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.

 

[Sytes]

The setting dictates hot or not.

I'm in the "hunt" mindset, one is ready to fly, safety on, except rare occasions. I'm constantly walking with rifle positioned, checking the bolt is locked (safety on) - habit drilled.

If, during the "hunt" and I must pass along a scree slope, or scramble/climb a hillside, hot standby.

That said, my handgun is an extremely overpriced hammer w/o one ready to fly, carried while hunting and OD.
Difference: One is "securely" holstered, other is sling, elbow carry when rifle is chambered, safety on.

 

[MS 9x56]

My style of hunting requires fast reactions and quick shooting. I carry one in chamber and safety on except when hunting with lever action rifles then carry with hammer at half @#)(#. Still hunting would be much less practical with an empty chamber.

 

[MTTW]

I am in the "it depends" category. It didn't always depend though; I grew up carrying hot always and have changed that after previous threads on HT. Today I seriously consider it each time I chamber a round, which is fairly often solo and almost never when with someone else. The main consideration boils down to how close I expect the target to be when encountered.

Presently the muzzleloader wears a cap and is on half @#)(# always. That might change with time, but I am comfortable with the hammer on half @#)(#.

 

[Smtn10pt]

I wouldnt even take a gun out of the truck until you locate your target animal, you just cant be too safe!

 

[Hem]

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

Clearly you have never tried to put a cap on the nipple, or insert primer to in-line.
Try it and see how fast you are, then try it with really cold hands.

 

[TOGIE]

Clearly you have never tried to put a cap on the nipple, or insert primer to in-line.
Try it and see how fast you are, then try it with really cold hands.

No thanks

 

[elevatorman]

I'm hunting, I need a bullet to shoot a deer. I wait all year to hunt public land and I'm not missing a chance on a good deer I just jumped up because I didn't have a round in it. I unload when climbing something steep or dangerous then reload once I'm over that. Also if hoisting the rifle up into a tree I take it out then reload once there.

I think unloading your rifle all the time is more dangerous in some ways. You'll get complacent in your handling of a firearm and not pay attention to where it's pointed as much, because you know it's unloaded, no need to be paying much attention. This can easily lead to very bad habits and a slip up when it actually is loaded. It's safer to be loaded and always be 100% vigilant of muzzle control and firearm safety because you know it's loaded. Those who carry pistols for self defense I'd imagine would understand. There is never ever a time where I recklessly handle my glock because I think it's unloaded. It is always loaded and I always treat it as such.

 

[MTGomer]

In general I do not. There’s no need and it’s not safe

The exception is still hunting lodgepole or something like that. If I’m doing that I am alone, my rifle is in my hand and I’m going very slow.

I haven’t done much of that the last few years but as much as I enjoy glassing the more open country, there is something awesome about a fresh bull track in fresh snow on a big timbered mountain.

 

[TheTone]

Anyone hike around with an arrow nocked all day long?

I’m firmly in the it depends camp; hunting whitetails in the brush I probably have one loaded. Hunting open country basically never

 

[Nick87]

No one correct answer for every situation and the only idiot is the one who thinks there is.

This.