Opinions from Range Officers.

[gixer1]

Just looking for opinions from range officers on the following.

If a shooter was on the line with a 22 underlever, the type with the tube fed magazine that loads by pulling the rod out until the loading window is open.

How would you expect them to load it? (I.e.- the process)

Thanks in advance for any input,

Gixer

 

[kevtherev]

Many years ago we had a savage semi auto with the same tube fed mag from memory it was laid safely on its back for loading bearing in mind the muzzle was pointed in a safe direction at ALL times.

 

[Greenmist]

Muzzle pointing down the range

 

[Jagged77]

It’s been a while since I did my safety course but I’d expect it to be loaded pointed downrange and under control at all times. Ideally on the ground or on a bench.

Once the rifle is ‘live’ anything other than pointing straight down the range would result in correcting the behaviour immediately or if serious enough a stop stop stop command.

The actual process of reloading the rifle is unique to its type. If there were concerns that removing the tube put hands in front of the muzzle then the rifle should be cleared by the RO first.

 

[gixer1]

How did they load it laying it on its back? as the rounds need to drop down into the mag (towards the butt end)

Genuinely asking.

 

[Webley]

If they have just finished shooting and are going to reload. (Worst option I can think of right now)
Whilst pointing the rifle down range at their target, rack the lever 3 times and then have the chamber and lifter/tube mag follower checked to be clear by the RO or their appointed helper. The shooter will place their hand infront of the muzzle during the loading procedure and point the muzzle above the back stop so an empty gun is vital. Close the action and lower the hammer to half cock position whilst pointing at their target. Rifle rotated on to its back, pointing down their lane, but at an upward muzzle angle to allow the rounds to slide down the tube mag. The angle needs to be enough to allow the rounds to slide down, but not enough to "drop" them down the tube. Remove rod, and load rounds in to the tube via the apature. Rod reinserted in to loaded mag. Make sure its done up correctly to save launching it down range under mag spring pressure. Gun turned over and held as instructed by RO, awaiting the next command. The lever is only operated to load the first round in to the chamber on a command.

 

[Jagged77]

How did they load it laying it on its back? as the rounds need to drop down into the mag (towards the butt end)

Genuinely asking.

The ones I’ve seen have been able to be reloaded at a slight angle. I think if the muzzle needed to be pointed up at sn angle the RO should clear the rifle first being charging the magazine again.

 

[gixer1]

My take on this is the rifle is cleared with the usual racking three times, then the lever is left open, the tube is pulled outward with the gun upside down at a slight angle and the rounds are fed into the mag tube.

The rifle is then turned over, and needs to be racked closed, open and then closed again to pick up a round.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Greenmist]

The ones I’ve seen have been able to be reloaded at a slight angle. I think if the muzzle needed to be pointed up at sn angle the RO should clear the rifle first being charging the magazine again.

Also range and RO dependent, I shoot at one where rifles can only be taken out of the slip on the firing point, even cleared rifles are not allowed behind the firing point out of a case

 

[GrumpyGrandpa]

This ...

My take on this is the rifle is cleared with the usual racking three times, then the lever is left open, the tube is pulled outward with the gun upside down at a slight angle and the rounds are fed into the mag tube.

... with the addition of inserting a flag in the breech.

I've tried loading mine with the barrel parallel to the ground but it was a real faf having to use an implement to flick each round past the loading port to get the next round in the tube. With a tube that contains 15 .22lr rounds it became tiresome. I spoke to one of my range officers, voiced my concern about trying to keep the barrel parallel to the ground when reloading and he looked, thought, then said, "treat it as a muzzle loading rifle".
I now hold my rifle inverted (upside down with the loading port uppermost) but raise the muzzle up at an angle of about 45 degrees and the rounds slide in nicely until about number 12 or 13 then I shake the rifle to get them further down and then feed the last two into the magazine tube. Next I lower the rifle so that it is parallel to the ground before screwing the rod back in place. I will admit to being twitchy when undoing / replacing the rod and tend not to place hand or fingers in front of the muzzle.
All my ROs are happy with this technique.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Also range and RO dependent, I shoot at one where rifles can only be taken out of the slip on the firing point, even cleared rifles are not allowed behind the firing point out of a case

NRA (UK) gallery rifle specific rules - ridiculous imo as the only loaded rifle I have ever come across on the range was a GR shooter who put their case on the point, opened it, removed a 10/22, pulled the working parts back & out flew a live round… on enquiry it transpired he’d last used it 2 weeks previously & had it cleared before popping an empty mag in, dropping the working parts forward & then putting it in the case where everyone assumed it was safe - like most GR shooters he’d loaded his mags ready to use & had a spare in case of getting a jam or misfire. Turned out the empty mag was in fact his loaded spare… So he’d driven back home with a loaded rifle in the car, removed it & put it in his cabinet still loaded & then put it in the bag before driving back to the range again.

NRA rules for other non GR shooters are that rifles must be taken to & from the firing point with bolt out and/or breach flag in with muzzle pointed upwards.

You work out which is the safest