We got into an interesting discussion about this when I was iquiring about various muzzleloaders at this post. I'm sure the controversy about the Savage 10ML has been ongoing.

At anyrate we got into the discussion about "black powder substitutes" here on out referred to as BPS.

According to the Michigan DNR website.

"Muzzleloading Deer Seasons
During the December muzzleloading seasons, muzzleloading deer hunters can carry afield and use only a muzzleloading rifle, a muzzleloading shotgun, or a black power handgun loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black powder substitute."

We have established the fact that the ML10 is a muzzleloading rifle. The ML10 can use black powder, pyrodex or 777, which are are evidently legal to use in Michigan and fall under the term "commercially manufactured black powder substitute". You can use a smokeless powder such as Accurate Arms XMP-5744 or IMR-4227 in the ML10, but because they don't specify BPS on the packing, they are not legal to use according to pretty much everyone on that forum. I believe the MDNR feels the same way, although I am waiting to here back from them, I feel the outcome will be the same.

In challenging the wording of the above regulation, I came up with some interesting stuff.

The latest trend in muzzleloading marketing is "sulfurless black powder replacements." Those include BlackMag3, American Pioneer, and Hodgdon's Triple Se7en. They have absolutely nothing chemically in common with black powder, they are not at all similar in performance, and they are also not equivalent in weight, but these are considered legal BPRs in Michigan.

Pyrodex, American Pioneer, Triple Se7en, or flammable pellets/sticks etc. are classified as smokeless propellants by the United States Department of Transportation (Class 1.3 hazardous materials).

So what's the difference? Because some savy business types have labeled some powder as a BPS(and decided to charge almost double the price), it's legal as long as it labeled as such? Why can't I use XMP-5744 in an ML10 instead of Pyrodex? It's commercially manufactured and I am using it as a substitute for black powder. Iis there a another federal agency that determines what is considered a "black powder substitute"? or is it considered legal as long as the package says it is?

Someone needs to tell a savy marketing guy at Savage to re-package some Accurate Arms XMP-5744 or IMR-4227 and put "ML10 Black Powder Susbtitute" on the label so we can make it legal.

Here is an interesting read on this subject.

By the way. There is nothing in the state of Michigan regulations that determine what and what is not considered a legal black powder substitute.

Discuss