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Posted: 1/3/2006 6:18:17 PM EDT
I have an older blackpowder muzzleload rifle in my attic, that was loaded about a decade ago. A friend was over, and wanted to shoot it, so he loaded the powder and bullet properly, but then realized the caps he brought were the wrong size. So it was never fired.
I normally don't procrastinate about much, but this time I really did. It's been stored that way ever since.  Any thoughts on whether it would be safe to get the proper size caps and shoot it, or should I do something else with it? FWIW, it's a modern production gun. (a Navy Arms reproduction of a .58cal Enfield if memory serves) Damn shame if it's ruined....
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Posted: 1/3/2006 7:54:54 PM EDT
[#1]
I don't think I'd try to shoot it.
I'd unload it, clean it, and check for any damage before I'd attempt to fire it. |
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Posted: 1/3/2006 8:30:55 PM EDT
[#2]
If your attic goes through exteme temp changes and humidity changes with the seasons, I would not attempt to fire it. Cabelas sells an unloading device powerd by CO2. They also have bore lights for muzzle loaders. Clear the rifle and inspect the combustion chamber. You may have made yourself a nice wall hanger.
 Try asking your question on one of the many web sites for black powder shooters. |
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Posted: 1/3/2006 9:05:47 PM EDT
[#3]
Unload it either using the CO2 system, or the screw rod type bullet puller. Then just clean the bore, check it for heavy pitting, and if every looks OK, go shot the thing. The modern steels used in re-production rifles can withstand the minor 20,000 PSI that BP produces, even with heavy pitting.
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Posted: 1/4/2006 3:43:21 PM EDT
[#4]
BP is usually NOT corrosive. The ball seals the front and the nipple seals the back. In you case the nipple was open so some moisture 'prolly got in. But here's the rub; it probably had the same effect as an unloaded rifle.
On the other hand once the powder is burnt the residue is highly hygroscopic (attracks water) and promotes rust in very short order. IOW, if you didn't actually fire the gun you should be ok. Unscrew the nipple and hose the charge with WD-40, or hot water. Get in really good and soaked. Pull the ball and rinse out the charge with HOT water. Then carefully inspect the bore as mentioned above. I suspect you will see little real damage. If the bore is shot replacement barrels can be had cheaply. Some companies (I don't know about Navy Arms) even carry life time guarantees, so that may be an option. Good luck. RB out |
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Posted: 1/4/2006 4:39:07 PM EDT
[#5]
Excellent help and suggestions! Thanks so much.
I'll get it out and take a peek soon, and update afterwards. |
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Posted: 1/4/2006 4:55:45 PM EDT
[#6]
All attics I've ever had any experience with always stay warm. I'd cap it! It would be hard to corrode it to the point where it would be dangerous. IMO
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Posted: 1/4/2006 5:04:28 PM EDT
[#7]
I heard of a BP gun that sat like that for decades. They fired it. I wouldnt, but they did.
Soak the barrel in water pull the bullet and clean it. Just like you would if it didn't fire yesterday. |
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Posted: 1/5/2006 6:58:51 PM EDT
[#8]
Black powder is hygroscopic... it will attract moisture. Get a puller and pull the ball and dump the powder out in the garden. Clean the barrel as you normally would after shooting it...
Of course, your buddy didn't follow the proper procedure with a cap and ball weapon. Always check the bore, and fire a cap to make sure the passage is clear BEFORE you load. He coulda saved you some trouble by doing that. |
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Posted: 1/6/2006 3:00:57 AM EDT
[#9]
Can you even get balck powder any more? I don't think anybody here carries it because of the hazard, it's all pyrodex.
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Posted: 1/6/2006 9:03:55 AM EDT
[#10]
Black powder is still commonly available.
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Posted: 1/7/2006 11:40:05 AM EDT
[#11]
Don't shoot that bad boy!
If your buddy didn't have the right stuff god oly knows what kind of overcharge or other loading disaster could be waiting for you!!!!!! +1 on the bullet auger you put on the end of your ram rod and a good soaking with the nipplel off. Rem oil or wd40 would be good on both sides of the ball to kill the powder and lubricate the extraction. |
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Posted: 1/7/2006 1:27:37 PM EDT
[#12]
No worries, I'll take the safe route. (no interest in becoming a statistic)  Thanks again for all the help.... I hope to get to it soon.
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Posted: 1/7/2006 3:32:52 PM EDT
[#13]
Just a note....
Most black powder rifles have a screw on "breech", meaning that you can un-screw the breech from the back of the barrel. This would make removing the bullet and powder easy. I would bet that after you clean it, it will still be "shootable". Good luck.
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Posted: 1/7/2006 5:38:22 PM EDT
[#14]
Nope! He said Enfield. Hooked breech.
ETA: the BP forum may be a more appropiate place for this. I'm just sayin" |
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Posted: 2/22/2006 3:13:29 PM EDT
[#15]
I finally found time to get this done.
Following the great advice here, I disassembled the rifle, and soaked everything down.... from the nipple, to the bore, and on. It was due for a good cleaning anyhow... no rust, but a fair share of dust. I also discovered that my memory didn't serve too well at all. It's a Parker Hale Enfield 1858, two band, .58 cal.. I was close, but nothing about it was Navy Arms.  Anyhow, not having a bullet puller of that type, I decided to use the air hose trick. It worked great, and for anyone curious of what it took, or what it looked like..... once I acquired enough of a seal at the nipple end with a typical air nozzle and 110 lbs of air pressure, the bullet flew about 10' out in to my yard. Nothing too spectacular to see. So I finished up by cleaning the bore as best as I could with a 12Ga bore mop, and then the rest of the exterior surfaces. I don't know how to remove the barrel, but I believe any damage that may have been occurring, if any, has been stopped for now. Plenty of Rem-oil was used. I couldn't get enough light in there to see if there was any damage to the back of the bore, but nothing but unburnt powder showed up on the bore mop. No matter. I have no use for the gun, and will likely hang it on the wall or something, now that I know it isn't a bomb waiting to be ignited.  Thanks so much for the help. My hat is off. 
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