Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Air travel with MLs and Blackpowder

Wondering if it is possible to fly with blackpowder? I will be using my flintlock in New Mexico this September but I have never attempted to fly with blackpowder, possible? I travelled many times with a centerfire rifle, handgun, and ammo but am not sure of the regs for blackpowder.

I am assuming you cannot, but then how are you handling it? Buy a 1 pound can of FFFF there so I can use less than a thimble full in the flashpan, and then there is the FF. What do I do with 2 pounds of blackpowder on the return?

you answered yourself at gbs',,if your air line will allow "declartion" of individual rounds,, pack the 3f. Buy the 2f when ya get there. If ya got some left, sell it at half price to the locals or give it away. It's only a lousy $20 anyways.

Tund, I can't imagine even trying to fly with black powder. If I was you I would buy a pound of 2F when I got to New Mexico. Take a little of the 2f and grind it down for priming.

You can probably whack it with a hammer to get it extra fine.

S

I wouldn't be "whacking" blackpowder with a hammer! Something to do with the stuff being "pressure" sensitive?

Tacks, I've heard that too. I don't much believe it now. I saw some pictures once of a guy trying to set some off under a power hammer. I've tried to set a little bit off with a hammer and couldn't do it. As long as you don't spark it, I don't think it will go.

S

Think I'm gonna give this a try.

The regulations state that gun powder is prohibited, however, gun powder in the form of individual ammunition is allowed, I do it several times a year. If I carry my 45/70 with blackpowder shells it is no problem.

I checked and I can easily put 100gr of blackpowder by volume into my 300 ultra cases, lightly resize the neck and hand insert a bullet. Now I have ammuntion instead of gun powder.

I can put FFFF in one case and FF in 39 others.

As far as reducing the size of the grains, an old buckskinner pal of mine told me to crush the FFg between two spoons. works well.

Regards, sse

griz has posted this topic on a few sights,,and he has made up his mind to "cheat" the system..I hope he get's his ass burned big tyme.

for griz it's all about saving $40 or less too compete on a national basis. Powder is available all over the country,,

It is an issue of National security,,,,,Hey griz!! why don't ya just put the powder in yer shoe?? That way you can carry and grind it at the same time!

Ya get to Fly! And ya worry about $40 of powder??

BS! I don't care what they say,,that's BuII Sh1t! What a World class A$$

sharp shooter,,come to my house, I'll show ya it does go off with a hammer..I don't mean tappy,tappy with 10 grns. A mighty "whack!" on 30 is like 4th of July! Truth!! post as much as ya want freind,,(I know it goes off with a hammer)don't tell me it don't,,(this is current science and formed charges kind of stuff)
imho tacks,best wishes

Life is too short. Thank goodness for the ignore button.

S

Tacks,
You are wound a little tight on this. I have no intention to "cheat" anything, I will only do what is permitted. I am simply asking if anyone can provide "valid" information as to why this isn't legal. No one has provided anything other than "opinion", and we all know what opinions are like, everybody has one and they all..... I don't want opinions, I am looking for facts and information.

I am totally clueless as to why you are guessing at my motivations. Don't know what you are talking about a competition. It really is none of anyones business why I am asking for this information, but here it is. I am flying into a very small community for the 5 day Monday-Friday New Mexico late September Muzzleloader Mule deer hunt. It has NOTHING to do with money.

I am going alone, if I arrive late Saturday night in the small town, is there a store that carries the brand and type of powder I use? If there is, It certainly will not be open late Saturday night. Will it be open on Sunday? At what time? If it does open on Sunday, will I have time to purchase it, drive to my hunting area, sight the gun in, and scout a little, not likely! If I can legally find a way to carry my ammunition on the plane, then very early Sunday morning I will be in my hunting area. You seem to have quite the imagination about others plans and motivations.

Putting it in my shoe is not legal for the following reasons: it would be carried on, in bulk form, undeclared, and not in the proper package. Why would I want to do that? I prefer a legal means as follows:

It is not more than 50 cal, it is less than 11 pounds, I will declare it, it will be in its own packaging that is designed to carry ammunition, there will only be one box in each piece of luggage. To the best of knowledge I am in every way meeting the letter and spirit of the law.

