Fire or Unload?
 

I'm new to M/L hunting. I'm using pellets and primers. Question is,, should I fire it to unload or open the breach, remove the primer & holder and push the powder & projectile out the back end?

under safe and legal conditions...just shoot it.save ya some work

WELL, I used to fire all the time but since I got a BONE COLLECTOR triumph, I simply turn and push it all out, I'm amazed that the pellets are not broke...GOD what a god send this speed breech is......

It depends on the situation.

If the season is still in and I'm simply coming in for the day, I leave it loaded. I've left guns loaded for months and they go off just fine. Some don't feel comfortable doing that.

If it's the end of the season, I will generally just push it out. I have been known many times to shoot it out but I've noticed as of late I don't do that near as often.

Shoot it, it'll save ya some work isn't a good answer. Then you have to clean it. I hadn't thought of leaving it loaded; do it with my handguns all the time. I think that will be the answer for me. THANKS!

aharley1

Since you are new to the ML thing it would be my suggestion that you push the load out.

Once you become comfortable with what yu are doing and how you are doing it - you might do something completly different. You will end developing your own methods.

I myself never unload anymore - I just pull the cap/primer and contnue to hunt with the same load all season if I have not used it. But again after a lot of experiance you will know what is best for you.

certainly will have to clean it. i would clean it either way..just me..i would use the shot to see how close i would actually come to the bull @ 80 yards or so..see how good ya are.

Im pretty new also and this season I was very comfortable with just removing the primer till the next hunt usually in a day or two. If rifle were to sit for an extended period couple of weeks Id push out load so I could swab barrel with a light oil patch. Its a learning process.

In a safe place, be sure to remove the 209 primer first... then take the breech plug out and push the load out through the breech end. Normally this is an easy process. Be sure to push a dry cloth through the barrel and make sure it is clean. If you're not going hunting soon, oil the barrel. Do not use the load you pushed out. Use that on the target range. Load with fresh pellets and projectiles the next day if you can.

If you are new to the sport, you can try just taking the 209 primer out and storing the rifle over night in a safe place of course, and then put a primer back on it the next day.

I personally unload them every night. Normally since I have my own range next to the house, I just shoot it off at the end of the day and then clean the rifle and start new in the morning.

It's usually dark when I come out, so shooting at a target isn't an option. I like removing the primer & leaving it. Muzzle loader season is just in for the next 10 days anyway. Wondering...Would leaving the powder pellets in cause any additional corrosion?

aharley1

Pellets or powder do not cause corrosion... residue and water do...

IF you keep everything dry - it will work... if there is a doubt unload it....

I agree with Sabotloader. If it was loaded on a clean dry bore, it's safe for a long long time. If you popped a primer or two before loading I wouldn't leave a load in there more than two weeks or so. If you shot a fouling shot before loading I would pull the charge at the end of the day.

I always fire mine at a target just to check the sights.

Can't fire to check the sights in the dark. SOunds like removing the primer is the way for me to go. M/L season is just for the next 10 days. Then I'll unload & clean.