How long can you leave a muzzle loader loaded?

[Ted Summey]

10 years is a long time to leave it loaded and expect it to be safe.

 

[HCJtractor]

10 years is a long time to leave it loaded and expect it to be safe.

Why would it be unsafe? It will either fire or not. It's certainly not going to increase in power with age. If it won't fire I would wait to be sure there's no "hang fire" then start extracting or go in from the breach if possible. And always keep the muzzle pointed safely.

The only safety concern would be if he had reloaded it and double charged it, or if someone else handled if carelessly. In my opinion, a gun is never unsafe if handled properly and the muzzle is always pointed in a safe direction. The only exception would be a barrel obstruction, over pressure charge, or of course a defective barrel

So just prime it and shoot it. I'll bet it goes bang.

 

[k0ua]

I do too. In fact I bet a dollar it will go bang the very first time with a proper cap.

 

[Ted Summey]

I don't have confidence that a gun in storage 10 years was put away in pristine perfectly clean condition or that it has remained so.

Personally I would go to the trouble to unload inspect and proceed if it is safe to do so.

Too many muzzleloading rifles have detonated for various reasons for ME to trust one that was loaded 10 years ago in who knows what kind of condition. We don't even know what kind/brand of firearm he's talking about. Too many variables for me.

It isn't difficult to remove the ball/bullet (I have done so myself) so why take the chance especially if putting the firearm in the hands of a loved one (his DIL)?

Your mileage may vary.

 

[nybirdman]

I don't have confidence that a gun in storage 10 years was put away in pristine perfectly clean condition or that it has remained so.

Personally I would go to the trouble to unload inspect and proceed if it is safe to do so.

Too many muzzleloading rifles have detonated for various reasons for ME to trust one that was loaded 10 years ago in who knows what kind of condition. We don't even know what kind/brand of firearm he's talking about. Too many variables for me.
My sentiments exactly;what are you saving a 10 year old bullet and powder charge?I would not attempt to shoot it.

It isn't difficult to remove the ball/bullet (I have done so myself) so why take the chance especially if putting the firearm in the hands of a loved one (his DIL)?

Your mileage may vary.

My sentiments exactly,what are you saving a 10 year old bullet and powder?

 

[sixdogs]

Black powder also degrades over time. I know it degrades but not sure on the time line. Maybe 10 ? years and get rid of it because it can become unstable. Maybe someone else knows more on this.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I know that my family had a gun that was brought home from the war between the states and was unloaded in the mid 60's. No visible damage was to be seen. It have not been fired because of stock damage but I would not be afraid of the barrel in any way. And that is 10x10 years.

 

[sixdogs]

Just as an offshoot of this, I remember reading that some of the Civil War--War Between the States--battlefield guns were x rayed when that technology became available. Apparently they knew there were obstructions or more than one load in the barrel and wanted to find out for sure what was in there. I don't remember exactly but many of the finds had a number of unfired loads in them. More than 10 comes to mind.

Apparently in the heat of battle the soldiers weren't even aware their rifle was not firing. Maybe they forgot to cap it or whatever but can you imagine the panic situation and horror such a battle must have been?

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Just as an offshoot of this, I remember reading that some of the Civil War--War Between the States--battlefield guns were x rayed when that technology became available. Apparently they knew there were obstructions or more than one load in the barrel and wanted to find out for sure what was in there. I don't remember exactly but many of the finds had a number of unfired loads in them. More than 10 comes to mind.

Apparently in the heat of battle the soldiers weren't even aware their rifle was not firing. Maybe they forgot to cap it or whatever but can you imagine the panic situation and horror such a battle must have been?

Can you imagine what damage a 400 grain, 60 cal. bullet would do at 100 yards?

 

[GolfAddict]

I don't have confidence that a gun in storage 10 years was put away in pristine perfectly clean condition or that it has remained so.

Personally I would go to the trouble to unload inspect and proceed if it is safe to do so.

Too many muzzleloading rifles have detonated for various reasons for ME to trust one that was loaded 10 years ago in who knows what kind of condition. We don't even know what kind/brand of firearm he's talking about. Too many variables for me.

It isn't difficult to remove the ball/bullet (I have done so myself) so why take the chance especially if putting the firearm in the hands of a loved one (his DIL)?

Your mileage may vary.

Now you're making me nervous! More info:

It's a Traditions, "Hawkins Woodsman", 54 cal. It's in excellent condition, and I'm sure that I've fired less than 25 or 30 balls from it. It was cleaned well after each use, it's just that after the last loading I never fired it.

If it's true that the un-fired powder won't corrode the barrel, then it seems it may be safe to try. If the powder has gone bad, it just won't fire...