Survey...do you keep your gun loaded all season?

gopherfan · 11-18-2006, 08:45 PM

This may have been posted in the past but I'll ask it anyway. It's my first full season with my stainless omega and I have it loaded with 90gr 2f 777 and a 245gr barnes spitfire. Before loading it I swabbed with alcohol/windex to remove the oil. Since I haven't seen my buck it's still charged (no cap of course). My primary concern is that I removed all rust prevention prior to loading and the first two days of the opener in MI were wet. Here's are my questions for the forum:

1. How many of you leave your gun charged until you shoot during the deer season?
2. What's the longest period of time you have or will allow your gun to remain charged?
3. For those that leave a charge in for an extended period of time: have you had any problems from it?
4. In what situation(s) would you fire it at the end of the day to clean it for the next?

Thanks in advance.

Tom

cayugad · 11-18-2006, 08:49 PM

No, I unload mine at the end of each day...

Pittsburghunter · 11-18-2006, 08:57 PM

My Encore yes unless I am out in any type of foul weather. My traditional guns get shot off and cleaned and reloaded at the end of the day.

It is what it is as far as the Encore goes. It is like carrying a center fire rifle.

txhunter58 · 11-18-2006, 09:32 PM

I have kept mine loaded for up to 5-6 days and never had a problem.A whole season though? You may be talking about a short season, but here in Texas, the season lasts 2 months. Not sure I would do that. Too many variables.

ranger56528 · 11-19-2006, 01:19 AM

I discharge mine after every hunt.

Roger46982 · 11-19-2006, 02:19 AM

I keep mine loaded the entire season unless it is rainy.

alsaqr · 11-19-2006, 06:22 AM

Sometimes mine are loaded for 4 or 5 weeks unless it is rainy. If i have reloaded after a shot the gun will be unloaded and cleaned.My misfiresfires were due toa weak striker spring on my CVA Magnum Hunter. Fixed it but the gun is semi-retired.

Chris W. · 11-19-2006, 09:01 AM

I keep it loaded for a week at the maximum during good weather. If it's wet and rainy, I'll typicallyfire it off at the end of the day and reload the next.

rem 700 · 11-19-2006, 09:22 AM

I shoot my gun off every day. For somebody who wants to keep a load, I would only keep it loaded for a few days maximum before discharging, and each day with rain or snow. Just remember that condensation will be the silent moisturizer even with sealed breech designs.

mnsqueeze · 11-19-2006, 11:23 AM

i used to keep mine loaded for at least 2 days or so ., but now i come home and pull the bullet out ., or ram it down and out ., to many things like rem 700 said that could happen and hey it only takes a few minutes.,