How long can I keep my muzzleloader loaded during hunting season?

[Aim1]

I am using Blackhorn 209 powder and Federal Copper BOR Lock bullets. I take my rifle out in the cold and then leave it in the garage which is 50' degrees. So there is a temperature change and I do worry about moisture. I also worry about the powder being in the weapon a long time and corroding the barrel.

Can I keep it like this all season or do I need to reload every few days? Do I have to throw away the non-fired components?

How long can I keep my muzzleloader loaded during hunting season?

 

[Buzznrose]

I don't shoot a muzzleloader, but I figured moisture would be your biggest issue. Good article here:

https://www.chuckhawks.com/leave_muzzleloader_loaded.htm

1 question...if you came across that big-daddy buck at 25 yards that will immediately earn you a "Effen A Yeah!" punch on your man card, and when you pulled the trigger, you got a delayed ignition...crappy ignition...or no ignition... and Big Daddy swung his head at you, stuck out his tongue, snorted, and showed you his white flag, would you still be glad you didn't bother cleaning your barrel and reloading before the days hunt?

 

[CraigC]

If I end the season with a loaded, clean barrel, I don't do anything. First shot fired this year, I loaded last year. As long as it's properly stored, there is no issue, they can be left loaded indefinitely.

If I end the season with a loaded, dirty barrel, I shoot it and clean it.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

If I end the season with a loaded, clean barrel, I don't do anything. First shot fired this year, I loaded last year. As long as it's properly stored, there is no issue, they can be left loaded indefinitely.

If I end the season with a loaded, dirty barrel, I shoot it and clean it.

What constitutes "properly stored" for a black powder weapon?

 

[Fyrstyk]

I keep my traditional muzzle loader loaded throughout the season. I leave the gun in the tuck so that it is not subject to rapid temperature changes. To date (over 30 years) I have not had a problem with the gun going off. I do keep a small party balloon over the muzzle during the season and a foam ear plug over the nipple or touch hole at the end of the days hunt just to keep any moisture out of the load. At the end of the season, if I do not shoot the gun, I generally blow out the load with my compressor or a C02 discharger, run a cleaning patch down the bore, and a lubed patch with Barricade until the next time I take the gun to the range to shoot it.

 

[CraigC]

What constitutes "properly stored" for a black powder weapon?

Same as any other firearm, in a cool, dry location with relatively low humidity.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Same as any other firearm, in a cool, dry location with relatively low humidity.

..., And the barrel pointed in a direction where if it goes off, it won't be a problem.
Which includes if you have a fire. I'd store mine, if I was leaving it loaded, with the barrel level with the floor, and about 8" away from a concrete wall, and pointed at that wall, in my basement.

LD

 

[whughett]

One hopes you folks are pulling the cap or primer, a black powder firearm is only “charged” until the source of ignition is in place.
The powder charge is essentially sealed in the bore under the projectile. Muzzle loaders have remained charged for years and still fire.

 

[Fyrstyk]

One hopes you folks are pulling the cap or primer, a black powder firearm is only “charged” until the source of ignition is in place.
The powder charge is essentially sealed in the bore under the projectile. Muzzle loaders have remained charged for years and still fire.

You are absolutely right about that. I have taken several muzzle loaders as part payment for work I have done and 3 of the last five had loads in the barrels. One had been loaded for at least 75 years. I did not try to shoot it, but realized right away that the gun was loaded when the ram rod would not go down to the breech face.

 

[whughett]

It goes with out saying but one assumes anybody loading and shooting muzzle loaders have the ram rod marked to indicate whether it’s loaded or not.

 

[woodnbow]

It also goes without saying that every firearm is loaded until you have proven that it isn’t.

 

[CraigC]

The fact that it's capped or primed is how I know it's loaded. If it's uncapped or the frizzen is open, it looks like all the unloaded ones.

 

[627PCFan]

I accidentally left my T/C loaded with Blackhorn 209 from last year to this year with no bad results. The bore was bright and no issues but the gun has never been subjected to large temperature swings while loaded either.

 

[CraigC]

..., And the barrel pointed in a direction where if it goes off, it won't be a problem.
Which includes if you have a fire. I'd store mine, if I was leaving it loaded, with the barrel level with the floor, and about 8" away from a concrete wall, and pointed at that wall, in my basement.

LD

What??? Despite what you hear on CNN, guns typically don't just "go off".

 

[woodnbow]

The fact that it's capped or primed is how I know it's loaded. If it's uncapped or the frizzen is open, it looks like all the unloaded ones.

I’m accounting for those who aren’t as dependable as you and me... just when you’re sure you have a foolproof system, along comes a new improved fool.

WRT the condensation issue, I’m not convinced there’s enough humid air behind the ball or bullet to cause condensate to form no matter how extreme the temperature cycles.

 

[CraigC]

It would probably have to leech in through the nipple/touch hole. If the humidity is high enough for that to happen, you're going to have rust issues on the outside. A patched round ball provides a pretty good seal on the other end. Especially if it's lubed with something that won't dry out.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

What??? Despite what you hear on CNN, guns typically don't just "go off".

Dave mentioned a fire.
In the event of a fire I think we all know that the charge can go off without a cap or a trigger pull.
While the danger of loose cartridges in a fire has been pretty well debunked, a loaded firearm be it modern or black powder, is a significant danger in a fire.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

I put a finger cot over the muzzle end to prevent condensation inside the barrel from the temperature / humidity change of going in and out during the season.
I also typically leave the rifle charged over the entire season right through the off season.

 

[desmobob]

If mine is loaded but clean, I tie a piece of surveyor's tape to the trigger guard to signify that it is loaded, then store it in the safe until the next season or black powder shooting session; whatever comes first. But I will shoot it before hunting with it... I just don't want to trust an old charge.

I had never considered the house fire discharge danger. Due to the location of my safe, I think mine is not a risk, but I will store it muzzle down from now on!

 

[Aim1]

I put a finger cot over the muzzle end to prevent condensation inside the barrel from the temperature / humidity change of going in and out during the season.
I also typically leave the rifle charged over the entire season right through the off season.

Like a latex finger cot?

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Like a latex finger cot?

Yes, that is correct.
I just shoot through it (or more likely the pressure pushes it out of the way) when it's time and haven't been able to notice any discernible difference in point of impact.

 

[woodnbow]

I’ve used condoms for the same purpose and there’s no change in POI.

 

[Aim1]

I’ve used condoms for the same purpose and there’s no change in POI.

Yeah but I don't have any condoms to waste on that.

;-)

lol.

 

[woodnbow]

At the time getting laid was a pretty remote possibility... still, I had spares.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

What??? Despite what you hear on CNN, guns typically don't just "go off".

Never mentioned that it would spontaneously "go off"
Which also is why I mentioned IF you have a FIRE.
You'd be surprise how many folks SWEAR they didn't touch the trigger and the gun "just went off". So you point it in a safe direction when loaded....gee I think there is a "cardinal" safety rule similar to that...
So a "safe"direction in a modern home is not "up" since that round may exit the home, if not passing through a habitat portion which you cannot see..., and it's not pointed at a wooden wall or drywall wall, since again you can't see what's on the other side....you point it at a solid wall like concrete where the bullet is stopped.

LD