Round In The Chamber

[BAKPAKR]

No

Ok, how about me videoing you speed loading that new double as a bunch of chukars take flight? On second thought, that won’t work because you wouldn’t catch me hiking around in chukar country for those crazy little birds.

I know this thread isn’t about shotguns, but I don’t see the difference.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Yeah I don’t get that. Basically the same amount of time to load your primer as it would be to rack a round.

If animals are getting away because of that the stalk was blown to begin with. But that’s just me

I probably don’t hunt the same type of country as you. I usually still hunt (at a pretty quick pace and probably not that stealthily) through fairly thick woods. For me, being able to see well enough through trees and brush to get even a 75 yard shot is often a challenge.

 

[Wildabeest]

Do any of you “No, never” guys hunt with a muzzleloader?

Or crossbow?

 

[brymoore]

On second thought, that won’t work because you wouldn’t catch me hiking around in chukar country for those crazy little birds.

 

[Rack Daniels]

I never shot anything with an unloaded gun.

Touché on that. Didn’t have to call it dumb or say that one is (in)correct but still mic drop answer that cannot be contested.


I keep one ready the moment I think there is game afoot. Safety on and constantly checked, and muzzle control is priority. I would typically Agree with the OP if we were hunting together.

HOWEVER. Shit happens and the quoted answer above cannot be argued.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Oh man I should have made it to page two….. the OGs know what time it is

 

[BAKPAKR]

View attachment 362942

I have hiked around a bit in chukar country - just not after chukars. And, when in that kind of country, I usually don’t have a round in the chamber because I figure I will have plenty of time if a shot opportunity presents itself (unlike in the thick woods scenario).

 

[Big Fin]

I've spent a lot of time over the years looking for statistics on firearm hunting injuries. Most the data focuses on treestand falls, as it far outnumbers injuries from firearms.

Here is the one study I have found from IHEA. It's dated - 2001. It goes into the "primary cause" of fatalities and injuries, comparing the nature of accidents when 1) hunting with others or, 2) hunting alone. Interesting to see that hunting alone has a much higher number of injury/fatality events for; trigger caught on object, dropped firearm, careless handling, stumbled and fell. Maybe that is because a higher number of people hunt alone rather than hunt with others.

In any of those categories, I am pretty sure that not having one in the chamber would have resulted in no injury or no fatality. I wish it broke out how many were shotgun, handgun, or rifle. Updated data that gives something relevant to the topic at hand is hard to find.

 

[more_cowbell]

Here are some more numbers

Hunting Accident Statistics 2025 (Causes & Trends Per Year)

Hunting is vital American pasttime. This article reviews hunting accident statistics from 1976 to present.

ammo.com

 

[Beignet]

It just depends.

This is the winning answer right here. Too many variables to have a binary answer.