#2968812 - 10/04/12 03:36 PM
"Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
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Wes Parrish
16 Point
Registered: 06/12/02
Posts: 16993
Loc: Knoxville-Dover-Union City, TN
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OK, I know this has been mentioned and discussed before, but are there any downsides to covering your bore with electrical tape to seal out moisture?
And what about if doubled, i.e. a criss-cross over the bore?
Any other ideas for "waterproofing" your muzzleloader?
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#2968858 - 10/04/12 04:09 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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Brisco Darlin
6 Point
Registered: 04/24/12
Posts: 989
Loc: East Tn.
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i've always used electrical tape over the muzzle. i've killed two deer in pouring rains and it went off fine. by the way it was a traditional sidelock .
i also cut small pieces of rubber tubing to slide down over the cap and nipple as an added precaution.
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They ain't a horse in sight, but if one comes along i'll give him the right o way.
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#2968933 - 10/04/12 04:59 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Brisco Darlin]
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FrontierGander
4 Point
Registered: 05/09/10
Posts: 443
Loc: Boncarbo,Colorado
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Keeping the barrel pointed down in foul weather is my style.
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#2968948 - 10/04/12 05:22 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: FrontierGander]
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ImThere
8 Point
Registered: 08/24/06
Posts: 2107
Loc: Lewisburg, Tn
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Balloon, thats what i use
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#2968995 - 10/04/12 06:13 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: ImThere]
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Backwudz
8 Point
Registered: 11/28/11
Posts: 1347
Loc: Jefferson County, Tn
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Balloon, thats what i use
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#2969049 - 10/04/12 07:07 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Backwudz]
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ratsnakeboogy
10 Point
Registered: 08/28/08
Posts: 2886
Loc: Andersonville, TN
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Finger cot.
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#2969134 - 10/04/12 08:06 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: ratsnakeboogy]
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RussellvilleRob
8 Point
Registered: 09/15/05
Posts: 2015
Loc: Russellville
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Condoms over the muzzle of your M4 in the "Sandbox"....
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#2969309 - 10/04/12 09:46 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: quigleysharps4570]
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BuckHunter511
6 Point
Registered: 07/23/11
Posts: 552
Loc: Cumberland County,Tennessee, U...
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Condom
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#2969566 - 10/05/12 08:00 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: BuckHunter511]
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Wes Parrish
16 Point
Registered: 06/12/02
Posts: 16993
Loc: Knoxville-Dover-Union City, TN
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I've tried all the "tricks" before mentioned EXCEPT using electrical tape over the bore. My main concern is how it effects accuracy, say out at 100 to 150 yards when you shoot thru it. Just thought someone who has already done more extensive range testing might chime in.
By the way, by simply keeping your barrel pointed down, even on a non-raining but very humid day, you can get so much moisture sucked into your powder that your gun will not shoot. Some powders are worse than others when it comes to sucking up moisture from humid air (which is in your barrel if the bore isn't covered).
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#2969597 - 10/05/12 08:22 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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WestTn Huntin'man
16 Point
Registered: 11/19/06
Posts: 10877
Loc: Benton Co.
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We always have a box of surgicial gloves around the house and I keep a few in my pack . Cut the thumb or a finger off a glove fits tight thin enough to not mess up a shot and very cheap.
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#2969633 - 10/05/12 08:44 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: WestTn Huntin'man]
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Wes Parrish
16 Point
Registered: 06/12/02
Posts: 16993
Loc: Knoxville-Dover-Union City, TN
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. . . . . thin enough to not mess up a shot and very cheap.
I agree, at closer ranges.
I've done this, used finger cots, condoms, you name it.
Have also found most above mentioned to be somewhat "fragile" and often tear or develop a break.
Electrical tape is a little thicker and tougher, and what I had been told was to place a piece over the bore, then wrap another piece around the barrel (covering both ends of the piece over the bore). This would be more durable, but to what extent does it effect accuracy?
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#2969667 - 10/05/12 09:05 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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muddyboots
12 Point
Registered: 11/06/02
Posts: 5921
Loc: savannah, tn., usa
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I never had any issues with the encore not working in an weather.
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Let em go and let em grow!
There is a difference in a turkey killer and a turkey hunter!
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#2969710 - 10/05/12 10:02 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: WestTn Huntin'man]
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bigtex
8 Point
Registered: 06/06/04
Posts: 1323
Loc: Brush Creek
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We always have a box of surgicial gloves around the house and I keep a few in my pack . Cut the thumb or a finger off a glove fits tight thin enough to not mess up a shot and very cheap.
Exactly what I do as well. I always have a couple of pair in my pack so they are always with me. Heck ya get five off one glove, lol.
I also use them on my centerfire rifles during rainy weather, water down the barrel "probably" wouldn't affect it but I don't like the idea of water in there.
BTW, to answer the original question, I have fired my M/L with and without a covering on the barrel and there was no difference in point of impact.
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#2969828 - 10/05/12 11:42 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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quigleysharps4570
4 Point
Registered: 09/06/04
Posts: 316
Loc: Kansas
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By the way, by simply keeping your barrel pointed down, even on a non-raining but very humid day, you can get so much moisture sucked into your powder that your gun will not shoot. Some powders are worse than others when it comes to sucking up moisture from humid air (which is in your barrel if the bore isn't covered).
Not sure what you're shooting but that's never been my experience with the real blackpowder I use. I've been caught out in alot of rain and snow storms and never had any moisture get around a patched roundball to cause it not to fire. Also spent many, many hours squirrel hunting along our river bottoms during the summer with the high humidity we get and never had it happen.
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#2969831 - 10/05/12 11:44 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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Brisco Darlin
6 Point
Registered: 04/24/12
Posts: 989
Loc: East Tn.
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electrical tape never affected the accuracy when i shot mine.
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They ain't a horse in sight, but if one comes along i'll give him the right o way.
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#2970147 - 10/05/12 06:06 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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East TN Hunter
4 Point
Registered: 08/24/07
Posts: 182
Loc: East TN
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. . . . . thin enough to not mess up a shot and very cheap. I agree, at closer ranges. I've done this, used finger cots, condoms, you name it. Have also found most above mentioned to be somewhat "fragile" and often tear or develop a break. Electrical tape is a little thicker and tougher, and what I had been told was to place a piece over the bore, then wrap another piece around the barrel (covering both ends of the piece over the bore). This would be more durable, but to what extent does it effect accuracy?
I have used electric tape for years on muzzleloaders and rifles. It does not impact POI. I tested it at the range.
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#2971535 - 10/07/12 07:19 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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Wobblyshot1
6 Point
Registered: 10/13/10
Posts: 904
Loc: Rutherford County
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I'll keep my muzzle lowered and protect the lock area by covering with a layer of my hunting garment.
I still use real black powder. Black powder is far less hydroscopic than some of the substitutes. I've never really had a problem with just high humidity in the air but have seen others using pellets unable to get their gun to fire under the same conditions. The pellets actually seemed to act as sponges and sop up any moisture at all in the air.
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#2973620 - 10/08/12 09:20 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Wobblyshot1]
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dogmatik
8 Point
Registered: 09/11/02
Posts: 1121
Loc: Tampa, Fl.
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Unlubricated condoms is that I used. Just don't expect to find them at every corner store.
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#2973876 - 10/09/12 06:37 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: dogmatik]
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KPH
8 Point
Registered: 08/06/05
Posts: 1678
Loc: Hendersonville Tenn
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I don't use anything and never had any trouble. I find it hard to belive that mosture can get around the bullet or past the primer.
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#2973958 - 10/09/12 07:52 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: KPH]
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Brisco Darlin
6 Point
Registered: 04/24/12
Posts: 989
Loc: East Tn.
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I don't use anything and never had any trouble. I find it hard to belive that mosture can get around the bullet or past the primer.
_________________________
They ain't a horse in sight, but if one comes along i'll give him the right o way.
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#2973970 - 10/09/12 08:01 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Brisco Darlin]
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KPH
8 Point
Registered: 08/06/05
Posts: 1678
Loc: Hendersonville Tenn
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I don't use anything and never had any trouble. I find it hard to belive that mosture can get around the bullet or past the primer. on a flintlock or caplock it can.
A fleintlock or acaplock is a different story.
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#2974363 - 10/09/12 12:30 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: KPH]
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Tennessee Todd
Democrat & proud
16 Point
Registered: 03/12/99
Posts: 12507
Loc: TuTu City, Tn
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Get you a Knight and use the red plastic jacket system and you could hunt in a swimming pool and it will still go off. Trust me, I've put it to the test.
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#2974373 - 10/09/12 12:33 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Tennessee Todd]
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FrontierGander
4 Point
Registered: 05/09/10
Posts: 443
Loc: Boncarbo,Colorado
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the jacket only seals the primer.
Put a projectile in your bore and with the breech plug removed, look down the barrel " breech plug end" and you'll find out even a saboted load does not seal the bore and allows moisture to get directly to the powder.
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#2983403 - 10/15/12 09:36 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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HMHunters75
Spike
Registered: 01/01/11
Posts: 76
Loc: TN
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Condom or finger from rubber glove.
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#2986145 - 10/17/12 02:35 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: HMHunters75]
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Big J
16 Point
Registered: 03/10/06
Posts: 11546
Loc: Joelton
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I shoot a disc extreme! No worries in the rain!
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#2986609 - 10/17/12 07:29 PM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Big J]
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fishboy1
14 Point
Registered: 01/13/03
Posts: 9719
Loc: Warren Co
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I have used electrical tape, duct tape, balloon, packing tape, mailing label(not recommended)
Doesn't change POI. The gasses in front of the bullet blow through the tape before the bullet ever hits it.
Now I wouldnt wrap 10 layers of tape over the barrel or anything stupid like that. Just the one layer across the opening and one piece around the barrel to hold the ends tight.
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#2987181 - 10/18/12 08:26 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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tellico4x4
6 Point
Registered: 11/29/04
Posts: 631
Loc: Killen, AL
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. . . . . thin enough to not mess up a shot and very cheap. I agree, at closer ranges. I've done this, used finger cots, condoms, you name it. Have also found most above mentioned to be somewhat "fragile" and often tear or develop a break. Electrical tape is a little thicker and tougher, and what I had been told was to place a piece over the bore, then wrap another piece around the barrel (covering both ends of the piece over the bore). This would be more durable, but to what extent does it effect accuracy?
Two pieces of electrical tape criss-crossed is what I have used for 30+ yrs. Started using it way back when with a "Hawkens" on CO ML hunts and still use it on my Pro-Hunter. Kept a load in Iowa last year for a week with rain, sleet & snow and shot fine when the time came. Have tested at range with no detrimental impacts observed.
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#2988415 - 10/19/12 12:15 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: HMHunters75]
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scn
12 Point
Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 6979
Loc: Brentwood, TN US
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Wes,
I use the electrical tape and can't tell any difference. I've been told that even with a tight sabot/bullet seal that there is enough gas ahead of the sabot and bullet that it ruptures the tape well before the bullet gets to it.
The electrical tape is SOP for me.
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#2988488 - 10/19/12 05:45 AM
Re: "Waterproofing" Your Muzzleloader
[Re: scn]
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Wes Parrish
16 Point
Registered: 06/12/02
Posts: 16993
Loc: Knoxville-Dover-Union City, TN
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Thanks for all the replies.
Over the years I've tried most, with exception to the electrical tape, and/or shooting thru anything beyond 50 yards. What's helped most for me is simply going to an inline muzzleloader using shotgun primers, as this system is significantly better in rainy weather than the side-locks.
I've done a lot of muzzleloading hunting in "inclement" weather and have yet to find anything that's 100% going to work. I remember one day sitting on stand in a pouring rain, and knowing it was going to be pouring, had very carefully used duct tape to totally seal the bore (criss crossed some strips over the bore, then wrapped some around the barrel). But with my barrel pointed downward, moisture was still able to "run" under the tape, and when the gun was raise, it ran down the inside of the barrel.
I've also used condoms in the rain, then noticed water had "slipped" under them. With some guns, it's hard to get a good seal because of the ramrod and front sight, not to mention fragility. Anytime you're caught in the rain, it would typically seem to make the most sense to keep your muzzle pointed downward, but just keep in mind should water run beneath your tape, it can run right into your chamber when you raise your gun.
Using the electrical tape seems to be the best thing going.
Thanks again.
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