[Tearlachblair]

There was once a thread on here where a very intelligent gentleman related a way (using beeswax, if I remember correctly) to keep a blackpowder pistol loaded for an extended amount of time, or in wetter weather, without its corroding or losing its ability to fire. Anyone remember which thread that was? Your help is much appreciated.

[Phillip Allen]

I've done it many times

[Steve499]

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=224795&page=2

Post number 26

Steve

[Afy]

Philip could you share your experiences?

Particularly on how to cap them?

[Phillip Allen]

As simply as I can state it:

Clean all traces of oil out of chamber(s)
Clean nipples separately
Wash hands and apply very little grease to threads of nipples when screwing them in being careful to only get grease on the middle threads to prevent any from getting either out or in (use tooth pick)
Load with dry ball over powder or in the case of muzzle loading rifle or the like, place card of gasket material between powder and patch with heavy (non-migrating) grease for lube
For revolvers, place stiff grease over ball in cylinder chambers (I use homemade grease made of beeswax and chassis lube...very stiff)
I use copper caps (not the brass ones) and pinch them out of round and place them on nipples
Place VERY light rust preventative oil over every part of pistol or rifle keeping away from cap area...store away from children or the stupidly curious

Caution:
Do not use the wonder wads or the like between ball and powder in revolvers…A six month experiment netted squib loads.

Caution:
Keep hands clean when capping or handling nipples.

it sounds more complicated than it is

[chestnut ridge]

I left a loaded 54 caliber in-line rifle that I hunted whitetail with in the fall
of 2005. It was loaded with pyrodex and a powerbelt JHP bullet.
This rifle was one of the Italian numbers sold by century.
I removed the 209 primer and lowered the striker on a couple of folds
of plastic. This was stored in the back of a leaky, humid pickup topper.
I retrieved it last week; after 400+ days of Tennessee weather. The truck
was outside; and temperatures ranged from 10 to 105 outside.
Hotter under the topper. There was some mild surface rust.

OK- I capped the rifle, and it shot first time, no hangfire or delay. It hit point
of aim at 50 yards. The recoil seemed to be similar to fresh loads I have
shot.