![]() Another wrap or two of tape around the barrel will hold the first piece of tape in place. A single strip of tape placed over the opening is all that’s needed. At first I was anxious covering the muzzle, but after testing at the range, I determined that my groupings were unaffected. ![]() One slick trick to prevent anything entering the barrel is to apply a sliver of electrical tape over the muzzle. A quick rub with an absorbing chamois is great for cleaning up any drips in the field. ![]() Avoid contact with anything wet, including damp brushes or clothing or blind material that will transmit moisture. Traditional arms and even bolt-action or inline models tend to need more care. Plastic might be a better option to consider.īreak-open guns are currently the best at keeping the ignition system dry and protected. Ensure they’re totally dry before filling and avoid sudden temperature fluxes. Glass flasks can fog up, so care for them exactly like your firearm. Powder flasks or quick-reloading tubes need care too. It will take time, but nothing is more horrid than the gun not going pop! This is not a newsflash for seasoned hunters, but consistent and methodical cleaning will ensure ignitions. Dissipate any moisture and allow the action, breech plug and barrel to dry. Cleaning and loading should be done in the driest of sites, and indoors is best for performing this duty. The alternative is to clean the gun after every outing. Traveling hunters are always advised to check state and provincial firearm storage and transportation laws regarding what is legal in the area. Remember, once the primer is removed, a muzzleloader is legally considered unloaded-you can safely and legally store it loaded with a bullet and powder for days at a time. Come morning, your gun will be icy-cold, but knowing it’s bone-dry will warm your heart. I am still uncomfortable with this procedure, but it reduces moisture seeping into the gun’s action. Keeping it acclimated to the cold nixes moisture buildup. The easiest fix is keeping gear locked in the vehicle or in an unheated garage overnight. As your gear-especially the gun-warms and cools, condensation occurs. Transporting between home, vehicle and field is the culprit. Several precautions can be taken to avoid problems while enjoying late-season hunting.įluctuating temperatures and humidity play havoc with powder. Even the most modern black powder substitutes are doomed when damp. And moisture is the enemy of muzzleloaders and keeping gear dry becomes a battle. However, damp and rainy conditions have now become the norm. ![]() Venturing out into the late-season woods, it’s expected to meet frigid temperatures and snow. Now, the trend has leveled off, but is expected to climb again as more black powder seasons open throughout the continent. His research indicates that hunter numbers were increasing dramatically until six years ago. “There are roughly 3.5 million muzzleloading hunters currently in North America,” Bridges said. Another huge bonus is the additional hunting opportunities in the form of late-season controlled hunts or muzzleloading only seasons.ĭecorated author of several muzzleloading books, Toby Bridges is one of the sport’s strongest advocates. Advancements in technology and design have made them much easier to use and more accurate. Muzzleloaders have jumped in popularity over the last two decades. One avenue that grants hunters access to additional gun seasons is muzzleloading. The morning air above the snow was crisp while I sat in my treestand, enjoying a December deer hunt.
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