I load mine on the day before gun season (today) and leave it loaded until I shoot something, or until the season is over. Like said above, if I shoot something it gets cleaned. I normally only take one deer a year during gun season, so I'm pretty much done after I shoot it any way. I may load it again for a follow up shot after shooting at something, but not always.

My muzzle loader never comes inside again either until it gets shot and I have to clean it. I just take the cap out and leave it in my locked blind or keep it in my trunk. In MI it is not considered loaded unless it has a cap in it. Powder and a bullet or ok, as long as there is no primer it's legally safe. I don't however leave any of my guns loaded while they are in the house muzzle loader or not.

One year I did accidently leave mine loaded for about six month though, things got hectic and I just forgot about it. I know it's not a good excuse, but it happened. When I did get around to firing it and cleaning it it functioned perfect and nothing was wrong with the barrel that I can tell.

I have also not had time to clean my rifle right after shooting it and forgot about it for a month or so. With 777 or clean shot there doesn't seem to be a problem. It didn't seem to effect my rifle at all. Everything broke down just fine and cleaned right up easy as pie with no damage to the barrel that I can see with my eye. And it still shoots just as well as it always has. Not that I advise doing however.

I would check your local laws before transporting one with a charge in it though. Not all states may be like MI, it might be considered a loaded fire arm in another state.

Paul