When do you chamber a round while hunting?

MudRunner2005 said:

Disassembled quite a few 700 bolts. Remington bolts cock on opening. It's not literally "free-floating", but it's also not under any spring pressure trying to pull it forward into the primer. It's more-or-less "resting" in place. The reason you have to disassemble pulling backwards on the lockup, is because once fully-assembled, it is held together under pressure and locked into place using a detent, and you have to get it past the detent before you can unscrew the firing pin/shroud assembly from the bolt body.

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There is the full spring pressure pushing that firing pin into the primer, the pin absalutely is resting on the primer under load!!

Idaho Lefty said:

The rifleman556 and Bigngreen ARE,.. CORRECT as most rifle's "Cock" upon opening, as Tikka's, Win. Model 70's and Rem 700's,.. DO !
A very dangerous practice of, carrying a LIVE round, in Chamber with F. Pin,.. DOWN on a LIVE, Primer ! Goodbye and good luck with,.. THAT ! Well said, TG-5150 !

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I'm actually more nervous about accidents in or around the vehicle.
I've never been one much for window gun racks, and could never get used to the big sky racks on the ceiling. My dad taught us all that it was barrels up, in the front seat with the bolts open. Gravity won't let the bolt close and it's impossible for the gun to fire. And no mud or gunk can get in the barrel.

bigngreen said:

There is the full spring pressure pushing that firing pin into the primer, the pin absalutely is resting on the primer under load!!

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So, you're telling me that the firing pin, is under load, when it's not under load (cocked)? So, if the 700 action is not cocked, and the bolt is closed, you're telling me that the firing pin is constantly sitting outside the bolt face... I know this is false. I've pulled actions apart and tested this. It does protrude for a slight second when you manually and slowly drop the bolt (while holding down the trigger) to de-cock the rifle, but then the pin retracts back into the bolt face where it is no longer protruding... At least, all my 700's are this way. Maybe other actions are different. But de-cocking 700's, Brownings, Weatherbys, and other brands have never been an issue for me, as long as it's done right.

bigngreen said:

There is the full spring pressure pushing that firing pin into the primer, the pin absalutely is resting on the primer under load!!

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When I pull the trigger while chambering a round, thus disengaging the firing pin, I can hear the pin drop, why doesn't the round ever go off? Also, I never see a mark on the primers.

MudRunner2005 said:

So, you're telling me that the firing pin, is under load, when it's not under load (cocked)?

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Absalutely!! It will push forward till on the stop which is .050-.060 past the face of the bolt.

FIGJAM said:

When I pull the trigger while chambering a round, thus disengaging the firing pin, I can hear the pin drop, why doesn't the round ever go off? Also, I never see a mark on the primers.

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Exactly. Because if you do it right, there won't be.

But, if you just hold the trigger down and let the bolt slam downward, sure, there's a chance of having an AD, but just like with any gun, it can be dangerous if handled improperly.

bigngreen said:

Absalutely!! It will push forward till on the stop which is .050-.060 past the face of the bolt.

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Yes, but once it has cammed-over and the bolt is fully closed and under no pressure, then it retracts back into the bolt face...Therefore, it won't be in contact with the primer.

It functions a lot like a modern double-action revolver... Where, while you have the trigger down, and the hammer is all the way forward, the firing pin is protruded forward, but as soon as you let off the trigger, the firing pin retracts back into the weapon. Have you ever messed with a modern S&W revolver with the cylinder removed?

No it doesn't!! Go pull a bolt in a rem and turn the shroud till it drops the pin and you'll see the pin sticking out the bolt face 100% promise you!!

bigngreen said:

Depends in the situation, normally empty chamber especially with my daughter, she's not going to just pull up and whack something for a few more years so no need for a chambered round. If I'm in the timber working it I'll have one in the chamber on safe. I won't ever, ever let the firing pin rest on the primer!!!

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Ditto! I voted for "A" on most instances, "B" as noted in timber area, "C" is NOT/NEVER a practice for me.

Ever heard, of the Word,..Inertia ?? WHY are we even talking about, so DANGEROUS of an brainy idea/ practice of, the carrying of, a LIVE Cartridge with, the Bolt and F/pin DOWN ?? As,.. IT AIN'T, Necessary, to do so,. SO, WHY, "chance" IT ?
This conversation is OVER, as far as I'm concerned,.. BYE !

MudRunner2005 said:

.. At least, all my 700's are this way.

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Then every 700 you've owned is messed up, or the ones I've owned are messed up. I of course won't be surprised either way.

Primer compound = "CONTACT" explosive with a standard primer needing about 4-6 pounds of force mil spec and magnum need more (16 lbs IIRC) ...ever look at a spent primer and look to see how little room there is between the anvil and the cup? and you want to put pressure on the charge...so to speak...not to mention that should the primer detonate and the cartridge fires..without the bolt fully locked as you are attempting to go condition C...you may very well destroy your rifle...and injure your self or someone near the rifle...in the fired position the firing pin protrudes from the bolt and is not free floating all the weight of the springs are holding the pin forward even though they are at rest...how do you think you set firing pin protrusion? The pin protrudes from the bolt you use a gauge to measure it, so that the pin is just at the right point not deep enough to pierce a primer..not too short where you will get a light strike.

I have fallen with a M14NM with a loaded magazine, but empty chamber, cocked, bolt forward, landed on my back with a drop distance of about 4 feet, there was enough force to cycle the action and load the rifle..at no time did any part of the rifle touch the ground or come out of vertical..got knocked off a raised walkway....now contemplate having a firing pin resting against a primer...

edited for spelling/misc

I normally stand hunt for deer. I typically walk into the stand in the dark, weapon not loaded. As soon as I get to my stand and get settled in, I then chamber a round, safety on.

The only way I would do C is if the firing pin has a mechanical block to prevent forward motion in case the weapon is dropped.

Every year I read several stories of someone or their kid being shot by the dog who stepped on the trigger from a loaded gun not being handled correctly. In long range there is not need for one in the chamber, stalk and spot/creeping thru the woods, yes, one in the chamber with the safety on because shot can be quick. It all boils down to safe gun handling at all times, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.