Shooting cap and ball in the rain

[Macon McLeod Osmoke]

Ok, this weekend will be the first shoot since Nov. that I will get to go to.  The only pistols I have to shoot are 1858 Remingtons.  There is a slight chance of rain.  It sounds like there will be some Frontiersman shooters here who have some experience from Winter Range on how to shoot and handle cap and ball during rain.  Any tips?

[Dick Dastardly]

Keep yer powder dry.

All kidding aside, take an umbrella and some extra dry towels.  When you charge your pistols, you've got to work under cover.  Also, when capping make sure the nipples are dry and don't get any moisture under the caps.  I'd also take an extra tin of caps.  Snap a cap on each chamber before you load.

If it's a real downpour the match may be a washout, but there are ways of waterproofing cylinders so they will fire in the rain.  I've even heard of Civil War pistols that were under water and still fired then retrieved.  But, CAS shootn' ain't war and we're in it for fun.

FWIW, I kind of like the way the smoke hangs when there's a slight drizzle commin' down and no wind.  It confuses the h3ll out of the spotters. . .

DD-DLoS

[sundance44`s]

I`ve done it , loading is the problem gotta keep yer powder under cover , as long as ya keep yer powder dry and use good tight fitting caps , you won`t have much problem ...like Dick said unless it just comes a real gulley washer / if you get any water on yer nipples before ya cap be sure and try to dry`em off and pop a cap on them .. and when ya get home  hot tub/soup  for U ..

[hellgate]

I agree with the other posts. A "great coat" or duster/rain slicker helps keep the guns covered or else use a military style flap holsters. Also watch how you look down, the rain tends to roll off the hat brim right into the action of whatever gun I am looking at.  I ask the MD if I can CHARGE indoors (stat shack), under some cover. or under someone's gun cart umbrella. A snail capper (or several in-lines) can be kept in a coat pocket and stay dry better than fumbling with a tin of caps with damp fingers. Capping is always done only at the loading table. A towel is needed to wipe down the gun and your hands to prevent slippage. I have checkered my grips or bought replacement textured grips so i have better control in the rain otherwise sign up as Frontier Cartridge class and use two hands for the match. No one wants an AD or a dropped gun. It rains A LOT here in the Northwest but the intensity is less severe. We are frequently shooting in the rain but we'll get 1/4" of rain a day for 4 days rather than the 1 inch of rain in 4 hours as is common in the midwest and south. We get wet but not drowned. The good news: fouling stays SOFT. The bad news: the guns are slippery. Be careful. I have never had a misfire due to water but we have cover at most of the ranges loading areas.