In the past, my hunting partner and I have used tape to prevent too much moisture getting inside our rifle barrels. Does anyone do this with a muzzleloader? I was curious if it might affect accuracy or anything else out of a muzzleloader.

elkhunter004

Never done any of that. If its raining or snowing, i carry the rifle with the barrel pointing down. I just try to keep the primer area dry.

There are lots of things to put over the muzzle of the rifle to keep water out. I use finger cots. You can get them at Wal Mart. Get the large size. They will roll right over the end of the barrel and no moisture can get down there. Just be sure to pull it at the end of the day and wipe the area down with oil on a cloth patch.

I have used plastic tape over the end of the muzzle. I have used balloons and handi wrap. All of them do the same thing. The reason I went to the finger cots are I can carry them easy, and they do the job.

These things will not effect the accuracy. If you have doubts try them on the range. Just remember that nothing can be used that actually plugs the barrel. I say this because I saw a person once with a cork in the end of the muzzleloader. I just did not think that was a good idea.

i use those stretchy things sold by TC. They are great.i alsothrow away the 209 primer about every hour i'm in the rain and put on a new one.

Why does the Foxworthy song lyric "Heres yer sign.." come to mind with this method of preventing water from entering the barrel?


D.

Don't think I would want to be close if he decided to pop the cork by firing it.
I have seen some shotgun barrels that had a little mud in the barrel when shot.
I have used different type tapes,saran wrap,even the thumb hole out of some medical gloves,nothing so far has hurt the accuracy.

I have hunted some pretty nasty weather but I have never placed a moisture guard over the end of my barrel. I have had some primer misfires when I was using my sidelock (hard to keep a #11 dry when it is moist outside)but this last year I went to an inline and had no difficulty at all. I always try keep the barrel down so that I don't get moisture running down inside of it.

With my traditional rifles, I take a valve stem tire cover and put that over the cap and under the hammer. It acts as a second safety, and keep the cap dry. Garages that sell and change tires are able to be a good source for them. Then you do not have to worry about the #11 cap so much.

Thanks for the idea cayugud. Never thought of that. I'll have to give it a try.

I don't do anything for my omega and I've used it in heavy rain and still had the shots go off accurately. The sealed breech desihn was made so there is no moisture getting to that primer. I love it.