Thread: One up the spout

I did hear a story about someone demonstrating how safe his .303 was by bashing the but on the ground with a round up the spout and the firing pin resting on the primer. It was his last mistake. Perhaps the story is apocryphal but perhaps not. In any case anyone that carries a rifle that way is asking for trouble. Additionally carrying a rifle with a chambered round and the handle just raised, often but totally incorrectly called half cock this is unsafe regardless of whether it feels secure on not. It is just too easy to lean on the bolt handle and close it. The part open action taught by MSC for many years works ok with cock on closing actions like the Lee Enfield but is practically useless with cock on opening actions.
So where does this leave us. For me if the rifle is on my shoulder the chamber is empty. If I am sneaking through a likely spot the sling is in my pack, the round is chambered, safety on and the rifle held in my hands. The safety needs to be checked prior to each use and once back on the track the chamber is unloaded. It really is that simple.
GPM.