Thread: Half cock or safety

why has no one mentioned the push feed actions not latching onto cartridge rim until bolt is full closed, many have been caught out when clearing a push feed style action and round is still up the spout.
M77 3 position safeties imo is about as good as them come.

Originally Posted by Stump

why has no one mentioned the push feed actions not latching onto cartridge rim until bolt is full closed, many have been caught out when clearing a push feed style action and round is still up the spout.
M77 3 position safeties imo is about as good as them come.

@Stump read the thread again. I got you mate

Originally Posted by Stump

why has no one mentioned the push feed actions not latching onto cartridge rim until bolt is full closed, many have been caught out when clearing a push feed style action and round is still up the spout.
M77 3 position safeties imo is about as good as them come.

I know of a gun shop manager getting caught out in a somewhat similar
manner.
Customer brought in rifle saying his bolt had a problem, had bolt in one hand and rifle in the other.
Manager got hold of both items, checked mag was empty, put bolt back in rifle and worked the bolt several times then closed it and pulled the trigger-BANG!

Bullet through roof.
Customer said “I forgot to say it doesn’t extract, that’s the problem”

Manager now does pinkie up the chamber first thing when firearm is brought into gun shop.

Originally Posted by Stump

why has no one mentioned the push feed actions not latching onto cartridge rim until bolt is full closed, many have been caught out when clearing a push feed style action and round is still up the spout.
M77 3 position safeties imo is about as good as them come.

Very good point. This caught me out when I changed from using a Mauser 98 to a Tikka T3x, it only happened once and now I Close the bolt completely before going back to a 1/2 open position. Familiarity with the particular rifle you are using is very important.

Originally Posted by Stump

why has no one mentioned the push feed actions not latching onto cartridge rim until bolt is full closed, many have been caught out when clearing a push feed style action and round is still up the spout.
M77 3 position safeties imo is about as good as them come.

Got to page 3 of this thread wondering why no one else had mentioned this then saw this post. All 4 tikka's I own do this. Walking around with the bolt half closed is an accident waiting to happen. ( I dont mean on half cock, I mean with the bolt half closed....there is a difference!......)
My standard is , if more than one, lead has one in the chamber with safety on, all other hunters have an empty chamber. If hunting by myself, depending on the terrain its either bolt closed on an empty chamber or loaded with the safety on....

I have found however that the most foolproof method is to have the bolt in my pack, empty mag in one pocket, live rounds in another pocket and the rifle slung over my shoulder......the benefits are that the rifle is completely safe, both hands are free, and I get to see more deer in a shootable position at close range.......the deer I see under these circumstances are always grateful as they run away.