need advice on leaving charge overnite

[SJB]

I need some advice on how practical it is  - (at the end of day say)-to remove the cap and leave the powder and ball  in place for the next day's hunt- is this advisable ? the winter humidity here is very low -would I be better off firing the load (or using compressed gas) and starting the day fresh with a new charge ( Pyrodex) Thanks - I appreciate any real world advice on this

[AtlLaw]

I used to fire the load out at the end of every day's hunting.  Then I stopped doing that and just put a cover over the nipple.  After removing the cap of course!     I doubt if the nipple cover would have kept any moisture out, but I don't remember having a misfire/hangfire the second day.  I think this was during my Pyrodex days.

Nowadays I would plug the nipple somehow and not worry to much about it since I've come home to BP!     My Dragoon revolver is sitting in a safe, charged, and I'm not worried a bit about it not firing when next I take it afield.  'course it's tightly capped and each cylinder is covered with grease so I figger it's pretty moisture proof.

BTW, in Jawja a ML is considered unloaded if the weapon is uncapped.  Even if there is still a charge in the barrel.  I don't know what the law is where you are.   

[pab1]

I have left charges in for days on end when backpack hunting with no problems. The only problem I have heard of is condensation affecting the powder charge when bringing the gun from the cold outside into a warm house.

[Glanceblamm]

+3,  My shrouded hammer sits flush on the nipple so that is all the care I used after pulling the cap of course.

The rifle was also put into a soft, plush zipper case for transportation. Cold is a factor like SJB was saying so once at home, that rifle would stay in the garage to keep condensation from forming.

Never had a problem.

[SJB]

Great advice ! Thanks

[DennyRoark]

One other thing...if you shoot it and reload it in the field, shoot it out and clean it THAT night.

[AtlLaw]

good point!   

[coyotejoe]

 Firing the gun off every night is a poor idea. If you fire one shot you need to clean it as thoroughly as if it had fired hundreds of shots, and why bother with that. I have a .58 Zouave sitting in the safe that has been loaded with powder and patched ball for the elk season before last and I am confident it will fire and shoot accurately when ever I get around to firing it. When I pull off the cap I place a small piece of leather over the nipple and lower the hammer onto that. I also keep it in a well padded soft case in the truck to prevent abrupt temperature changes which could cause condensation. I've hunted with fellows who fire off at night and reload in the morning. The first night it fires fine, POW. The next night it is cap-POW and the next it is cap, cap, cap-POW. This because they didn't clean it properly and completely after firing. I treasure that first load because it is the best I will have and I don't wast it on a rabbit, grouse or squirrel, much less just to empty it out.

[Two Bears]

When I hunt I leave it loaded in the garage (flintlock) just dump the pan out. It fires just like I just loaded it. I do this on a week to week basis, Yesterday I discharged the rifle when I left the field and it was in there a week, then I clean it the next day. Works great for me.