Storing rifles prior to shooting?

[Bucolic Buffalo]

So where do you store your rifle or rifle just prior to going shooting? I never even gave it a thought. Our local club, Leroy Rifle & Pistol Club had an open house at our range (American Heritage Range) on Saturday. Celebrating the opening of our 100yd range. We've had a 30yd range for some time. This was part of our expansion plans. Takes time and money. And much effort on the part of a few.

Why do I ask? I took the .58 Colonial. It sits around in it's rifle sock a lot of the time. In air conditioning. Un-socked her. Loaded her up. And she went bang. After, the pan was covered in a layer of un-burnt powder. Odd that. When I loaded her again, I had to use my range rod, and not the rifle's ramrod to get the ball seated. That's when I realized I had screwed up. That rifle was cold. It was warm and humid central Illinois outside from the rain the evening before. There was condensation all over. I had fowled it in one shot. How do you guys deal with this problem?

One of the fellows caught my primer flash just prior to the bang.

 

[wiscoaster]

My .58 cal Colonial is stored in a gun sock in a closet. Before shooting, I run a dry patch down the bore and wipe it down all over, especially the pan, flint and frizzen, and pick the touchhole, then finally check for spark.

 

[Bucolic Buffalo]

The room I keep most things in does get a lot of air flow from the heating and A/C system. Touch anything metal in here and it's always cold in summer. I need to find or build a more stable storage area I guess. Or take the rifle out to the shed a few days ahead of shooting and let it acclimate. Even after two shots, there was no warmth in that barrel.

 

[wiscoaster]

Well, I think it should warm up to ambient just by sitting in your car or truck for a while.

 

[maillemaker]

When I pull my guns out of my RV at a skirmish they are often cold and condensation forms on them. AC works nice in the RV and our summers are hot and humid.

 

[reddogge]

I use a slotted jag and a piece of rag to wipe and dry the bore and a rag to wipe down the entire rifle before loading.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

When cold or cool steel meets warm moisture laden air condensation happens.

 

[springfield art]

So where do you store your rifle or rifle just prior to going shooting? I never even gave it a thought. Our local club, Leroy Rifle & Pistol Club had an open house at our range (American Heritage Range) on Saturday. Celebrating the opening of our 100yd range. We've had a 30yd range for some time. This was part of our expansion plans. Takes time and money. And much effort on the part of a few.

Why do I ask? I took the .58 Colonial. It sits around in it's rifle sock a lot of the time. In air conditioning. Un-socked her. Loaded her up. And she went bang. After, the pan was covered in a layer of un-burnt powder. Odd that. When I loaded her again, I had to use my range rod, and not the rifle's ramrod to get the ball seated. That's when I realized I had screwed up. That rifle was cold. It was warm and humid central Illinois outside from the rain the evening before. There was condensation all over. I had fowled it in one shot. How do you guys deal with this problem?

One of the fellows caught my primer flash just prior to the bang.

View attachment 346476

Great photo, though! And thx for the tip!

 

[SeaBee133]

I move it from the room with a/c to a part of the house that deos not. At least a week before, but in the case of my .50, 3 months before hunting season. Had it downstairs for a deep cleaning and some stock touch up/dress up. Going to move the “using box” downstairs as well. Powder, caps, bullets and balls, pre-lubed patches, etc so the combo is good to go. Though “storage can” is kept in a not climate controlled spare bedroom with my modern ammunition.
1840 built house, if I run the central heat/air my power bill is over $900/month…