I see no deviation from exactly what is required. These are the agencies that I will be held accountable to, TSA ammunition information:

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1666.xml

Link to the Northwest site (my carrier) regarding ammuntion:

http://www.nwa.com/travel/tips/baggage.html#firearms

I have posted this on numerous sites for maximum input and as of yet, no one against it has presented anything other than ranting and raving.

If you can present verifiable proof that I am violating anything, please post it. If not, then your opinions and rhetoric are blowing more smoke than my flintlock.

I am not claiming to be an expert. If it is legal, why and the heck would I not want to do it. Every centerfire hunter carries their ammo. The next hunt you go on in some remote village, don't take any ammo, buy it when you get there.

Tundra, if you don't mind my asking, what is your rifle set-up for mule deer? I drew a muzzle loader mule deer tag in Colo. this year. I am getting my .58 roundballer ready for the trip.

Thanks,

S

SS,
I will be using a Lyman Great Plains Hunter flintlock in 50 cal. This has the 1:32 twist. I like the conicals, never been a roundball buff. Because of my old eyes I have the Lyman Rear Target peep sight mounted and the target front sight. Haven't decided on a bullet yet, I have a couple power belts to try. They have worked extremely well in my short TC Renegade flint. If they don't work right I will probably try BP bullets.

The gun is relatively new and I am still working on it. Right now it is in pieces being refinished. I cut off the very curved metal buttplate and shaped it to a flatter style. Also inlaying some other types of wood in places. Did a fair amount of trigger work, grinding and polishing, as the pull was terrible in every way.

Good luck on your hunt. Maybe we can share some pics later this year.

Griz,you have all the answers. Why ask? Seek validation?

Sorry sharp shooter, truth hurt? thank goodness the button works both ways,,I weary of the miss informed passing on half knowledge.

May you both live long and hunt well.

Tundra, I'll post some pictures if I kill something. My wife and I are going up there this week to look around and fly fish. Last summer I was in this same spot with a friend who had just gotten back from Iraq and two of his kids fishing and we saw a moose! First one I had ever laid eyes on. It was standing in the same creek I was fishing. It kind of acted put out with me. It finally wandered off. Neat deal all around.

Take care,

S

I have an antelope hunt this fall near Laramie, WY. Now the delimia for me is to get some Triple Se7en and some 209s there. Airlines say no way. I'm going to see if my outfitter will buy some for me. That's my first choice. If not, I'll ship some and just pay the hazmat. That's the only two choices I can think of.

Chuck

My Lyman Great Plains Hunter in .50 likes the Lee REAL bullet, it's 325grs. of a deer thumping SOB. Swiss powder is what I prefer. That job on the butt plate brings a grin on my face <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />, it doesn't bother me, but my brother-in-law who has alot more meat on his bones, it thumps him pretty good! My trigger pull is fine on mine, got her set real light. Just the way I like em.

I know a fellow or two that has done this...you be the judge:

Fill shot shells with the amount of powder you wish to load, cut a wad to fit and then crimp as normal. Push primer in and fill up a box.

12 gauge blanks?

Get where you are going and take the pre-measured loads apart.

Canada and Africa here you come...

I like your solution. You should be able to transport hand loaded ammunition.

If that doesn't fly (sorry) if that doesn't work, what about ordering black powder and having it shipped to your destination?

As for priming, I've done a lot of experimenting with flintlocks over the years, and I have come to the conclusion that a properly vented flintlock will fire just as fast with 2F or 3F as with 4F. In fact, I find that the coarser powder is more reliable in moist conditions. If your lock time seems a little slow, try drilling out the vent and installing a Chambers White Lightening vent insert. If you already have an insert, you can probably remove it or drill it out and retap for the Chambers insert. I've done this with inserts that were drilled and tapped 1/4 inch.

oh for goodness sakes,,,give it up,, the feller what asked the question cain't even rescpond on any of the sites he posted on..

long story short,,if yer gonna travel the states using BP for "special season" have enough four thought to have powder available at your destination/.
Truth is: not many "fly" from one part to another with-out arrangements made first,, beit family or booking agent.

Picture this: "hy how are ya,,I'm gonna use bp for my schedualed hunt,,could you have some available for me??? Or ''blind hunt,, rent a car blind driving,too a blind spot after blind flying",,,,ya right,,,let it rest fellas,,k?
Tell ya what,,anyone need to "fly" into MSP for any hunt any tyme,,I'll be there ta meet ya with any grade bp ta hand you want.
that's the truth,,that's what sharing is,,,,,,