Thread: One up the spout

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I have round chambered and bolt open /not closed... in 40 years of hunting Ive never had a bolt close unintentionally but have lost a few rounds as it came open... external hammer guns are easy,as is the internal hammer bakails it works the same way.....uncock hammer until shot is going to be taken.

Unfortunately I have had a open bolt close unintentionally so I use discretion when I am hunting- the situation is variable so my methods change to match. Rifle is normally carried empty chamber and closed. If I get into a situation where I may need to make a fast decision, I put one up the spout, push the bolt forward and hold the bolt up/ forward with my thumb above the handle and the palm / fingers around the trigger guard (same position if you were about to load / close the bolt quietly) . If I need to cock and fire I close the bolt as I move the hand downwards to the trigger. But if there is a round in the chamber, I am either physically holding the bolt up or I am about to fire. A lot of time stalking rabbits was where I learnt to carry a BA in that manner and it has carried across to centrefires.

The situation I had as I was stalking some goats on cleared forestry. I was traversing what I though was loose clay but was a layer of clay over pine slash. I went through on one leg falling forwards and the rifle went into the slash butt first as my arms were wrench back by branches. As I lifted the rifle back up, I spotted the bolt had been pushed shut and on closer inspection it had been pushed closed and was in a cocked position and had a chambered round from the magazine.

Hence now closed on empty until I am ready to 'get personal". I would rather lose a possible chance at an animal than any of the alternatives that could come to pass.