How long can you leave a muzzle loader loaded?

[GolfAddict]

I can't believe I did this, but I did.

For background, when I use to hunt Muzzle Loader season, if I didn't get a deer that day I would always leave my gun loaded overnight (I'd remove the cap). I know a lot of people say they won't do that, a lot of others say it's fine, but I always did and never had a problem with it. I don't really want to start a pros/cons about that.

So, yesterday I got my muzzle loader out of the safe for the first time in probably close to 10 years. My daughter-in-law would like to try ML season this year and she is going to borrow mine. I'm giving her some basic education, and during the discussion I ran the rod down the barrel. I immediately realized that it was still loaded - I had never fired it, then cleaned it, before storing it away the last time. I know, I know...

I'm not looking for opinions on what an idiot I am. I am wondering what you would do in this situation. Should I just take it outside, put a cap on, and try shooting it? Is there any danger in doing that? Some other course of action you'd recommend?

I appreciate any advice/opinions.

 

[murphy1244]

What harm can it do to shoot it? I can't see any.

 

[Shift4200]

I've left mine loaded over several years at a time.... prob not the best for the barrel, but I see no reason for it to be considered dangerous. It's the same powder and projectile you stuffed in there years ago!

In fact, in the state of RI... a muzzle loader is not considered loaded unless there is a primer in place. So, traveling with powder and projectile in the barrel is completely legal.

If it were me, I would try to fire the projectile. If she doesn't come out after 2-3 caps, then you're looking for an extractor. If you've ever had to pull a round out the end of a barrel, you'll understand why i'm suggesting to fire it off first.

If you're worried.... do the ol "arms around a tree" trick for the first cap.

Good Luck!

-J

 

[GolfAddict]

What harm can it do to shoot it? I can't see any.

I tend to think the same, but wondering if the powder sitting in there that long could corrode the heck out of the barrel or something?

 

[GolfAddict]

I've left mine loaded over several years at a time.... prob not the best for the barrel, but I see no reason for it to be considered dangerous. It's the same powder and projectile you stuffed in there years ago!

In fact, in the state of RI... a muzzle loader is not considered loaded unless there is a primer in place. So, traveling with powder and projectile in the barrel is completely legal.

If it were me, I would try to fire the projectile. If she doesn't come out after 2-3 caps, then you're looking for an extractor. If you've ever had to pull a round out the end of a barrel, you'll understand why i'm suggesting to fire it off first.

If you're worried.... do the ol "arms around a tree" trick for the first cap.

Good Luck!

-J

Well, that's encouraging! Maybe I'll just grow a pair and go try it.

 

[murphy1244]

Shoot it and give it a good cleaning.

 

[Shift4200]

Well, that's encouraging! Maybe I'll just grow a pair and go try it.

I have a pretty good feeling it'll go BOOM and you'll wonder why you even doubted it in the first place.

Keep us posted!

-J

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

If it doesn't shoot (it probably will) and has a removable breech plug just remove the plug and push it out.

 

[RobertBrown]

The corrosion is a byproduct of combustion. It's sulfuric acid. Since you didn't fire it......


There would have been exposure to oxygen through the nipple and I suspect that this will make the possibility of it firing, less likely, depending on your priming system. If you are using a hot cap, like a 209 primer, it might fire. It also depends on what type of propellant you have stored in there. Pyrodex is not as stable as black powder. If you have Pyrodex or another, modern propellant, I don't think it will fire.
But either way, if it was loaded properly, I think it relatively safe to try it.

Why don't you post a video....

 

[Don H]

If the gun was clean when it was last loaded, with no burnt powder residue in the barrel, then it will probably be OK. That's assuming it was stored in a dry place.
Try to shoot it if it doesn't work try a CO2 Load Discharger http://www.cabelas.com/product/CO2-Load-Discharger-Kit-and-Replacement-Cartridges/706432.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3DCO2%2Bload%2Bdischarger%26x%3D32%26y%3D5&Ntt=CO2+load+discharger&WTz_l=DirectLoad

 

[murphy1244]

I used that for cleaning condensate drains. for air conditioning.

 

[sixdogs]

You can remove the nipple and blow compressed air in and it should dislodge the ball. I'd call that plan "B" and opt to shoot it first.

 

[Jw5875]

Remove the nipple, take a paper clip and poke it down into the breech to disturb the powder. Put some powder in the nipple hole (work some in with the paper clip) install the nipple and shoot it. It may take a few tries.
If that fails, lube the bore with a heavy oil patch and pull the ball.
JW 5875


Home - Civil War Heritage Preservation - The North-South Skirmish Association, Inc.

 

[nybirdman]

Depends on the type of gun and the powder.Black powder;you have a real problem.I would try the co 2 method first a ball puller second.That's what is nice about the new in-line's ,you can just pull the breech plug.
I load mine for our early ML season and if not fired for the late ML season.............6weeks with triple 7 powder.My son has gone 6 months and his fired with no problem with Triple 7.

 

[Ted Summey]

You don't say if it is a modern muzzleloader. If it is a modern muzzleloader, take the breech plug out and push the bullet out along with the old powder through the breech. Clean it, inspect and determine if it is safe to fire.

If it is a primitive muzzleloader without a removable breech plug, a bullet extractor attached to the rod will be what you need to remove the bullet. Clean, inspect and determine if it is safe to fire.

Personally, I wouldn't fire it. You may be okay but the potential for corrosion over 10 years of sitting loaded would make me cautious.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I admittedly have no experience with muzzle loaders, but I used to work with a guy who was into the Mountain Man thing. Although I have no details, I do know that he had a muzzle loader discharge when he was trying to unload it. He got a face full of black powder that left him with permanent black powder tattoos.

 

[HCJtractor]

I leave mine loaded often. For as long as a year. It still fires just fine. Certainly it's better to unload it but it just can't harm you to put a cap in and fire it. how could that be dangerous? Worst case scenario is it doesn't discharge. Then I would fire a few more caps. Mine is an inline so I can also remove the breach plug to unload it. That's simple and cleaner. My rifle is in my safe now loaded. Just have not gotten around to unloading it since the season closed. No big deal.

The danger of this is what had you not noticed it was loaded and placed another charge and projectile on top? I can see how that could be like a barrel obstruction and dangerous.

 

[GolfAddict]

I didn't realize that the powder isn't corrosive until fired, so maybe it's just a matter of IF it will fire depending on the condition the powder is in.

Unloading it with compressed air through the nipple is clever, never would have thought of that. If it won't fire that sounds like an easier option than the extractor. I think I'll just go ahead and try to shoot it, but haven't found my caps yet. Might have to make a run into town for some.

 

[bcp]

If you can replace the nipple with a grease fitting of the same thread, you can apply lots more pressure than an air hose.

Bruce

 

[Dr_Zinj]

You might need to pop a couple of caps before it fires if the powder has too much moisture in it.

I have a flintlock I use that I load the night before opening day and leave loaded until the end of muzzleloader season (assuming I don't see a deer I can shoot.) Just empty the pan and ease the hammer down each night works for me.