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

Klik -

That looks like a bobbed off Ruger? What cartridge?

It's actually a bone-stock MK II 30-06 (22"), a fairly recent acquisition. So far, the lynx, a few fox, and three moose to its credit. (And I have yet to print groups on paper with that rifle; it sure wastes water bottles easily at 200-300 yards with good loads though.)

Klik �

The barrel looked to short � I would have guessed 18-20� tops.

Nor surprised that it shoots � all my Rugers do as well. Then again I�m an unabashed Ruger fan of Ruger bolt guns and revolvers � and the #1�s.

Tomorrow morning I take off to hunt elk and deer. We plan to hunt cold and I hope to remember to pay attention to how long we have to load once we spot the game.

I wonder how many people have been accidentally shot with a cold chamber?

I'm an empty chamber guy....its what my dad taught me when I was a kid. Cant think of a single big game animal lost because of it and I've been at for 40+ years. It's just good common sense...

As for JeffO carrying his rifle in his hand and not using a sling how does he glass? with one hand? Or does he just use the scope on his loaded rifle?

I never use a sling, just set the rifle down, throw it down, lean it against something or put it betwixt my legs.

Have you ever raised your rifle up for a quick glance at something?

Nope

That's self control..

That's why I carry binoculars, don't shoot deer in the azz and don't keep a round in the chamber.

I carry and use binoculars as well, dont butt end deer either....kudo's for the empty chamber.

I'd rather be in the field with binos and no rifle than the other way around.

+1...What do you run for glass?

Swaro SLC 7x42's, Minox HG 8.5x43 and 10x43

I use Leica Ultravid's 10X42's. Also use a Vector.7X42.

I carry Swarovski 8x30 SLC's around my neck, always, when hunting, and I use them all the time. I do not glass with my riflescope, ever.

It's not complicated to use binos while carrying a rifle, at least where/how I hunt, but some would like to make it so.

By the way, scenarshooter. If the pic you posted is representative of where you hunt, it could not be more different from my blacktail hunting. Be careful about extrapolating what works acceptably well from open-country Montana hunting to PNW wet-side blacktail hunting... I'm guessing you don't average 20-30 yards for your deer kills?

I've never hunted an area as open as in your photo. If I was, I could certainly see how a cold chamber wouldn't be a liability.

You've shot a deer in ass.

Steelhead, nice country...lots of heavy bush for sure.

JO, I've killed a lot of big game in the timber.