Loaded Rifle

Even if you’ve done all the seven rules wrong, number 8 counts I reckon….finger off the trigger. That’s where it ends.


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@Micky Duck hear what you are saying about the shotguns. I would say though that 90% of the roughest duck/game shooting I ever did is still way easier than some of the nastiest tiger country I've at times dragged a rifle through and when doing so with shotgun I'd unload when crossing fence, creek etc or anything else a bit hairy.
I did have a habit with my old stirling 22 where I would close the bolt with the trigger held down. You had to lift the bolt and back down again to cock it.
Never marked the primers and always pointed in a safe direction when doing so but not sure as I've got older about that

tiger country......yeah I can relate to that...and yes I unload before tackling it...I came down face so steep last year the dog stopped and puked..but she followed me down,bet she wont lead me that way ever again..she plurry clever in the bush,we can be mooching along and she will stop look at me with dopey grin tail wagging...yip we been here before boss...we went this way last time.... funny to see and great company. really good when carrying load down the hill,she knows the ways home,I just follow along and keep half N eye on where she taking me.
the only time I use a safety on bolt action is immediately before taking shot,if Im going to move tiny bit etc...otherwise I will reopen bolt. the howa 1500 is nice with open bolt to carry... like the concept of how Duleys change their 700s so the safety locks bolt open..... it should be standard feature as is the best of both camps.
the three most important safety rules for firearms handling in my camp
muzzle control
muzzle control
and finally muzzle control
if it isnt pointed in unsafe direction,nothing bad can happen even if it goes off....

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Originally Posted by Cyclops

Thanks for the reminder.

On the target range we have to check the barrel is clear, get in confirmed and insert a chamber flag.
It can be an annoying discipline, but ensures no-one leaves the mound with a loaded rifle.

Have you considered a chamber flag?

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Does not always work though does it....

The thing that freaks me out on fullbore and smallbore ranges is the complete and utter disregard of muzzle awareness. People walk around sweeping others without any thought.

Once you get used to the procedures in place at most PNZ ranges a well as service rifle and field events, it is actually quite disconcerting walking around on a full-bore range...

@Micky Duck a guy I hunted with a couple of times used to carry his 303 with a round ‘up the spout’ and pulled the trigger back as he closed the bolt, claimed it was as safe as houses and he only had to pull the striker back when he wanted to take a shot.
At camp after finding this out I asked him for all the bullets from his magazine.
I looked at said bullets and said “these three have been rounds you’ve had ‘up the spout’ .
Showed him the indentations on the primers.

And I pointed out that a hard smack on the striker (such as during a fall on rocks) would fire the rifle, he changed his mind about how safe his method was.

Yep, and pulling back only to half cock, which used to be common, was not safe leading the the "going off at half cock" expression.

I mostly hunted on my own. Didn't have to worry about what my companion was doing behind me.

Relevant to this post, the Canadian firearms safety course basically hinges around two acronyms that cover most firearms safety in terms of handling:

ACT and PROVE

ACT for general use:
Assume every gun is loaded
Control muzzle direction
Trigger finger off the trigger and out of trigger guard

PROVE for whenever you pick up or put down a firearm to ensure it isn't accidentally loaded:
Point the firearm in a safe direction
Remove the magazine/ammunition
Observe the chamber
Verify the feed path between the magazine and chamber
Examine the bore for obstructions (a loaded round, squib projectile, dirt etc)

If you follow the steps in this order you don't end up cycling a round into the chamber when clearing the firearm, which is the issue with other clearing methods. When you're in the habit of doing it you just do it as you handle a firearm and it doesn't take any time at all.

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Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

I always instill in people, the first thing you do when you handle a firearm is point in a safe direction and open the action.
With the exception of slam fires such as Gevarms, a firearm will not fire with the action open.

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Yup, I always maintain, you can mess up every other safety rule but if it’s pointed in a safe direction, all will still be well.

I get the shits with people muzzle sweeping me, I don’t care that the bolt is out or you have a chamber flag in, it’s terrible gun manners and a bad habit that can one day end in tragedy.
If you practice never doing it, even with a “safe” rifle, it becomes something you do and could save a life if you ever make another mistake.

I have 2 conditions of carrying my rifle, bolt closed on and empty chamber when not hunting and loaded with safety on when hunting, no grey area, muzzle always in a safe direction. If an obstacle needs crossing, unload and make safe.


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We all do our best to be careful but unfortunately mistakes just happen, we are human and human error doesn't go away. In my lifetime of being around firearms, during the mishaps I have observed or been a part of, the number one thing that has kept myself or others safe is pointing the firearm in a safe direction at all times.