Powder in a muzzleloader : How long can it keep ?

[tercel89]

How long can you keep a muzzleoader loaded up with powder (pyrodex pellets) and a bullet without corrosion? Just wondering will the powder corrode the barrel or does it only corrode it AFTER it's been fired ? I usually fire mine after the season if I still have it loaded but mine is still loaded.

 

[Jonnin]

I would fire it.  While it *could* probably keep for decades under ideal conditions, your approach to fire at the end of your season is IMHO the best approach to avoid any potential problems.

[Jason in TN]

Would fire it and clean it up. Not a good idea to leave one loaded for safety and corrosion reasons.

Jason

[Randall53]

I always fired mine at the end of each days hunt, took it home and cleaned and oiled thoroughly. Hate top miss a deer because of damp powder.

[Randall53]

I always fired mine at the end of each days hunt, took it home and cleaned and oiled thoroughly. Hate top miss a deer because of damp powder.

[gregintenn]

I've left mine loaded for years at a time. As long as the powder is dry, the nipple isn't clogged, and the gun was clean when loaded, it will fire. I do not believe Pyrodex is corrosive until burned.

[Jonnin]

I've left mine loaded for years at a time. As long as the powder is dry, the nipple isn't clogged, and the gun was clean when loaded, it will fire. I do not believe Pyrodex is corrosive until burned.

 

It has potassium chlorine something or other that (could?????) form (HCL??) or something if it got wet (???) depending on the actual compound used and chemistry that I don't have time to look up or perform.    In and of itself it is a salt of some sort that *probably*???  rusts things if it gets *any* moisture to help the process.

 

If it got wet, you are hosed anyway, as it probably will hold just the water on the metal to rust away. 

Edited February 20, 2013 by Jonnin

[2.ooohhh]

When I was on staff at a summer camp we had a black powder rifle fired that had apparently been stored loaded for at least 6 years. Had  been put into storage years earlier without anyone actually checking if it was loaded! One of the guys wanted to use a rifle in a skit to "light" the campfire one week and got quite the surprise when the gun actually fired a round.(he had expected just the noise/smoke from the percussion cap) Thankfully we were trained to always point firearms in a safe direction even if they are "unloaded" and we only ended up with a lead ball sunk into a tree around 20 yards away.

[tercel89]

I've left mine loaded for years at a time. As long as the powder is dry, the nipple isn't clogged, and the gun was clean when loaded, it will fire. I do not believe Pyrodex is corrosive until burned.

Thanks and that was what I was looking for . If the Pyrodex was corrosive while just sitting in the barrel . I will shoot it to get it out of there but I have to travel around 21 miles to my other land to shoot it . Around my neighborhood it would draw a lot of attention if I shot that dude into the ground out back :popcorn:

[slow ss]

I let one set for 3yrs loaded it fired but took nipple out and cleaned very good doesnt hurt to put a little fresh powder through the nipple hole

[gregintenn]

Don't you have a bullet puller? If you aren't familiar with them, it looks like the threaded part of a wood screw, and the other end threads into your ramrod. It is a better solution than driving 20 miles to unload your rifle.

[rockman6]

I'd fire it so you don't load over it..