Pitting

What causes pitting to a muzzleloader barrel ? I left my muzzleloader loaded for 11 months and just cleaned it today . I left it loaded because I planned on shooting it after deer season ( 2 months) just to see if it would hang fire . Well I never did it . I decided not to try it now so I push the sabot out . I was kind of expecting some pitting . It didn’t show any pitting or corrosion at all . It was charged with T7 powder . Is it the chemical reaction after firing and not cleaning what causes pitting . I was thinking that the powder adsorption of moisture caused it .

 

It's the firing residue that is hygroscopic and promotes the corrosion, not the unfired powder. Fresh powder loaded into a clean barrel would last a long time without corrosion I think. Yes powder can absorb a little moisture, but nothing compared to the residue after firing. Especially with Pyrodex and the real stuff. T7 is also somewhat more forgiving there as well.

 

Ifishsum, Hi. So, Is T7 less corrosive than Pyrodex? I've heard Pyrodex is very corrosive and the gun should be cleaned promptly once your finished for the day? Thanks

 

I shoot more Pyrodex than black powder. Also my homemade caps are corrosive. I have not had any problems using Pyrodex. I usually go shooting in the morning, have lunch, then clean my pistol in the afternoon. Pyrodex is much easier to find locally than black powder. CAL Ranch, Cabella’s and Sportsman’s Wearhouse usually have Pyrodex available.