Author Topic: Leaving A ML Loaded? (Read 1038 times)

PawDaddy · « **on:** June 03, 2003, 02:38:47 PM »

How long can you leave a ML loaded with Pyrodex without a problem?

Triple Se7en · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2003, 04:37:18 PM »

The longest I ever tried was 10 days -- the gun fired just fine. Just try to keep the gun temperature as constant as possible to avoid condensation in the powder. If kept outside (preferred method) a gradual change in temperature won't hurt it. In a car trunk, shed or garage -- it should be fine. Just avoid big/sudden temperature shifts like bringing it indoors after being out all day.

varmint101 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2003, 06:34:06 AM »

Don't do this, but a couple years ago me and my buddy heard if you just store the ML in a dry place it will fire no problem the next year. Well, I remembered that I kept mine loaded and he didn't. Every year we run 1 cap out of it before we start after cleaning, more habit then knowing what it does. Anyways, he had a nice hole by the side of his house where he 'cleared the cap'. Mine fired flawlessly too, but at it's target. So lets see, that was about 10 months and it was loose pyrodex. Don't do it unless you have a foolproof plan on remembering, but it does work. By the way, my uncle does that every year only he puts plastic ceran (sp?) wrap on the end of the barrel with a rubberband holding it tight and his always fires too. He also uses that for rainy days. Myself I have decided to just clear it instead of letting it sit. I don't want the same thing to happen to me. Regards,

Matt

HoCoMDHunter · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2003, 06:53:03 AM »

I put a tag on mine so I can't make that mistake. I often hunt in a suburban area, so I don't fire unless I have to. Hunted with the same powder in the barrel through several days of rain and snow. Fired without hesitation when I needed it to. This is with an inline and 209 primer. I have a hard time imagining a situation in which this would not detonate other than complete submersion.

PawDaddy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2003, 12:05:28 PM »

Can the unburned Pyrodex corode the gun over a period of time?

savageT · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2003, 02:17:43 AM »

PawDaddy,
Pyrodex certainly will corrode the barrel after firing (sulphur compounds). If I were you, I would switch to Triple 7 (no sulphur), but you'd better plan on cleaning regardless after firing. A simple spit-patch will work for quick field cleaning.

And as far as leaving Pyrodex in the barrel loaded.............It is quite hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air just like road salt), so it will cause rusting/pitting if you don't keep it dry, which is darn near impossible to do! Once Pyrodex absorbs moisture it will NOT recover as std. black powder will. Dump it out if it gets wet or stands exposed to the air for very long. Keep your bottle of Pyrodex tightly capped at all times.

Jim

johnt · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2003, 03:51:04 AM »

The biggest problem leaving charged weapons was described by Varmint101, I've heard that story more than 5 times. Thankfully the stories I've heard are of property damage, and nobody hurt,(Knock on wood!)

SavageT told the truth about pyro, it sure pulles water right out of the air. Unless our in the desert, it'll find water and rust.

I've gone 3 day's with a charge and taken game, but that was in solid hunting mode. After three day's I don't care if it'll go off after 3 year's,I want fresh!!

If you can't shoot it out,or pull it,I'd recommend a CO2 discharger for around 20 bucks. $20 is good insurance compared to a 100K personal injury law suit. Or jail for unlawfull discharge.
Please all,,,be safe.
best wishes,,,,

Gregory · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2003, 12:47:22 PM »

I've left my TC Thunderhawk inline loaded with 2F black powder throughout a 2 week deer season and it fired fine on the last day. When mine is loaded I put electrical tape over the muzzle to help keep moisture out and to help remind me it's loaded. I would never leave it loaded for a year. I also kept the gun in an unheated garage when loaded, so I don't worry about condensation.

simonkenton · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2003, 01:43:40 PM »

I have left my Hawken loaded for 15 days with bp during hunting season, no problem. It fired fine.
I understand that Pyrodex is hygroscopic. I don't understand how water is going to get to it, in a loaded rifle. The projectile has a very tight fit in the bore. If the hammer is down, little or no air is going past the projectile or the nipple, to introduce moisture to the powder.
If you put tape, or plastic over the muzzle, it would be almost as airtight as a powder can. Well, there would be some moisture in the air in the barrel, but would that air be able to get past the projectile and get to the powder? I doubt it.
I am doing an experiment now with a loaded cylinder for a cap and ball revolver. I have left it loaded for 4 months now. I will test it in 2 more months.

Bridger · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2003, 01:28:29 PM »

There was an article in Muzzle Blasts magazine last fall about the effects of leaving black powder in a barrel over a long period of time. they sectioned a barrel and plugged each section, doing various tests. I can't remember the specifics other than they let the sections sit for about a year. The corrosion was extensive, with several of the sections being so corroded they could not remove the plug. I know a lot of people leave their rifles loaded but I'm not going to be one of them.

mamaflinter · « **Reply #10 on:** June 06, 2003, 04:38:58 PM »

Quote from: savageT

PawDaddy,
Pyrodex certainly will corrode the barrel after firing (sulphur compounds). If I were you, I would switch to Triple 7 (no sulphur)
Jim

I hate to tell you this but it's not the sulphur that is corrosive in blackpowder it's the potassium nitrate and the charcoal. You see after it's burned the charcoal creates potash, and the potassium nitrate has trace elements of salt in it. After burning it works with the potash and goes to work on gun barrels.

Simonkenton both blackpowder and pyrodex are hygroscopic. Also just a tidbit of information. Blackpowder is the ONLY propellant that can be wet down, dried out and still be useable. Any other propellant will be ruined if it is gotten wet.

KING · « **Reply #11 on:** June 06, 2003, 07:10:28 PM »

I would have to say that I have left mine loaded overnight in the back of my pick up when I have hunted in the evening,and am going out the next morning. After that I will clear the charge,and start fresh. I have heard way to many horror stories with loaded guns,and unfortunatly observed to many also. If it is going to be a couple days loaded........it aint gunna happen with mine. Always fresh charge it,less to worry about,and a lot less to remember. It only takes one stupid mistake to make a normal and fun pastime into a very perminant nighmare. Stay safe.........................King :eek: :eek: