So you decided to test your rifle for function on a loaded chamber when you had concerns and you are now defending your decision when it is pointed out to you how it wasn't the smartest move. Please don't hunt where near me.
He moved his rifle from safe to fire. I have done that in the stand a number of times. Wanted to feel it with gloved and or cold hands and see if there was any noise on a dead quiet morning. Muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Just what the hell is the matter with doing that? I am going to do the same thing when I get ready to shoot a deer.
