Definition of Muzzleloader

[klahtax]

I have been looking for what the official definition of a muzzleloading rifle is. I have not seen anything that states that both propellant and bullet need to be loaded thru the muzzle.
I was wandering if the charge only could be put in thru the breach and the bullet thru the muzzle. This would make allow the charge to be removed easily and eliminate the misfires caused by damp powder. Please any information would be great.

[morrison]

The last line of the administrative code posted below states that the bullet and powder must be loaded through the muzzle only in order for the firearm to be considered a muzzleloader.

312 IAC 9-3-3 Equipment for deer hunting
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-22-2-6
Affected: IC 14-22; IC 35-47-2
Sec. 3. (a) During the youth special deer season established in section 4(b) of this rule, a youth hunter must hunt deer only with
the following equipment:
(1) A bow and arrow as described in subsection (b)(1) through (b)(5).
(2) A crossbow as defined in 312 IAC 9-1-5.3.
(3) A shotgun as described in subsection (d)(1).
(4) A muzzleloading long gun as described in subsection (d)(3).
(5) A rifle, with the use of cartridges described in subsection (d)(4).
(b) During the archery season established in section 4(c) of this rule, an individual must hunt deer only with the following
equipment:
(1) A long bow or compound bow that has at least thirty-five (35) pounds pull with a valid license identified at section 2(f)
of this rule.
(2) A crossbow with a valid license identified at section 2(g) of this rule.
(3) Arrows or bolts must be equipped with metal or metal-edged (or flint, chert, or obsidian napped) broadheads.
(4) Poisoned or explosive arrows or bolts are unlawful.
(5) For long bows, recurve bows, and compound bows:
(A) bows drawn, held, or released other than by hand or hand-held releases are unlawful; and
(B) no portion of the bow's riser (handle) or any:
(i) track;
(ii) trough;
(iii) channel;
(iv) arrow rest; or
(v) other device;
that attaches to the bow's riser shall contact, support, or guide the arrow from a point rearward of the bow's brace height.
(c) During the firearms season established in section 4(e) of this rule and the special antlerless season established in section
4(h) of this rule, an individual must hunt deer only with any of the following equipment:
(1) A shotgun.
(2) A shotgun with rifled barrel.
(3) A handgun.
(4) A muzzleloading long gun.
(5) A muzzleloading handgun.
(6) A rifle, with the use of cartridges described in subsection (d)(4) only.
(d) As used in section 2 of this rule, this section, and sections 4 through 8 of this rule, a firearm must meet the following
specifications:
(1) A shotgun must have a gauge 10, 12, 16, 20, or.410 bore loaded with a single projectile.
(2) A handgun must:
(A) conform to the requirements of IC 35-47-2;
(B) have a barrel at least four (4) inches long;
(C) fire a bullet of two hundred forty-three thousandths (.243) inch diameter or larger; and
(D) not be a rifle that has a barrel less than eighteen (18) inches or is designed or redesigned to be fired from the
shoulder.
The handgun cartridge case, without bullet, must be at least one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches long. Full metal jacketed
bullets are unlawful. All 25/20, 32/20, 30 carbine, and 38 special ammunition is prohibited.
(3) A muzzleloading long gun must be .44 caliber or larger, loaded with a bullet at least three hundred fifty-seven thousandths
(.357) inch or larger. A muzzleloading handgun must be single shot, .50 caliber or larger, loaded with bullets at least .44 caliber
and have a barrel at least twelve (12) inches long. The length of a muzzleloading handgun barrel is determined by measuring
from the base of the breech plug, excluding tangs and other projections, to the end of the barrel, including the muzzle crown.
A muzzleloading gun must be capable of being loaded only from the muzzle, including both powder and bullet.