Aside from sitting in a stand, when on the ground, cycling a lever action 45-70 with game within say 75 yards...can it be done without the game hearing, or spotting the movement a majority of the time? Wouldn't this give the game an extra jump on you?
At that range, and if all else is quiet, there is a very good chance they will hear the sound of the action cycling the round into the chamber. On the other hand the wind rustling the leaves or melting snow dripping off the trees or a plane flying overhead or a thousand other noise sources can disguise or completely obscure the sound.
Either way, I often carry my lever guns with an empty chamber.
Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!
No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.
