Muzzleloader Storage

[user 49399]

How do you store your traditional muzzleloaders, muzzle up, muzzle down or horizontal? Does it make a difference and if so why?

Thanks

 

[Sparkitoff]

I store my muzzle down. At first I would put them muzzle down after cleaning, with a new paper towel under the muzzle. Usually within 24-hours the towel would be stained and I'd change it out. Sometimes this went on for quite a while. When the towel stayed clean, I'd put them on a horizontal rack that holds them with the muzzle slightly lower than the tang. After a while, I just gave up and leave them muzzle down all the time.

 

[mooman76]

What Sparkitoff said for me.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

muzzle down or horizontal?

Yes, horizontal with the muzzle just a bit lower than the breech. Keeps any extra oils moving toward the muzzle.

LD

 

[Grenadier1758]

In the devisive muzzle up or muzzle down storage debate, I'm in the muzzle down camp.

 

[Eric Krewson]

Mine have to go muzzle up to fit in here. My Kibler SMR almost bumps the roof inside, it won't go in with a .32 jag on the ramrod, it is that close. I had to make a cutout in the shelves to get my BP rifles inside. This picture is prior to my building the Kibler. The rifles in the picture have 42" barrels.

 

[mooman76]

I bought some "Rifle Rods" for my gun safes. One of the best purchases I've ever made. I can fir more guns in my safe and keep them separated so they don't ding each other.

 

[EC121]

My safe is tall enough, but they are easier to store muzzle down. I don't bump them together as much when the butt is up. I do the paper towel thing before putting them back in the safe.

 

[Bart]

I bought some "Rifle Rods" for my gun safes. One of the best purchases I've ever made. I can fir more guns in my safe and keep them separated so they don't ding each other.

Rifle rods?

 

[GANGGREEN]

Never thought of the cutout Eric Krewson. I have too many to fit in my gun safe and don't have too many security concerns anyway, but I've always bitched and moaned about not being able to fit them in there. Good idea.

 

[toot]

I rely don't think back in the day that the buck skinners rely cared or thought about it, they had more pressing thing's at hand. JMHO.

 

[Griz44Mag]

I bought some "Rifle Rods" for my gun safes. One of the best purchases I've ever made. I can fir more guns in my safe and keep them separated so they don't ding each other.

SOCKS - are your friend! No dings - no dents - This is the "active and working" safe next to the work bench.
(NOTE - part of the picture has been hidden - but the tops of the "LONG" ones are above the top shelf line.
This safe came with cutouts on both sides of the dividing shelf. NOTE - several of the cue sticks are butt up.
An ID label is on the tag of each - printed with a Brother label maker.

 

[Sidney Smith]

Mine are muzzle up. I done have room to store them horizontally. Ive never hsd an issue storing mine muzzle up. Just do a quick clean before heading to the range. Couple dry patches through bore, pipe cleaner in flash hole amd dry rag to the pan and its good to go.

 

[ord sgt]

Several are horizontal but most are muzzle up. The long rifles won't fit into the safe but the half stocks will fit.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Mine are muzzle up. I done have room to store them horizontally. Ive never hsd an issue storing mine muzzle up. Just do a quick clean before heading to the range. Couple dry patches through bore, pipe cleaner in flash hole amd dry rag to the pan and its good to go.

I should clarify - some of mine are butt up to make more room in the bottom end of the safe.
After cleaning and oiling a barrel, I set them outside the safe with a paper towel under the muzzle for a couple of days and allow them to drain any excess lube somewhere beside the breech.
I also HIGHLY recommend some moisture protection. I have 2 quart size canisters of keep dry beads in the safe, every month I remove 1 of them to "recharge" it (that means heating it to dry out the media - when it's wet it is green, when it is dry it is orange.

 

[Timber Wolf]

Muzzle loaders muzzle down, unmentionables muzzle up. Only way I can get any density in the safe.

 

[10acres]

Muzzle down and in a sock.

 

[Ben Meyer]

My 2 are horizontal on the wall, muzzle just slightly down.

 

[Capnball]

Never thought of the cutout Eric Krewson. I have too many to fit in my gun safe and don't have too many security concerns anyway, but I've always bitched and moaned about not being able to fit them in there. Good idea.

Can ya ever REALLY have too many?

 

[Packrat]

My Browning safe has a cut out for longer rifles. My Trade Gun, long Bbl, fits but my 44" Kentucky will not