JG26Irish_2
AH veteran
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2023
- Messages
- 115
- Reaction score
- 308
- Location
- United States
- Media
- 4
- Member of
- Bluegrass Safari Club
- Hunted
- RSA-Limpopo, KY, WV, TN, ND, SD, NM
I am currently planning my first African Safari. As such I have become a student on the methods and practices used by successful hunters and PH's in the region. I have been watching a number of video's published by safari hunters and PH's over a range of subjects. But something has been bugging me and I would like to ask for the collective input of this community to clue me in.
Being a former licensed range safety officer I have had muzzle discipline safety drilled into me since I was a kid. "You never point your muzzle at anything or anyone that you are not willing to destroy." I often see PH's and hunters in Africa carry their rifles in the African Carry method. This being the rifle balanced horizontal on one's shoulder muzzle forward all while holding it by the barrel. This seems fine to me for the person in the lead of the hunting party, like the PH. His muzzle would be pointed forward into the open bush. I get it that some of the larger caliber heavy doubles do not have a sling and this was one way to carry the load. But for all of the other hunters who follow the leader, they will be sweeping their muzzles at the back of the heads of all those in front of them if they also use the African carry. That seems to be really poor gun handling safety and even if the guns are not loaded at the time, that is a serious breech of muzzle discipline. After all, I was also taught that I treat all guns as if loaded at all times. Some say it is for speed of deployment when DG hunting? Maybe, but I fail to understand how it is faster than say the old Rhodesian Carry.
For those unfamiliar, the Rhodesian Carry is with the rifle slung muzzle down on the weak side (in my case, being a right handed shooter, it would be my left shoulder). From this carry, one can deploy the rifle bringing it to aim from sticks or off-hand in a matter of 1-2 seconds in one smooth fluid motion. At all times it is otherwise safely pointed down at the ground. When finished aiming or shooting, it is just as quickly and safely re-slung in one smooth swift motion. Now the old American Carry or Traditional Carry is slower and more clumsy to use. This is sort of the military marching carry with rifle slung on strong side with muzzle pointed up. It is safe but not as effective IMO. If we are following up a shot on DG and need to slip slowly thru the bush, I am all for pulling off the sling and carrying the rifle in my hands at Port Arms with the muzzle up and both hands on the rifle ready to aim at a moments notice. Even then, I would have the safety on until needed. The old African carry appears to be an old throwback to an earlier time when Safaris had the luxury of many guns for one hunter and gun bearers to slog along with the extras. i.e. Teddy Roosevelt hundred man safari. Maybe I am wrong. It would not be the first time.
So, please help me to understand the value of the African Carry and why it would appear that gun safety is not as much of a real priority in the bush veld? What are its benefits and how can it be used without sacrificing safety?
Irish
Being a former licensed range safety officer I have had muzzle discipline safety drilled into me since I was a kid. "You never point your muzzle at anything or anyone that you are not willing to destroy." I often see PH's and hunters in Africa carry their rifles in the African Carry method. This being the rifle balanced horizontal on one's shoulder muzzle forward all while holding it by the barrel. This seems fine to me for the person in the lead of the hunting party, like the PH. His muzzle would be pointed forward into the open bush. I get it that some of the larger caliber heavy doubles do not have a sling and this was one way to carry the load. But for all of the other hunters who follow the leader, they will be sweeping their muzzles at the back of the heads of all those in front of them if they also use the African carry. That seems to be really poor gun handling safety and even if the guns are not loaded at the time, that is a serious breech of muzzle discipline. After all, I was also taught that I treat all guns as if loaded at all times. Some say it is for speed of deployment when DG hunting? Maybe, but I fail to understand how it is faster than say the old Rhodesian Carry.
For those unfamiliar, the Rhodesian Carry is with the rifle slung muzzle down on the weak side (in my case, being a right handed shooter, it would be my left shoulder). From this carry, one can deploy the rifle bringing it to aim from sticks or off-hand in a matter of 1-2 seconds in one smooth fluid motion. At all times it is otherwise safely pointed down at the ground. When finished aiming or shooting, it is just as quickly and safely re-slung in one smooth swift motion. Now the old American Carry or Traditional Carry is slower and more clumsy to use. This is sort of the military marching carry with rifle slung on strong side with muzzle pointed up. It is safe but not as effective IMO. If we are following up a shot on DG and need to slip slowly thru the bush, I am all for pulling off the sling and carrying the rifle in my hands at Port Arms with the muzzle up and both hands on the rifle ready to aim at a moments notice. Even then, I would have the safety on until needed. The old African carry appears to be an old throwback to an earlier time when Safaris had the luxury of many guns for one hunter and gun bearers to slog along with the extras. i.e. Teddy Roosevelt hundred man safari. Maybe I am wrong. It would not be the first time.
So, please help me to understand the value of the African Carry and why it would appear that gun safety is not as much of a real priority in the bush veld? What are its benefits and how can it be used without sacrificing safety?
Irish
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