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Thread: Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Posts
    29

    Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

    Just wondering what normal protocol is for carrying a rifle while hiking. I have to admit my memory is a little fuzzy from my PAL course on this subject other than you're supposed to PROVE it safe when picking it back up if you set it down. It seems to me that a rifle slung over the back or shoulder with a round in the chamber and the safety on is not very safe. I tend to only chamber a round when I am hand carrying my rifle. I know the sound of loading a round is usually enough to spook game too though so I was hoping to hear what others do. Thanks in advance.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    okanagan
    Posts
    3,061

    Re: Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

    Legal, yes, safe that’s up to you

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    14,707

    Re: Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

    Loaded in the Chamber - NO safety ! RJ

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Posts
    120

    Re: Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

    I commend you (I think?) if you’re really going through your PROVE every time you pick up your rifle out in the field. Seems to me that that kind of guy would hike with a round unchambered. Myself... I’m not going to boot ski down shale or swing from vines with one on deck but if I creeping through a suspected hot zone in the timber slowly and deliberately I for sure have on ready to rock.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    1,009

    Re: Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

    Good question. When I’m with someone, the chamber is always empty. When I’m alone and sign is getting my hopes up, I’ll chamber a round, put the safety on and unload when the terrain or conditions change. My gun is always in my hands when I’ve got a round in. Steep slopes, blowdown, etc, I’m not walking loaded.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    region 9
    Posts
    11,528

    Re: Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

    If I'm going over obstacles or up or down a steep slope I'll always unchamber the round but other than that, I'm always walking around loaded safety on, but am always aware of where I'm pointing my barrel..but I also developed this habit in the military so that's my comfort level...it's really up to you and your comfort level or those your with if your not hunting alone...

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    471

    Re: Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

    lock and load baby
    got a pull the hammer back

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Haney,BC and anywhere you can hunt in BC out of the rain !
    Posts
    8,649

    Re: Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

    Simply if Im hunting alone I always have a round chambered but if I’m hunting with someone it’s empty.
    7mm PRC soon to be the most popular cartridge in North America

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Victoia BC when not at work, otherwise up North
    Posts
    1,605

    Re: Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

    Magazine full and nothing in the Chamber. Learn to put a round in the Chamber without making the slightest noise, with practise it can be done on most Bolt Actions.

    Never have your Safety on when there is no Shell in the Chamber.

    And one more thing, never strap your Rifle onto your Packsack, in a SHTF scenario you may not be able to you get her ready quick enough to safe you.

    Cheers

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    Be safe and happy Trails !

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    North Burnaby
    Posts
    429

    Re: Hiking with loaded rifle yay or nay?

    My chamber is empty, particularly while moving/hiking around. Once I'm in a position if I feel like it's time to rock I occasionally put one in the chamber, but usually I keep it empty. Personally, I can't justify the extra 1.5s to rack a round in to the chamber versus the risks of an accident. Purely personal choice.

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