There are just too many horror stories out there of finding a rifle in one situation or another only to discover it is loaded. Pawn Shops are very wellknown for loaded muzzleloaders. The old saying of "treat every gun as if it were loaded" comes from centuries of terrible mistakes.

I know what you mean,I got one a few years back and checked it with a ram rod and thud, the gun was loaded as well. Took it apart and cleaned it before heading out. What morons.