unloaading the rifle

[The Hungry Hunter]

Many of you put a piece of leather over the nipple if the rifle is not fired.why leather? I use a piece of saran wrap,'am I wrong in doing so? I also have a piec of scotch tape covering the muzzle while I hunt to keep out anything from going into the barrel.

 

[oldude]

The leather between the hammer and nipple provide a fairly good seal to keep moisture out.If saran wrap works for you use it, for me I have trouble wrapping a sandwich in saran wrap muchless getting a small peice to stay on a nipple. Jim

 

[Rifleman1776]

Your tape over muzzle is not a bad idea. Often done by hunters in areas of a lot of rain. I have never favored gimmiks for lock. Some hunters will seal the nipple with clear nail polish. Not a bad thing to do. If hunting with a percussion, I carry with hammer lowered on the nipple. This method is not favored by some others. Of course, when playing with things that go bang, attention to where the muzzle is pointing is an absolute must.

 

[Okie Hog]

i found these things at a gunstore in WV about ten years ago. They are made of pliable plastic. They slip over the cap and seal the juncture of the cap and nipple.



Where to get them:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/traditions-muzzleloading-rain-gear.aspx?a=56813

 

[gearheart]

For the barrel I use a finger cot. It is a miniature version of a condom that goes on the finger to keep a wound area clean. In the first aid section of better pharmacies. A piece of leather is the easiest for the nipple. put a bootlace on it and tie it to the trigger guard. It is always there. :v

 

[Bugflipper]

I live in the humid south and never worry about pyrodex getting to much moisture in it from the humidity. When hunting in the rain I put some lube on the bottom of the percussion cap where it meets the nipple. I don't cover the bore at all in the rain. The lube (1/2 beeswax and alox with some olive oil added) on the patch keeps the powder dry. I don't carry anything on a sling with barrel up though. I just carry it in my hands. If I don't shoot something it stays loaded until the next outing. If I do it is cleaned promptly.

For long term storage I keep a double shotgun loaded all the time with caps in place at the back door. Sometimes it goes years without shooting, sometimes only days, just depends if critters are giving problems or not. The caps stay good as does the pyrodex when sitting for long periods ready to go. Never have had a failure to fire out of it. Nothing I have has rusty bores so pyrodex in a bore unshot is not corrosive enough to worry about.

 

[robinsroost]

i found these things at a gunstore in WV about ten years ago.

I've seen them in gun shops before, but there is a better solution. Go to your local hardware store and buy 18" of 1/4 OD plastic tubing, for about .50. This should last for several years. Simply cut the tubing into 1/8" pieces. If you know anyone in the medical field, they can get this stuff for free. Its the same stuff they use for oxygen lines, and it is thrown away after use, As far as a square of leather, under the hammer and over the nipple, I use a 1/2" square of inner tube. I punched a hole through one corner, then tied it to the trigger guard, with 6" of waxed linen cord. It seals the nipple better than leather, and didn't cost anything......Robin

 

[oldarcher]

I am constantly surprised that people do extremely dangerous things and do not see the danger it doing them and have not experienced a disaster . Keeping the hammer lowered on a capped loaded gun is similar to playing Russian Roulette with an auto pistol. The capped gun is bound to fire unexpectedly especially if dropped or hit in some manner. Frankly, keeping your rifle loaded when not shooting is both dangerous and simply not good for your rifle. Regardless of whatever argument you can make that justifies leaving a loaded and capped gun in the house, you simply cannot believe that it is safer than unloading the gun. I sincerely hope that nothing bad happens to you or your family because of it and wish you well.

 

[frogwalking]

We used to cover cap and nipple with bullet lube. I think we used Ol Zip patch grease in those days; basically mutton tallow and bees wax. That never failed.

 

[awebbersr]

When I was a boy, my Grandfather at the farm kept all of his weapons loaded at all times. We all knew they were loaded and kept our hands off. Of course this was when children were punished if something wrong was done. :idunno: Now you have to lock everything away and ask intruders to please wait while you get your gun out and load it so you can protect your family. :surrender: