Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Poll: Do you hunt with a round in the chamber?

Field & Stream is looking for the two of you, they'd like to do an article....

TFF!!

Sorry, wasn't on the net much this weekend, didn't catch your gettin' "hammered"....

Been busy...ya know, huntin' and stuff like that.

I have taught Hunter Education in Montana for over 20 years and do teach the principle of an unloaded chamber in rifles. There is a difference in the type of hunting done with a rifle vs. a shotgun.

The main difference is that in shotgun hunting, the quarry is flushed and the gun is then fired as quickly as possibe to get the bird within shotgun range. The typical carry in this situation is a two handed carry, which gives the hunter the best control of his gun.

Of course, as was stated in an earlier post, muzzle control is paramount as well. The hunter has the responsibility to maintain the SAFEST condition at all times, whether shotgun or rifle.

On the other hand, a rifle is made for precise shooting, which means making the shot as steady as possible and at much greater distances. Carrying a round in the chamber while hunting, without the knowledge of any game in the vacinity, isn't the SAFEST option and therefore the reason that it is best to have an empty chamber. One less opportunity for an accident.

I understand there are many out there who would argue this point, that doesn't matter, and certainly doesn't make it safe. After you have taught several thousand young students and seen the things they don't know as well as the parents that don't know safety either, you would agree that it is in the best interests of all who share this sport to practice the most safe method.

jeff-
you can total if you want, but it won't change anyone's mind!

We cold-chamber guys surely ain't about to suddenly become potentialy dangers, and anyone that carries hot and has not had a negligent discharge (there are no accidental discharges ) needs to add YET. Hopeingly it won't ever happen.

To the hot chamber guys - why even bother to go cold when you get in the rig?

ironbender,

I didn't start this to rub in anyone's face; I just was curious what the ratio is. I don't expect ANY of this to change anyone's mind. We are basically arguing religion here!

Answer- because I don't road hunt. Among other reasons.

-jeff

So if a properly cared for gun that hasn't been tampered with fires as the safety is pushed to the fire position(or when the bolt is closed to chamber a round) because of a mechanical defect from the factory,that could not have been for seen,what do you call it?

If it was a cold-chamber guy who's rifle fired while he was closing the bolt, he'd call it someone else's fault, probably.

-jeff

yes a rifle. The guy fell and rolled into bush, the gun could have been pointed in any direction. His partner said the branches likely hit the trigger. When you bust your ass like that you could just as easily blow your headoff. I don't think it is that hard to imagine after taking a nasty fall

OK. I should have said "very few". Most of the "unintentional" discharges one hears about fall into the ND category, IMO.

The condition you note says it for a cold chamber I think.

Jeff-
Don't doubt your intentions - sorry if it seemed like that.

To me, there is a HUGE difference between relative safety and absolute safety.

Carrying hot has a low probability of causing chit, but IF it does, the consequences too often are terribly high. That's where I'm at on this.

That is the problem with making blanket statements.They are usually proven wrong.

If you lose your footing on this good luck maintaining barrel control

Ironbender, I want to take this moment to congratulate you for being the FIRST PERSON I have seen on any of these threads concede a point. I am dead serious here. I love to debate, and one thing that drives me NUTS on the internet is that nobody concedes or backs up a little and clarifies.

Hat's off to you.

-jeff

Gotta save this and show it to the wife!

That's one of my favorites-

Blanket statements are always wrong!

Always hot unless going under or over a fence or jumping a brook. I have never hunted with someone who didn't keep one in the chamber. Never been nervous about it. Most deer in my world would be up to full speed by the time the bolt slammed shut.

Are your deer faster than speeding boolits?

Only when you aim where they were .......

I have hunted with a chambered round 99% of the time when on foot. When I am on horseback, I don't have a round chambered 100% of time. Heck, you may even find a loaded rifle (or ten) in my house. I was always taught to treat them as if they were always loaded. The way I handle them never changes. If I see your muzzle pointed my direction. I will damn sure let you know where it will be placed if it ever happens again.

cK