I know there are two schools of thought on this subject but I have to tell you. I am lazy by nature and I used to never unload my gun at the end of the day unless I thought mosture got in. Well while hunting one day a real nice buck messed up and actualy stopped 60 yards in the open from me. I put the cross hairs on him and took the chip shot (pop) was all I got the deer got real ansey and I put another cap one and (pop) again well the deer took off and I yell (somthing I can't print here) but it must have sceared the Buck and he turned and ran back toward me I coulden't belive it I put on anther cap and of course (pop) well that was that The buck was really gone this time. I walked out of the woods and went by my buddy and he said he herad 3 pops whats up so I told him and said this darn powder must have gotten damp and I capped the gun and said see aimed at a tree and (of course) BANG. it went off. So every day I unload my gun either by shooting it or taking out the breech plub out and pushing the charge out. I hope this helps some one who reads this to never have what happened to me happen to them it feels real bad. Mike