When is a Muzzle Loading Gun Considered Unloaded?

duke1

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I have an in-line 209 ML TC Encore rifle and need to know when the gun is considered to be unloaded according to firearms/hunting laws.

For example, do I need to have all the components including primer, powder and bullet removed for the gun to be considered unloaded?

As we know, unloading such a gun is a little more involved than a regular cartridge gun, especially at the end of the day when light is minimum. Could I get away by just removing the primer?

Removing powder pellets in this gun is fairly simple but removing the bullets, somewhat more involved.

Please include references if you are familiar with this situation.

Thanks,

Duke1

PS. I'm familiar with the suggestion of firing the gun to unload it but this is out of the question for me because of cost and noise.
 
In Manitoba, you can transport the muzzleloader between hunting sites with a charge and projectile, but no primer. That is as per the hunting regs. Ontario may be different.
 
You only have to remove the 209 primer, for it to be considered unloaded. :)

Page 21 of Ont reg's under: General Regulations-Firearms-Muzzleloaders
 
A lot of the statements about what constitutes unloaded refers to the game regulations of the particular province and when transporting between hunting sites. Transporting on the highway and storage/possession at home is or I strongly suspect is a different matter. Unless I am badly mistaken, in BC, once you reach the highway, powder and ball are supposed to be out.

cheers mooncoon
 
Beefman is correct for Ontario. No Cap or no powder in the flash pan constitutes unloaded.

I would recommend a CO2 ball popper though. Ball and powder cost nothing compared to the embarassment of a bullet hole in your car door.
 
On the firing line, for the purpose of a cease fire and clear line, I consider a muzzleloader unloaded only once it has been fired. No powder, no projectile, no primer.

Hunting regs may say differently of course.
 
I haven't heard of this before.
Can you tell us where you got this rule from? and is this rule Nation wide or just some jurisdictions?

Ontario Fish and Wildlife Regulation or what ever it is called. Yes it is more than the Firearms Act calls for.
 
Straight from the CFP/CFC:


Quote:
Black powder muzzleloaders do not have to be unloaded when they are being transported between hunting sights if their firing cap or flint has been removed.

Correct for the OP and the rest of Canada but Ontario went one step further if you are hunting, which was totally unnecessary but this is Liberal Ontario.
 
The key word above is between hunting sites. That does not refer to stored in a dwelling or between hunting site and permanent residence. I strongly suspect that the CFC defines unloaded when not hunting or between sites, as being completely empty.

cheers mooncoon
 
Not a problem. I went shooting last night... Not loaded anymore ;) By the way from the ontario hunting regulations (pg 21 definitions) it must have powder, projectile and cap/primer to be considered loaded. In the case of flintlocks the above posters are correct and the gun is considered loaded if there is powder, projectile and unplugged vent.....
 
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