Archie wrote:I carry a round in the chamber with the bolt home but handle up, and the bold handle held up by a doubled, thick rubber band that in turn is looped round the scope.
Thoughts?
this is a method the deer stalkers use effectively for very quick shots at close game
another with mauser 98 style actions is to close the bolt and push it down 1 click, the bolt sits in the upward position
in the vic firearms safety test they teach the half open bolt technique where you close the bolt on a round then open the bolt and bring it back at little
when you want to take a shot close the bolt but if the shot is not possible open it again and proceed stalking
this technique is made for rear locking actions because they are cock on close eg... smle, mauser 96, remmington 788 ect
it is not proven to be a safe practice for a cock on open action because if the firing pin was to fall some protrude up to 2mm and could set off a round that would be sitting in the bolt face
IMHO I think the people who have developed the firearms have looked at all safety aspects of there firearm that could make them culpable
unless you are using a Remington rifle of course
www.cnbc.com/remington-under-fire/
which is why I think this all started