Colorado Regualtions - New Thread found in a simple search
 

I am not taking sides here at all but starting a new thread as there seems to be a bit of confusion.

So posted below are the 01/01/2012 Colorado Regs Taken from this page
http://www.muzzleloader.com/state-regs/regulations.htm

I clicked on the sate flag of Colorado
Link
http://wildlife.state.co.us/RulesReg...gulations.aspx

Then clicked on the Rules/Regs tab -
~then the Regulations tab to the left and got this page
http://wildlife.state.co.us/SiteColl...tions/Ch02.pdf

Under Genreal Provions Chapter 00 I clicked and got the pdf file with the following:
Definiton of a Muzzleloader is
10. "Muzzle-loading rifle or musket" means a firearm fired from the shoulder, with a single barrel which fires a single patched round ball or bullet.
Then I went bakc and clicked Chapter 02 Big Game
Page 5 Quote -
#203 - MANNER OF TAKE
See also #000 in Chapter 0 of these regulations for other applicable manner of take definitions.
A. The following are legal methods of take for all species and seasons listed in this chapter, except as otherwise noted. Any method of take not listed herein shall be prohibited, except as otherwise provided by statute or these regulations:
1. Rifles using center fire cartridges of .24 caliber or larger, having expanding bullets of at least seventy (70) grains in weight, except for elk and moose where the minimum bullet weight is eighty-five (85) grains, and with a rated impact energy one hundred (100) yards from the muzzle of at least one thousand (1000) foot pounds as determined by the manufacturer's rating providing that any semiautomatic rifle used shall not hold more than six (6) rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. A fully automatic rifle is prohibited.
2. Muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets, provided the minimum caliber shall be forty (.40) for all big game except elk and moose. The minimum caliber for elk and moose shall be fifty (.50). All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets from forty (.40) caliber through fifty (.50) caliber must use a bullet of at least 170 grains in weight. All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets greater than fifty (.50) caliber must use bullets of at least 210 grains in weight
a. During the muzzle-loading firearms seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, and moose only lawful muzzle-loaders and smoothbore muskets may be used by muzzle-loading license holders.
b. During the muzzle-loading firearm seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, and moose the following additional restrictions apply:
1. Propellent/Powders: The use of pelletized powder systems and smokeless powder are prohibited.
2. Projectiles: Sabots are prohibited. For the purposes of this regulation cloth patches are not sabots.
3. Loading: Firearms must load from the muzzle. Firearms which can be loaded from the breech are prohibited.
4. Sights: Any muzzle-loading rifle or smoothbore musket with any sighting device other than open or "iron" sights is prohibited.
5. Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to the muzzle-loading firearm

Does this help as it seems the info posted on another thread is correct BUT not taken far enough to show a sabot is NOT permitted.

Hey holler at me if you want but this is what I found in a quick search

JW

I just talked to the numder othe Denver office that Muley posted and they told me sabots are legal during the rifle season,

Oh wow then Colorado has miss information posted on the World Wide Web that the State of Colorado needs to fix pronto and sthe State should be made aware of what I found.

Links are there. I have no stake in this at all.

thanks 1874

JW

It turns out they're legal, but didn't used to be. Some seem to be given old information.

They could have made the rules a little clearer. Better yet. Allow sabots in all seasons.

I think SS is agreeing with you there is nothing said in the regulations that sabots can NOT be used - they are Legal during the regular rifle season just as we have said all-along.

To me the published regulations have been clear and correct. I do not see what might be wrong with with the written regs..

I think it gets cornfusing because the law for projectiles is different for the rifle season than it is during the muzzleloading season. The link JW posted where he used the bold letters "Sabots are prohibited" is pertaining to the muzzleloading season NOT the rifle season.

I would suspect but do not know Muley that there is a heavy Traditional Lobby in the State to keep the ML season more to the primative side as there is here in Idaho and Oregon, and even a little bit in Washington...

Well wading through any state's hunting regualtions is not that easy at all as they sure are not viewer friendly - ......
I even went to Colorado's updated regs and it said nothing nor could I find any other update other than the regs I posted.

JW

Yes, if you ask them they say they want to keep the season primitive. The problem is they haven't. Shooting an inline with an all copper ballistic tip bullet and BH 209. Is not very primitive. They might as well just give in, and allow scopes and sabots.

Then they could have a real primitive season for flintlocks, PRB, and black powder.

Doing it half way pleases no one.

Wow every time I search I can find nothing more than Sabots are Illegal! One would think the state would fix that! Unless the new change wnet into effect in the last few days or so.

Just saying.......

JW

and here is a new link that allows quick searching

http://wildlife.state.co.us/SiteColl...me/biggame.pdf

Okay to clear this up - SABOTS are Legal during RIFLE Season but not during Muzzleloader Season - think I got it correct now from both sides.

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/blac...ra-lite-5.html

Direct Quote from Muley Hunter's post......

"I just got this email. I had also asked about a patched ball.

Peter-
The caliber restriction for elk and moose refers to the weapon, not the projectile. My reading of the big game pamphlet was erroneous, and I DID just go check with the appropriate law enforcement and education officials. During a REGULAR RIFLE SEASON, a hunter may utilize sabots in his black-powder weapon PROVIDED that the projectiles meet the minimum weight requirements (170 for deer, pronghorn, or bear, 210 for elk and moose).
Regarding the .50 Hawken, you either shot a true .50 ball out of a slightly larger than .50 barrel or a .49 ball w/patch from a true .50 milled barrel. We are not concerned with projectile diameter because the regulation refers to barrel diameter (referred to as the caliber in this regulation). Read verbatim:
“Muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets, provided the minimum caliber shall be forty (.40) for all big game except elk and moose. The minimum caliber for elk and moose shall be fifty (.50). All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets from forty (.40) caliber through fifty (.50) caliber must use a bullet of at least 170 grains in weight. All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets greater than fifty (.50) caliber must use bullets of at least 210 grains in weight.”

Sorry for the confusion, that’s why I went down to check.
Best regards,

RYAN D. RUSCH
Customer Service Representative
COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
6060 Broadway
Denver CO 80216
303-297-1192
__________________
Pete "end quote

sorry if I caused any confusion
I will go back to my corner now
JW

Your looking at Muzzleloader season. Im hunting rifle season.;)

that is the way I would interpret it also

Yep I found out that the hard way.........

Yep, legal to shoot sabots using pellets and a scope when hunting with a muzzy during a regular centerfire rifle season.

In my hands, an inline with a copper covered, plastic tipped bullet is not any more inherantly accurate than my T/C renegade shooting maxiballs. It is easier to use and clean up, but is not more accurate. So I think "primative" is not the reason they restrict. Reduced ability to harvest during the rut is the reason they don't allow items (such as a scope) that would extend my range and increase harvest numbers. And yes, there are guys out there that can shoot almost as good with open sights as with a scope, but I am not one of them, and neither are most hunters out there. My current max range is 120 yards with my inline using fPBs and BH 209. I am sure with a scope, I could extend that to 200 yards.