Traditional Firearms > Flintlock Long Guns

To Fire or Hold Fire

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garrettep3:
Just remember that it’s loaded. I left one loaded all summer once.

Ohio Joe:

--- Quote from: MCoop on December 13, 2023, 09:03:57 PM ---When hunting with a flintlock or any black powder rifle, is it best to fire your rifle to unload it if not used after a hunt ?  It seems like a waste of a good ball and powder.

--- End quote ---

Well, at the end of the ML season and if I've not filled my tag - I'll pick a target (clod of dirt or some weed / or something that presents itself as a decent target) and shoot at that. It's a good way to find out if I'd of been able to make a decent shot... I normally do this once I'm back to my pickup. Then it's home to clean the ol' smokepole and store it until it's time to bring it out again. Otherwise, it stays loaded up to that point, I mentioned above.

Hanshi:
While I no longer hunt I had a simple procedure for loaded guns back when I did.  I use nothing but black powder in all my guns.  Leaving a gun loaded will not harm it as long as it hasn't been fired.  If it gets wet from rain, etc, I fire it and clean it.  If I don't get a shot I leave the rifle loaded until I do get a shot or the end of the season whichever comes LAST.  Never had a problem in the 60 years of shooting BP.

RobD:
I'll leave a gun loaded (but on "safety") if I know it'll get shot within a month or so, otherwise it'll get fired and cleaned (black powder only).

PetahW:
.

I leave mine loaded until I get a shot, regardless of the duration.

In my rocklock, I dump the pan charge and plug the touch hole; and for my caplock I remove the cap and lower the hammer onto the nipple with a small strip of leather betwixt the hammer nose and the nipple to seal it.





In either case, I have a 3" x 1-1/2" red tag that I've marked "LOADED" on both sides that I slide between the RR and the barrel lower rib as a reminder.

Once or twice, I've left them like that after the season's end, until the next season - they always fired the next time I shot them.

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