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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,327 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,327 Likes: 1 |
simple solution for me was i purchased Winchester model 70`s, s.s. with the claw and 3 position safety in a 30-06 and a 338 Win. mag. so weather is not a problem either as much.
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,553
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,553 |
Empty chamber until shooting is imminent.
Following that I like 3 position.
I have 2 of them, among a few guns- a 725 and now a M70. Don't mind my 77 tangers tho - I stay more aware if I'm using them, the 98, or the 700. When jump shooting elk in the dark timber, empty chamber doesn't work. Just keep the safety on, control the muzzle, finger on trigger guard. Point, sight picture, safety off, shoot. Worked for me for 40 years Exactly.. Those shots require you to be ready in a split seconds notice. Those that have never BTDT, wouldn't have a clue. Actually, plenty have and do have a clue... ever followed bears into alder patches? I will stop "virtue signaling" if you will. Only a couple of times... .
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 1 |
3 position type safety that blocks the firing pin like a M98, Winchester M70 etc, as far as a safety that is next to impossible to go off. Some major parts would have to break first otherwise it's physically impossible for that firing pin to go forward, doesn't matter how bad it's slammed or jarred.
Far as carrying empty........around here you would get mocked and laughed at for suggesting such a thing when out hunting by yourself and actually trying to shoot something.
Walking in or out with more than 1 person? Sure, that's different. Lead person can be loaded if everyone is cool with it, everyone behind should be empty in my opinion. Lead guy walking carrying muzzle forward is a safe type of carry.
One is alone in a land so vast, there is only the mountains, the wind, and the eyes of God.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,903
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,903 |
I like the three position on my Ruger. Absolutely not going off and the bolt is locked so the bolt won’t come open and lose a shell if tangled in heavy brush. I do have M700 foot print rifles as well but IF I’m hunting with others I go empty chamber with those. I normally have a sidearm I’m proficient with on my side as well. Everything is a compromise that you have to deal with.
Keep your powder dry and stay frosty my friends.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,738
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,738 |
One that locks the firing pin
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,516
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,516 |
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,345 Likes: 13
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,345 Likes: 13 |
I grew up in PA and now live in SE AK. Growing up, everyone always had a round chambered. Around here, if I'm out of a boat or vehicle, there's a round chambered. Around here, aside from beach or alpine hunting you'd better be ready to shoot immediately or not at all. Then there's bears to consider as well.
By now in life I'm of the opinion that a three position safety ala M70, M77, Kimber, and such are the best idea going. Lever actions on half-cock work fine. I've got a Ruger No. 3 9.3X62 that gets some use as well. On that rifle I tweaked the safety so that it takes a definite effort to move it to fire.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 23,686 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 23,686 Likes: 1 |
Maybe some of the Pa guys will check in, but I’ve been hunting for 60 years and I don’t recall anyone ever hunting with an empty chamber I grew up in PA and hunted whitetails until I moved out. When walking I never chambered a round, neither did anyone else in our party. When we found a spot to sit, round chambered. Would you feel totally comfortable having someone walk behind you in rugged terrain with a round in their chamber? I always have one in the chamber, we stalk a lot of the time in thick woods. I don’t hunt with other people except my son or daughter now and in that case they’re in front with one in the chamber and I’m behind with an empty chamber
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,783
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,783 |
I remember a similar thread many years ago on this same subject.......it got heated.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,325
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,325 |
The obvious one nobody mentioned is the system now common on European rifles. No safety, but a decocker. Used in the excellent Blaser R8, Sauer 404, some of the Voere model 98s, and many others. It allows you to safely carry with a round in the chamber because the rifle is not cocked. Impossible to fire in this condition, and unlike every other safety system there's nothing to break or get out of adjustment. Cocking is accomplished by pushing the decocker forward, like a standard sliding tang safety. Longer travel and a bit harder to do, but easy with practise. An elegant solution and completely reliable. It gets my vote.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494 |
Empty chamber until shooting is imminent.
Following that I like 3 position.
I have 2 of them, among a few guns- a 725 and now a M70. Don't mind my 77 tangers tho - I stay more aware if I'm using them, the 98, or the 700. Exactly. A safety is a mechanical device that can fail. 4H shooting never used safety and we taught it that way. Our rifles are always on fire with a cold chamber until its time to chamber and then don't have to worry about the safety NOT releasing in a bind.... I know thats not your answer but since we don't use the safety I have no other answer.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,184 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,184 Likes: 4 |
Apparently some of you missed the part about "shooting is imminent". ( "or might be") was implied
One size does not fit all circumstances. No reason to have one chambered walking to the Tree stand in the dark, or climbing up into it, no reason not to chamber one once up there.
Etc. etc. etc.
The only true cost of having a dog is its death.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 430
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 430 |
I have installed two of PT&Gs Rem 700 three position M70-style swing safeties on the two 700's I hunt with. I like having a safety that locks the firing pin on my hunting guns and it is nice to have the mid position to operate the bolt with the safety on when clearing the rifles.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,118 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,118 Likes: 2 |
Hunting with an empty chamber doesn't answer the question. Of all the rifles Ive every used, the Enfield P14 safety is the most fool proof and reliable. It's it my favorite, no- but it answers the OP question.
NRA Benefactor Member
Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494 |
Hunting with an empty chamber doesn't answer the question. Of all the rifles Ive every used, the Enfield P14 safety is the most fool proof and reliable. It's it my favorite, no- but it answers the OP question. Thats true. Or a single shot with exposed hammer. Relying on a safety is a crutch though and I rarely if ever use one. That said the safety on the AR15 trigger would be almost impossible to overcome.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,146 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,146 Likes: 1 |
The one where you control the muzzle direction and keep your finger away from the trigger
Regards,
Chuck
"There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit"
Ghost And The Darkness
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,933 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,933 Likes: 2 |
If I'm out stalking hogs by myself, I have one chambered, using a M70 or M77 Hawkeye both with 3-position safeties.
If I'm doing the same thing with some others, nobody has one chambered.
I thought I recently read of there being some tang or Remington style safeties that are now being made (or can be modified) as a 3-position. It doesn't seem to me that they would have the same tactile feel advantages of the swing safety of a M70 or M77. I've always wished the M77 was a little larger, like the M70. I can easily feel if they are in position 1, 2, 3
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,128
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,128 |
I feel the safest safety is the types that can be recognized with a glance, so anyone will notice when their companions safety is off.
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,470 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,470 Likes: 3 |
I love my Remington’s but not their safeties. Hard to beat a Mauser 98 for a good safety. I like the Winchester pre-64’s too.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 11,954
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 11,954 |
I was in NFLD a couple years ago for a moose hunt. The guide preferred that I hunt with an empty chamber.
I agreed with his reasoning and complied without argument.
To answer the OP, I would suggest that original M98 military flag safety is the best one out there.
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