Alaska?

[Sparkitoff]

I am departing for Alaska on Friday. In spite of my best efforts to get blackpowder there, it didn't work out. I thought it was simple. My commercial flight lands in Fairbanks and I stay overnight. I intended to pick up BP. The float plane pilot, bush plane pilot, ship captain and small vessel captain didn't care if I had it. Well, there's none to be found in Fairbanks. I was hoping to use a flintlock and it would be easier not to have to get caps too. I would use a percussion rifle if substitute power were all available and caps could be had too. Anyway, I am taking my take-down longbow. Anyone ever get BP to Fairbanks? I will be going back....

 

[Britsmoothy]

Never understood the issue with black powder and Alaska.
I mean, it's not like wagons and other vehicles are exploring from the stuff around the world is it !

 

[FishDFly]

Give a call to Gary King's in Anchorage and see if they can find you some in Alaska.

 

[FishDFly]

I am departing for Alaska on Friday. In spite of my best efforts to get blackpowder there, it didn't work out. I thought it was simple. My commercial flight lands in Fairbanks and I stay overnight. I intended to pick up BP. The float plane pilot, bush plane pilot, ship captain and small vessel captain didn't care if I had it. Well, there's none to be found in Fairbanks. I was hoping to use a flintlock and it would be easier not to have to get caps too. I would use a percussion rifle if substitute power were all available and caps could be had too. Anyway, I am taking my take-down longbow. Anyone ever get BP to Fairbanks? I will be going back....

Send a note to M.D Deland here, not sure of the spelling, he is in Anchorage, if any one can help he will. He shoot's BP.

 

[CoHiCntry]

Maybe a member on here from Alaska could help you out?

What will you be hunting? Enjoy your trip, I’m sure it will be great!

 

[excess650]

You can't fly with a can or horn of blackpowder, correct?

You CAN fly with ammunition in checked luggage,. I would pour my BP into cartridge cases, plug the ends with wax, and take them as "ammunition". I'm reading that the maximum "ammunition" that can be carried (per passenger) is 11#.

edit: spent shotshell cases would work too, either use a nitro card over the powder, or fold crimp the cases shut, but I would still use an over shot card if fold crimping. A "box" of 12ga should hold enough.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

 

[FishDFly]

That is what has been reported here in the past, cannot fly with it.

Also smuggling BP in modern cartridge cases has been discussed as well as the consequences when caught doing so. Cartridge cases and no cartridge gun can be a problem.

In the past, the recommendation is to let the outfitter arrange to have the BP on site, normally 45 days in advance.

 

[Britsmoothy]

That is what has been reported here in the past, cannot fly with it.

Also smuggling BP in modern cartridge cases has been discussed as well as the consequences when caught doing so. Cartridge cases and no cartridge gun can be a problem.

In the past, the recommendation is to let the outfitter arrange to have the BP on site, normally 45 days in advance.

So how do the outfitters get it in?

Also can one not take a shotgun with them and loaded black powder cartridges?
I expect this kind of nonsense in the UK but not in Alaska!

The aircraft carry gas and other flammable fuels in cargo.
Why not have a declare it system and inspection pre flight or sailing

 

[FishDFly]

So how do the outfitters get it in?

Also can one not take a shotgun with them and loaded black powder cartridges?
I expect this kind of nonsense in the UK but not in Alaska!

The aircraft carry gas and other flammable fuels in cargo.
Why not have a declare it system and inspection pre flight or sailing

My understanding is that BP comes in via ship, unloaded and then transported by truck. Most supplies to Alaska go by ship.

Not sure what the rules would be shipping BP through Canada by rail or truck to Alaska. Guys going to Canada to hunt with BP face the same challenges, can't take it with you.

No idea what the rules for flammables via air are in Alaska.

 

[excess650]

The TSA guidelines do not specifically prohibit ammunition loaded with blackpowder, nor does specify that a firearm is also required to carry ammunition. Further, it does not specify that a firearm and ammunition must match. A hunter could be carrying ammuntion to be used in the guides gun, or simply for the guide's use. The regulations specify that ammunition must be packaged in a suitable manner, and be declared in the checked luggage. The quantity is a limit set by the airlines, and seems to be 5.5Kg.

 

[FishDFly]

If you can carry BP in modern cases, how come you cannot carry it in the container into which is was originally packaged?

 

[Sparkitoff]

Thanks for the replies. It seems I am too late this trip. I can bring 29 pounds total. The suggestion was that my rifle go ahead of me to camp, either by shipping prior to arrival or a day or two ahead of my on a trip where the commuters are under weight. I’m going back so I will try to get it figured out for next trip. The moose, caribou, bear and sheep don’t want me to put a ball or arrow through them, but either one will kill them when I do.

 

[excess650]

If you can carry BP in modern cases, how come you cannot carry it in the container into which is was originally packaged?

You can't take cans of smokeless either!

 

[FishDFly]

Okay.

Seems a note to Goex or Swiss you be the best bet on who has powder in Alaska or how to get it there.

 

[Elkhorse]

When in doubt call the experts:

General Hunting Information, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Home - Alaska Department of Public Safety

 

[Michiganmuzzy]

Who did you check with in AK? I havent been there in a long time but a friend there told me that this company might be able to help you out.
Sentry Hardware
(907)-452-4774

Or

Nor' West Company
P. O. Box 16237
Two Rivers, AK 99716
(907) 488-3327

 

[fleener]

Black powder when transported by aircraft is a 1.3 explosive. It is prohibited to transport an explosive on a commercial aircraft.

When BP is transported by ground, under the right circumstances it can be reclassified to a lesser hazard class as a flammable solid.

You can fly with bp loaded cartridges. The regs are quite on smokeless vs bp cartridges.

Flying with cartridges that are purposely loaded with bp simply to circumvent the regulations is not advised. I know it has been done and I know people that have done it.

If caught it would be hard to explain why you are doing it when you do not have a gun that shoots that cartridge. It is not an argument that I would want to have to support.

Fleener

 

[fleener]

It is a USDOT issue, not a State Fish and Game issue.

Fleener

 

[Boston Bill]

Buffalo Arms shows bp in stock. Maybe they would ship it to you in Alaska. 5 pound minimum, would be worth it tho. You should be able to sell the excess I would think. Black Powder

 

[Nameless Hunter]

It appears that black powder loaded cartridges can be purchased and shipped. May be expensive ($5 per shot) but it is a way to get it there.
https://www.buffaloarms.com/50-90-50-2-1-2-sharps-black-amobp5090515.html