Loaded Muzzleloader

[countyroad320]

If you use a muzzleloader for shotgun and don't shoot, is it ok to leave go until muzzleloader season? Aside from safety considerations. Assuming the gun is in a secure place. Is it ok for the gun? Will is shoot as accurately?

[wallydog1]

I left mine loaded for a year thinking the last time I went out I was going out the next day. I could not make it out so I put it in a safe place.I live in the city so I could not fire it. so I left it. A year later I went and took it and fired it in the field with no problem's.
now if it has been fired and loaded.it is not a good Idea to leave it loaded because the fowling is corrosive it self.It is probably not a good thing.but mine was fine and it was in a secure and dry
place for storage.I even put a tag on the gun saying it was loaded
so if something happened to me or I forgot it would not be reloaded.on my ram rod i have a mark going all the way around.
using that I could tell where the charge should be seated with the
charge and bullet I use.now I make sure I discharge it after every hunt no matter what.

[countyroad320]

I left mine loaded after shotgun w/o firing it at all. I didn't discharge it b/c it is so hard to clean. I am planning on going out for muzzleloader season. If for some strange reason I don't shoot at a dear then I will discharge it and clean it till next season.

[Thunderflight]

You should be good to go.

TF

[M.Magis]

I would shoot it before going hunting. It'll probably go off, but do you want to put all your hopes on probably? There's a chance condensation effected the powder, which could cause a misfire or at least a hang fire. Fire it, clean it, and reload it. Cleaning is part of muzzleloading.

[Turkeyfoot]

Ditto.....I carried my 700 rem all week gun season thru heavy snows and it discharged ok at the end of the week. Last year, same senario, and I had a hangfire at week's end. IMHO, 50-50 odds are'nt to my liking and that was only after one week! Discharge and clean;) I usually fire a cap thru mine after cleaning to clear and dry the nipple from any possible obstructions....TF

[countyroad320]

M. Magis

How much does it matter if it is a In-Line? I don't mind cleaning it at all. I just was curious. What is the point in shooting it at nothing if I don't have to? Thanks for the suggestions.

[M.Magis]

It really doesn't matter that it's an in-line. The problem is the powder. It takes very little moisture to effect the ignition, not to mention something could be blocking the nipple or barrel after sitting for so long. The whole point of unloading it is to get a fresh load in to eliminate any potential problems in the field. It's up to you, but I like to KNOW my gun is going to go off when I need it.

[eschatts]

The problem is that it is highly corrosive. I will leave mine loaded for the week of shotgun season and then discharge it and immediately clean it. The powder will also draw moisture while it sits.
It might be alright, but at the price of muzzleloaders why take the chance. It is just as easy to clean it. JMHO

Ed