what do you do

[leadball]

I have been fortunate to have great deer hunting on my land. I took my first deer with a muzzleloader last fall. I shot it within the first 4 hours of being out. What I am wondering is what do you guys do after a day of hunting without firing a shot? Do you fire your muzzleloader and clean it and get it ready for the next day, or do you leave your powder and ball in the gun. I have heard that you can as long as you dont bring the gun from the cold outdoors into a warm house as condensation will dampen the powder. so if i am hunting in dec and its cold out but hunting time is finished, I can leave ball and powder in gun but remove cap and leave it in the cold garage?

 

leave it in there, I'm from Minnesota, so I know about the area and the temps.who da heck has tyme ta shoot,,get all stinky, clean everything (including yourself),then load again?
Do like ya know,,good powder,clean nip and freash caps,

 

[musketman]

I shoot it before I go home and then I'll clean and process my musket for the next day...

Mostly because if I go the whole day without shooting at a deer, I'll at least want to shoot at a target before I leave...

Once, I emptied my gun only to have a deer jump out of the sapplings from the noise... :shocking: (lots of cussin' that day)

 

[roundball]

I never shoot a muzzleloader to unload it...creates too much noise, particularly after dark when somebody could think I'm poaching, and unnecessarily calls attention to the area I'm hunting, and it also creates an unnecessary cleaning chore, waste of my time, etc.

I do the following and it only takes a minute:
1) Dump the prime and plug the vent;
2) Pull the load (or blow it out with compressed air);
3) Wipe/lube the bore;

And...by starting the next hunt with a fresh load in a dry rifle, I have zero concerns that it'll fire when I'm lining up on a deer

 

For me it depends on the weather. Missouri is known for it's horrible humidity, at least if it isn't it should be, and if it's been one of those typical cold, damp, gray, dreay November or December days I'll fire off the shot and start fresh the next morning. If it's one of our rare bluebird November or December days I'll leave the load in and the rifle in the shop. I'll plug the vent if using a flintlock or put a piece of rubber or latex between the hammer and nipple if using percussion. Next morning I just reprime or cap up and go hunting. I've never had any problems......yet.

Vic