM (MST)[p]Thanks Dack77,
I did a search and they came up as one place near Denver that typically has BH209, so I'll probably give them a call a couple of weeks before we leave to make sure they have it in stock. I don't think that the black powder stuff will go crazy the way regular rifle bullets have.

Jody

ToddT · Mar 26, 2013

I never really thought of this before. Also, I have travelled quite a bit with a muzzleloader with no problems, BUT, on one trip to Wyoming I packed a pound of Pyrodex in my checked bag. Upon arrival, I found that TSA had gone through my bag, removed the powder and left a note. This upset me so, because I am a spiteful person if cornered, and though they have regulations, I felt slighted due to the fact that I had flown with powder before with no problems. Anyway, I was on an industry hunt, so I got two pounds and put into my checked bag for the return flight. Surprise, surprise, both pounds were there upon my return. So, I guess it just depends on who checks your bags. BUT, to be completely safe, just plan to buy the powder and primers upon arrival, or ship them as suggested. It was a very nice gesture from above, I would take advantage of it, to insure that everything went smoothly, good luck whatever route you take.

magnum72576 · Apr 12, 2013

Last fall for our muzzy hunt I took some empty 12 guage shells with spent primers and loaded them up with my blackhorn 209 and crimped them. I put the shells in my checked bag in a factory box. We flew to denver. Got to our hunting spot and cut open the shells and had enough powder for 10 shots each. Then just discarded it on the return trip. I didnt feel like having to find powder out there or wasting a whole pound.

jhibbs · Apr 13, 2013

That's definately a unique idea, but I would still be a little nervous about the potential of being in violation of air travel laws.

Thanks,
Jody

llamapacker · Apr 13, 2013

Todd,
You are asking for trouble, and will have no excuse when caught and prosecuted, though undoubtedly like most others will feel put upon by the gov'mnt.
It is a clear violation of law to fly with black powder in your checked luggage. Even the shotshell idea could cause trouble, but probably won't get noticed by any but the most diligent inspector.
Just becuase ou got away with breaking the law once doesn't mean you should keep breaking it. The fine is substantial, and no one needs a hunt ruined by a few nights in jail. Make arrangements to mail your powder ahead of time, or hook up within another local hunter in advance. It really isn't that hard, and protects everyone from increasingly strict airline regulations.
Bill