Guys,
I know one of the people that helped draft this rule. The INTENT of the rule was to allow folks to use Sharps and some of the older, first generation I guess you could call it, models of cartridge rifles during black powder season. The thought was that there weren't that many folks that would fall into this catagory, the repro guns are expensive and the originals hard to come by. The original draft also called for the cartridges be loaded with black powder as well.

Ok, that was the intent, now for what happened. The ruling was poorly written, people that should have known their firearms history let the draft through with the language of "pre 1900 breach lo loading" get approved. Several people, including myself warned the commission that this would allow firearms such as the H&R handi rifles be included as they are pretty much an exact copy of some of the early Wesson break open rifles. That cow was well out of the barn before anyone could do anything about it. Then, the original requirement for the cartridges in this catagory to be loaded with black powder. One of the commissioners, who fancies himself a BPCR specialist, was scared that some poor hunter would blow himself up trying to load up a batch of 45-70s at home (sinch retail black powder rounds can be hard to find and expensive) eliminated this requirment and rewrote the rule to allow smokeless powder.

Now where are we.
Many of the hunting retail stores are very upset. They ordered large inventories of BP guns to be used for muzzleloader season and guess what. Many folks are opting for handi-rifles in 44mag, 45-70 or 38-55, and not buying the front stuffers. This is leaving all the retailers with large selections of guns they can't sell. Handi rifles have become rare and hard to find in calibers larger than .38.

What is going to happen next year?
My guess is that this rule will go back to the way it was. Probably find lots of used, cheap, big bore, breach loading rifles on the market in Mississippi.

Basically, it was a rule with good intentions that got away from itself.
Ironically, one can now use a cartidge rifle during primitive season in Miss, but you still can't use a crossbow during bow season. Go figure.

Hank