Post by: bod on February 10, 2018, 10:48:07 AM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on February 10, 2018, 11:21:59 AM
Next morning I parked off on a side road for lunch and to overlook a big draw. Noticed a two-point bedded about 40-50 yards down hill from a very rough and rocky road.
No way to approach unless on hands & knees down that very rocky road. Made the very painfull approach which was about 60-70 yards down the road.
Got just above the buck, capped-up, squeezed the trigger and "pop," no bang!!
Hands & knees back up the road, pull bullet and dig out bad powder, fire three more caps before finally get the rest of the powder clear, then recharge and back down the road on hands & knees. He was still there so I got him, and can honestly say I never worked or suffered so much for a deer before or after!
Also, this was during the early season, so warm, dry conditions with no westside rain, the powder had drawn moisture from just sitting over night. Never had had a missfire other than that one time, and always fired the rifle at the end of the day after that.
This was with real blackpowder, not sure if the more modern stuff would be the same or better...
Post by: Sabotloader on February 10, 2018, 11:42:26 AM
For those of you hunt during damp or raining conditions do you unload your muzzleloader each evening, does the type of powder make a difference?
I use to but I know longer do. I have found if I take the right precautions I really do not need to... + I violate a few old practiced ML rules along the way in how I treat the rifle after a days hunt...
Now in the next breath - if for some reason I think my load may have been compromised due to weather - then yes I pull the BP and push the load out.
Post by: bod on February 10, 2018, 12:41:32 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on February 10, 2018, 01:22:46 PM
Post by: Sabotloader on February 10, 2018, 04:17:40 PM
I'm asking this in trying to determine which ML to get.
I am shooting a variety of different Knight rifles but in reality, I really do not think it makes much difference which muzzleloader you are using if you learn the different methods of protections and practices.
I often go 10 -15 days with the same load in the rifle - granted I do not have the weather conditions you guys on the west side have but we do have our share of rotten days here in no. Idaho also...
Post by: GoexBlackhorn on February 10, 2018, 04:56:41 PM
For those of you hunt during damp or raining conditions do you unload your muzzleloader each evening, does the type of powder make a difference?
(Inlines) I shoot the load every evening (away from where we hunt), then reload in the early morning. Doesn't matter what powder I use.
Post by: Sabotloader on February 10, 2018, 05:05:26 PM
For those of you hunt during damp or raining conditions do you unload your muzzleloader each evening, does the type of powder make a difference?
You might read through this this testing process that I tried several years ago...
https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/black-powder/375124-loaded-28-days-did-go-boom-today.html
https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/black-powder-reference-forum/394016-conclusion-nother-weather-test.html
https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/black-powder/173875-conclusion-nother-weather-test.html
Post by: HntnFsh on February 10, 2018, 06:42:08 PM
Post by: M_ray on February 10, 2018, 11:24:50 PM
Post by: Calvin Rayborn on February 11, 2018, 12:00:59 AM
Post by: GoexBlackhorn on February 11, 2018, 05:21:18 AM
I never unload during season. I shoot a Knight Bighorn and have hunted for days on end in downpours with no issues.
OK - I'll bite!
What's your M.O? What are you protecting/weather-proofing that gun with? What's over your muzzle and action? Downpours are a completely different animal than light rains.
Post by: HntnFsh on February 11, 2018, 06:59:58 AM
I'm more concerned about temp extremes causing condensation than the rain. Like hunting in bad, cold weather all day then bringing my muzzy in a hot house or tent etc. then back out to a cold environment. But honestly. I haven't had an issue with that either.
If a person is concerned about moisture intrusion put a piece of tape over the end of your barrel. Ive seen people put stuff over their breech to protect from the weather. But in Washington your breech is supposed to be exposed to the elements. Putting a cover over it isn't leaving it exposed. Ive just never seen the need to do these things.
Post by: lokidog on February 11, 2018, 07:22:51 AM
My ex hunted one day in wet snow and we had to squeegee the powder out of the gun. I don't remember if she was using roundball or sabot. However, I will say there was no electrical tape over the barrel and she was, frankly stupid when it came to hunting and probably stuck the barrel into every blob of snow she could find.... :rolleyes:
I usually do not unload each day but also don't hunt in the nasty nasty crap that some people do....
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 11, 2018, 07:54:08 AM
Post by: GoexBlackhorn on February 11, 2018, 07:55:42 AM
I haven't ever felt the need to use anything to waterproof. I don't pack my muzzy on my shoulder with the barrel in the air. Its usually pointed down or at least a little below being level. When its real bad out I might protect the nipple area a little by covering it with my carrying hand or tuck it back under my arm a little covering it with my coat sleeve. Think about how tight a saboted bullet goes down your barrel. They conform to the inside of your barrel making a very efficient seal against the elements. Same with the cap. I use RWS #11 caps. They are a very tight fit and not very conducive to letting water in. I do change the caps on a daily basis. But have never had a cap failure or load failure when hunting in the rain and Ive killed a lot of elk and fired a lot of shots in inclement weather.
