I do a quick check of my rifle each morning for fit and function before loading up...I would never check a firearm for function while in the field on a hot chamber.
Your move not only blew off a round, you blew your hunting spot at least for that morning. Glad your okay! Triggers are cheap to replace for piece of mind. 😎
Paul,
Why would you want to check your safety for noise on a quiet morning while hunting? If it makes noise, you just made a metallic sound for no reason. I’d rather make the noise while I’m on an animal versus sending out a message to an unseen critter near by that a hunter is here.
I almost always get a feel for it when I get up in the stand. With 10 different rifles, each safety has it's own characteristics. Add in gloved hands, and there's a little different feel for getting it to snick off silently. As soon as I get settled in the stand, I practice snicking it off. From a safety standpoint, it's no different from doing it when you are getting ready to shoot a deer or when you are doing it at the range.
