BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[ElkFreak]

Hi everyone

I have been a lurker for a bit and now joined.
I have been reading here and other websites about what is available in products and also what kinds of tricks are effective for muzzleloading in inclement weather.
I have a .54 cal traditional percussion rifle. I live in Western Washington and the area I have been scouting for elk is in a rainforest. The ML season seems to be during a rainy part of the year (rainy relative to scouting time!).
Some of the ideas I have come across are:
the muzzle sleeves--like condoms
saran wrap on the barrel
plastic nipple covers
Wax around the nipple
moisture remover packets in speed loaders

I was wondering if anybody had useful tips or could direct me to more links so I can 'keep my powder dry' and such. Do you load under an umbrella?
Thanks

[Kirrmeister]

Hello from Germany,

to prevent the barrel from getting wet or coming any things in it you can use a normal selfglueing packet strip over the muzzle. There is no need to remove it before shooting, the air in front of the bullet will do it when shooting.

Here in Germany we have much longer hunting seasons, so we also hunt in autumn and winter which can be very wet seasons. So making the nipple waterproof I use some teflon paste on the tapes and then screw it in. When moving in the forest I put the cap on the nipple and the cock on it. That is enough to make it waterproof. In my expirience wetness and cappers are no problem, but flinters have one.

Regards

Kirrmeister

[ElkFreak]

Thanks.

I'll look into the packet strips. One of the concerns I had with the things that slide over the barrel was that they appear to cover the front sight (maybe). Sounds like the packet strips can be cut to size.

[JTapia]

Welcome to BGH.

As Kirrmeister said, Cap the nipple and half cock it.
Not to sound too simplistic, but I just keep the barrel pointed downward.
You also could try using Bore Butter in the barrel. That would keep water and moisture out and not get in the way of the front sights.

Honestly though, it rains alot here during the Muzzleloader Season and all I do is Cap and keep barrel pointed down and I have never had a misfire......yet.

[ElkFreak]

Yeah I was thinking I could sling it with the barrel down, but I have to do so much climbing here, that I am constantly unslinging or trying to crawl under logs. I though about carrying in a scabbard too, until I see something. The elk here like to live in the really thick stuff and don't leave alot of time for fidgeting. When I hunted for hogs in Texas it was not a problem to keep the barrel down. Thanks.

[JTapia]

I also thought about recommending a scabbard but just didn't include it in my response.
That was the "ole timey" way to keep your powder dry, especially with a flint-lock.

[Kirrmeister]

The trick with the packet stripes is from our german dog guides. When they have to search for wounded game, epecially wild boars they have to went through real bushing thicket with their rifle and the dog, so they put a stripe over the muzzle to prevent wetness and parts of wood into the barrel.

Regards

Kirrmeister

[henry wilkins]

electritions tape over muzzle ,it blows right off. I also have weathergaurd on my TC Omega z5,and primer area is shielded slightly.