Muzzleloader Advancements

In the ever-evolving world of hunting, advancements in weaponry have brought significant changes over the years. Take Utah, for example. Once, hunters relied solely on traditional iron-sight muzzleloaders. However, as technology advanced, the state moved to allow virtually unlimited muzzleloader setups, significantly broadening the options for hunters. However, in a nod to tradition, Utah introduced HAMS (Handgun, Archery, Muzzleloader, and Shotgun) hunts, which included restrictions to remove all scopes and red dot sights from the muzzleloader definition. Then, in 2024, the state made a decisive move back to the basics by mandating muzzleloaders without magnified scopes. Once again, 2025 brought more change to Utah with the creation of restricted muzzleloader-only general deer hunt seasons. This “new” weapon type does not follow any of the above-mentioned muzzleloader definitions. For more details on the three muzzleloader types in Utah’s rulebook, see the Utah section below.
 
This kind of ebb and flow in regulations isn’t unique to Utah. Across the western United States, hunters can observe similar trends – shifting guidelines that sometimes expand opportunities and, at other times, prioritize a return to traditional methods. For those aiming to hunt multiple states, it’s worth noting that many states share commonalities in their requirements. However, one consistent rule across the West is the prohibition of smokeless powder in muzzleloaders, ensuring a soft ceiling on technology is placed on these weapons.

 

Muzzleloader Updates 

This article is not meant to replace the official regulations of individual states but serves as an up-to-date directory of the broader trends and opportunities available. It’s important to note that hunting rules and regulations are subject to change, so always check the most current regulations of the state you plan to hunt in. As much as we’d like to provide timeless advice, staying informed and compliant with local laws is key to ensuring a successful and lawful hunting experience. The information below applies to muzzleloader-only seasons in the respective states. If you intend to use a muzzleloader during an “any legal weapon” or rifle season, you may not be subject to the same regulations.
 
ALASKA
Hunters wishing to hunt in a weapons-restricted area must successfully complete a weapon-specific course for the weapon with which they will be hunting. Certain bowhunter, crossbow, muzzleloader, and shotgun hunts also require the hunter to be in possession of a Basic Hunter Education card.
 
The muzzleloader must be a shoulder-mounted long gun and be at least .45 caliber or larger with a barrel that is either rifled or smooth bore and discharges a single projectile. You cannot use a muzzleloader equipped with a scope or use smokeless powder during any permitted, registered, or special season hunt for muzzleloader only.
 
ARIZONA
In Arizona, there are only a few muzzleloader restrictions for muzzleloader-only permit hunts. No minimum caliber and no restrictions on the projectile or scope so long as it is loaded from the muzzle and shoots black powder or a synthetic black powder substitute.
 
CALIFORNIA
Muzzleloaders must be wheellock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion type, including “in-line” muzzleloading rifles using black powder or equivalent black powder substitute, including pellets, with a single projectile loaded from the muzzle and at least .40 caliber in designation. Under the provisions of a muzzleloading rifle only tag, hunters may only possess muzzleloading rifles with open or “peep” type sights only except as described in subsection. No scopes are allowed. Lead-free bullets must be used in all hunts within the state.
 
A disabled muzzleloader scope permit is available to any visually impaired hunter having permanent loss. The Disabled Muzzleloader Scope Permit allows the hunter to use a 1x scope on a muzzleloader rifle while hunting under the conditions of a muzzleloader deer hunt tag. Hunters must renew the permit each license year.
 
COLORADO
In-line muzzleloaders are legal for muzzleloader-only seasons. It must be a single barrel that fires a single round ball or conical projectile and must be loaded from the muzzle. To hunt deer, antelope, or bear, conical bullets must be a minimum of .40 caliber and round-ball bullets must be a minimum of .50 caliber. To hunt elk or moose, conical bullets must be a minimum of .50 caliber and round-ball bullets must be a minimum of .54 caliber. From .40 caliber to .50 caliber, bullets must weigh a minimum of 170 grains. If greater than .50 caliber, bullets must weigh a minimum of 210 grains. Sabots are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. Shotshell (209) primers and B.O.R. Lock MZ System bullets are legal. Pelletized powder systems are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons.

Only open or iron sights are allowed in muzzleloader-only seasons. Fiber optics and fluorescent paint incorporated into or on open or iron sights are legal. Scopes or any sighting device using artificial light, batteries, and electronic gear are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. Cloth patches are not considered sabots. Smokeless powder and pelletized powder substitutes are prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Black powder and black-powder substitutes are legal. Hunters must wear a minimum of 500 square inches above the waist plus a hat of solid orange or pink material during muzzleloader-only hunts.
 
IDAHO
In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and short-range hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals with any muzzleloading rifle or musket that is less than .45 caliber for deer, antelope, mountain lion, or gray wolf; or is less than .50 caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or black bear. Any person hunting in a muzzleloader-only season, including controlled hunts, must have in their possession a license with a muzzleloader permit validation ($81.75 for non-residents).
 
In addition, the muzzleloading rifle or musket must be capable of being loaded only from the muzzle and equipped with only open or peep sights. Scopes and any electronics are prohibited, except hunters with a visual disability may apply for a Reasonable Modification Permit to use non-magnifying or up to 4x power scopes. Powder may only be loose black powder, loose Pyrodex, or other loose synthetic black powder. Pelletized powders are prohibited. The projectile must be within .010 inch of the bore diameter that is a patched round ball or conical non-jacketed projectile composed wholly of lead or a lead alloy. Sabots are prohibited. Muzzleloaders may only be equipped with a flint, percussion cap or musket cap. The muzzleloader must be equipped with an ignition system in which any portion of the cap is exposed when the weapon is cocked and ready to fire. Flintlock, percussion cap, or musket cap ignition systems are allowed. Shotgun (209) primers are prohibited.
 
