Is BP shooting a fire hazard? I would like to try it hunting, but...

[The Yankee Bandit]

Howdy!  This may be a dumb question, but here goes:

I am interested in getting a Sharps or one of the new 76 copies and would like to try it out deer hunting.  I have little BP shooting experience, but have seen it done at a lot of shoots.  My question is, Is shooting BP or BP type ammo any more of a fire hazard than shooting smokeless ammo?

Where I hunt in the fall, there is usually a lot of dried grass and sagebrush, just the stuff to make a nice fire.  And I have seen all the flame and soot that BP shooting can produce.  It seems that this could be the makings of a dangerous situation.

On the other hand, I have never heard of any of the old buffalo hunters having to run for the hills because they had set the Kansas prairie on fire with their Sharps.

But several years ago an area police officer set several thousand acres on fire, destroyed some homes and got into heap big trouble while shooting tracer rounds at a gun range.  I don't care to try to top that!

Thanks for any advice.

[Ornery Orr]

In my opinion, you would have less chance of starting a fire shooting your sharps than if you were smoking a cigarette.  Just don't go sticking your muzzle into a clump of grass and pulling the trigger.

[Dick Dastardly]

Watch the fire conditionns where you hunt.  Usually, it's the dang wad, not the powder that causes concern.  A burning wad or patch from a muzzle loader can cause a fire.  I know cuz I've done it.  With your 45-70 you can minimize the problem by shooting Big Lube™ bullets because they don't need a patch or wad for lube.  I do put a fiber wad under my rifle bullets but it has no lube on it and doesn't seem to be a problem.

I had a similar question about my scatterguns and grouse hunting.  If it was dry enough to get a fire started real easy, I just shot heathen fad smokeyless ammo.   I hate to admitit it, but that is ONE advantage to the heathen stuff.

So, use your head and maybe have two kinds of ammo ready for the hunt??

DD-DLoS

[TAkaho kid]

Hello Yankee Bandit,

To date I have yet to see a flaming wad either with a shot gun or rifle.  However just plain old comon sense will tell you to check thing over after you have made the shot. The wads don't go far.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Is it a hazard? Yes.....................it lights a fire in your heart & soul that can never be extinguished and demands to be fuelled by more BP shooting!!!! 

[litl rooster]

If I recall in the mid to late 90's when I lived in Montana they closed hunting to the muzzelloaders do to extreme dry conditions. You might check season to season with your state

[The Yankee Bandit]

Thanks all.  I appreciate the input.

[Delmonico]

I have a friend who started a small fire in muzzle-loading season a couple few years ago, just a small cedar tree that he was able to put out, it was to the side of his muzzle when he shot.

[Modoc]

Rule of thumb,   When Smokey says the Fire Danger is EXTREME or the Red Flag warning is in effect, shoot smokeless .  This is how I decide about what I am going to shoot July thru October   Of course, CA is well known for catching on fire verry easily.  Just don't get down wind of the #1 Cash crop when it burns .