Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: Hoythunter on November 21, 2015, 07:49:12 AM

Title: How long?
Post by: Hoythunter on November 21, 2015, 07:49:12 AM: 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
Title: Re: How long?
Post by: Runamuck on November 21, 2015, 09:04:01 AM: 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. :chuckle: 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. :tup:
Title: Re: How long?
Post by: Chukarhead on November 22, 2015, 05:12:10 PM: 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.
Title: Re: How long?
Post by: Sabotloader on November 22, 2015, 06:19:06 PM: 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!
Title: Re: How long?
Post by: 2labs on November 22, 2015, 06:22:20 PM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: How long?
Post by: toadfish on November 22, 2015, 08:26:22 PM: Good luck !!!
What unit are you hunting for your cow ?
Maybe somebody on this forum can point you in a good area !!!!!
Title: Re: How long?
Post by: floatinghat on November 23, 2015, 11:52:52 AM: I have gone 3 to 4 months similar to Sabotloader other than going from cold to warm quickly enough to make it sweat.
Title: Re: How long?
Post by: Squidward on November 23, 2015, 12:09:01 PM: 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
Title: Re: How long?
Post by: Hoythunter on November 23, 2015, 08:47:19 PM: Quote from: toadfish on November 22, 2015, 08:26:22 PM
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!
Title: Re: How long?
Post by: PolarBear on November 24, 2015, 08:45:22 AM: 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. :dunno:
Title: Re: How long?
Post by: Stein on November 24, 2015, 08:47:54 AM: Quote from: Hoythunter on November 23, 2015, 08:47:19 PM
Quote from: toadfish on November 22, 2015, 08:26:22 PM
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.