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11/13/2016 9:45:15 PM EDT
I am new to hunting with a muzzleloader, I bought a CVA with a removable breach plug. Here's is my guestion. After a trip out hunting and I get back to the car with my gun loaded, can I simply remove the primer and leave the powder and sabot loaded? Is that safe? Or should I push it all out of the gun? Please let me know what you do. Thank you.
11/13/2016 10:10:12 PM EDT
[#1]
If at all possible fire the thing, it is a pain to remove breech plugs.

I would not recommend leaving it loaded, not a safe thing.
11/13/2016 10:31:26 PM EDT
[#2]
Hunting regs stipulate that the muzzleloader is not loaded when there is no primer if that means anything to you. I leave mine loaded with the same load for the 2 weeks of Blackpowder season here in VA unless it gets rained on. Fire it out end of season prior to a good cleaning for storage until next year.  It's safe to travel with a load in just not long term storage.
11/13/2016 10:37:24 PM EDT
[#3]
I use Blackhorn 209 which is less hygroscopic than other powders.

I don't subject it to rapid temperature changes, but I may leave it in the vehicle for a weekend. Never longer.
11/14/2016 12:56:05 AM EDT
[#4]
With Blackhirn209 I leave mine loaded for a week or two.  Otherwise, I'm unloading at the end of the day and with a muzzleloader the easiest way is to shoot it.
11/14/2016 1:50:17 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:
Hunting regs stipulate that the muzzleloader is not loaded when there is no primer if that means anything to you. I leave mine loaded with the same load for the 2 weeks of Blackpowder season here in VA unless it gets rained on. Fire it out end of season prior to a good cleaning for storage until next year.  It's safe to travel with a load in just not long term storage.
View Quote

This... I only remove the primer.

I did try to fire it at the end of the day if there was rain though.

Always leave rifle in cab of truck overnight to keep out moisture... I didn't have any problems with misfires, but many have with muzzleloaders. I used 777 with good results.
12/12/2016 7:40:23 AM EDT
[#6]
If it rains ill pull it out and reload with fresh powder next time I hunt. If its dry then ill leave it for the week but replace it for the second week. I wont shoot it to unload it just because I don't want any pressure in the woods. If the deer don't know i'm there, I don't want to make my presence known unless I shoot at one.

The way I look at it, I'd rather not find out I have a bad load when i try to shoot at a deer, I'd rather spend the extra money on an extra load on powder or pyrodex and not risk it.
12/12/2016 8:26:52 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:
If at all possible fire the thing, it is a pain to remove breech plugs.

I would not recommend leaving it loaded, not a safe thing.
View Quote

The breech plug on many modern design is removable with your fingers.

The CVA is this way.
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