Muzzle up or down

[Lee the Gun]

Down all the way for me!

 

[John Gryphon]

no sling and muzzle forward?

and slightly down

 

[Nickb]

You wouldn't be walking behind me in the bush hunting deer with your barrel up.

What danger would I be if I'm behind you muzzle up , more dangerous behind you muzzle down.

 

[VSS]

I have never said I carry the rifle at a 45 degree angle that was you.
If you carry yours muzzle up why are you preaching to others oh wise one ?

You're determined to extract every last bit out of this aren't you?
The 45° was just an example, as I'm sure you're well aware. I could have used other angles, but 45° is the one most commonly quoted.
My comments were inspired by this exchange (see below ) which implied a certain level of irresponsibility on your part. Or it might just have been a tongue in cheek remark? Perhaps you could clarify, so we can end this.

 

[John Gryphon]

You're determined to extract every last bit out of this aren't you?

appears thus.

@Nickb What danger would I be if I'm behind you muzzle up

You wont be dangerous as you wont be there as outlined above.
If anyone is with me and following I ask for "bolt up" as an additional safety measure.
We generally carry our rifles in hard cases on the back seat of the ute. On arrival at ute either pre or post hunt i insist that fellow hunters put their rifles in butt first as i am at the opposite door and don't want to take the risk of having an 'empty' gun going off facing me. Rather they shot themselves than me any day.

I personally always show my rifle with bolt up when putting it away also.

 

[Nickb]

You're determined to extract every last bit out of this aren't you?
The 45° was just an example, as I'm sure you're well aware. I could have suggested other a, but 45° is the one most commonly quoted.
My comments were inspired by this exchange (see below ) which implied a certain level of irresponsibility on your part. Or it might just have been a tongue in cheek remark? Perhaps you could clarify, so we can end this.
View attachment 356989

You are dragging it out by quoting the above. Basically how can the rifle point at anyone behind me when I'm stalking alone unless I've got a secret admirer stalking me

 

[StephenToast]

I carry muzzle up. It's the best. End of discussion.

 

[baguio]

Yes really good idea lol
Min 6.30
@shinbo

Possible entry in the Darwin awards!

 

[VSS]

You are dragging it out by quoting the above. Basically how can the rifle point at anyone behind me when I'm stalking alone unless I've got a secret admirer stalking me

Ok, whatever. I give up.

 

[Nickb]

I carry muzzle up. It's the best. End of discussion.

Here here

 

[enfieldspares]

Some carry muzzle down over the left shoulder. Then as you put your left hand and grasp the rifle and bring it up to your right shoulder the sling will "automatically" set itself so that the rifle, now in the aim, is supported by the sling.

Try it!

Personally from the earliest time of carrying a rifle or a shotgun I've always carried it either a "port arms" or in muzzle up in the right hand holding the "wrist" of the rifle (or shotgun) with the bottom of the action uppermost.

I would add that I don't have a moderator on any of my rifles.

 

[Nickb]

Ok, whatever. I give up.

Give up you've only just started.

 

[John Gryphon]

Here here

err that be hear hear

 

[VSS]

Give up you've only just started.

Give me time then, and I'll maybe draw some diagrams to explain things better, as you're clearly struggling with the written version

 

[baguio]

Well I've been using rifles for 37 years and never been a problem and never had a ND.
I am very safety conscious which is what's important.
It amazes me how relative newbies give out such advice to a lot more experienced folk

Since when was doing something for a long time been evidence of anything other than you done it for the first time 37 years ago? You could still be the best or worst stalker in the land? The safest or the most dangerous?

 

[kenbro]

you can shoot a bloke out of a high seat a mile away though

I wonder where and when that last happened?
Ken.

 

[Heym SR20]

If you a carrying a rifle loaded on your shoulder sooner or later in your stalking career the gremlins will get in a move the safety to off and gun will fire.

If barrel is up God alone knows where that bullet is going. Mostly I see rifles that are carried muzzle up actually at 45 degrees pointing at the chap behind.

If you are going to carry a rifle with a round up the spout you needto be in absolute control of the muzzle at all times and be constantly aware of where it is pointing.

For me the only safe way is muzzle down with sling on your shoulder and hand on the foreend controlling the muzzle.

Most of the time I keep the rifle unloaded. If you are quiet deer will not be alert to your presence so there is plenty of time to set up the sticks, chamber a round and fire tge shot.

 

[Nickb]

I wonder where and when that last happened?
Ken.

Never

 

[Nickb]

Since when was doing something for a long time been evidence of anything other than you done it for the first time 37 years ago? You could still be the best or worst stalker in the land? The safest or the most dangerous?

Safest and best

 

[Nickb]

Give me time then, and I'll maybe draw some diagrams to explain things better, as you're clearly struggling with the written version

I am not struggling but you are grossly exaggerating. Has the scenario you mention ever happened as I've never heard of it . You must be frightened to ever fire a shot in case your bullet ricocheted and killed an unseen walker 1/2 a mile away.
Safety is paramount which I practice on all occasions even carrying muzzle up.
Are you saying all stalkers carrying muzzle up are dangerous?