Thanks Nito.
I'm sure they are waiting for a tipping point where Blackhorn 209 eats up a certain percentage of the market share?
They've got other loose powders and those expensive pellets to sell. They would really only be competing with themselves at this point, because they would have to price it accordingly. They would mostly just lose their market share on another of their products. Pyrodex loose, Pyrodex Pellets, Triple Se7en loose, Triple Se7en Pellets/ Magnum Pellets, IMR White Hots, supply Alliant Blue MZ.
Blackhorn 209 shooters have had 12 years to get comfortable, so it's doubtful that a large percentage of that base will jump ship for another loose powder. That is unless the performance is the same or better, and the price is much better.
They really are damned if they do, and at some point damned if they don't! I guess we'll have to let them decide where that point is.
It's obviously Nitrocellulose based like Blackhorn 209, per cleaning instructions and NITROFIRE as the name of the rifle. Were you able to determine from Chris if it is classified as smokeless, or a black powder substitute? That will be the determining factor in some states like Michigan where the only limitation is it has to be "black powder or a commercially manufactured black powder substitute".
Looking at the Michigan Regs, I think they'll be able to skirt the latest wording. That's how the black powder cartridge pistols slipped in the back door several years ago.
Straight from the Michigan Conservation Order (Regs).
Chapter II, General Hunting and Trapping Regulations.
".....(c) A muzzle-loading rifle or black-powder pistol loaded with black-powder or a commercially manufactured blackpowder substitute.".....
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79772_80261-120756--,00.html
Just for the record, I don't have a problem with black powder cartridge pistols being allowed in the muzzleloading deer seasons. It can't even be a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the hunters. They've already opened up the CWD Core Area and the CWD Management Zone, to any legal firearm. So our Muzzleloading Deer Season in Mid-Michigan is already a free for all.
The only ways the Nitrofire and FireSticks will be illegal here for the Muzzleloading Deer Season, is if the powder is classified as smokeless. The other way will be if they come right out and name it as being illegal, like they did with the AirBow (air rifle that shoots arrows). The AirBow is not legal for taking any game in any season, period.
Hard telling what hairbrained ideas the DNR and NRC (Natural Resources Commission) will come up with or allow. They just implemented Antler Point Restrictions in the middle 3 counties of the CWD Core Area beginning last fall, so go figure?
Michigan House Bill 4554 (2007) which would allow smokeless powder in capable rifles where black powder/black powder substitutes can be used, has been dead in the water since 2007. It was introduced by our last Lt. Governor before he was elected then reelected for two 4 year terms.
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(1...g.aspx?page=getObject&objectname=2007-HB-4554
The DNR Law Division will not budge on the smokeless.
http://www.michigandnr.com/legislationdocs/position/HB 4554 Analysis.htm