My muzzle loader is still charged....?

[Swamp Thing]

I have a TC Scout (in line) that I haven't "unloaded" for about 2 years....

I did take a piece of masking tape and wrote "Loaded" so that I would not "forget" and put it on the stock.

My question is should I just take it to the range and fire that load....or should I take the bullet out with the screw attachment.....I know I should have taken the time to dispose of that load a long time ago....now I'm kind of worried that I "screwed up"!!! Does Pyrodex corrode the barrels of modern muzzleloaders?

Thanks!

[barreledaction]

Yes, you did screw up - can you spell corrosion? Remove the nipple, clean out the charge hole & replace the nipple. Take it somewhere and hopefully fire it; then you will know where you stand. If it fires & expels the lead, then at least that end is taken care of. If it doesn't fire, I imagine the breechbolt is in there for life, or longer, but let's hope for the best. A gunsmith with patience may be able to get it out. I hope this helps, friend.

[markwhiz]

I agree...............

Take it out and fire it. After 2 years, it will either fire or it won't. If it doesn't, then you know the powder is inert and you can dig out the round. Actually, since it is an in-line.............. if it doesn't fire, you should be able to take out the bolt & breechplug and push out the powder and bullet through the breech by using your ramrod from the muzzle.

After the round is out, I would do all I could to make sure your bore isn't damaged. If the round fires, you probably will be ok as that will mean not much moisture got to the powder. But if it is a "dud" - then I would advise at least taking some patches of bore paste to it the clean out as much damage as you might have.

[Win Mag]

Do you have a sabot or conical bullet in it?
And how much of a charge did you load of power.I would be half afraid of firing it.
I had a 300 Ultra Mag explode from overpressures.I would hate to see anyone get hurt.Best to do what you can to remove the breech plug and ram out the powder and bullet.And clean it but good.If the barrel is damaged you may be able to have it "lapped" back into shooting shape

[Swamp Thing]

Thanks guys!

Excellent advice!

My gun does have a sabot in it so maybe taking it out with a ramrod cleaning and examing for corrosion is the safest route!

Lesson learned!! Won't happen again!

[barreledaction]

Let us know how much trouble you have removing the breech plug - I've
had many customers with this problems and have even had to drill some out.
Black powder is seriously corrosive and you're not alone in this lapse in
jugement.

[levergun]

go to the range and fire it.

[vangunsmith]

well after that periiod of time pyrodex will asorb moisture and can kill the powder.all or none of it! If you tried to fire it and some of the powdered ignites then you have a real stuck bullet in the barrel,and your worse off! I would put some oil down the barrel to make sure your powder is killed then with your jag screw work it into your bullet and pull it out.Then the same with your sabot. And finally your powder and clean,and clean it to see what has happened due to corrison ect.Then go from there. Do everything one step at a time. But i wouldn,t try and shoot it if i were you. it might seem like the easy way out,but you might create more problems for yourself. vangunsmith

[Scott Kirsch]

swampchicken said:

My question is should I just take it to the range and fire that load....or should I take the bullet out with the screw attachment.....I know I should have taken the time to dispose of that load a long time ago....now I'm kind of worried that I "screwed up"!!! Does Pyrodex corrode the barrels of modern muzzleloaders?

Thanks!

Place the barrel only in a long container filled with water. Completely submerge the barrel for 2-4 hours. Remove from the bath, and remove the breech plug. The water should loosen, dissolve, and inactivate any triple 7 or pyrodex. The your projectile out the end of the barrel with your ramrod and a bullet pusher.

Note: Inactivation of the propellant is the safest way to remove the powder and projectile. Corrosion (if severe enough) causes many problems and you don't want to find out in the way of a barrel explosion! Please, for safety's sake, inactivate the propellant first! Your life is not worth the chance to find out any other way. Be careful. -Sloppy