Corrosiveness of BP and storing one loaded without caps?

One of the longest times I have left a cylinder loaded and capped was almost 8 months. Revolver was also carried on my belt in both a covered and uncovered holster, in rain and snow.

All loads fired without a single issue. Nipples and chamber mouths were waxed liberally.

It is not the powder that causes corrosion, it is the salts left from the burning of the powder that causes rust.
 
Cleaning after shooting has a MAX limit of 3 days. I am responsible for pushing that limit and I know corrosion starts to set in after that.
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I've gone nine days after shooting Pyrodex with no rust or corrosion.
 
Ok - keep the gun angled if you are using substitute powder. Now I must ask my friends here that have more expertise, doesn't pyrodex have graphite? And the others? Real BP, I think will hold in chambers a long time since there are no lubricants in it. I might be wrong but my captains will be glad to discuss

WBH
 
Ive gone days without cleaning my weapons after a heavy reenactment and had a little rust on the bluing of the gun. BP has 3 main ingredients potassium nitrate, sulfur, and carbon,Only thing that matters is the amount of each ingredient you put in you mix. Graphite is inert material. If your going to put lube put if over the ball after its firmly seated to help create a seal and stop chain fires.
 
Ok - keep the gun angled if you are using substitute powder. Now I must ask my friends here that have more expertise, doesn't pyrodex have graphite? And the others? Real BP, I think will hold in chambers a long time since there are no lubricants in it. I might be wrong but my captains will be glad to discuss

WBH
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All powders are tumbled in a graphite tub after a batch is completed. Substitute powders are no exception. This had been done since DuPont started mass producing black powder in America during the antebellum period. Graphite not only lubricates the powder, it keeps individual grains from chipping other grains and lead to the accumulation of serpentine priming powder in the can. Graphite may be inert but it is also carbon, which burns upon ignition of the charge as extra fuel. Very minute on the overall performance of the charge, but it is still burned.
 
Hello, twobit. Years ago, when I used to shoot a Navy Arms 1851 .36, I made paper ctgs. Some were made from waxed paper, with a tracing paper base to admit cap flash. I remember thinking at the time, if I were ever to leave this gun loaded, those waxed paper loads would probably be the ones to use, since any contact between powder & steel would be eliminated, and the waxed paper would prevent oil contamination from killing powder.
 
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