Regs on using muzzleloading rifles EU?

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31 March 2004, 20:17

The_Rifleman

Regs on using muzzleloading rifles EU?

What are the regs on using muzzle loading rifles and muskets for hunting game in the EU?

31 March 2004, 20:35

Deerdogs

Not allowed for deer in the UK. Not sure why you shouldn't use one on rabbits and other vermin.

31 March 2004, 23:38

Sauenjï¿½ger1

It is not forbidden here in Germany. But I don't know a hunter which is using it.

Best Regards

01 April 2004, 03:03

Claret_Dabbler

In Britain and Ireland there are various regulations on minimum calibre, muzzle velocity, bullet weight and muzzle energy levels which in effect make the use of a muzzle loader illegal.
In fact British regulations render most commercial loadings for the 30/30 illegal for deer.

Brian.

01 April 2004, 04:20

Andre Mertens

In Belgium, the law sets the minimum caliber at >6,5 mm and 2200 J/100 m. This rules muzzleloaders out (NB.: .30-30 and some .444 Marlin loadings are banned for the same reason).

01 April 2004, 05:39

Steve Malinverni

In Italy it is not forbidden and I have some friends of a muzzleloaders group that organize some boar hunting week end in hunting resorts.
Normally good results by them feedbacks.
bye

01 April 2004, 10:41

1894

Quote:

Not allowed for deer in the UK. Not sure why you shouldn't use one on rabbits and other vermin.

Richard,

I'm not so sure that you couldn't use one in England provided you could get 1700ft/lbs in a calibre that the police wouldn't throw their hands up in horror. They're not banned by the deer act that I know of. In Scotland the 2,400fps would likely scuttle it.

Perversely ACPO guidance is that varmint calibre range from .17 to something around .257 or so ie under .30.

01 April 2004, 11:23

Deerdogs

Last time I used a muzzleloader it had a bore size of 81mm.

I had assumed that 1700 foot pounds would be tricky. Anyone care to enlighten me?

01 April 2004, 11:47

Pete E

Gents,

Bare with my hazy memory here, but I seem to recall an article sometime ago in Shooting Times or maybe the Shooting Gazette about this. As I remember this guy had an old muzzle loader (Brown Bess?) and after having it restored into good working order, he traced some of its early history back to a certain Estate in Scotland..

The magazine took him back up there to the same Estate and arranged for him to stalk a Red with him and the Ghillie in period clothing and "aided" by two Scottish Deerhounds.

I am sure he actually took a beast and that it was not just "set up" for the camera's and from that I deduced it was legal?

The story of was several years ago, so my memory may be playing tricks here. Perhaps somebody can give George Wallace at BASC a ring as I believe he is into BP?

Regards,

Pete

01 April 2004, 23:20

turtle71

Deerdogs,

Just had a look at the booklet that came with my TC Firestorm flint. It says max load with roundball is 1772 ft/lb. With conicals & pyrodex they quote it as capable of 2861 ft/lb but that would be a hard recoiling load. A moderate load would give over 2000 ft/lb. All that's for a .500" caliber.

There are muzzleloaders that use smokeless out in the states now that will exceed that.

I can't see the point of getting a ML for deer in the UK though unless you're really into the primitive thing. You'll need a Class 1 same as centrefire plus I think you need some kind of explosives license for blackpowder.