TassieTiger wrote:Stix wrote:
For those unaware Its worth noting that many rifles the extractor only picks the round up when the bolt is fully closed/on the down stroke if you get me....
Ive been in the scenario where game is seen & a round chambered but leave bolt up to be ready...
Game disappears then some banter/or game is shot & another round chambered with bolt up again, bit of chit chat/banter, forget a round has been pushed down the chamber...
A complacent "check" is done by sliding bolt back & forth without closing the bolt, inadvertantly leaving a live one in the chamber that is not realised until another round needs chambering--& this could be too late...
This scenario is a great example of the need to be muzzle aware--particularly if rifle changes hands after a complacent check & someone goes to collect the fur.
I always work the complete cycle of the bolt to ensure no round is left in the chamber...particularly spotlighting when its hard to glance down the chamber.
I ve been in this exact scenario recently and without fully understanding what you have described above - I put it down to dumb operator error...when I finally realised wtf was going on. In my case I loaded 4 into a mag instead of 3 - fired 3 and then chambered no 4 inadvertently - then Started chatting about the grouping and writing shot details down and then decided to pull bolt to let air flow. Only bolt came out without the bullet...and because I’d been loading 3’s all day - completely forgot about one in the chamber. Scary how easy that was to happen...we were never in any danger but was an eye opener...
Tassie...hope i dont get attacked here for saying this & shouldn't speak for other people...but many of us have found a round in the chamber when we didnt think there was one in there...many more of us than will ever admit..i have...!!..i once heard the stats are that 9/10 'accidental shootings' happen from unloaded firearms...(tell that to a licenced gun owner that wants to go hunting with you, & if you have to explain it to them, dont ever go hunting with them...!!)...
It is ultimately muzzle awareness that will save you...there are other factors in being aware too like i find i know "my" rifles sound intimately, but you can "hear" if someone has a round chambered if that makes sense because mentally you know the sound cycle....
Sometimes at the range i find myself thinking 'ah that guy is shooting 4 shot groups' without even realising im aware of him...other times i think 'ah that wanker is trying to spit all his rifling into the mound cos hes just shot 25 hot rounds out of his 243 in 18 seconds...
Its good to admit mistakes i rekon...& also imagine the aftermath if the worst were to happen...that way it helps to keep us on our toes...depending on circumstance, realising a mistake can obviously be a bad thing, but can also be a good sign that you have an awareness about you/a back-up secondary safety check if you will.
Mine is as i think others have mentioned regular random chamber checks along with continual muzzle awareness...
I also think its important to encourage people to not feel stupid about having safety issues pointed out to them...absolutely no point having someone walking around with a gun feeling stupid...!! (i mean your average good on the ball safety orientated shooter--not the wanker cowboys that are out for a self indulgent testosterone overload...!!). Never act the superior by making a fellow shooter feel stupid about a mistake, just mention it quietly & give encouragement...we need people comfortable around firearms...not nervous from being in fear of being made a public fool...