Short-Range Weapon season muzzleloaders are subject to less restrictions and have separate definitions.
 
KANSAS
Legal muzzleloaders include rifles, pistols, or muskets that can be loaded only through the front of the firing chamber with separate components and that fire a bullet of .40 inches in diameter or larger, using hard-cast solid lead, conical lead, saboted, or tumble-on-impact bullets. You may use a scope.
 
MONTANA
There are no muzzleloader-only permit seasons in Montana except for the special heritage hunting season that takes place in December for unfilled deer and elk licenses. This heritage season is unique in that the muzzleloader must have an open ignition system that is a matchlock, wheellock, flintlock, musket cap, or percussion cap system that is a minimum of .45 caliber. Loose black powder or black powder substitutes are allowed. The projectile must be a plane lead projectile that is round or conical. It may not use any sabot. In-line muzzleloaders or any muzzleloaders using shotgun (209) primers are not allowed. Muzzleloader hunters must wear hunter orange.
 
NEVADA
Muzzleloading rifles must have a single barrel of .45 caliber or larger. Ignition systems are pretty open, allowing for wheellock, matchlock, or flintlock ignition systems, or percussion ignition systems that use a primer or percussion cap. In-lines muzzleloaders are permitted. Round balls, lead bullets, semi-jacketed bullets, sabots, or a metal alloy bullet that expands are acceptable projectiles. Only open sights or peep sights are permitted; all scopes are prohibited. A sight that is operated or powered by a battery, electronics, or a radioactive isotope such as tritium is prohibited. Only black powder or a black powder substitute may be used.
 
NEW MEXICO
In recent years, New Mexico jumped on the restricted muzzleloader trend, so hunters may now only use muzzleloaders with open or “iron” sights, any legal bow, or any legal crossbow during regular muzzleloader hunts. Scopes, red dots, or other similar sights are not allowed during a muzzleloader hunt. Sabots and in-line ignition may be used with muzzleloaders except during restricted muzzleloader deer hunts. There are just a few restricted muzzleloader deer hunts where in-line ignitions are illegal and the projectile must be a full-bore-diameter bullet or patched round ball. Bows and crossbows are still legal during restricted muzzleloader deer hunts.
 
OREGON
Muzzleloaders no longer require an “open ignition;” however, shotgun (209) style primers are illegal for muzzleloader-only hunts. Muzzleloaders must use granular (loose) black powder or black powder substitutes. Open and peep sights are legal, including open and peep sights with fiber optics or fluorescent paint on them. No scopes may be used or any sights that use batteries or artificial lights. Visually impaired hunters with a permit may be able to get an exception for a different sight type. For deer, antelope, black bear, and cougar, the minimum caliber is .40 or larger allowed. For elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat, the minimum is .50 caliber. Sabots or bullets with plastic or synthetic parts are not allowed. Cloth, paper, or felt patches are allowed.
 
SOUTH DAKOTA
In seasons restricted to muzzleloading firearms, telescopic sights are not allowed. Telescopic sights are sights that utilize magnification. No person may hunt, shoot, shoot at, wound, kill, or pursue any big game animal with any muzzleloading rifle which discharges a projectile less than .44 caliber. Muzzleloading handguns must discharge a projectile of .50 caliber or larger.
 
UTAH
For the 2025 season, Utah will now have three definitions for different muzzleloader hunt types – regular muzzleloaders, HAMSS muzzleloaders, and restricted muzzleloaders. For all muzzleloaders for limited-entry and general season muzzleloaders hunts, firearms can be inline muzzleloaders with any common ignition style. Shotgun (209) and centerfire primers are allowed. Loose or pelletized powder is allowed, as well as sabots and any .40 caliber or larger projectile at least 130 grains for deer and antelope or at least 210 grain for elk, moose, bison, sheep, or mountain goat. No magnifying scope may be attached, but a red dot or 1x scope may be used. No electronics may be attached, except for illuminated reticles or dots. Valid visual-impairment certificates of registration for scopes with magnification are permitted during muzzleloader hunts if a hunter has a visual-impairment approved by a doctor and authorized by the division.
 
For the HAMSS (handgun-archery-muzzleloader-shotgun-straight-walled-cartridge) hunts, of which there are very few elk and deer hunts, the muzzleloader must follow the same definition as listed above, but there may not be any scopes or optics attached to the muzzleloader. Open or peep sights only are allowed.
 
The new restricted muzzleloader type will first be found on a few mule deer hunts in Utah beginning in 2025. This restricted muzzleloader definition removes the ability to use a shotgun (209) or centerfire primer for ignition. Matchlock, wheellock, and percussion/musket caps are only allowed. The ignition may be fully enclosed. There are no other restrictions on the powder or projectile type.
 
WASHINGTON
A muzzleloader is a firearm that is loaded from the muzzle and uses black powder or a black powder substitute. Muzzleloading firearms may have a single or double barrel and must be .40 caliber or larger for deer. All other big game require a minimum caliber of .45. Ignition must be wheellock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion cap. Primers designed to be used in modern centerfire cartridges are legal. Powder must be black powder or a black powder substitute. Any type of projectile with or without a sabot are allowed. Sights must be open, peep, fiber optic, red dot, or scopes that do not exceed 1x magnification.
 
WYOMING
Wyoming offers very few muzzleloader-only licenses for big game hunts. Legal muzzleloaders must be .40 caliber or larger firing an expanding point bullet or lead ball and using a charge of at least 50 grains of black powder or its equivalent. Scopes and in-line systems are legal.


 

Additional Articles:

> Utah Hunting Regulation Changes 2025
> Arizona Elk and Antelope Application Strategies
> The Future of Colorado's Draw System