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

I carry my rifles with one in the spout - just as I do with my shotguns. The "danger" is nil. It's not the absolute faith in my safety that makes it so (although it's always on until a second or so before firing) - it's the absolute faith I have that my barrel is always pointed in a safe direction.

Why this practice is considered unsafe when hunting big game with rifles - and yet is considered safe when jumping birds with shotguns is something I don't understand.

Going down scree slopes, crossing streams, climbing trees and stepping over lots of deadfalls, is the exception to the rule - then I take the cartridge out, and take the safe off.

Until you've surprised a grizzly or two, at real close range - you can't appreciate why.