RE: Will keeping a muzzleloader loaded cause any problems?
 

Shouldn't be an issue. I will typically load mine at the beginning of BP season in GA, and hunt with it for the rest of the season. Obviously, I'll re-load if I shoot at something.... I won't rely on a load if I've been out hunting and it was raining or really damp; I'll typically either shoot it or unload it by removing the breach plug because I don't want to take the chance on soggy pellets. But, if it's dry, I'll leave it loaded for weeks at a time.

I, too, unintentionally left mine loaded from one season to the next with no ill effects. We were supposed to get down to the lease and do more hunting, but one thing led to anothe and we never got down. Finally, the next season, I pulled the old smoke pole out and realized it was still loaded from the previous season. After unloading and a little bit of light cleaning (just to be safe and sure), it shot just fine.

RE: Will keeping a muzzleloader loaded cause any problems?
 

I pretty much agree with everyone. .... Teperature changes like being out in the cold hunting then going into a car and getting warm or into a house where it is warm starts condensation. Think of a cold drink in the summer.

There is less mosture in the air but even then repeated heating and cooling will cause moisture to build up.

If your shooting a 209 primer this probably won't hurt you. But #11's aren't a ton of fire like a 209 so you have to be carefull. If its not that cold out your probably fine. Another option is to leave it in the back of your car or truck (in a case of course)so it never warms up. Then you'd probably be fine.

I have left mine loaded, well my inline I have. As for my percussion (side lock) I like to unload that every night or I try to.

I've never had a missfirewhen it counted.I alwaystry to cleanthe gun before I load it the first time (probably helps)

I did go out one time with my first inline (a cheap CVA) Iwalked in and sat down. Whenthe sun started to come up I could see I was near a guy so I got up and tried to sneak out as quiet as possible. I went up the road and to the other side and sat down 40 yards or so off the road. 15 minutes later I shot a big doe. It was cold so it took me a while to field dress her. As I did I hear the guy I crowded shoot (or so I thought) I was glad he had had an opertunity. Unfortunatly it turn out tobe a cap going off. A few minutes later I hear another pop. then finallyI hear it go off.

I was mad at myself for walking in on him but his hunt had ben ruined from the start. I fear a missfire sometime (probaly when thenew world record walks out in front of me) So I tend to play it safe.





So anyway whats your setup. Pellets and a 209 primer and your probably fine. A sidelock and a #11...you might need to unload.

Just my thinking.

Jason

RE: Will keeping a muzzleloader loaded cause any problems?
 

Its not exteme heat that you havt to worry about, its going from cold to warm in a short period of time ,that will create a sort of sweating (as j.lester already stated)inside the bore. Enough to cause a hang or misfire? I think its possible but w/ todays more advanced guns and powders the chances are greatly reduced.

RE: Will keeping a muzzleloader loaded cause any problems?
 

In that case you can load it now, and shoot it next fall;)

BTW what load ya using? I use 40gr IMR4759/ 250 gr SW/ MMP short black (2000fps cronied, no recoil)

RE: Will keeping a muzzleloader loaded cause any problems?
 

Leaving the powder in, can cause a misfire under the right conditions. Just because most people get away with it doesn't mean it is 100% going to work.If you can, the best way is to fire the gun off safely, clean the gun and reload just prior to hunting. I just wouldn't want to have the gun misfire on anyanimal or especially a trophy animalbecause I didn't want to discharge/clean it properly.

RE: Will keeping a muzzleloader loaded cause any problems?
 

I shoot a thomson hawkins and leave the powder in till the end of the season if I don't shoot. Never a misfire.

RE: Will keeping a muzzleloader loaded cause any problems?
 

last year, i went hunting, and kept it loaded over night, and the next day i saw 4 deer, and i got 3 shots, and each time the only thing that would go off was my cap. so i wont do that again this year.

RE: Will keeping a muzzleloader loaded cause any problems?
 

Nope. I've left them loaded for an entire ML season before and shot it out the last day and it hit dead on. Keep it dry and you'll be fine.

One suggestion though: keep it in a truck or garage if possible. Going from heat to cold will cause moisture to accumulate.

RE: Will keeping a muzzleloader loaded cause any problems?
 

Hasn't been a problem here. Normally keep it loaded from the first hunt, till when we shoot at a deer.

RE: Will keeping a muzzleloader loaded cause any problems?
 

I have always worried about Static Electricity making it go off......