Muzzle up or down

[maximus otter]

Duct tape over the mod and muzzle up, and a Z-Aim sling to keep it that way.

maximus otter

 

[harry_o]

Muzzle up for me, until I need to put it down... helpful?

 

[Tim.243]

People follow what they think works for them which is fine, for woodland stalking to get under branches with a rifle in the vertical you will naturally duck you head to one side or down to clear the branch but to account for the up-right rifle and mod which you can't see then you have to get lower or fiddle it past some how.

People carry their sticks flat manly for balance also so they can (I do) in the wood hold a bramble out the way as eggs is eggs it will catch at the wrong time and hold you up..

At the close ranges with a second person with you there is no difference in how lethal a shotgun or rifle would be, as for taping a muzzle (yes shotguns have muzzles) I have yet to witness any shoot captain handing out duck tape for the guns standing on the peg or on any walked up day.

So those who carries their rifle muzzle up do you also have sticks up right?

 

[Scarpa]

I bought 100 black latex finger bandage protectors for approx 3 quid. Like a miniture condom they just slip over the barrel end and it is easy to see if there has been any damage. Perfect for both barrel down carry or barrel up in rain or snow.

 

[Rory]

as for taping a muzzle (yes shotguns have muzzles) I have yet to witness any shoot captain handing out duck tape for the guns standing on the peg or on any walked up day.

I think the point being taping muzzles of rifles up, is that a droplet of water or other foreign body in a barrel could cause catastrophic deformation, as water does not compress well with a 150gr .308 travelling up a barrel at 2,800fps.
In a shotgun the barrel is not subject to as much pressure as a rifle barrel, and there is 'space' for water droplets or foreign objects to be missed or blown out.

 

[Tim.243]

I think the point being taping muzzles of rifles up, is that a droplet of water or other foreign body in a barrel could cause catastrophic deformation, as water does not compress well with a 150gr .308 travelling up a barrel at 2,800fps.
In a shotgun the barrel is not subject to as much pressure as a rifle barrel, and there is 'space' for water droplets or foreign objects to be missed or blown out.

The shot gun muzzle on a 12bore cyl is x 2 @ 18.5mm dia compared to a tiny 6/7mm dia
Yes it is semantics also the chance is quite farcical that it would happen but people posted if for a reason to explain what they do.
There will be more people out in the season in the rain with shotguns than rifles.
Do you carry your sticks up right or flat ?

 

[baguio]

The shot gun muzzle on a 12bore cyl is x 2 @ 18.5mm dia compared to a tiny 6/7mm dia
Yes it is semantics also the chance is quite farcical that it would happen but people posted if for a reason to explain what they do.
There will be more people out in the season in the rain with shotguns than rifles.
Do you carry your sticks up right or flat ?

You can also, easily see down the barrels of a shotgun if there's the slightest doubt that it's been plugged. Not so easy with a rifle.

 

[Tim.243]

You can also, easily see down the barrels of a shotgun if there's the slightest doubt that it's been plugged. Not so easy with a rifle.

I never look down them only through from the open chamber/s breech end.

 

[NullMac]

Well I was out with a guide yesterday who was telling me that he makes everyone carry upwards. -> Plugged muzzles and the dangerous end swinging about the clients feet.

I had a 'pass' 'cos my Blaser was coming unscrewed and it was safer to carry muzzle down. Premium German engineering.

Pays your money takes your risk...

 

[John Gryphon]

I think the point being taping muzzles of rifles up, is that a droplet of water or other foreign body in a barrel

More so deer hunters (sambar thick bush) don`t want or need a stick being forced into the barrel when navigating certain terrains. Whether barrel up down or in crook of arm.

 

[baguio]

I never look down them only through from the open chamber/s breech end.

So you do look down them, surely?

 

[Rory]

Do you carry your sticks up right or flat ?

I do tend to carry my sticks upright, so everything is in the same plane (me, rifle, sticks).

 

[wytonpjs]

I think the point being taping muzzles of rifles up, is that a droplet of water or other foreign body in a barrel could cause catastrophic deformation, as water does not compress well with a 150gr .308 travelling up a barrel at 2,800fps.
In a shotgun the barrel is not subject to as much pressure as a rifle barrel, and there is 'space' for water droplets or foreign objects to be missed or blown out.

I remember after a really very wet day up on Arran BEFORE I taped if carrying up in a Vorn I was staggered by the amount of water that had seeped down corroding the bullets - early use of copper. Probably "acid rain"............

 

[John Gryphon]

Surely there must be an accredited range officer or military trainer on SD that can input whether up or down.

 

[wytonpjs]

Surely there must be an accredited range officer or military trainer on SD that can input whether up or down.

Several are already commenting in this thread John (Myself NOT included).

 

[John Gryphon]

ah one does not know the ID of every member wytonpjs

 

[wytonpjs]

ah one does not know the ID of every member wytonpjs

Only a select few but it's a "small pool"..............

 

[John Gryphon]

Has any stepped up to the plate and offered an opine from a professional viewpoint?

 

[Heym SR20]

There is no right nor wrong answer to this endless debate. It does depend on lots of different types of deer stalking.

Personally my default is to keep a chamber empty unless a shot is imminent. If the chamber is loaded then rifle is in my hand and thus muzzle is under full control.

I do not believe it safe to carry a rifle on your shoulder with a round up the spout. I have once had a rifle go off on my shoulder. I was pushing past a pine tree. I can only assume safety got moved off and a twig got caught in the trigger. And I have heard of other similar stories.

If I do put a rifle on my shoulder when its loaded then its muzzle down and forward. I will not carry a loaded rifle muzzle up on my shoulder.

Most professional hill stalkers that I know or have stalked with usually carry the rifle with magazine loaded, but chamber empty and the rifle is in a slip to keep it dry and protected from the elements. A good slip makes it a lot more comfortable to carry. When you move in for the final approach thats the time to unslip the rifle, and when ready to fire a round is chambered.

There will be times when you need to chamber a round and walk. Very still days and moving quietly along a woodland ride for example and you expect a buck to pop out. I can see how this is necessary for muntjac.

But with most of my stalking I keep chamber empty. Just this evening quietly walking around one of the farms. Quite nice and breezy. A small rise ahead of me with bottom of the wood 50 yards the otherside. Dog’s nose starts going. Ease over the top just enough to see backs of four roe. Ease a round into the chamber. Crawl forward. Lie and watch them. A really good buck already clean and three does. Two younger ones -two year olds and an older one. When the older one presents a clear shot with good backdrop slip a 51gn peregrine bullet tight behind the shoulder. She takes a couple of steps and falls over. The other three carry on grazing and eventually move off. No pressure to take any more. Indeed the farmer has hardly seen a deer on that farm for the last two years and quite likes to have a few about. That one will be for his freezer.

 

[Dickie]

As Heym writes no right or wrong answer as long as it’s safe.
I’m sure a search would show this has been debated on here many times before.