Do you hunt with loaded or empty chamber?
- Thread starter Mr.Rigpig
- Start date
"Empty chamber with a group, loaded by myself."
same, and immediately open the action when meeting up with someone,
open is proved safe
drop mag is full, blind or tube has one only
2 gets it done, if not there is lots of time to reload
same, and immediately open the action when meeting up with someone,
open is proved safe
drop mag is full, blind or tube has one only
2 gets it done, if not there is lots of time to reload
For my first 10 years I put the mag in and chamber a round as soon as I leave camp or the vehicle. Scope is fully zoomed out, parallax at 50. I want the same muscle memory response every time: shoulder rifle, tang forward, quick target acquisition. Grizzlies move quickly and even in open mountain country I’m usually hiking or glassing from inside the tree-line with short range visibility behind me
I am getting my kids into hunting this spring so I’m presently reevaluating this. Remi Warren covered this topic in one of this podcast’s a few months ago. I’m considering full mag, nothing chambered, safety off. It’s definitely slower than the other way, but I may be able to offset that by being less concealed and glass and hike more in the open terrain to maintain animal safety
I am getting my kids into hunting this spring so I’m presently reevaluating this. Remi Warren covered this topic in one of this podcast’s a few months ago. I’m considering full mag, nothing chambered, safety off. It’s definitely slower than the other way, but I may be able to offset that by being less concealed and glass and hike more in the open terrain to maintain animal safety
My previous response was a little flippant.
You should feel decidedly uncomfortable while taking up the rear.
The likelihood that the empty chamber isn’t, is considerable.
After far too many hunters shooting themselves while removing their unloaded firearms from their vehicles, Idaho repealed the ban on loaded rifles and shotguns in vehicles.
“Accidents” dropped to near zero.
It seems that humans are very poor at two things:
1. Ensuring that the firearm is in the conditiin desired.
2. Pretending that a firearm, that they believe to be unloaded, is loaded and treating it accordingly.
Much safer when dealing with a loaded firearm, and handling it accordingly.
If by myself I usually have one in the chamber . If a very difficult climb or decent is required then I will unchamber . If walking in a group only the one on point is allowed to have a cartridge chambered. In every other scenario while around others no live cartridges are to be in the chamber .
I mostly favour an empty chamber. I’ve seen someone else do an accidental discharge over a stupid mistake after a long day in the bush. There was a very serious conversation after that and it should never happen by mistake. I’m more careful than that, but it’s a reminder what could happen after hyperthermia or extreme weather conditions or maybe a medical condition while in the bush. As for myself, I’ve been through some rough terrain, rocky, steep, swampy, over clear cuts etc and don’t feel like I’d want to test the effectiveness of a safety.
I feel there’s always enough time to load a chamber unless I’ve already seen game or have seen a bear in the area or have reason to believe there’s a dangerous animal around. If I miss a chance at a Buck, I can live with that, but if I think there’s a bear, that’s different.
As far as a full magazine … well depends what you have; like a Lee Enfield or some lever actions can load ten rounds and that could be overkill. I’d never have just two rounds unless it was for migratory game birds. I’ve heard stories of people emptying a magazine into a bear that kills them. A loaded chamber with safety makes sense in a blind or tree stand (except for the climbing part).
I feel there’s always enough time to load a chamber unless I’ve already seen game or have seen a bear in the area or have reason to believe there’s a dangerous animal around. If I miss a chance at a Buck, I can live with that, but if I think there’s a bear, that’s different.
As far as a full magazine … well depends what you have; like a Lee Enfield or some lever actions can load ten rounds and that could be overkill. I’d never have just two rounds unless it was for migratory game birds. I’ve heard stories of people emptying a magazine into a bear that kills them. A loaded chamber with safety makes sense in a blind or tree stand (except for the climbing part).
Last edited:
Chambered round but with the hammer dropped(trigger squeezed while closing the bolt). Mag full, minus the one I just chambered. I have seen a few too many discharges from poor use of a safety.
When actively hunting I go with a round in the chamber and a full magazine, but with the Bolt Handle lifted. In preparation to fire, I simply slap down the bolt handle (or carefully and quietly lower it, depending on the situation) as I move my firing hand to the comb of the stock. The rifle cannot fire with the bolt handle lifted and the astute observer can see that the rifle is not in battery.
As soon as I am no longer hunting I unload and clear my rifle. I carry it action open, with the bolt to the rear so that everyone can see that it is clear.
As soon as I am no longer hunting I unload and clear my rifle. I carry it action open, with the bolt to the rear so that everyone can see that it is clear.
Bustercluck
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fort McMurray
I hope you’re joking. This is what your bolt face looks like when you do that. I might try this and bang my butt against a tree to see if i can make it fire.
Attachments
By myself waking - one in the chamber.
By myself crossing a river, scampering across rocks or terrain, dragging a deer - I unload.
By myself sitting and waiting - depends on the spook level - if there's a bear around, wolf sign, or dark, I'm holding my gun. If its light out, I'm bored, cold, tired ill unload and rest the gun on something.
With another person - None in the chamber.
Really depends on the situation, but I have shot several deer that have just popped up, raised the gun and shot. The chambered round does help get an animal on the ground.
By myself crossing a river, scampering across rocks or terrain, dragging a deer - I unload.
By myself sitting and waiting - depends on the spook level - if there's a bear around, wolf sign, or dark, I'm holding my gun. If its light out, I'm bored, cold, tired ill unload and rest the gun on something.
With another person - None in the chamber.
Really depends on the situation, but I have shot several deer that have just popped up, raised the gun and shot. The chambered round does help get an animal on the ground.
...but on a lever gun, half c ock? Pretty safe, I've never heard of a hammer c ocking when slung. I suppose it could happen, but not likely.
