Rainy day Flintlock Hunting

[Problem Child]

I took the week off to deer hunt and it's supposed to rain the next couple of days.I'm really enjoying hunting with the Flintlock but don't want to mess up anything.
The rifle is a Cabela's Hawken with the wedge key and hooked breech.I have about six coats of Tru-oil on the stock and just finished waxing the stock and barrel.
I know on full-stock guns you're supposed to apply grease to the barrel channel.Should I do this also??
Also,what about around the lock??

 

[rancher]

I wouldn't worry about it. Take it apart when you're done hunting for the day and dry and clean it good. As for the lock a cows knee or some of other type of cover should help some. Change priming powder often. They make a product called dry powder. Never used it, but have some.

 

[majg1234]

I hunted a couple of days with my flinter in the rain no cows knee but was cautious to keep it under my arm or gloved hand across it,changed the prime fairly often with no problems,just a little more work than with a capper in the rain

 

[Greenjoytj]

If you've Tru-oiled the barrel channel along with the rest of the stock it should be well sealed now.

Wax wood looks nice, but water will lift the wax off anything very quickly so as far waterproofing the wood its the tru-oil thats doing the job.

Don't wax the barrel, the best anti rust treatment for the barrel and other steel parts is EESOX oil. A hooked breach barrel makes it fast and easy to check for rust and re-oil.

 

[tecum-tha]

1.) Have your pan absolutely clean.
2.) Get some bowstring wax from wally-world and mold a string between fingers and place on edge of pan.
3.) Put priming powder in pan.
4.) Close pan
5.) Put some bowstring wax between barrel and top of pan to prevent leakage
6.) Keep lock under arm or use cows knee
7.) No need to reprime. This methods worked in a rainstorm in TN and the gun fired.

 

[Black Hand]

I know on full-stock guns you're supposed to apply grease to the barrel channel.Should I do this also??
Also,what about around the lock??

DO NOT put grease in your barrel channel. The grease will eventually rot your wood.

If you are concerned, I use the wax toilet-bowl rings - soft and sticky. Cheap, easy to apply to the barrel (and in at the rear of the lock mortise), will seal the channel and still allows for barrel removal. I would suggest that you do something if you will be hunting frequently in the rain, as I've had moisture migrate in an unsealed barrel channel and sneak in behind the lock, wetting my prime.

 

[roundball]

off to deer hunt and it's supposed to rain the next couple of days.

I've had a few successful hunts in light & moderate rain now...FWIW, these are the "must do's" that have let me take down deer in the rain:

1) Always keep the muzzle down...always...until ready to shoot;

2) Keep the whole lock region up under your coat or rain gear at all times;

3) Brush out all the old prime, and refresh the prime every 30 minutes.

4) Be sure the vent opening is not clogged with damp prime...flick it clear with the brush tips;

5) When you refresh the prime bend your body and coat well over and beyond the whole lock area to prevent any rain from hitting the pan / prime; This helps ensure your hat doesn't drain water down into the lock / pan / prime area while refreshing the prime.

6) Use some sort of 'rain cover' for your long gun if sitting still on stand;

EXAMPLE: