hunting with a flintlock

[Spikebuck]

Fellas , here’s a tip from Forum Member Wattlebuster.

Roll up a small piece of leather, about the width of the pan ...

Brian Beckum teaches this same technique in his flintlock hunting videos. Been doing it since I first saw the tip there.

 

[FiremanBrad]

Mines been loaded since opening morning, back on Nov 16! I have the utmost confidence that it’ll go bang!!!

 

[TerryK]

Unless it is very wet when i hunt, it stays loaded. I jam a rag in the pan as a "safety reminder". I never had an issue.

 

[tallpine]

I use an ear plug, jam it up up against the touch hole and let the flint down on it.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Much Ado about nothing....
SM

 

[michael mcghee]

mines been load it over 1 month should go off

 

[Sidney Smith]

I leave mine loaded for the season, unless it gets damp or I shoot at a deer. Two years ago, I loaded it the end of November, and unloaded it on January 28th, when I shot a doe with it.

I keep the gun in my garage for the duration so as to avoid condensation from the rapid temperature change, as what would happen if I brought it inside the house.

 

[Barrie Dale]

It will depend on just how humid your house is. Mine are all in the house unloaded at this time. I only load them at the range or at the farm.

 

[appalichian hunter]

A feather or thorn from the black locust tree works very well, this along with a well waxed cows knee, and is correct for the time period we dwell in.

 

[Frogman]

I use a feather in the touch hole it does the job nicely also it reminds me of a load in the smoke pole.

 

[Rudyard]

A quill in the vent is the surest way to ensure the charge keeps dry .I think the small wire loops some times found under the cheek pieces were not for a wire picker but more likely the carrying of quills .Since hunting in NZ often extends several days often longer in my case and the forests often wet. and the creeks used like paths in effect. It is better to carry plugged and fresh prime so it will go off at least .Though if it is dry I do carry primed if a shots likely . If its a percussion rifle I trap a bit of rubber by the hammer then you know the charge is good & and sealed . Rudyard

 

[Dphar1950]

how long do you leave your gun loaded?? mines been loaded about a week should i unload it?? been hunting with my lyman

If its snowing or raining shoot it out at the end of the hunt. If its dry don't worry about it if you prepared the gun properly before loading it. If you have a decent leather cover treated with sno-seal condensation is not an issue if you leave the gun in it until it comes up to room temperature. This is why I use a full length cover.

 

[Dphar1950]

how long do you leave your gun loaded?? mines been loaded about a week should i unload it?? been hunting with my lyman

If its dry and you have decent patch lube that won't cause rust it will be good for 100 years.