Thread: Sako 75 halfcock

Greetings All,
Many, many years ago, mid 1970's if memory serves I was a Mountain Safety Council Fire arms Safety Instructor. We taught the half open bolt method to be used when close to deer. At the time use of .303 rifles was declining and new sporting rifles were becoming more common. Hunters started using a part open bolt which some incorrectly called half cock. In this position the firing mechanism is fully cocked. It only takes pressure on the bolt handle to close it and its all go. Even at the time it seemed to me that the safety on most bolt actions was significantly safer than any part open position for most Mauser derivative rifles particularly where the safety locks the striker. I sincerely doubt if any rifle manufacturer deliberately designs a part open position into their rifles. Its presence is merely accidental due to tolerances. I suggested a number of times that use of part open should be reconsidered for modern rifles but couldn't get any traction on it. Perhaps some of the instructors being twice or even three times my age had something to do with it. We also taught that only the hunter in front of a group should be half or part ready. From my experience over the years it is often the second in line that spots the deer. Think about that for a minute. Long ago I started using the safety in preference to part open on my declining hunting trips, but not on my .303's. Further loaded rifles with safety applied should only be carried when stalking and only when alone.
Regards Grandpamac.