Barrel up or down?

[Tdes]

So I watched the stalk video where the guy ended up barefoot, and noticed he carried his rifle barrel down and she had hers barrel up.

Barrel up is definitely more comfortable, it seems to just sit better, but you are walking about like a tour guide with a stick!

Barrel down is less obvious so makes sense, but it is not as comfortable for me.

How do you carry yours?

T

 

[Shootgun]

Neither, barrel in front so i can see it, european style.

 

[DevonRifle]

Barrel up unless it’s raining and I’ve forgotten the tape. Just more comfortable and less likely to hit the mod against anything.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Down, always taped, I don't use a mod, and I carry it on my shoulder, not across my back like in the video.

 

[StephenToast]

Barrel up for me.

 

[B&W FOX]

Barrel down in woodland, barrel up on open ground.

 

[8x57]

Personally I always find muzzle down far more comfortable to carry with more control of the muzzle and the added bonus of it not getting caught up in low overhanging trees. As long as its safe I don't think it really matters which system you use, you just have to work out what works for you considering the terrain and circumstances where you shoot. The balance of the rifle will obviously come into play especially if you have a large heavy moderator fitted.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Whatever the Guide is most comfortable with!

K

 

[Jon P]

Unless it attached to my rucksack it is barrel down, I find it sits better with a mod on it.

 

[Tazz]

Barrel up, if it’s long walk on a ZAim 3 point sling

 

[Heym SR20]

Barrel down, especially with others in tow. I tend to carry barrel down with hand on the foreend controlling where muzzle is pointing. I always carry it this way if rifle has a round in the chamber.

I have spent too much time looking down the barrel of others carrying a rifle muzzle up on their shoulder. They don’t stay muzzle up - its more like 45 degrees especially when they have the weight of a moderator.

I have once had a rifle go off on my when the barrel was pointed up in the air. God alone know where that bullet came down. Fortunately i had the sea on one side and open moorland the other. But there was a village with a school 2 miles down the road.

Falling bullets don’t hurt? Well Mrs Heym worked in Honduras. And the Hondurans have a habit of firing their guns in the air to celebrate. One evening a bullet came through the tin roof of her cottage and buried itself in a table a few feet away from her. And it was a handgun bullet. What would happen with a ballistically efficient rifle bullet?

And do you want that responsibility.

 

[baguio]

Barrel down so that I can see it. I have followed many people carrying barrel up and never feel comfortable that they know where their barrel is pointing and especially when they go to take it off their shoulder! I have been close to looking down their barrel at this point on more than one occasion. Saying sorry to me isn't much consolation!

 

[Tim.243]

So I watched the stalk video where the guy ended up barefoot, and noticed he carried his rifle barrel down and she had hers barrel up.

Barrel up is definitely more comfortable, it seems to just sit better, but you are walking about like a tour guide with a stick!

Barrel down is less obvious so makes sense, but it is not as comfortable for me.

How do you carry yours?

T

Barrel down, as with mine having a T8 the weight will want to head South and the pendulum affect would drive me nuts..

I have seen it a lot as during a stalk the rifle will roll on the shoulder and be pointing to the persons head who is following.

Rifles carried up are like peoples standards and gates...over time they DROP.

 

[paulbshooting]

Neither, barrel in front so i can see it, european style.

Me too now, it's the future!

 

[8x57]

Me too now, it's the future!

The future.

I tried it once or twice, it didn't work for me. In fact I came to the conclusion that it was possibly less safe than either muzzle up or muzzle down due to the tendency for the muzzle to slip down which wouldn't be good if there was someone stalking in front of you. Maybe O.K though if stalking alone but I'll give it a miss.

 

[pob]

Barrel down in woodland. It's easier to get the rifle into the shoulder for the shot without alerting the deer, I find.

 

[Shootgun]

The future.

I tried it once or twice, it didn't work for me. In fact I came to the conclusion that it was possibly less safe than either muzzle up or muzzle down due to the tendency for the muzzle to slip down which wouldn't be good if there was someone stalking in front of you. Maybe O.K though if stalking alone but I'll give it a miss.

I rarely stalk accompanied, and I love the fact that you can keep your hand on the barrel or forend and guide the muzzle through the brambles and undergrowth avoiding catching your mod.
Also having your hand on the rifle means you are always ready to shoulder when opportunity arises.

 

[mike308]

Barrel up, no bullet in chamber until I'm ready for a shot. I have to walk through waist high rushes, with barrel down no telling what's in the barrel.

 

[8x57]

Barrel up, no bullet in chamber until I'm ready for a shot. I have to walk through waist high rushes, with barrel down no telling what's in the barrel.

I take it that you don't tape the barrel then!

 

[GeorgeC]

Depends who the Guide is; some like it up, some down. I prefer up in woodland as else the mod is forever being knocked on something; plus it is more comfortable and secure. At the end of the day, I will consider which is the better dependent on safety and environment.

This thread will end up like the gralloching one, up or down