trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

I just went out for my first ML hunt. it was cold, windy, and rainy- never saw a deer. It was a nice walk in the woods with a few friends and a few muzzleloaders.

When I loaded in the truck at the beginning of the hunt, I put a few pieces of electrical tape over the muzzle, to keep rain and debris from entering. The tape lasted minutes.

Would it be a good idea to push a sabot (without bullet loaded in it!) into the muzzle after I have loaded? That should stay longer, would keep nasty stuff out of the barrel, and would be harmlessly ejected when I fire. I think.

Would that work? Is it a good idea?

Thank you.

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

I use finger cots or plastic wrap with a rubber band around it. I don't know if the sabot would be a good idea. I wouldn't use anything that could even remotely have a chance of building pressure in the barrel!!!

With elect. tape, finger cots and plastic wrap, the hot gas from the muzzle burns these before any pressure can build up. The sabot could somehow get lodged in the barrel and act like it was pluged with mud or something. Could end up being a really bad day for you!!!

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

No the sabot is not a good idea. You want nothing in the barrel. Over the end of the barrel is a different story. Finger cots (get the extra large), handi wrap and a rubber band, electrical tape and a rubber band, condoms, even a plastic sandwich baggie and a rubber band will work. As long as you can see your sights or through your scope and it is tight against the muzzle. When you shoot it will be blown off or through.

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

Electrical tape works well. I know a guy that uses cheap kids ballons (small ones). He swears by it and uses them when storing his guns in the cabinet or safe also.

Mike

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

Do they even make condoms that small to fit lol? I wouldnt use a condom, thats just plain nasty and smelly. I'd use a balloon that fits snug over the barrel. If its raining or snowing, why would the barrel be pointed up in the first place? I hunted this season in light rain with my flintlock and didnt bother with covering the muzzle. I always carry it with the barrel pointed down. I'd pay more attention to the breech where your cap is. No reason to carry the rifle with the barrel up while in rain or snow.

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

i honestly have never had a problem with my muzzleloader firing in the rain

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

Greased patches and RB seal quite well if they are as tight as they should be not so sure about sabot since they spread out to seal when the powder is set off;I use small ballons on the sabot gunskeep a few in my loading pouch. Lee

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

I use electrical tape on ml and cf's, never had a problem with it coming loose. On a ML I put two piece over the muzzle so I have an overlap on the edges of the barrel then a wrap around the barrel and these overlaps. I have hunted as cold as -30 celsuis and never had a problem. Though when extremely cold I wrap my barrel prior to subjecting it to the extreme cold, so at room temeprature or close too.

Like mentioned, balloon or finger cots also work. PLEASE DON'T PUT ANYTHING IN THE MUZZLE[:o]!

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

I disagree. For me, the safest place to point the barrel is up. Have you taken a hunter's safety course?

No PM sent your way!

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

Yes, they make special condon like things for muzzleloaders. I picked some in a gun shop in Elkins, WV a few years ago. They work great.

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

Muzzle Mitts have worked for me: http://www.octobercountry.com/products3.php?productid=845 One package lasts me several seasons, so they are not that expensive. However, finger cots work just as well and are probably easier to obtain.

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

Is that so cascade? I have taken hunters safety.. long ago. Now i cant tell u how many times ive had my rifle slung over my shoulder and turn around and have someone elses face right over it trying to look over my shoulder. I commented that in the rain, why would you have your barrel pointing up? It has nothing to due with safety. When im out hiking up a mountain my rifle is usually cradled in my arm pointing out away from me. It all DEPENDS on the situation and if someone is in front of you. Now i always prefer to be ahead since im the only one in our group with a flintlock. But when im behind, the rifle is always over my shoulder with the muzzle pointing away from everyone. Now again, your therory of the rifle barrel pointing up is the safest direction is not always true, one slip going down a mountain and if that gun goes off when u hit the ground, that person behind you is going to be in a world of pain. It all depends on the situation you are in.

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

I have to agree with Frontier Gander, there is nothing unsafe about the 'low ready.' In the Army, we march in formation for miles that way; and it will keep the rain and snow out of the barrel.
The currenthunter safety manual teaches both the 'trail carry' and the 'elbow/ side carry', which are both muzzle-down position.

RE: trick for keeping powder/barrel dry?
 

Muzzle-mitts, balloons & finger cots alow you to hold the ML any way you want while seated. There are pros & cons to shouldering the ML with muzzle-up in hardwoods while walking. These are NOT military centerfires that get loaded from the center-action and anything that fell down the bore will likely remain loose & get shot-out without any barrel ruptures. You need to be careful not to have anyoverhead limbs or leaves fall down that ML bore - thensit down shortly afterwards &load another powder/bullet combo down that bore.

Either way, you must remain extra careful. Personally, I like the muzzle ineye contact when walking- where I can see it moving in thickets. I'll put a tire valve cap over my sidelock nipple - make sure the 209 primer is removed & action shut if holding an inline-- then walk around the woodsknowing the ML is safe from firing. I do all this with the muzzle covered - but have found the muzzle uncovered a few times upon sitting down at my hunting spot - or when I reached the SUV or P/U.