Question on Muzzle Loaders

[Mark 1911]

I stopped at the range the other day and there was someone there with a muzzleloader. They had stopped at the range to discharge their muzzleloader. I noticed the guy had a piece of black electrical tape on the end of the barrel. I asked him about it and he said it was there to protect from wet weather. He said he never had a problem with firing it like that but I'm wondering if that would be a bad idea for two reasons. First of all I'm wondering if it would be a safety issue. And secondly I'm wondering if it would change the point of impact if you had not sighted the gun in like that. Any comments on this?

 

[gregr]

It`s a common practice. There are companies that even make a rubber piece that slide down over the muzzle, I believe they call them "barrel condoms". I`ve never done this. I have a Knight Disc Extreme in .50 cal, and it`s NEVER failed to fire in any conditions. Were I using these other methods, I would shoot from the bench with them to compare point of impact.

 

[Nazgul]

It makes no difference at all. It is not enough of an obstruction to create a hazard.

Don

 

[in625shooter]

The tape is pushed out of the way from air being pushed ahead of the actual round.

 

[Mark 1911]

Cool. Thanks everyone. Looks like electrical tape makes a tight seal, tighter than a baggie and a rubber band.

 

[jstory]

Never messed with them either. If its raining, I will simply carry my rifle muzzle down.

 

[Cree]

Another supporting comment in the tape having no negative effect due to the air pressure proceeding the projectile being what will remove it from the muzzle.

Andy Cree

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Same effect as putting condoms over barrels while hunting or in the service.

When I travel I put condoms over the barrels of my rifles/carbines/shotguns.

No effect, Mark.

 

[sloughfoot]

Condoms are pretty expensive when compared to the price of balloons..

 

[indiucky]

When I travel I put condoms over the barrels of my rifles/carbines/shotguns.

And yet your collection continues to grow...Your condoms may have holes in them...

I put beeswax around the pan of my flintlocks and I have a greased lock cover...I never worried about water coming down the barrel...They used to use something called a "tampion" to place in the muzzle but I always thought they were a bad idea..

 

[Liberty Sanders]

Carrying muzzle down is not a guarantee. Black powder absorbs moisture right out of the air and I have experienced misfires due to this. It is for this reason that Bill Hickok changed the loads in his '51 Navies every day.