How long?

[Hoythunter]

Hello, all!  My 2 week cow season is about to kick off and this will be my first muzzleloader hunt.  Question - am I ok to keep my in-line loaded (removing primer after each hunt, of course) for the entire 2 weeks or should I remove plug and clean after every few days? 

Thanks

[Runamuck]

I let the weather dictate how long I leave mine loaded. If it's dry I can usually let mine go for about a week before paranoia starts to set in.    If it's been raining at the end of day.
I also don't bring it in the house or warm tent/camper at the end of day trying to maintain as a constant temperature as possible. Don't know if condensation would be that big of a deal but it makes me feel better.   

[Chukarhead]

I have never had a problem with extended loads...but I start getting nervous after a week or so, too.

I only say this because you say this is your first hunt... you mean cap, not primer, right?  Same function, but we can't hunt with 209 primers in WA.

[Sabotloader]

I am shooting T7 powder and mine has been loaded since 10/09 and I break most of the rules it comes in every night to the house and out in the morning....  The one thing I never do is bring it from cold to hot!

[2labs]

I left 2 speed loaders ready to go for almost a year and both shot fine. Not quite the same but might give you a piece of mind.

[toadfish]

Good luck !!!
What unit are you hunting for your cow ?
Maybe somebody on this forum can point you in a good area !!!!!

[floatinghat]

I have gone 3 to 4 months similar to Sabotloader other than going from cold to warm quickly enough to make it sweat.

[Squidward]

if you haven't shot it at all and its dry, it can stay loaded indefinitely. I have hunted the late season one yr. left it loaded all yr. I let my mind get the best of me and shot it out before season, it always gone bang.
once you shoot a BP gun you will want to clean it that day(not after every shot). Good Luck on your hunt. Squidward

[Hoythunter]

Good luck !!!
What unit are you hunting for your cow ?
Maybe somebody on this forum can point you in a good area !!!!!

Thanks all!  Great info, as always.  I've got a Turnbull Cow Tag, looking forward to the hunt.  I'm limited to hunting either the Helms or NE Section of Turnbull; if anyone has any advise please feel free to pass along, I appreciate it!

[PolarBear]

My daughter hunted with hers all last elk season and during a January permit season through blue bird, snowy and rainy days.  Never got a proper shot.  The gun went into the safe in January.  I pulled it out in August and had forgotten to discharge it before storing.  It shot perfectly.  We use T7 fffg and have never had a problem even in heavy rain.  I have heard that pellets are more susceptible to ignition due to moisture.   

[Stein]

Good luck !!!
What unit are you hunting for your cow ?
Maybe somebody on this forum can point you in a good area !!!!!

Thanks all!  Great info, as always.  I've got a Turnbull Cow Tag, looking forward to the hunt.  I'm limited to hunting either the Helms or NE Section of Turnbull; if anyone has any advise please feel free to pass along, I appreciate it!

Hunted this last year and met a local guy.  We walked around a bunch and jumped a few bulls.  I only hunted it two days, but the next day he shot a cow right next to the parking lot.

I think they are either there or not, just keep at it.  The areas aren't that big so you can walk them all first light and sunset.