Best way to unload after an unsuccessful hunt?

ahcollier · Nov 9, 2024

It’s muzzle loader season in Virginia. I’m hunting on private land a couple of times a week. So far no gifts from nature.

I got to the property at Oh-dark-30, geared up and loaded up my .50 cal Investarms plains rifle. I infiltrated stealthily into my blind and sat alone with my thoughts as sunrise approached.

Now I’m in my afternoon/evening blind. If the Good Lord and Nature do not send a deer past my blind, as I head home, I want to clear the weapon. What should I do?

I’ve been discharging it at the ground, but then I have to clean it.

What do all ya’ll do?

Thanks,
Andy in VA

kelvinator · Nov 9, 2024

I just leave mine loaded if going to be back hunting in a few days or even a week or 2.
Just remove the cap if percussion.

Grimord · Nov 9, 2024

I keep my rifle loaded thru-out the season. I have a small colored party balloon that I keep over the muzzle, I place a orange foam ear plug up against the touch hole on my flint lock. Close the frizzen with a stall in place. The balloon reminds me that the gun is loaded. I do this all during the season at the end of the day. Never had a problem with the gun going off when the opportunity arrives.

Old Shepherd · Nov 9, 2024

You can either do it old school and use a ball puller on ( preferably) a range rod, or send away on the internet and purchase a silent ball discharger, which operates off a CO2 cylinder. They come with a nozzle for either percussion nipples or an adapter for flintlock touch holes. They are nice to have around and can also clear a dry ball.
Old Shepherd

Yanqui · Nov 9, 2024

If you’re confident you loaded correctly and no risk of moisture or oil issues, just take the cap off as said. I put a small piece of leather over the nipple and lay the hammer down on it. It’ll fire just fine if you’ve got your loading method down. I too make sure the muzzle is sealed with a balloon or whatever while hunting too, and keep it at outdoor temps helps not risk any condensation. It’s like falling off a log once it’s habit. It’s been decades since I’ve had a misfire.

ahcollier · Nov 9, 2024

kelvinator said:
I just leave mine loaded if going to be back hunting in a few days or even a week or 2.
Just remove the cap if percussion.

Thanks for the reply. I thought about removing the cap, but wondered if it was safe having the charged rifle rattling around in my truck.

ahcollier · Nov 9, 2024

Grimord said:
I keep my rifle loaded thru-out the season. I have a small colored party balloon that I keep over the muzzle, I place a orange foam ear plug up against the touch hole on my flint lock. Close the frizzen with a stall in place. The balloon reminds me that the gun is loaded. I do this all during the season at the end of the day. Never had a problem with the gun going off when the opportunity arrives.

Thanks. One powder charge lasts all season? It doesn’t absorb humidity or anything?

ahcollier · Nov 9, 2024

Old Shepherd said:
You can either do it old school and use a ball puller on ( preferably) a range rod, or send away on the internet and purchase a silent ball discharger, which operates off a CO2 cylinder. They come with a nozzle for either percussion nipples or an adapter for flintlock touch holes. They are nice to have around and can also clear a dry ball.
Old Shepherd

Thanks.

French Colonial · Nov 9, 2024

Leave it loaded.

Also do a search for Britsmoothy's post called "Three Weeks"

Louisk · Nov 9, 2024

ahcollier said:
Thanks. One powder charge lasts all season? It doesn’t absorb humidity or anything?

Someone warned me against having a loaded gun exposed to large changes in temperature due to risk of condensation. I had a winter hunt and left my GPR loaded out in a vehicle at night. It stayed loaded for a month or so and went off fine when fired at the end of the hunt. Unfortunately it was never discharged in the direction of a moose.

Stykbow · Nov 9, 2024

I’ve had little time to hit the range this year. You see that center shot in the bull? That load had been in my rifle for 11 months.

Spikebuck · Nov 9, 2024

When I first started hunting with a ML 25 years ago, I was discharging the hunting load daily. Then I joined here and learned it was unnecessary to do so. Now I leave the load in until season's end. In fact, my .36 squirrel rifle has had a load in it for about 10 months now since I had no opportunities on my last squirrel hunt back in January.

As already mentioned, have something on the gun to note it is loaded, for safety. Be careful how it's pointed when in your vehicle considering both you and cars around you on the road. I set mine so if it went off, by some freak reason, it would go out the roof.

morehops52 · Nov 9, 2024

In PA a ML is considered unloaded if there is no cap on the nipple or charge in the pan. I can leave a cap lock loaded all season if not brought inside. I have had problems with flintlocks fusing or not going off so I shoot them into a stump at end of day. Yes, I have to clean them but so what? What is a deer worth? I would never consider pulling a ball if I could simply shoot a stump.

ahcollier · Nov 10, 2024

Stykbow said:
I’ve had little time to hit the range this year. You see that center shot in the bull? That load had been in my rifle for 11 months.

Nice shooting. I take your point.

NotDanielBoone · Nov 10, 2024

ahcollier said:
Thanks. One powder charge lasts all season? It doesn’t absorb humidity or anything?

As an experiment I left my .50 flintlock rifle loaded for 4 months after the last hunt. The first attempt to fire it was a flash in the pan. I then used my pick on the touch hole, re-primed and it fired. I did not do anything special to store it, except muzzle down which is my habit.

ETipp · Nov 10, 2024

By far IF someone thinks they need to empty a ML during hunting season (without shooting at a critter) the best method would be via use of a C02 cartridge. At least you won't have to clean it and you will be able recover they projectile. The powder you will lose.

If I know I'm going to be going back out hunting soon, I leave my ML loaded. It will keep just fine. I once kept one of mine loaded from one fall season all the way until the next fall season. It hung above my fireplace. It fired just fine and no rust was found.

However, if I've been hunting in the rain, I empty it.

Daveboone · Nov 10, 2024

Check with your regulations...
In NY we can leave it loaded with cap/ pan powder removed. A new dry charge should easily last all season, unless you have been hunting in wet weather. Also....no spit patch or lube that will dry out. For hunting, I prefer a waxier/greasier lube....my preference is Bore Butter. It doesnt dry out, and I think it keeps its seal. I have seen small rubber nipple covers to seal there also, but havent seen them around in a while...probably a very good idea. Also....I avoid bringing my loaded rifle into a warm house from the cold...you can get condensation in the barrel.

Okie Hog · Nov 10, 2024

ahcollier said:
What do all ya’ll do?

My rifle remains loaded.

Rodd Boyer · Nov 10, 2024

I left my .54 Kibler colonial loaded after late muzzleloader season for 4 months. Put a feather into the touch hole to keep out moisture, etc. Went to the range match in the spring, pulled the feather, primed and it went off without any issues. Think I might have even hit the bullseye with that shot!

But probably not!!!

Okie Hog · Nov 10, 2024

Stykbow said:
That load had been in my rifle for 11 months.

My .54 caliber Navy Arms (not New Englander) as stated) was loaded in October, 2023. Sunday before last that rifle fired the ball into the center of two inch bullseye at 50 yards.

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