i leave my gun loaded all hunting season also, actually i must have forgotten to unload it last year because it was still loaded when i picked it up the other day, but it shot fine. as far as unloading, i have never used the CO2 thing but here its good. i have a flint lock so can't pull the breach plug and push through. i always use the old fashioned puller, which is basically a screw that attaches to the ram rod. you the screw it into the ball or bullet and pull it out(can be difficult). then you use the patch puller and dump the powder. i have a flint lock so can't pull the breach plug and push through.

i hunt with a flinter and real BP...that gun aint stayin loaded! just tooo iffy and too easy to uncharge. no sense in risking it...if i dont feel like cleaning it i wont shoot it. ill put my ball screw on and pull it..load dumps right out.