Any good techniques for keeping your muzleloader protected when hunting in the rain? Thanks.

The original riflemen used a hunting frock that had a piece of material that hung down from the front off of the shoulder and they would hold the rifle's lock area under that piece to protect the that area. You can, with a percussion rifle protect the cap with wax and just make sure you keep the muzzle pointed down. An alternative would be to follow the example of our soldiers from WW2 to the present and attatch a condom over the muzzle. I don't think the condom will be worth much after the first shot.

I stretch a piece or two pieces of electrical tape over the muzzle. I shoot an Omega that is enclosed on the breech.

A lot depends on what type of gun you are shooting?
If you have a closed breech, the tape on the muzzle will work just fine.
If it is an in-line using a #11 cap, lots of vaseline on the nipple threads and over the cap, and then one of the commercially available covers and don't forget the muzzle.
If it is a side lock, you have to depend on the vaseline, be very generous.
I have used these techniques for years and have not ever had a gun that would not fire when asked, even after a full day in a real downpour. That day, the only thing that was not wet was the charge in my muzzle loader.

I shoot Omegas and Encores so I only have to worry about the muzzle. I use small kids party balloons pulled over the muzzle to keep the rain out.
Rich

[ 10-10-2003, 01:40: Message edited by: Omega ]

I use one piece of plastic wrap over the muzzle, but a condom would work. Then I wrap a piece of plastic wrap around the lock/trigger area. One layer works, and you can still cock the rifle, aim and fire it with the plastic wrap in place, just don't let it get into the line of sight!

I hunted a whole week in the rain in the Adirondacks last year with the gun protected this way, and it still fired OK on the last day of the hunt. (With Clean Shot powder, which is worse in the wet than Pyrodex.)

[ 10-12-2003, 19:25: Message edited by: eldeguello ]