The newest 2011-2012 New Mexico Proclamation is out and I was shocked to read that on page 6 under Definitions and Terms it says:

Muzzleloader
Includes rifles and shotguns in which the charge and projectile
are loaded through the muzzle. Only black powder, Pyrodex
or an equivalent substitute may be used. Smokeless
powder, including “Blackhorn 209” powder is illegal. Legal
muzzleloading shotguns are those capable of being fired from
the shoulder only. Muzzleloaders may use in-line ignition,
pelleted powder, sabots, belted bullets and scopes. See
Restricted Muzzleloader, next column.

Restricted Muzzleloader (for certain deer hunts)
Any muzzle-loading rifle (including a smoothbore flintlock or musket)
using open sights in which the charge and projectile are loaded
through the muzzle. Only black powder, Pyrodex or an equivalent
substitute may be used. Smokeless powder, including “Blackhorn
209” powder, in-line ignition, pelleted powder, sabots, belted bullets,
multiple projectiles and scopes are illegal.

They allow Pyrodex, Triple 7, and other black powder substitutes but not BH209? This is crap. If you hunt in New Mexico or plan to apply for hunts here, and feel this is incorrect, be sure to contact the NM G&F and let them know this rule needs to change. Click here for contact information of NM G&F.

Thats down right silly. I think they been out in the desert to long.

they can ban powders all they want because its not what allows for long range shooting. Its the scopes that allow for long distance shots. Hell i got on video my brother in law shooting a deer from 175 yards with my Accura and a puny 105gr pyrodex RS charge. With open sights, no way that shot was doable

So inlines, pellets, sabots, and scopes are OK but BH 209 is not??? Who did Western powder piss off in NM?

What worries me, and i am not a BH shooter, but if one state starts the ball rolling.....

MountainDevil54

Tell that one to Lee - think under the right condition and the right open sight that is a very doable shot.

People have long shot distances much greater than that with older less fancy muzzleloaders with open sights... And they continue to do it today.

If I had the chance to hunt NM, my first shot would be with whats most accurate in my ML, followed by whatever is legal. If a warden will make you break down a loaded ML just to inspect powder, then they don't care about the revenue hunting brings to an area. That type of enforcement will get out quickly, hurting the state and local communities. NM is not the only state with game, I'll spend my $$$ where it's appreciated. End of rant.

I qualified on the rifle range at Parris Island with an M-14 and open sights(peep rear)Marine qualification at that time was 200 yds offhand,300 yds sitting and kneeling(slow and rapid fire)and 500 yds prone position.Very Doable. 175 yds should be a piece of cake.

Charlie

Well fellas i hate to toot my own horn and i am "not" anti BH209 at all. but i have been saying this would happen on other forums for over a year. i never got into it on this forum, since some of the debates in the other forum got really ugly.utah is next,actually if you read there present regulations BH 209 is illegal to hunt with during the muzzle loader season.why? it specifically states no nitrocellulose based powders!.ever wonder why BH is so clean? i agree it should be allowed in all states,but i knew and have argued this would happen.states consider it to be a smokeless powder..

"states consider it to be a smokeless powder.."

If those "states" ever actually shot it.... (especially in a box/tent blind), it's far from "smokeless"