I'm more concerned about temp extremes causing condensation than the rain. Like hunting in bad, cold weather all day then bringing my muzzy in a hot house or tent etc. then back out to a cold environment. But honestly. I haven't had an issue with that either.
If a person is concerned about moisture intrusion put a piece of tape over the end of your barrel. Ive seen people put stuff over their breech to protect from the weather. But in Washington your breech is supposed to be exposed to the elements. Putting a cover over it isn't leaving it exposed. Ive just never seen the need to do these things.
I live an hour north of Toledo - use the best Dynamit Noble 1075 caps and suspect I use same/really similar blackpowder.
Our weather-tight inlines and non weather-tight sidelocks must stay dry when hunting 2-3 hours in downpours. Almost impossible to walk a 1/10th mile in the wet woods with gun, accessories pack and hunting seat - maybe even a flashlight also and not get that gun wet, without artificial protection.
My original reply was reaction to a post that never mentions protection BTW. That's why I questioned the post without hesitation.
Post by: Sabotloader on February 11, 2018, 08:01:35 AM
I wouldn't count on the sabot perfectly sealing the grooves in your barrel, they are designed to expand into them upon the shot.
You are correct - do not count on sabots and most conicals to seal the barrel
Quote
My ex hunted one day in wet snow and we had to squeegee the powder out of the gun. I don't remember if she was using roundball or sabot. However, I will say there was no electrical tape over the barrel and she was, frankly stupid when it came to hunting and probably stuck the barrel into every blob of snow she could find.... :rolleyes:
I usually do not unload each day but also don't hunt in the nasty nasty crap that some people do....
Post by: HntnFsh on February 11, 2018, 08:46:07 AM
Post by: lokidog on February 11, 2018, 07:08:16 PM
I would never argue with Sabotloader as I'm sure he has more knowledge than the rest of us put together. I will say though that whenever I have pushed a load out of my barrel the sabot has noticeable rifling marks on the petals. I agree the base will expand into the grooves. Whether it forms a perfectly tight seal. I guess I cant say that Ive poured water down the barrel to see. But I will say that in over 20 years of muzzy hunting with Knight rifles, mostly Bighorns In any weather imaginable. From Upper 80s to below freezing, and snow, and pouring down rain I have never had a failure to fire. I'm very confident in the ignition of my loads no matter the weather!
You are correct, they groove a bit upon loading, just not all the way or they would be a PITA to shove down the barrel, I would think.
Post by: jackmaster on February 11, 2018, 07:33:12 PM
I never unload during season. I shoot a Knight Bighorn and have hunted for days on end in downpours with no issues.:yeah: never unload it either, if I am nevous I pull the nipple clean t put a could grains or do of fresh powder behind the nipple and off to the races, the only tie I had a no fire is the day I unloaded it and reloaded the next day and took a shot at a coyote and pop no buenno !! Last time I unloaded at night, never failed since !!
Post by: HntnFsh on February 11, 2018, 07:35:00 PM
I would never argue with Sabotloader as I'm sure he has more knowledge than the rest of us put together. I will say though that whenever I have pushed a load out of my barrel the sabot has noticeable rifling marks on the petals. I agree the base will expand into the grooves. Whether it forms a perfectly tight seal. I guess I cant say that Ive poured water down the barrel to see. But I will say that in over 20 years of muzzy hunting with Knight rifles, mostly Bighorns In any weather imaginable. From Upper 80s to below freezing, and snow, and pouring down rain I have never had a failure to fire. I'm very confident in the ignition of my loads no matter the weather!
You are correct, they groove a bit upon loading, just not all the way or they would be a PITA to shove down the barrel, I would think.
They are! Barnes bullets are extremely hard to get down the barrel.
Post by: Buck86 on February 11, 2018, 08:02:17 PM
Good Luck Buck
Post by: wadu1 on February 11, 2018, 09:04:42 PM
Post by: bod on February 11, 2018, 09:26:22 PM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on February 12, 2018, 08:42:53 AM
Post by: Squidward on February 12, 2018, 11:43:13 AM
Post by: Hart on February 13, 2018, 08:09:54 PM
When it finally came time, the gun went off perfectly. I feel a lot more confident about leaving it loaded after a rainy day after that. Funny enough, the only hangfire I have experienced hunting was on a sunny dry day.