Keeping your cap dry??

[6 Point]

I am fairly new to muzzleloader and have a question from the oldtimers.  It is supposed to be raining  on Sat and Sun in Colville.   Soooo  what do you do to keep your cap dry??  Is it legal for a plastic bag over the hammer until You are ready to shoot?/ Duct tape??   Or long coat over the cap and stock?/   Thanks in advance!!

[shag]

cuff of coat works.  tape the barrel.  I also use these small plastic gaskets over the niple to seal the seam.   not sure what they are called

[CP]

I intend to put a condom over the barrel, a little finger nail polish around the nipple threads, and keep the cap covered with plastic.  What worries me is water running down the stock and under the plastic.

[C-Money]

We are lucky to be able to use caps. Pennsylvania still requires a flint lock. Try to use a modified sandwich bag or freezer bag and rubberbands. May be good to practice getting the bag on and off a few times before you get into the woods!

[CP]

The creek is probably drier than some of the rain that I’ve been through in this state.

[Slenk]

Have not any of you young fellers heard of a cows knee or calf knee. They are the same thing . They have been around sense the flintlock was invented. It is basically a piece of well greased leather that covers the lock area, with a string to tie it on .
Slenk

[CP]

I haven't.  Got a picture Slenk? 

[CP]

Found one, Thanks:

[6 Point]

hanks for replies.  I just tried my Safari sling with coat on and still works fast from under coat

[Slenk]

CP
http://www.rockymountainmuzzleloading.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RMML&Category_Code=5d-FLINTLOCK_SUPPLIES
There is picture here not exactly what I make but you will get the idea.
I can dig through my patterns . Saw it the other day. Just basiclly a piece of leather 6-8''square folded in half sewn down one side and trimmed to fit.

Slenk

[wadu1]

I have been using finger nail polish for years with out a problem. I also use a cork from Ace Hardware or tape for the muzzle, and white out to touch up the front sight.

[rasbo]

I have been using finger nail polish for years with out a problem. I also use a cork from Ace Hardware or tape for the muzzle, and white out to touch up the front sight.

dont laugh, try a condom over the barrel.no fancy ones,I like to practice safe hunting in the woods

[shag]

  What worries me is water running down the stock and under the plastic.

Are you planning on laying your gun in a creek?
Seriously I think you guys are going a little overboard IMO.  I've hunted in a lot of rain with a muzzle loader and never had a miss/hang fire.  Just make an effort not to get it soaking wet and that in itself will go a long ways.  If it does get soaked, at the end of the day fire it, then fire a couple caps through it and make sure it's dry.

Not sure how much it rains in germany?  But we get as much precip in a week as Spokane dose in a year.  I litteraly had to switch to an inline to prevent hang fires or no ignition at all.  I tried everything under the sun with a side hammer and couldn't prevent failure.   Have had several late seasons where it rained everyday for 6 weeks.

[dawhunt]

6 point I'm really ready to go this is our year !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob

[shag]

  What worries me is water running down the stock and under the plastic.

Are you planning on laying your gun in a creek?
Seriously I think you guys are going a little overboard IMO.  I've hunted in a lot of rain with a muzzle loader and never had a miss/hang fire.  Just make an effort not to get it soaking wet and that in itself will go a long ways.  If it does get soaked, at the end of the day fire it, then fire a couple caps through it and make sure it's dry.

Miles, hard not to be serious when you've invested money, time, labor involved in gear scouting and such.  Then when opportunity(skill/luck) presents itself and there's a nice elk or deer standing there at 40 yds and after squeezing the trig all you get is "click".   

[shag]

 miles,

You ever hunted late muzzy season in southwet washington? 

[rasbo]

its worth it to keep it dry.Because click with no boom really sucks.sometimes the west side is like laying down in the water.good luck this year guys

[scudmaster]

  What worries me is water running down the stock and under the plastic.

Are you planning on laying your gun in a creek?
Seriously I think you guys are going a little overboard IMO.  I've hunted in a lot of rain with a muzzle loader and never had a miss/hang fire.  Just make an effort not to get it soaking wet and that in itself will go a long ways.  If it does get soaked, at the end of the day fire it, then fire a couple caps through it and make sure it's dry.

Even with good rifle care, it can and does happen. I just got back from the Olympic Penisula, the rain was incredible.  We taped our muzzle and had rubber to cover the nipple before capping, and almost never had them capped.  My buddy's rifle after day two would not fire, pushed the load out and the powder had turned to jelly.  We are certain the water came in through the breech plug.  Solved that problem with Teflon plumbers tape.

Another cover for a barrel is the cut off finger if a black Latex glove.

Good luck with the rest of elk season.

Scud

[mikeal1234]

switch to 777 and winchester magnum# 11 caps have had great luck in rain with this combo
 

[Iron Head]

I just carry my rifle upside down with the barrel pointing down and seems to work pretty well.

[stlhdr1]

My buddies just road hunt to keep their cap dry...  Personally I carry my gun with my hand over the cap, usually keeps it pretty dry.  As long as your cap is seated well on the nipple, you shouldn't have any hang fires with the musket caps...

Keith

[6 Point]

Dawhunt on this forum, who is a gun manager at sportsman's called me with a great idea.  The caps that are used on hydraulic  hoses fit perfectly into the end of the muzzleloader.    Put a little lube or vasoline on it and insert until just snug.  The red ones fit a 50cal and the blue ones fit a 54 cal.  The blast will blow it away and not affect the accuracy of the projectile.  Should go along ways in keeping your powder dry.  I used electrical tape for the cap and worked last week.