Thread: Long range guns

Cheers for the feedback on rifle selection.

Ok for the record, a half closed bolt and safety on while bush stalking is not safe enough? When bush stalking you dont have time to put one up the spout.

Thats exactly my safety technique Spudattack and thoughts on treating every firearm as loaded.

Ok for the record, a half closed bolt and safety on while bush stalking is not safe enough? When bush stalking you dont have time to put one up the spout.

Just close the bolt and put the safety on FFS.

Originally Posted by Daggers_187

Just close the bolt and put the safety on FFS.

Exactly....all the 'old skool' go on about not trusting a riles safety....it because they where raised on old worn out SMLE 303's....we've moved on FFS.....just my 2c.....(awaits backlash)

I just cant bring myself to fully trust the safety alone Daggers as simple as that sounds. Each to there own.

Originally Posted by Rusky

Ok for the record, a half closed bolt and safety on while bush stalking is not safe enough? When bush stalking you dont have time to put one up the spout.

Sounds fine to me - what is less safe is when people stalk with half closed bolt and safety OFF, especially using some rifles that don't have a solid half-bolt position at all. I can see how it was good when people had old rifles with unreliable safeties, but it doesn't mean its the best option with a modern rifle.

Some rifles (like the Tikka T3 from memory) won't let you put the safety on in half-bolt position though.

I don't know why people fuck around with "Half cock" and having the bolt half open. Close the thing, put the safety on and know the state of your rifle. If you don't trust yourself to put the safety back on after you take/pass up on a shot, then maybe you need to question whether you should be hunting?

I don't know why people get so wound up about others preferring to add an extra step of safety to their practice, even if it isn't really necessary. If nothing else it can help you slow down, think about shot placement etc and reduce the chances of a reflexive snap-shot without proper target ID.

Originally Posted by Rusky

I just cant bring myself to fully trust the safety alone Daggers as simple as that sounds. Each to there own.

Do you not trust yourself to point it in a safe direction?

Each to their own, I'm not saying your method I unsafe and if that is how you are comfortable then that's fine, but it is no safer than a cocked and locked rifle pointed in a safe direction.

I think your method is fine, no harm can come of it, I think there was misunderstanding earlier around slinging a loaded rifle to negotiate obstacles which is the time when you can lose control of your muzzle direction if you slip/fall etc.
Safest to unload completely when negotiating an obstacle.

I think safe carriage of rifles (weapons) is dependant on training. Just training yourself to know the state of your rifle. Training yourself to put the safety back on instinctively when you lower the rifle from the aim position.

Originally Posted by Daggers_187

I think safe carriage of rifles (weapons) is dependant on training. Just training yourself to know the state of your rifle. Training yourself to put the safety back on instinctively when you lower the rifle from the aim position.

My rifle I always loaded, even when it is not.....

Originally Posted by GravelBen

I don't know why people get so wound up about others preferring to add an extra step of safety to their practice, even if it isn't really necessary. If nothing else it can help you slow down, think about shot placement etc and reduce the chances of a reflexive snap-shot without proper target ID.

Because it is not an "extra step". It is a poor substitute. Half these guys don't even know if the action cocks on opening or closing FFS !

Rusky, not having a go at you mate, it is just a crazy kiwi invention due to ex WW2 enfields with shitty safeties, and something that came out of the post war deer culler days. IMHO it has no place on a modern firearm with a functioning safety.

Originally Posted by ebf

Because it is not an "extra step". It is a poor substitute.

If you're using the safety as well (like Rusky said he does) then it is an extra step. If you're using it instead of the safety its a poor substitute (unless it is an old 303 or botched trigger job or something).

The Ruger 3-stage safety can even lock the bolt in the forward open (not half-cock) position if you really want two things to do before firing. If you do that then you have to take the safety (at least the first stage) off before you can even close the bolt. I'm not saying its necessary to do that, but if you want to be 'extra safe' you can.

Originally Posted by Spudattack

Do you not trust yourself to point it in a safe direction?

Each to their own, I'm not saying your method I unsafe and if that is how you are comfortable then that's fine, but it is no safer than a cocked and locked rifle pointed in a safe direction.

I think your method is fine, no harm can come of it, I think there was misunderstanding earlier around slinging a loaded rifle to negotiate obstacles which is the time when you can lose control of your muzzle direction if you slip/fall etc.
Safest to unload completely when negotiating an obstacle.

I trust myself 110% when it comes to where the rifle is pointing. Its either at the ground when stalking or upwards in special circumstances.

Thid whole safety thing came to light as I know Tikkas mostly dont have the half bolt option. Its another unecessary safety measure but its one I want. Ive never had the bolt slam shut bush bashing but have had it open and eject a round. I do take safety seriously. Ive even told 2 guys at Oamaru hut in Kaimanawas to open there bolts as they wanted to show off there plastic toys. The conversation stopped about then.

You certainly dont need half cock for longrange mate (or at all )