Traveling Around country with BP?

[MattinIdaho]

Hello guys,

I am just finishing up the semester and am going to be driving home which takes several days.

Are there any precautions you take when driving with blackpowder? Not a large quantity, maybe 3-4 Pounds total, some are opened, but all in their original plastic goex containers.

It will be through some of the hotter states (TX, NM, AZ, NV).

Can I put it in a box and leave it in the car if its hot out? or should I take it into the hotels in my luggage?

Does anyone take any precautions or just leave it in the car, take it out when you get there sorta thing? Just wanting to double check and be safe....

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

Whatever you do, do not come to California. That much black powder is a felony here. All the best from the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia.

 

[Zonie]

It should be fine in your cars trunk but I suggest parking in the shade if you have the choice.

Generally speaking, real black powder is very stable even at temperatures over 160 degrees F so if a couple of blankets are tossed over the containers to keep direct contact with the air coming off of the trunk lid it should be fine.

Those 4 states also don't have any strange laws about how much BP you can have so you should have nothing to worry about except for the idiots texting while they are driving.

 

[MattinIdaho]

Wow didn't know California had gone that crazy. Thankfully won't be going too close!

Thanks for the tips. Yeah I think i'll just throw it in the trunk with a blanket.

 

[George T.]

It's not that hot yet but in the Texas Summer I try not to leave it in a closed up car or truck especially if it's parked in the sun. Other than that I really don't give it a lot of thought.

Geo. T.

 

[Lonegun1894]

I was stationed in Yuma, AZ '02-'05, and then went home to TX since, and always kept at least a couple pounds under the back seat of my truck as BP is what I have been doing most of my hunting with, and I am still here, so I wouldn't worry about it much even with the summer temps in these two states. Like has been said though, watch yourself in California if you ever head that way.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Well I don't think the temperature is your number one concern.

You have to make a decision whether or not to place the cans in a box or better yet, large ammo can, or leave them "loose", and carry them in your car in the trunk, OR on the floor in the rear, passenger area.

In the trunk, some folks like to place it right at the opening to the trunk area, so that if there is a problem with an engine fire, they can remove the BP for the safety of fire rescue folks, and bystanders. Others place the can(s) of black powder forward in the trunk area in case they get rear ended, so there is much less chance of the impact crushing the can(s) and causing the BP then to spill out into the trunk compartment...., possibly more likely to be accidentally set off if the cans rupture and the powder is exposed.

Now then you have the group that places the BP on the floor in the rear portion of the passenger area, as they think there is more risk leaving the BP in a trunk, if one gets rear-ended and the gas tank ruptures, than if they keep it in the passenger area, behind the right front seat, perhaps under a blanket. The blanket (and an ammo can) will keep the powder temp lower than the temp in the passenger compartment.

I drive a station wagon so for me it's a moot point, but for you there are some considerations in case of a car accident. Again, I don't think the temp is your number one concern.

LD

 

[Rifleman1776]

Except for the Kalifornia thing, folks travel all other the place to attend shoots and rendezvous. Just pack and travel.

 

[Spikebuck]

Whatever you do, do not come to California. That much black powder is a felony here. All the best from the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia.

Now you have my curiosity up. What is the limit you can have in the PRC (funny that the acronym works for China as well as California!)We're talking only 3-4 pounds!?

BTW...I'm sure when some terrorist is building bombs in California, they'll pay attention to that law and only build really tiny ones.

 

[Zonie]

There's some confusion about California's limit on black powder.

Some information seems to say that there is a 1 pound limit.
Other information seems to say there is a 5 pound limit.

I have yet to see some official documented information that says either (or neither) value is correct.

 

[BrownBear]

There's some confusion about California's limit on black powder.

Some information seems to say that there is a 1 pound limit.
Other information seems to say there is a 5 pound limit.

I have yet to see some official documented information that says either (or neither) value is correct.

Good post. I'm trying to sort internet myth from fact on this one. Far as I can tell, the fiction writers are winning over clarity.

Love to see the official language if anyone has a link.

 

[Eljay]

Here's a nice summary http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/Ammunition_and_Black_Powder

The problem people get into is they search the code for black powder and there's no consistency. There's some language in the transportation code that you can't transport more than five pounds. There's some language in the health and safety code that you can't have more than one pound in your house. So you can walk into a store, buy three pounds, they won't say a word, but it's very easy to end up breaking the law accidentally if you bring too much of it home with you.

As you might imagine this law is very infrequently enforced. I'm sure the local LEOs have no idea what the limit is either.

 

[jamesthomas]

Geez, 20lbs of smokeless and only 1lb of blackpowder? Stupid is as stupid does. :youcrazy: :youcrazy:

 

[buzz]

When traveling i use a camp cooler not so much heat just keep it from other dangers

 

[Paul_R]

Whatever you do, do not come to California. That much black powder is a felony here. All the best from the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia.

Horsepucky, stop spreading that nonsense! Black powder is as legal here as anywhere. Some cities and counties have ridiculously small RETAIL limits for dealers but a person can have as much as the BATFE allows.

There are also some rules/limits for commercial transport of BP that I would bet apply in a lot of other states as well.

 

[necchi]

Thanks for sharing that Paul R,
There was a thread by a guy from SoCal just a little while ago where he stated he could only have 1 pound in possession,
Must have been a local ordinance, :idunno:

 

[Paul_R]

Yeah retailers get hit hard with local ordinances but not individuals. Here in Sacramento county retailers can only store 2 pounds which translates into nobody retails BP in Sacramento county. And the FUD rumors grow from there....

I just recently had 10 pounds of BP delivered to my house here in Sacramento county. Pretty sure FedEx would have heard if that was illegal. Unless it's a secret law.

 

[Zonie]

Maybe so but the limits I read for California were State laws, not local city limits. :hmm:

See the link in ejlay's post up a few from this one.

 

[Paul_R]

Maybe so but the limits I read for California were State laws, not local city limits. :hmm:

See the link in ejlay's post up a few from this one.

Yes I did it's from the motor vehicle code and pertains to commercial transport. And it's apparently ignored by FedEx since the truck that delivered my 10 lbs didn't have the placards as allegedly required. Which I highly doubt is a felony even in California. Lot's of FUD out there.

 

[fleener]

DOT allows black powder for sporting arms is able to be reclassified from a 1.3 explosive to a flammable solid if in one pound packages no more than 25 lbs per outside package. You would need more than a 1,000 lbs of haz mat on the truck before placards are required. As a 1.3 any quantity would require placards. Also don't count on the trucking company to know your local laws for how much powder you can have

Fleener