Impressive

[Nick]

The youth deer hunt was the last week in September here in Michigan. My sister decided to participate so I volunteered to take her out. I loaded up the Knight Revolution and took her. Just our luck...no deer came in or presented a good shot. Well, I kinda of lost track of the ole muzzle loader due to bow season. Now that gun season is only a week and a half away, I figured it was time to sight in the guns. First up was the Knight. I remembered it was still loaded from September and thrown in the gun cabinet. I decided "what the heck, lets see if it will fire." I headed to the range with the gun and all my gear. Sat at the 50 yard bench and squeazed the month and a half old charge off. The gun went off and I checked out my shot....1" high at 50 yards...exactly where I sighted it in at!!! I loaded it up and took two more shots......the next two shots both touched my first shots at 1" above center. I packed the gun up and headed home!
Rumor has it that theres another muzzle loader they make called a Thomas Centimeter, or something like that?? Never heard of it myself!!!! Oh well!!

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

I once did that with a flintlock loaded for a couple of months. Had the same outcome as you, shot right in there and no problem. Counted it as lucky as I don't usually let a load in more than overnight.

[johnf]

Q: What is the difference between powder sitting in a sealed chamber and powder sitting in a sealed bottle on the shelf?

A: Nothing.

If we are to assume that our guns are sealed then you could leave it loaded as long as the shelf life of the powder. It may damage the barrle though, not sure.