muzzle loader primers in IL

[d_hiker]

I was reading the deer firearm regulations today, not sure why, but I thought I had better check it out since it was news to me we could use .30 cal bottle neck cartridges in pistols.  Anyway, I have a NEF Huntsman .50 cal I am planning on using during muzzle loader season.  I also have changed the breech plug to one that uses the .25 ACP case with a small rifle primer.  Now I read this, bold and underline are my additions:

"Muzzleloaders: a single or double barreled muzzleloading firearm of at
least .45 caliber shooting a single projectile through a barrel of at least
sixteen inches in length; must be percussion cap (a shotgun primer is a
legal percussion cap), wheellock, matchlock or flint type ignitions only,
except the Connecticut Valley Arms (CVA) electronic ignition shall be
legal to use and only use black powder or a “black powder substitute”
such as Pyrodex. Modern smokeless powders (nitrocellulose-based) are
an approved blackpowder substitute only in muzzleloading firearms that
are specifically designed for their use."

Since the breech plug uses small rifle primers would it still be legal to use?  I know the principle is the same, but sometimes the wording can mean things that were never the original intent.

I do notice that the way it is worded, you could use a .45 cal muzzle loader and shoot a .357 sabot.  It just says "muzzleloading firearm of at least .45 caliber" which shots a single projectile.  It doesn't say what the projectile size has to be.

[Matt3357]

I would assume that the .25 acp is still a percussion cap, not sure of the exact definition.  But, there is a paragraph you did miss about the projectile size:

Legal Ammunition
 For shotguns and muzzleloading firearms, the
minimum size of the projectile shall be .44 caliber.
A wad or sleeve is not considered a projectile
or a part of the projectile.

This is right below the part about the minimum barrel caliber for muzzle loaders.  Hopefully this clears up any confusion.

Matt

[S.B.]

In my opinion, no it wouldn't be legal in Illinois? One reason I stay away from the .25 caliber priming system. As, I'm sure you know, wait till next year, things my change?
Steve

[JBlk]

Just E Mail the Dept of Natural resources and ask your question.I have done that on a couple of occasions and get a quick reply.

[PHATINJUN]

I asked that ? in a email to them a couple of yrs ago and was told it was legal I did not keep it for my records but to be safe I would check with them again. The last 2 yrs I've only used patch and round ball with precussion cap out of the .58 Huntsman. Kurt

[d_hiker]

Yesterday I sent an email to the Illinois Conservation Police through the DNR website asking about the .25ACP breech plug.  I'll post their reply when I receive it.  Thank you for the replies.

I did miss that on the projectile size.

[d_hiker]

I received a reply to my email today.  I printed a copy and will keep it with my muzzle loader tags.
***********************************************************
RE: muzzle loader question
Friday, November 7, 2008 1:58 PM
From: "DNR, Lawreception" <DNR.Lawreception@Illinois.gov>
To: d_hiker@yahoo.com

It does not matter whether you use rifle primers or shotgun primers.
 
                                                     Officer Jason Sherman



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: d hiker [mailto:]
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 8:59 PM
To: Sherman, Jason
Subject: muzzle loader question


I have a question concerning the legal use of a muzzle loader for deer season.  I have received my permit for the muzzle loading season.  I have a New England Firearms, Huntsman .50 caliber inline muzzle loader.  It came with 209 primer carriers to be used.  I have since replaced the breech plug with a breech plug that uses small rifle primers in a .25ACP brass as the ignition source.  This reduces the amount of blow back from the primer and helps with the cleaning of the weapon.
 
In the rule summary enclosed with the muzzle loader permit it mentions that shotgun primers and percussion caps are allowed.  Would the small rifle primers be considered a percussion cap and legal to use as the ignition source for a muzzle loader?
 
Thank you for your help.
 
Doug Xxxxxxxx
 

[S.B.]

I was told up at Marsielles training area, friday morning, they won't be having a muzzle loader season, this year? No reason was given. Maybe Blagojevich has been putting pressure on the rangers up there?
Steve