I would also agree firing the gun works best...but if i didnt make that last hunt before the end of the season i just take my primer cap off and wait for good weather to go the range and blow it off...i use that triple 7 (supposed to be non-corosive) so not too much to worry about as long as the guns in a safe place. Also have a cap and ball that stayed loaded (caps removed of course) for like 6 or seven years with out being unloaded ....fired it last summer (2002) fired like i just loaded it and didnt harm the gun in anyway.