Do you hunt with loaded or empty chamber?

[Mr.Rigpig]

How do you guys carry your rifles during hunting season?

The last few years I've been deer hunting (Prairies), mostly with lever guns, chamber empty. If a bolt gun I usually carry with an empty chamber with bolt closed as there is pretty much always enough time to chamber a round (Thats the way I was taught 40 yrs ago). I never liked the idea of carrying with bolt open, yet one hunting partner always does, seems like a recipe for trouble to me, debris in the action and what not. This fall elk hunting in the bush I carried (Bolt gun) loaded chamber with safety on, as I expected things to happen fast, up close, which they did! These situations are all walking. I'm not much for just sitting waiting in a stand or blind, but those situations would be loaded chamber with safety on, or better yet, hammer on half c0ck!

Secondly, do you guys fill the mag to capacity? I usually only put in 2, never more than 3, hopefully not needing the second, & I do not expect a third shot, lol.

Ya, I'm bored....

 

[AlbertaJohn]

One in the chamber and mag fully loaded.

 

[Lastgun]

Depends...When I'm horse back/snowmobile/ATV/aircraft/truck...empty...walking/stalking and hunting blind cocked and locked.

Magazine is always to capacity...HA.

 

[Clayton Bigsby]

If I have control of the gun and the muzzle direction, chamber loaded. So walking with the gun in my hands, or having it slung on my shoulder with my hands free.

But if I don’t have good control of the gun and there’s other people with me, chamber empty. Like when it’s strapped to my backpack, or when it’s slung but I’m dragging a dead animal.

 

[53moose320Elk]

One in the chamber and mag fully loaded.

This when I’m walking , hunting

 

[FatCatsDad]

Chambered round, full magazine

 

[SuperCub]

I've been on three guided hunts for moose. I hunted with an empty chamber as directed by the guide. I was more than happy with that. Probably most moose hunting could be done that way.

If I'm hunting for deer, I'll have one in the chamber.

 

[DGY]

If alone usually one in the chamber and a full mag if mag there is!

If with other people or if rifle ain’t in my hands usually empty chamber!

 

[smellofspentcasings]

Once I leave the camp ,round up the spout and full mag. Safety on.

 

[HeadDamage]

Chambered round and full mag when alone and empty chamber full mag if walking with someone else.

 

[Kevin32]

If hunting with a kock on close action (lee Enfield, P14/m1917/ not sure about swedish Mauser) you can have the bolt handle up and safety on locking the bolt in the handle up position, making for a third option. Slower than being chambered, but faster than unchambered and just as safe.

 

[Bustercluck]

I’m suprised how many people are wandering around with one in the pipe. I have had one in the chamber at times, but usually it’s because something weird is going on and I’m nervous about my surroundings.

I don’t carry one in tbe chamber and I don’t hunt with people who do. The risk vs reward doesn’t make much sense to me.

 

[Mr.Rigpig]

I’m suprised how many people are wandering around with one in the pipe. I have had one in the chamber at times, but usually it’s because something weird is going on and I’m nervous about my surroundings.

I don’t carry one in tbe chamber and I don’t hunt with people who do. The risk vs reward doesn’t make much sense to me.

Thats how I feel, and I trust the guys I hunt with or I wouldn't be there. Its a rare occasion I am wandering around with a loaded chamber when theres a few of us.

 

[Scamaniac]

I don’t do any long range hunting where an empty chamber maybe ok. While I’m chambering a round the deer would be waving bye bye.

 

[Hmatt]

Loaded , safety on, 2 in the mag with my bolt.
1 in the chamber half #### 2 in the tube with lever..
Empty chambers when with a partner.

 

[Hand Skills]

Depends on the rifle. I used to be a '1 in the pipe' kinda guy, but had the safety on a Rem 700 move from S to F while slung.

Not a good feeling. I re-evaluated my conventions there and then...

Now I am a chamber empty guy unless the rifle is *in my hands*.

(Win M70's and Browning BLRs get the odd exception, they are about the only rifles whose safeties I completely trust)

 

[CLW .45]

Yes.

 

[speers]

If I’m actively hunting my rifle is loaded, one up the spout mag full. Add other people into the mix and just the mag is full.

I think there will be a big West/East difference here.

 

[Butcherbill]

Basically from the moment I walk away from my truck till I’m back in sight of the truck my gun is loaded with the safety on, I unload it if I need both hands to do something like climb over/under a fence or some blowdown. Mags are fully loaded.

I hunt primarily solo, when I hunt with other people it’s with the same 2-3 people and we’re all on the same page with safe handling. I’ve spent a lot of time at the range with each of them and we trust each other 100%, I’m left handed they’re all right handed. If we’re walking trails together I always stand on their right, both our respective muzzles face out and away from each other.

 

[hawk-i]

Empty chamber with a group, loaded by myself.