Guest sharpspur Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 I shot my first deer with my omega tonight. After the shot I reloaded quick. If I didn't have the load and powder I would clean my gun tonight. I plan on going wed. night for sure. How long can the gun sit with a load in it and not clean it from the shot tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WABS Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 Re: cleaning question Once you've shot it you will start picking up moisture pretty quick. If it was me I'd unload it and clean it, but I surely wouldn't let it go any further than Wed. That's too nice a gun to take the chance. The other concern is that the moisture will collect in your load and if you get a chance at another deer today will it affect the performance of the shot?? Congratulations on the deer!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 Re: cleaning question I would not worry to much about it. It should go off no problem. I would probably wait until thursday night to clean it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 Re: cleaning question I agree with Jim, a couple of days should not affect the barrel or powder.I would leave it in the garage if you have one.Moving it back and forth from hot to cold can affect powder though. What are you using for powder again? too_pointer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WABS Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 Re: cleaning question I know I'm probably a bit paranoid about leaving my gun loaded after firing. I just can't stand to have that lingering doubt when it comes to getting that shot of a lifetime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 Re: cleaning question 777--are you having a tough day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 Re: cleaning question [ QUOTE ] Well I believe we need to get on our meterologist shoes & our Dopler radar hats & study the weather as it applies to what's in our bores in order to make the proper call. I mean.... we have to assume that our weather judgement is as accurate ... or more accurate than the guy on TV that tells 6 million viewers lies everyday and keeps coming back day-after-day .. collecting a monster paycheck too! Sorry if I drifted here but I'm tired of hearing these stations tell me that their Dopler 9000 is better than the next dial Doppler 8000.....lol I feel better now after getting that off my chest... lol [/ QUOTE ] So......what are you trying to say? Come on, don't candy coat it, give it to us straight. How do you really feel about the weather people? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_218 Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 Re: cleaning question [ QUOTE ] I shot my first deer with my omega tonight. After the shot I reloaded quick. If I didn't have the load and powder I would clean my gun tonight. I plan on going wed. night for sure. How long can the gun sit with a load in it and not clean it from the shot tonight. [/ QUOTE ] It depends on the powder you're using. If you use BP or Pyrodex, then yes I would fire the shot and do a cleaning. I used "777" powder for the first time this season due to the fact that you could leave a charge in your rifle after firing once, if the weather is not too wet. However when using "777", you should swab out the barrel after firing before reloading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 Re: cleaning question I have left the charge in the gun for a month. It still worked just fine when I needed it. I don't recommend storing them like that if they are left in an area that is moist or being taken inside to a warm moist house, then going back outside to a cold hunting environment. Condensation can form and you can end up with a dud load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WABS Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 Re: cleaning question The main issue I was concerned with is that Sharpspur mentioned that he'd shot his ML and taken a deer, reloaded and now how long can he wait to clean it? I do agree that the type of powder used has an impact. I wouldn't wait more than a day or two. It isn't that difficult or expensive to donate a load to the trash can. Or better yet, if possible setup a target before coming out of the field and get some practice in. Realize that option isn't always possible or practical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sharpspur Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 Re: cleaning question I shoot 777 loose. Going out tonight and will dump the round if needed. Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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