Huniting Practices w/Muzzleloader

[sse]

I'm going to head up and use my percussion .54 cal roundball shooter during regular firearm deer season. Can't use spit patch, so I'm wondering what would work instead. Crisco? I do have some of that beeswax/canola oil mixture on some patches, but its pretty stiff. Any other options?

Also, should I just de-cap 'er in the afternoon and leave it charged in the truck overnight for the next morning's hunt, or shoot 'er out?

Thanks, sse

 

neatsfoot oil works really good. Use it sparingly, though, a little goes a long way.

Decap and leave it set. I have left my flinter loaded for a week and a half without trouble.

 

[musketman]

Also, should I just de-cap 'er in the afternoon and leave it charged in the truck overnight for the next morning's hunt, or shoot 'er out?

Thanks, sse

Yes, don't leave a loaded/primed gun unattended, even if you lock the truck up...

Take the cap off and lower the hammer (softly) on a scrap strip of leather, this will seal the nipple and prevent any moisture from getting in through the nipple's hole...

If you lower the hammer down on the leather hard, it will work as a leather punch and plug the nipple...

(Yes, you can use a caplock and an old nipple as a make-due leather punch)

 

[sse]

Thanks guys. I don't have any Neatsfoot laying around, but might be able to fetch some. Musketman, that's a handy trick and I will do that for certain. I know well enough not to leave a cap on 'er. That's tantamount to leaving a cartridge in the chamber and wouldn't do that neither.

Regards, sse

 

[Stumpkiller]

If you don't want to fool with mixin yer own, Natural Lube 1000 works well. I've put my Moose Snot in the freezer overnight and it still spreads onto a patch. Moose milk is alcohol and [my version is] castor oil based, and is good well below zero.

If it hasn't been shot I leave mine unprimed but loaded and in the car if it's just overnight. With the ramrod down the barrel so it's obvious. No kids, and if a burglar shoots hisself I'd feel just awful.