Thread: A word to the wise re safety!

Yep that's true, the reload is automatic and it should be. Next we will have to stop shooting things because it means loading the rifle.

As for a "half cock" bolt position - it should be done away with. In the event described if the OP had used his safety there would have been no issue.

The half cock position for a bolt rifle is a leftover from the old .303 days and is senseless or more dangerous depending on the rifle. Some rifles will decock themselves when the bolt flips shut. (Sakos, Tikkas and others) meaning you get a primer strike and the firing pin is then against the primer waiting for a knock to the butt until the operator notices.

There is no point in using the bolt of the rifle as a really large safety catch, if you already have an actual safety catch.