I load on a squeaky clean barrel for hunting, and leave the charge in the barrel until I shoot at game, or until the end of the season. If I don't take a shot I remove the primer/cap at the end of the day and, for a caplock, I put a folded up patch on top of the nipple and lower the hammer and leave it like that until I cap it for the next hunt. On an in-line, Isticka piece of patch material in the primer hole and close the action, then pick it out when I'm ready to reprime. I've left loads in a barrel like this for months (squeaky clean barrel only) and have never had a load fail to fire when I set it off and never had a barrel rust. I don't pop a cap or primer before I load for the hunt, but I know my barrel/nipple/flash channel is clean, dry and clear.