I have a theory about preping an sidelock before hunting
 

I know popping an cap before loading an sidelock for an range session or an hunt is the norm. I pop two or three before I load. but I worked up an theory about using an air compressor to blow the oil out.

first: run an alcohol patch down the barrel to remove the oil.
second: take an qtip soaked in alcohol and clean out the booster (powder drum) (if possible)
third: place an patch at the end of the range rod, either from the nipple or the clean out, with proper fitting. blow the air thru the gun.

I won't be able to test this for an few more weeks. just wanted yalls thoughts on this.

Sounds like a safe routine. When hunting with a side lock I always pull the nipple after I put the powder in to make sure the powder made it all the way down. As long as there is powder under the nipple I've never had a misfire, even after leaving the gun loaded for extended lengths of time.

Because the air inside of compressed air tanks can have moisture in it, I would also swab with alcohol and dry patch after the air is forced through the bore.
The moisture is the reason that the compressor maker's recommend that the air be released from the tank after each use, so that the interior of the tank doesn't rust. Whenever I open up the air valve located at the bottom of the tank after use, some water comes out at the very end. Perhaps the high air pressure causes condensation inside of the tank that can also find it's way up through the hose. It's probably not a big deal since it's such a small amount of moisture. But if you're going to swab with alcohol anyway, might as well swab with it after the moist air is used.

I do the same with the air compressor and always have a damp spot on the concrete. So that tells me there is moisture in the air compressor. Whether that comes through the hose, which I suspect.. well you do as you like.

Corey, it sounds like it would probably work....but why not just pop a cap? Seems like alot less work to me.

when I hunt I like to ready my gun at home (clean the oil out and clear the fire channel), I may be moving into the city. no fires arms are to be set off in the city. alot of people don't know any better.

I don't pop a cap when loading for the hunt. I pump the clean oiled bore vigorously with a very wet alcohol patch so that I see a mist of alcohol blowing out through the nipple. I follow that with a dry patch, again pumping vigorously to force a flow of air in and out through the nipple. I've never had a misfire when loaded that way.

If you don't want to pop a cap, why not just swab the bore with a dry patch and remove the cleanout screw and swab the bolster to breech with a pipe cleaner with alcohol if you're that concened? As for the nipple, the only lube my nipples ever get is a bit of anti-sieze on the threads.
For flinters, just a dry patch down the bore and I swab the flashhole with a pipe cleaner to make sure its open.

Great tip semi, never thought to do that. :happy0001: