How long to leave loaded

[Forvols]

Just wondering how long do you guys leave your muzzie loaded when not being able to get a shot off? I hunted the first day of the muzzie season, didnt see anything. Planning on going tomorrow with the original load still there. I use powder and cap not pellets.

 

[TNTomtaker01]

With all the Roman candle talk on here lately I unloaded mine Friday night and reloaded it fresh. Powder and sabots are cheap compared to that shot opportunity on a dream buck.

 

[UTGrad]

I've left them loaded for a few days with no ill effects. Make sure before you load it the flash hole is clean and clear if fouling. Once you load it try to store the gun out of the warm house. Bringing the gun from a warm house to cold temps can cause condensation to form which is not good for powder. Keep it in the garage or your vehicle.

 

[LanceS4803]

I experimented this past season and left a 100gr load of BH209 with a 250gr Barnes in the MZ at the end of the season.
It was kept in a safe, inside the house.
This fall I went to the range and fired it off. No problem. The next charge, same exact load, touched the first shot. No pitting of the barrel.
While not recommended, with a clean bore, stainless barrel, the right powder (BH209) and humidity controlled environment, it didn't make any difference.

 

[lung-buster]

I've left one loaded for 2 years and it still went off. I used to leave my old knight loaded if I didn't fire it off after season. Right before the next season I would fire it off and clean it up real good and load it up again. Done it like that 10 years until I got a new one and the old knight still has a nice bore and shoots good. Of course it was never put up dirty, just with with a charge and bullet.

 

[Forvols]

Well mine is clean and been in my basement on the the work bench in a lead sled. TEMP is a constant 64-66 degreesand 40% humidity. But I may just touch it off and reload before hitting the woods. Leaves less to chance. Wonder what the old timers did with powder, cap and ball being a comodity but need for food and stocking the shelf being a driver also.

Us modern day folks may complicate things to much.

 

[bowriter]

I don't recommend it but I left mine loaded a full year and it shot like it was supposed to. With pellets, for sure I would not be worried about a week or two. I shot one Friday afternoon with a gun I loaded the Friday before. But the important thing is a constant temperature. If mine is loaded, I keep it either in the garage or in the truck locked up. I don't take indoors and out.

 

[LanceS4803]

But the important thing is a constant temperature. If mine is loaded, I keep it either in the garage or in the truck locked up. I don't take indoors and out.

Bingo. Once you start going in and out, you are just asking for condensation to form. And with a hygroscopic propellant, that is a recipe for disaster. (Well that, and a non-stainless steel barrel.)

 

[UTGrad]

For 2015 I'm going to sell my CVA Accura V1 and upgrade to the CVA Accura MR with the Nitride finish. That Nitride finish has peaked my interest regarding corrosion resistance. It's applied on the outside AND inside of the barrel.

CVA has a no corrosion guarantee with this new Nitride finish. I'm definitely interested.

 

[jmlost]

We use nitride finish on steel at work exsposed to chlorine gas. The corrosion resistance is impressive. I would imagine it would be awesome for an mz barrel.

 

[UTGrad]

We use nitride finish on steel at work exsposed to chlorine gas. The corrosion resistance is impressive. I would imagine it would be awesome for an mz barrel.

Good to know!

 

[duckriver]

I learned this year to make extra sure you have no cleaning solvents left in the barrel. It won't burn lol