Carrying magazines - best practice?

[Norfolk Deer Search]

As I was trained:

• Rifle in storage:
  • Bolt removed and stored in separate secure storage location
  • Ammunition stored in a separate secure location (can be same as bolt)
• Rifle in transit (public highway):
  • Sleeved and stored out of sight where possible in vehicle
  • Bolt removed and stored on person, ideally out of sight
  • Magazine loaded with rounds but held on person or in locked compartment separate from the rifle
• Rifle on stalking ground:
  • Rifle removed from slip
  • Bolt fitted and held open - closed on empty chamber if moving
  • Charged magazine remains on person
• Stalking:
  • If lead of pairs or solo, magazine fitted, bolt forward on empty chamber (open ground)
  • At latest possible opportunity chamber round and apply safety catch
    • Woodland stalking - bolt forward on chambered round with safety applied
  • Check safety position frequently to confirm rifle remains "safe"
  • Remove safety as late as possible before taking the shot

I load my magazines before leaving the house and they remain on my person until on the ground and I'm about to start stalking. The magazines and bolt are separate to each other and none of them come into contact before the rifle is to be used. Safe and secure, and IMHO iaw the intent of the poorly written law.

Sod that what a faff,

 

[Nickb]

Sod that what a faff,

A faff indeed

 

[VSS]

I don't think it really matters how you do it, provided that you always do it the same way with the same safeguards and checks.
Accidents happen when people are unsure about the state of their rifle. Routine ensures that you are always sure.

 

[Shabz]

If, however, a Creedmoor chambering is involved I fully understand if only a pink ammo holder will suffice!

You could bunch your spare rounds up and use your spare (pink) hair bobble from your top knot to keep them together.

 

[Mike1979]

You could bunch your spare rounds up and use your spare (pink) hair bobble from your top knot to keep them together.

As always shows a complete ignorance of Creedmoor owners. You can get a special round holder to store the rounds in and stow it somewhere that can only be detected with a full body scan

 

[artschool]

I don't think it really matters how you do it, provided that you always do it the same way with the same safeguards and checks.
Accidents happen when people are unsure about the state of their rifle. Routine ensures that you are always sure.

rules are written in blood

 

[wytonpjs]

Have you had the "wrong bolt" experience yet?

Nope - each bolt sits in a different colour Napier holder in the safe and, whilst I have 2 Tikkas and 2 Sako CF, I’ve never had a wrong bolt scenario and I’ve had a FAC since 1995.

 

[Ranger22]

Ammunition is carried in my pocket and belt then put into the mag when I reach where I’m shooting.

 

[Dunwaters]

Regardless of “ best practice “, here’s how I do it.
The empty magazine goes into the rifle and the breech is flagged. Bolt and ammo are in a separate bag.
On arrival I load the mag and count them in, at the end of the outing I empty it and count them out.
This works for both fixed and removable mag rifles.

 

[sundog]

Highland stalking estate in the 1980's.
Rifle taken from gun cabinet, chamber checked to be empty (visual and physical), bolt pushed forward on empty chamber and firing pin spring eased (decocked) by depressing trigger while turning bolt handle down.
Four round magazine loaded into rifle under the bolt and rifle put into gun slip.
On final approach rifle removed from gun slip, bolt worked to chamber a round and safety catch applied.
Crawl forward to firing point

 

[timbrayford]

Nope - each bolt sits in a different colour Napier holder in the safe and, whilst I have 2 Tikkas and 2 Sako CF, I’ve never had a wrong bolt scenario and I’ve had a FAC since 1995.

Not yet then!

 

[Bowland blades]

Watching YouTube videos i see people load their magazine from a box or ammo wallet before they set out on a stalk.
I tend to load mine before leaving home (stalking is within 15 miles) and just carry in my pocket to slot into the rifle when I arrive.
What do you do? What is consider best practice?

A loaded mag could be called a loaded rifle if your stopped and checked . Try putting live cartridges into your mag inside a gun range etc .

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I personally think there are too many that are scared to fart incase the wind is blowing in the wrong direction

 

[Druid]

A loaded mag could be called a loaded rifle if your stopped and checked . Try putting live cartridges into your mag inside a gun range etc .

A loaded mag could be called a loaded rifle?

Utter tripe.

 

[wytonpjs]

Not yet then!

You do your thing - I'll do mine

 

[Twodogs]

Much discussion over what does or does not constitute loaded.
When considering the general principles of firearms mechanisms, plenty of exceptions, load is the action/outcome of the round being chambered whereas feed is the action of the round getting to the point it can be loaded.
What constitutes loaded varies wildly as the discussion has shown but ultimately it will be down to an upper court to decide what constitutes loaded from a legal perspective, let’s hope this point never comes.

 

[dryan]

My stalking rifles all have drop plate internal magazines, they get loaded when I get out of the car. I put one up the spout when I start to get near where I expect a chance of a shot (generally means as soon as I’m out of the car in most places).

 

[nf-fuse]

I have a permission that's split in two by a road.....

 

[Dalua]

What constitutes loaded varies wildly as the discussion has shown

I'm not sure it has?
My takeaway message is that with respect to S1 firearms in a public place, there is in law no definition of 'loaded' as there's no differentiation between loaded and unloaded when it comes to having the S1 firearm and ammunition for it with you.

As far as UK law goes where there is a definition of loaded, it seems to mean broadly that it is loaded if you can pick it up and by operating part/s of it make it ready to fire, or to quote the Act itself:
S57 (6)
For purposes of this Act—

(a)the length of the barrel of a firearm shall be measured from the muzzle to the point at which the charge is exploded on firing; and

(b)a shot gun or an air weapon shall be deemed to be loaded if there is ammunition in the chamber or barrel or in any magazine or other device which is in such a position that the ammunition can be fed into the chamber or barrel by the manual or automatic operation of some part of the gun or weapon.

 

[slider]

A loaded mag could be called a loaded rifle if your stopped and checked . Try putting live cartridges into your mag inside a gun range etc .

What drugs are you on?