Thread: Loaded Rifle

Originally Posted by RUMPY

Good wake up call for sure but honestly I've never transported my rifle with the bolt in it, call me anal but it's just something that doesn't happen.
Have to say though, glad you shared your experience to make us all think about safety that little bit more.

I used to take my bolts out until I misplaced one and never found it.
I've also heard so many stories of guys taking out their bolts and leaving them on top of the car roof or hood and driving off.
Sort of put me off taking out the bolt after that (right or wrong I keep the bolt in these days).

Good you caught it while still using safe handling principles.

Don't beat yourself up for what 'could' have happened, learn from what DID happen.

I have drilled myself into a "rounds in = rounds out" mentality. Including those fired. So far it's working but we are only human.

Nobody is infallible and if someone claims to "Never" make mistakes they are probably the one to UD into a Ute door next trip.

My rule..treat every firearm as loaded, ALWAYS. (In other words, don't point the muzzle at anything you don't want to shoot.)

I just thought same and have chamber flags in post from Gunworks.

Originally Posted by Hermitage

I used to take my bolts out until I misplaced one and never found it.
I've also heard so many stories of guys taking out their bolts and leaving them on top of the car roof or hood and driving off.
Sort of put me off taking out the bolt after that (right or wrong I keep the bolt in these days).

Under the new regulations you have to remove the bolt or other essential part on public roads (or fit a trigger lock or carry in a locked bag/case).

It is good to see someone eat humble pie and admit a mistake like this. Most would probably not.
I hope to never be guilty of such an offence!!

As for checking a rifle is clear, I have a pet hate on this subject...
I watch a lot of you tube gun porn. The yanks have a terrible habit of rapidly working the action three or four times to 'ensure' the mag and chamber are clear.
There is potential for a stuff up there.... As they never visually inspect the mag and chamber to confirm they are clear.
What if the extractor fails and a live round is left in the chamber?

I reckon it is a matter of time before someone is caught out on this one.

The guys I see doing this are very experienced shooters, with very good safety habits..... bar this annoying habit.

Be safe guys, remember if it can happen it will happen.

Originally Posted by Cigar

Under the new regulations you have to remove the bolt or other essential part on public roads (or fit a trigger lock or carry in a locked bag/case).

I read that if you are in the car then there are exceptions to some of those new rules.
Cant remember exactly which rule etc, but it basically meant that nothing had changed...
Correct me if I am mistaken guys.

Originally Posted by 40mm

I read that if you are in the car then there are exceptions to some of those new rules.
Cant remember exactly which rule etc, but it basically meant that nothing had changed...
Correct me if I am mistaken guys.

It comes down to actively hunting from (not in) a vehicle where permitted. It does not cover driving to/from a hunting trip or the range. There is a recent thread about it.

Originally Posted by 40mm

I read that if you are in the car then there are exceptions to some of those new rules.
Cant remember exactly which rule etc, but it basically meant that nothing had changed...
Correct me if I am mistaken guys.

That was my understanding. The changes around locks etc were when leaving the car. If you were still in the car, rifle was said to be in your possession. Not allowed live rounds in the rifle so still could have been an awkward chat if an officer had appeared and wanted a chat....

I had a very close call that years later I still shake at. I was carrying a bolt action with the bolt open and my foot slipped as I clambered over a pile of fallen branches. The rifle went down between the branches stock first pointing up at me. I quickly moved away from the pointy end and lifted it clear. What I did not see was the bolt handle had caught a branch as it went down and as I pulled it clear I saw it was now closed. When I opened it, I saw it it had loaded as well. So very easily the trigger only had to catch a twig on the way out and it would have discharged. I still consider myself very lucky. I should have closed the bolt on the empty chamber or removed the magazine before clambering across the branches , or found another route. To this day, that is what I do. I learnt my lesson and thank god it was not the hard way.

Originally Posted by 40mm

I read that if you are in the car then there are exceptions to some of those new rules.
Cant remember exactly which rule etc, but it basically meant that nothing had changed...
Correct me if I am mistaken guys.

i believe you are mistaken......
in order to drive vechile on road..the gun needs to be in locked case,no bolt or ammo....
you can assemble in huntig ground or farm...not before.

A forum member had his loaded .270 slung on his shoulder. It slipped and span around. He grabbed it, pulled the trigger by mistake and it went off. I was walking behind him at the time. Felt the pressure wave on my right arm.

Originally Posted by Ranger 888

My rule..treat every firearm as loaded, ALWAYS. (In other words, don't point the muzzle at anything you don't want to shoot.)

That's actually two of the 7 rules

Originally Posted by MB

A forum member had his loaded .270 slung on his shoulder. It slipped and span around. He grabbed it, pulled the trigger by mistake and it went off. I was walking behind him at the time. Felt the pressure wave on my right arm.

so closed bolt and no safety applied.......yip I will stick to semi open/closed bolt thankyou very much.....yes I know its cause Im an old fuddy duddy who learnt with SMLE...BUT Im happy with that...unintentional discharges are not fun...Ive had .12ga load of BBs hit spanyard 6'' behind my knee..... the fella concerned learnt lesson and got one hell of a bollocking.... he is super careful now... that was case of being unfamiliar with gun....tootooing while walking.
I remember the 30/30 hanging up a round in mag...I twigged as only 4 cartridges handed to me not 5...
I have in past been guilty of getting home and rifle still had rounds in mag....
shitty wet days and tired after big carry were to blame,just got in wagon and headed homewards....
those days are gone now rifle is seperated for trip home....good in that respect I guess.

Originally Posted by 40mm

I read that if you are in the car then there are exceptions to some of those new rules.
Cant remember exactly which rule etc, but it basically meant that nothing had changed...
Correct me if I am mistaken guys.

Nope, the bit about an exemption if you are with the vehicle only applies while hunting/doing pest control legally on farmland or public land.

Originally Posted by Jhon

Well its easy to be holier-than-thou but I got caught a couple of years ago and I had a chamber flag in too. I was shooting on my own with my Rossi 357 LA. Worked the action to unload unfired rounds. Worked it a couple of times more and nothing came out, inserted chamber flag and headed home and locked it in the safe. I was running late you see and was on dinner duty with guests and had bit visually checked. The last round, a 38sp, had jammed. When I brought it out next to show a visiting fellow shooter I removed the flag and worked the action a couple of times to demonstrate it was clear before visual check and handing to him. Bugger me if the round didn't spit out on the 3rd stroke, and yes, I felt it load. Felt a right tit. At least the safe handling procedure caught it at the end but it left me in a fair sweat and taught me a lesson.

Tube-mags have been famous for this, over the years