How do you store your muzzleloader between hunts?

[Guest RedlegHunter]

I am new to muzzleloading, and have a question for any veteran smoke poler. How do you store your muzzleloader in between hunts, if you don't fire your weapon?

I have been told that you can remove the cap and store it until the next hunt without firing the charge and bullet. I wonder if the powder will be affected by moisture.

Please advise.

[Guest brl]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hunts?

i just take my primer out and leave the bullet in there as long as you keep it out of the moisture it should be good. I shoot mine about every week if i havent shot it just to make sure it will go of if i want to shot a deer

[archerjg]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

I fire it and clean it then store it into a soft sided case until the next muzzleloader season or next target practice.

Archerjg

[tedicast]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

During the season, I just pull the primer, and leave the bullet and charge in the barrel. I keep the gun in my unheated garage, instead of bringing it in the house, so moisture shouldn't be a broblem. At the end of the season, I pull the breech plug, and push the charge and the bullet through, and give the gun a thorough cleaning.

[LETMGROW]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

As long as you haven't shot the gun you don't have much to worry about. I keep my M.L. in the house clean, warm and dry. If it has been fired, I clean it as soon as possible!

[WABS]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

Because I always pop a cap or two as the first step to loading it I always unload it at the end of every day and clean it. Then I start with a fresh load each day. I've only got a week of hunting and I like the thought of having a fresh load every day. Besides for us it isn't a problem taking a practice shot at the end of the day to verify nothing has happened to your zero during the course of the day. I don't have a problem with folks unpriming the gun and storing it properly - my only caution is not to forget you have a load in. Double loads aren't too conducive to muzzle loader longevity.

[too_pointer]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

[ QUOTE ]

During the season, I just pull the primer, and leave the bullet and charge in the barrel. I keep the gun in my unheated garage, instead of bringing it in the house, so moisture shouldn't be a broblem. At the end of the season, I pull the breech plug, and push the charge and the bullet through, and give the gun a thorough cleaning.

[/ QUOTE ]

tedicast said the same thing I also do. I have never had any problems. You don't want to move your powder from the cold to heat, or vice versa LOL.

too_

[wtnhunt]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

[ QUOTE ]

During the season, I just pull the primer, and leave the bullet and charge in the barrel. I keep the gun in my unheated garage, instead of bringing it in the house, so moisture shouldn't be a broblem. At the end of the season, I pull the breech plug, and push the charge and the bullet through, and give the gun a thorough cleaning.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do pretty much the same thing here.

Welcome to the forums.

[RangerClay]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

[ QUOTE ]

During the season, I just pull the primer, and leave the bullet and charge in the barrel. I keep the gun in my unheated garage, instead of bringing it in the house, so moisture shouldn't be a broblem. At the end of the season, I pull the breech plug, and push the charge and the bullet through, and give the gun a thorough cleaning.

[/ QUOTE ]

I do the exact same thing as Tedi but with one difference. I use a silent discharger to empty my gun at the end of the season.

[johnf]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

I do pretty much the same as the other guys.

I did leave a charge in it when I first got it and forgot it was there. 3 years later I shot a yote with that charge. The powder was definately affected and I've got a pretty rough spot at the bottom of my barrel. I wouldn't recomend leaving a charge in for more than a couple weeks if your going to hunt with it.

[billkay]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

[ QUOTE ]

don't have a problem with folks unpriming the gun and storing it properly - my only caution is not to forget you have a load in. Double loads aren't too conducive to muzzle loader longevity.

[/ QUOTE ]

After you have come up with your best load, make a mark on the ramrod with a fresh load fully seated. By simply running the ramrod down the barrel, you can then tell if you have a load and it is seated properly. Eliminates all the guess work.

[Guest RedlegHunter]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

Thanks for all the replies fellas.

[GWSmith]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

Empty, Cleaned(wet/dry patches until clean), and lightly Rem-Oiled.

The longest I've left a charge in the barrell is 3 days.

At the end of the 3rd day(which was hunting in the rain) I unloaded it by firing it. I had hunted that day through the rain with scotch-tape over the end of the barrell.

I knew that night it was going to need the complete "Works" in a cleaning anyways

[VTbowman]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

During our ML season its pretty cold out side.

Its in mid December in VT.

I remove the primer/cap and leave it loaded as is and leave it in a gun boot in the garage.

I DO NOT take the gun inside where it can warm up to room temps and them back out into the cold as this will make condensation and could effect the powder. I use pellets only but feel it can still be bad on them as well.

Not to mention I dont want a fogged up scope. LOL

JMO

[superguide]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

Ty cleans his Omega every 7-8 shots but it stays with a charge in it pretty much all deer season.

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

Re: How do you store your muzzleloader between hun

I have done it both ways. Now I never let a load in my rifles more than a day or two. All the powder we use in muzzleloaders is hygroscopic. This means it draws or attracts moisture and that can only cause it to not go off or lessen its power.

Oh by the way taking a warm rifle out into the cold has no affect on it. Taking a cold rifle into the warm is where the problems are so even putting the rifle in the cab of your truck for the ride home can induce moisture to form.