Thread: One up the spout

Have been following this thread with mild interest.Out of interest I have just spent the last hour playing around with three rifles: 2x winchester model 70 and one howa 1500. primed case in chamber bolt closed uncocked. all rifles dropped on floor with force butt first multiple times. Also dropped rifles on floor as can happen when you arse-up when hunting ( be honest, we've all done that at some time.) Not once did primers ( cci, federal, winchester ) ignite. Tried setting primers off by resting large phillips screwdriver against firing pin, which is recessed approx 6mm down from bolt shroud, and hitting with hand multiple times. Not once did a primer ignite. The only way I ignited a primer was by hitting firing pin with punch and hammer. I remember doing this exact test back in the late '70's due to this same to[pic of discussion.
I generally hunt solo and when doing so bush hunting where there are animals about I have used the practice of having a round chambered, bolt closed and uncocked. I also use rifle cocked and safety on when there's animals about. When hunting with others, which I generally avoid like the plague, rifle is carried empty chamber closed bolt. Like many on here, I have spent countless hours walking around with semi-auto firearms "hot" so am used to 'relying' on safeties that have been tested prior to use. I know I'll get some adverse reactions but I'm comfortable with my methods, havn't fcked-up in 50 yrs using firearms. What does make me nervous is the number of people walking around using 'half-cock' on the likes of savage,tikka and other brands which will discharge when the trigger is pulled. I've seen this first-hand and it wakes you up. Anyhow, as always point firearms in a safe direction.

Originally Posted by woods223

Have been following this thread with mild interest.Out of interest I have just spent the last hour playing around with three rifles: 2x winchester model 70 and one howa 1500. primed case in chamber bolt closed uncocked. all rifles dropped on floor with force butt first multiple times. Also dropped rifles on floor as can happen when you arse-up when hunting ( be honest, we've all done that at some time.) Not once did primers ( cci, federal, winchester ) ignite. Tried setting primers off by resting large phillips screwdriver against firing pin, which is recessed approx 6mm down from bolt shroud, and hitting with hand multiple times. Not once did a primer ignite. The only way I ignited a primer was by hitting firing pin with punch and hammer. I remember doing this exact test back in the late '70's due to this same to[pic of discussion.
I generally hunt solo and when doing so bush hunting where there are animals about I have used the practice of having a round chambered, bolt closed and uncocked. I also use rifle cocked and safety on when there's animals about. When hunting with others, which I generally avoid like the plague, rifle is carried empty chamber closed bolt. Like many on here, I have spent countless hours walking around with semi-auto firearms "hot" so am used to 'relying' on safeties that have been tested prior to use. I know I'll get some adverse reactions but I'm comfortable with my methods, havn't fcked-up in 50 yrs using firearms. What does make me nervous is the number of people walking around using 'half-cock' on the likes of savage,tikka and other brands which will discharge when the trigger is pulled. I've seen this first-hand and it wakes you up. Anyhow, as always point firearms in a safe direction.

Interesting that someone has now done the test, cheers for that. How do you carry a rifle 'round chambered bolt closed and uncocked' ? The bolt cocks on opening in a Mod 70 so the rifle is 'cocked' when a round is chambered. If the trigger is held back, the sear is released but the firing pin tip is resting on the primer under tension and has not completed it's full travel so is still 'cocked' I believe ? It is 'uncocked' when it has completed it's travel.
On my Mod 700 I filed a tiny slot on the apex of the cocking piece to produce a solid 'half open bolt position' and complete the last part of the stalk with a round chambered and the bolt cocked and in the half open position, but 'cupped' between thumb and forefinger.

My take home is that nothing is totally safe except a chamber checked empty with a physical and not visual check