I am going on a black bear hunt in California. I am wanting to use a Hawken rifle I built myself. I think the biggest probelm will be the powder. I only shoot real black powder. My question to the forum is this. How do I load it on the plane. I know you have to keep gun and ammo apart but, can I bring a can of powder with me?

I believe black powder (when purchased) can only be shipped by ground in the USA. So, I'll bet that applies to ALL commercial air travel. Maybe you could purchase some BP and have it shipped in advance to someone near your hunt area, or have them purchase some locally? An expensive hassel no matter how you look at it. Good luck.

black powder is considered a class a explosive,and I believe, cannot be taken on a plane.Shit, you cant even take a bottle of water on a plane now.

My "last" local source for BP was hounded out of existence recently by my protectors at the BATF. Now, instead of occasionally buying 1 lb. of fffg for my revolver I must have shipped a minimum of 5 lbs and store it in my garage??

@ ragland1969

I don't know if the following still applies since security craze took over of what was left of common sense in airtrafic security.

Black powder target shooters were always faced with the dilema of transporting black powder by plane when going abroad. "Loose" powder, either in it's original can or in a separate container is an absolute no go on board an aircraft. However, cartridge ammunition can be transported by plane. (Another example of the level of logic and common sense when it comes to air trafic security).

Therefore, BP target shooters simply loaded large volume rifle cartridges, like 50BMG or larger, with their favorite BP. Those were allowed to be transported on board of planes.

daniel

You canNOT take loose bp on a plane.

You can take loaded bp cartridges on a plane.

Loading cartridges for a muzzle loader, while seemingly rational, would probably be seen as an attempt to skirt the law and may be an issue. Why not buy some powder in CA? A few shots and you will have your new zeros if necessary and off you go. Just arrange to have it waiting for you.

Brent

I would load weighed or measured charges (as your rifle prefers) in plastic shotshells and take those as they are more easily cut open to get the powder out of them.


Skirting the law? absolutely.

Would I feel bad about doing it? nope.

AD

VERY BAD IDEA!!!!

1) Given the volatility of black powder and the utter nonsense that goes on in commercial aircraft loading, I wouldn't do it even if it was somehow legal.

2) Knowingly loading an illegal class A explosive onto a commercial flight is a guarenteed felony conviction if they find it. You will spend some or a lot of time locked up and you won't be able to own a Super Soaker when you get out.

Side note: most airports have electronic and quadrpedal sniffers now and BP stinks like a pile of dog doo in august sun to one of those machines.

Allan,
If someone were to compare your shotshells to your firearms and found no match, you could be held in violation. That was the interpretation of the official in Washington that reviewed the rules for a well connected friend of mine.

Macifej,
Not sure what you are refering to Allan's post or mine. In either event, an article was published quite recently in the Black Powder Cartridge News on this topic (by my friend who researched this extensively).

Brent

Talking about "loose" black powder, BP Substitute, Smokeless Powder, etc.

Cartridges that are loaded and match your firearm - no problem if they are packed well.

Remember that even if it's legal you will assume civil liability if there is a "problem".

How about a link to that article so we can check it out?

Macifej,
I'm sorry but I do not believe it is available on line. You can check out there website at http://www.blackpowderspg.com/0607.html I think it is the Fall or Winter edition. Probably the latter, if you want to buy a copy.

Brent

Brent,

Thanks for the link I'll try to dig it up and take a look.

Well, I don't fly, PERIOD.

Why? because I feel LESS safe with those TSA jokers protecting me than I'd feel wearing a short dress in a prison shower and disquietingly I think my chances of getting "cavity searched" are about equal either way.

Those jerks couldn't guard a candy store from a raid by a group of girl scouts, the only skill they seem to have is being irritating to people who are disinclined to tolerate them.

Oh yeah, flying is stastically safer than driving, but
since I don't let Ted Kennedy drive (or anyone else
for that matter) I actually feel pretty safe on the road.

I was once forced to leave fired cases behind because they claimed that there was a danger from "Residual powder"
In a pig's ass... the cartridge cases were WW1 "Case art" 75mm shell casings and that was... 1976?

So rather than subject myself to the whim of people that in a just world I could kill on sight for inexcusable stupidity I drive anywhere I want to go.

Worry about some plastic shotshells causing a "problem"? Why when some maintainance idiot from the airline may load a case of oxygen generators into the avionics bay...

Or pilots who get "problem fixation" and try to "work the problem" while the airplane flies into the ground...

Or some terrorist inserts an intentional pyrotechnic device into luggage while he's stealing your digital camera.... and your wife's underwear.

Would you get into trouble if they figuired it out?
Mabey... but you can always carry a shotgun to match the shells you are carrying....


AD

Assuming you're going black bear hunting with SOMEBODY, friend, guide, whatever, I'd have them order a pound of your favorite BP from Graf's or whichever you prefer and have it delivered out there. True, you'll pay almost triple for it including hazmat charges but that would be worth it to me instead of having to scrounge around for powder, and maybe not getting what you want, when I get there. Alternatively, perhaps your contact in Ca could go buy you a pound at his convenience before you arrive.

quote:

How do I load it on the plane. I know you have to keep gun and ammo apart but, can I bring a can of powder with me?

IF your rifle is a caplock, you should develop some loads using a BP substitute that you can take with you or more easily obtain in CA. Or locate a store where you are going that carries BP before you start the trip, and call them to set up a pickup on arrival.