Hunting with a BP Handgun

[rae]

cabela's has a carbine in their traditional rifles, twist rate is 1:24. weight of 6 3/4 pounds. Should be quite the fire breathing dragon.

 

[poordevil]

On the back cover of Guns mag. is an add for a muzzle loading pistol made for hunting big game. Only saw it briefly while at the store.

 

[hounddog]

squirreltail, the fed regs on bbl length are these, a shotgun may be no shorter than 18 inches, a rifle may be no shorter than 16 inches. Gents here is a true story A number of years back while on a bp deer hunt, I missed a nice buck with my 50 cal rifle, the buck took off troting a cross a open pasture. I pulled my 45 cal ruger old army from the holster fired 2 rounds missied. for some reason the deer stopped, I used a 2 handed hold held at the backbone and fired. at the shot the buck reared up on it hind legs and pawed the air. He fell and drug himsel mabey 10 yards using his front legs only, and stopped. I reloaded the rifle at went to the deer, 83 steps was the distance, I was shooting conical bullets, the shot had struck dead center lung area just behind the left foreleg. the shot went competely thru. When we cleaned it appeared the shot drove the ribs into the backbone and spine causing paralsis. While not the biggest rack by far I am probably more proud of that deer than any I have killed. Yes pistols can kill deer I just dont usually miss with my rifle so dont make a practice of pistol shooting deer. Oh well another TRUE story of the life and times of the old hounddog, chew on that bone

 

[sc45-70]

BATFE considers muzzle loading firearms "antiques"
BATFE DOES NOT regulate antiques, therefore there are no federal laws reguarding barrel length on muzzle loading firearms!
Your state may have laws reguarding barrel length though.
SC45-70

 

[Robert Egler]

BATFE DOES NOT regulate antiques, therefore there are no federal laws reguarding barrel length on muzzle loading firearms!

Well, like I said, I would think that would be the case, but since this was a specific instance of a barrel being cut off to be shorter rather than just buying it that length I was suggesting that he just check to be sure.

 

[grndhntr]

The regulations for hunting with a ML here in Colorado does not state a barrel length. I have heard that the minimum rifle length is 16" so as long as it's that long, I should be OK, right?

 

[cowpoke1955]

California laws are about the same. No muzzleloading handgun is allowed for big game. Must be a center fire, min. of 4" barrel with expanding tip bullets. I use to carry a 1860 with two chambers of bird shot for snakes and the next three with round ball. A game warden told me it was illegal to be in possesion of a black powder handgun during big game season. Fortunately, I was talking to the warden during dove season. Here in Alabama, you can use a black powder handgun, .40 caliber or larger, but none are allowed inside the Wild life Management Areas.

 

[Robert Egler]

I'm not a lawyer, but as I read it yes, you should be ok. It seems fine to me, and if I was the one doing it I'd feel ok with it. :thumbsup:

 

[Greg Hardy]

Cover all bases, go to Dixie Gun Works and get the Harpers Ferry Pistol Carbine. 58 caliber, detachable shoulder stock, percussion.