New to muzzleloader hunting

[cashcrews]

I just picked up my first-ever muzzleloader, and plan to use it for hunting this upcoming weekend. I had it out to shoot and it seems like it could be a lot of fun.

In the case of muzzleloader, let's say you're done hunting for the day and you didn't shoot anything. Does "unloading" the muzzleloader mean that you remove the primer only, or should you remove the bullet and powder as well?

A follow up to the first question: Is it best to unload by firing in a safe direction, or do you typically unscrew the breech plug and push the barrel contents out the back?

Cashcrews

[Borch]

Pulling the primer technically unloads it. I unload mine by pulling the bullet. But I shoot hollow point power belts and they pull pretty easy. Otherwise you can pull the beach plug like you mentioned.

Good Luck this weekend.

[mskyfshntchr]

Take your cap off or the 209 primer. It is unloaded. That is all you need to do. You don't have to shoot them off or take the bullet out. That is a waste of time in my opinion, not to mention bullets. Just keep your gun outside and in the same weather you hunt in. There will be no problems with it going off. Regardless if you don't shoot it until the last day of the season. If you take it inside (house or car) without shooting it, it can condensate when you take it back out and cause problems with going off.

Good luck, they are a lot of fun!

[Hines R]

If you do pull your breech plug to unload it instead of fire it. Dump the powder out the back and then push the bullet through and out the front. You can reuse the bullet then. If you push it out the back you'll ruin whatever plastic sleeve you have on the bullet going through the threads.

You should be fine. I'll usually reload mine every couple of days when I'm out hunting. Just don't bring it in and out of the cold.

Ryan