"I usually hunt with an unloaded rifle and closed bolt" (quote)
Good luck trying to kill animals with that
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"I usually hunt with an unloaded rifle and closed bolt" (quote)
Good luck trying to kill animals with that
Haven't had an issue yet!Quote:
Originally Posted by Spook
I don't stalk - I'm a patient man :)
Ok, let's be fair, however we "DO" have many people who "lost" their bolt we no actually know exactly HOW they been lost or misplaced, so, I have till just early today 4 Tikka's T3 lite in 3 different calibers, I take them for a walk quiet often(one of them per/each walk) and the only time I "misplaced" my bolt was because I left it home, sadly it was 3 hours later since I left home.
All the or post in here, independent of the opinion and "piss taking" are correct and everybody should look after their hunting "patterns" and habits to keep it safe in any condition or situation.
Any good hunter know that you must load your firearm only when you ready to shoot, otherwise leave the chamber empty, bolt closed and safety on, this manner your bolt will not open during your walk and if you fall or slip it will have a very little or NONE chance to discharge. In the other hand, if you hunt in your own and think it is safe enough to carry your rifle loaded, fair enough, do it, but, make sure your bolt is closed properly(not half cocked) and your safety is ON. I do understand the some manufacturers have the safety lock independent from the bolt handling, what will still allow the bolt to get open if snagged somewhere.
So, my $.50 of opinion, does not matter how you hunt, be safe out there, carry your firearm in a way you and your hunting partners will be safe in all possible conditions/situations.
Have fun out there and shoot or spank your "game" with your rifle if necessary but do it safely.
All the best.
Mac
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by GravelBen
Had the bolt drop on the counter at the shop when I looked for a rifle and my thumb touched the release. Also seemed too easy to brush the safety off and catch the bolt handle; I had a play with this in the shop after the bolt dropped out. I figured this was likely to be why so many bolts slipped quietly out when the rifle was slung for the big walk.
So being the klutz I am I bought one with a tang mounted three position safety (damned near impossible to knock) and that you have to be a contortionist to operate the bolt release (a button forward of the trigger guard while squeezing the trigger and withdrawing the bolt). Being a newbie myself at the time I figured these were better safety features and the price was basically the same, and slightly cheaper by the time you added the almost obligatory limb saver to the T3.
Struggle with this bolt losing deal , especially if ya carrying ya shooter properly haha but looking at retiring early I think a heavy spring,, bolt release kit for the doubters might get the new clubsport in the garage earlier haha
I'd guess the only reason why you perceive so many Tikka bolts are lost is because there are so many more Tikkas out there than any other brand and many are owned by young and inexperienced guys who are losing their bolt for the first time. I once left my vest with bolt in pocket on the roof of car. Didn't realise until back at home and cleaning rifle the next day. It wasn't a Tikka :), but rest assured I learned my lesson and it is highly unlikely to ever happen again. So, it's not the brand or model mate... Just the absent minded users
On a recent hunt I got a bit of slack for hunting at action with the safety on (front of the group, rifle at ready). Other rifle in the party is a firm believer of half cock. So after we had unloaded and came down a big slippery hill and were talking shit before hunting again, ammo got put away and we carried out some little tests.Quote:
Originally Posted by ebf
The savage DOES NOT HAVE A HALF COCK. If you bump the trigger when "half cock", the rifle will fire and the bolt slam down automatically.
The other rifle didn't have a very solid half cock either...it would fire if the bolt wasn't in the exact perfect position. From memory this was a T3 lite.
Anyway....that's my stand on things ;-) and I store my rifles with the bolt in (unloaded obviously, ammo stored in a different place), I travel with the bolt in, I walk in with the bolt in.
Bolt comes out for cleaning only.
Plus on the Savage you have to have three hands to use the bolt release :)
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Pretty much all modern turn bolts do not have a half cock, they cock on opening and are fully cocked until the bolt is closed and trigger pulled.
Use the safety or use an open bolt with your thumb on the bolt.
I thought half cock was from a .303 there's that thing on the back you can pull back to the first clock? That was the half cock then you could fully cock it by pulling it to the second click?
My Howa has a pretty mean half bolt or what ever it's called it clicks into place really solid. So does my 8mm actually its mint
Quote:
Originally Posted by Toby
Yes that's it on the 303.
Did it actually fire when you pull the trigger in half bolt position, or just drop the bolt but without enough force on the firing pin to fire? I've heard the story that they will fire bounced around the internet, but never from anybody that has actually had it happen. Keep meaning to test it with my 223 but I never remember when I'm out shooting, I've tried it with the 22 and that doesn't fire despite similar stories. Obviously not the safest thing to rely on it though I agree, especially when the rifle has a good safety anyway. The only real reason I know of for relying primarily on half-bolt is a dodgy/worn-out safety.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dougie
The safety on the Ruger (also 3-stage like the Savage) has a handy function for people who like half-cock in that you can lock the bolt in a half-open position - bolt up (not halfway), and the safety will lock it there so it can't close or slide back.
I've been known to use a half-bolt as well as the safety at times - as much as anything because giving yourself two things to do before firing can help you slow down and think about the shot for a bit longer.
I store my bolts separately to my rifles (more effort for any potential thieves to slow them down/put them off, and no real extra effort for me) and I've never had any trouble remembering where I keep them! If I'm travelling with rifle/s then if I have to leave them in the car I can keep the bolt in my pocket, again extra security for no real effort. Hopefully I'll never need that extra security, but its not costing me anything to do it. Same reason I have my serial numbers written down.
I can't speak for the Tikka T3 models, but I have owned a Tikka M590 and a M595 (both .308)...both had the same 'feature' of half closed bolt slamming down and firing pin hitting home when trigger released. The only 'safe' positions for Tikka are either fully open (noisy rattle and potential to lose the bolt and/or get foreign matter into receiver) or closed on empty breach.
A personal thing for sure, but I never "half cock". I'm either ready to fire, or cannot fire without considerable intentional effort
I see in the dictionary that half cocked = "lacking adequate preparation or forethought"...I guess that about covers it.