Condition of carry when still hunting with a semi rifle.

delboybc said:
there defiantly seems to be a consensus on carrying the rifle with one in the chamber,

I was in the australian reserve for 10 yrs and was use to doing this when doing training patrols in the bush, but when still hunting I use a kifaru gun bearer or sling as I spend the majority of the time with the bino's in my hand, still aware of were the muzzle is but not the same feeling as always having the gun in your hand.

When people say they always have one in the chamber is the rifle slung?
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In my case the rifle is "at ready" while slung over my shoulder.
I use a Safari Sling that allows me to quickly engage.
 
Jay said:
Agreed, but IIRC the last time this was debated there was a distinct East West divide. Folks out East agree with BUM and folks out West seem to leave the chamber empty mag loaded...

Another thing to keep in mind... When things go bad, they go bad fast... For me, that means having one in the chamber.

Cheers
Jay
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Jay you know I'm a Westerner just putting in time out here in Shangri-La. I've always walked with a loaded rifle.
 
kodiakjack said:
Don't be obtuse.

You're welcome to hunt however you wish. No need to insult others because they choose a different method. The fellas above have put forward perfectly legitimate reasons for their methods. "Soldier boy" wasn't listed.
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Sorry, no insult intended, just a bit paranoid when it comes to rifle safety.
 
Jay said:
Agreed, but IIRC the last time this was debated there was a distinct East West divide. Folks out East agree with BUM and folks out West seem to leave the chamber empty mag loaded...

Another thing to keep in mind... When things go bad, they go bad fast... For me, that means having one in the chamber.

Cheers
Jay
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IIRC from the last thread, in addition to the east west divide, there was also a line between the folks who first started their shooting on a range, then eventually got into hunting, and the folks who grew up hunting, then later got more into the range shooting.

Those who grew up in the woods were far more comfortable walking around all day with a loaded gun, than the range guys who are used to clearing their guns every time a cease fire is called. Neither method is better than the other, just whatever folks are comfortable with.
 
delboybc said:
there defiantly seems to be a consensus on carrying the rifle with one in the chamber,

I was in the australian reserve for 10 yrs and was use to doing this when doing training patrols in the bush, but when still hunting I use a kifaru gun bearer or sling as I spend the majority of the time with the bino's in my hand, still aware of were the muzzle is but not the same feeling as always having the gun in your hand.

When people say they always have one in the chamber is the rifle slung?
Click to expand...

Sometimes, sometimes over the shoulder, sometimes in both hands. I do love the gunbearer system though.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Sometimes, sometimes over the shoulder, sometimes in both hands. I do love the gunbearer system though.
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I have only used the gunbearer for one season but really like it, was initially wondering if I would get knocked in the head by the rifle barrel but even climbing over logs works fine in securing the rifle.
 
legi0n said:
:) join the military and your paranoia will be gone in a jiffy or a week :)
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Been there, done that. That is why I am somewhat paranoid with safety. I see to many safety violations at the range from poorly trained hunters to feel 100% safe. And if they can't be safe on a range, I do not expect them to do superbly in the woods.

While in the forces, I have never seen an accidental discharge. Even with blanks.
 
delboybc said:
there defiantly seems to be a consensus on carrying the rifle with one in the chamber,

I was in the australian reserve for 10 yrs and was use to doing this when doing training patrols in the bush, but when still hunting I use a kifaru gun bearer or sling as I spend the majority of the time with the bino's in my hand, still aware of were the muzzle is but not the same feeling as always having the gun in your hand.

When people say they always have one in the chamber is the rifle slung?
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Nah. Half the guys in my gang don't even have slings. The bush is just too thick... I don't think (memory isn't what it used to be) that a single deer has been taken at our camp beyond 100 yards in the last 20 years. I got a moose at 200, but even that was a miracle. By the time you see the deer, if your rifle's slung, you'll do good to get it off and aimed in time to see the white flag wave goodbye.
 
Nic3500 said:
Been there, done that. That is why I am somewhat paranoid with safety. I see to many safety violations at the range from poorly trained hunters to feel 100% safe. And if they can't be safe on a range, I do not expect them to do superbly in the woods.

While in the forces, I have never seen an accidental discharge. Even with blanks.
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oh come on, loaded and chambered full autos slung on the back are the norm on duty.
this does not mean accidental discharges but it also doesn't mean hunters are unsafe
 
delboybc said:
Was giving the rifles a clean today and was thinking about this with spring bear in mind.

In the past with bolts or lever can cycle fairly quite and would normally travel with no round in the chamber until needed.

Was trying out the semi today with dummy rounds and it can be loaded quietly but that last push to get it into battery gives quite the noise, not as much as letting the bolt fly but more than the bolt or lever.

Just wondering what other people do, I guess I haven’t had one in the chamber as I find when still hunting crawling over rocks and logs it’s a safety consideration but thinking I may need to change my thoughts around this.
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delboybc said:
there defiantly seems to be a consensus on carrying the rifle with one in the chamber,

I was in the australian reserve for 10 yrs and was use to doing this when doing training patrols in the bush, but when still hunting I use a kifaru gun bearer or sling as I spend the majority of the time with the bino's in my hand, still aware of were the muzzle is but not the same feeling as always having the gun in your hand.

When people say they always have one in the chamber is the rifle slung?
Click to expand...

Still hunting with the rifle slung? Faster to have the rifle in your hands wouldn't it be?
 
I load the magazine (blind for the bolt, tube for the lever) at camp, and rack one into the chamber about 30ft into the bush. Gun stays loaded as I still hunt, or until I get to a tree stand, then i unload until in the stand. But when walking and looking for my target, there is always one in the chamber, safety on, or if there isn't one, hammer decocked.
 
Slamfire said:
Still hunting with the rifle slung? Faster to have the rifle in your hands wouldn't it be?
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For sure, would be much faster to have the rifle in your hands.

Hunting in canada is new to me but I find I am only taking a few steps at a time and forever using the bino, found it a real pain in the ass having a rifle in my hands and using the bino's for any length of time
 
Slamfire said:
When I'm still hunting it's in the timber and I wouldn't have a need for binoculars because I can only see about 50 meters at most through the timber.
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yeah I've got about 6 pairs of binoculars, still in the wrapping that were given to me as gifts. Just no point taking them with me. I can see 100 yards just fine lol.
 
Nic3500 said:
IMHO walking around in the woods with a loaded chamber is not required. If you bear hunt, it most probably will be in a cache anyway. And the chances of an accident raise quite a bit. It's just me, I trust very few people with a loaded rifle around me.

If a bear "jumps you" while you are walking to or from your cache, the sound of the bolt slamming shut might be just what you need to get it to move away.

But I know most disagree with that, they want to get the "playing soldier" out of their system. I have done my share, so that might explain it.
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I didn't play soldier, it was my job.

If you think you aren't capable of handling a loaded firearm safely, I'll take your word for it. And leave you to do as you think best.
 
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