Keeping powder dry ?

[1100 Remington Man]

For hunting I load my rifle and don't get a shot I take off cap on percussion rifle should I cover the hole with something if I don't get to hunt in a couple days. Will powder draw moisture in through percussion cap hole ? Thanks

 

[bpd303]

I always place a small piece of leather or rubber over the nipple, then let the hammer down on it. Never have ignition problems even after several days.

 

[B.Habermehl]

This idea is certainly not primitive, but I does work. Take a piece of vinyl fish tank tubing. Melt the end closed, cut off a short piece including the fused end. Now you have a nice nipple cap that is air tight. BJH

 

[Kansas Jake]

I too usually use a piece of leather over the nipple when hunting and leaving the gun loaded without a cap. In a couple of instances I have also used a very lightly greased patch. Both worked. I would lean more towards the leather, especially in a humid climate.

 

[hanshi]

Blocking the nipple opening is a good idea. However I just lower the hammer on the nipple and store it away.

 

[pab1]

Blocking the nipple opening is a good idea. However I just lower the hammer on the nipple and store it away.

That's what I do also. I've left guns loaded for a year or more a couple times and never had an issue with the powder drawing moisture. I do live in an area with fairly low humidity. Not sure if higher humidity would make a difference.

 

[ZUG]

One way is to use a carburetor vacuum cap plug which can be purchased at any fine auto parts store. Seals off the nipple 100% :thumbsup: .

 

[Snakebite]

Blocking the nipple opening is a good idea. However I just lower the hammer on the nipple and store it away.

I agree with Hanshi, but I'd also make sure I did something to remind myself it's loaded so you don't "re-load" it. (It can happen)

 

[pab1]

I agree with Hanshi, but I'd also make sure I did something to remind myself it's loaded so you don't "re-load" it. (It can happen)

Good point! I forgot to mention that I always tie flagging tape to the trigger guard to remind me the guns loaded. If the guns going to sit for more than a day or two I write "loaded" on the tape with a marker. Just added insurance to protect someone else (most likely my son) if I pass on before the gun is used again.

 

[Kansas Jake]

I do a similar thing with a piece of tape around the ramrod that I write "loaded" on with a black marker. It isn't just that I might forget, but if something happened to me other family members who are less knowledgeable about muzzle loaders know they have a loaded firearm in the safe.

 

[Mad Professor]

After I load I put a piece of duct tape on the end of the muzzle (trim a round patch), THEN I cap and seal the nipple/cap with a bit of wax from a candle (not on striking surface). Candle is part of hunting possibles. This has kept things dry in driving rain and sleet.

For a safety as suggested a rubber cap over the nipple.

Also put a piece of tape on the gun: Loaded and capped!

 

[hanshi]

To make sure I know it's loaded I normally put a cork or rubber stopper in the muzzle like on this flintlock. A leather hammer stall takes care of the frizzen although it's left off for this photo.

 

[seekhim1]

I have seen on ebay covers for nipple openings and they also have covers for the ball end to put on your extra cylinder to keep them clean and dry when not in revolver... item number 371463594079

 

[BrownBear]

... something to remind myself it's loaded....

I cut a strips of soft oiled leather 3/8" wide and roughly 5-6" long, then cut a lengthwise slit in the middle at one end. Loop it through the trigger guard and pass the opposite end through the slit so it locks onto the trigger guard.

That hangs from the trigger guard all the time. When I remove a cap, I pull the other end up and put it over the nipple and lower the hammer.

If that strip is in place over the nipple, the gun is loaded. Easy.

 

[DaveDaDeerslayer]

I cut the eraser off a #2 pencil and it fits just right up inside the hammer of my Cabela's Hawken.

Works good for dry firing too.

 

[skypilot39b]

... something to remind myself it's loaded....

I cut a strips of soft oiled leather 3/8" wide and roughly 5-6" long, then cut a lengthwise slit in the middle at one end. Loop it through the trigger guard and pass the opposite end through the slit so it locks onto the trigger guard.

That hangs from the trigger guard all the time. When I remove a cap, I pull the other end up and put it over the nipple and lower the hammer.

If that strip is in place over the nipple, the gun is loaded. Easy.

good plan, and a project for this evening....