The shoulder carry

[thi9elsp]

I've only hunted Africa twice, both times buffalo and plains game. First time I used a sling for the first day. Got caught on brush, swivels seemed noisy, and on a long hike, uncomfortable. I removed the sling and started doing the shoulder carry - firearm unloaded until the PH told me to load it. Then the rifle was primarily carried with both hands as we were closing in. Same the second trip but was using the PHs Blaser - loaded and un-cocked.

What I found with the shoulder carry was that I could find a balance point, with the muzzle pointing down and it felt very comfortable for 6+ hour hikes. When we went through the bamboo thickets and other thick brush it would usually come off my shoulder and be carried by both hands or the single carry while the other hand moved brush out of the way.

 

[IvW]

The over the shoulder carry comes from the practice of not having a sling on a DG rifle as used by PH's. It also makes using your binoculars easier as you can just lift them and use them while still holding the rifle in that position. Constant attention to the muzzle direction is needed, loaded or unloaded rifle that is.

My 500 Jeff and two of my 375 H&H are on Brno ZKK 602 actions. The only problem with these actions are the safeties. They are pushed forward and need to be pulled back when disengaging.(This stems from the time of hammer guns as I understand it so that the motion is the same as cocking hammers on a hammer gun.) You need to constantly check that the safety is engaged if you carry a loaded ZKK actioned rifle as it can easily be pushed of safety by the brush.

That being said, when just following tracks it is not necessary to carry a chambered round in this fashion with a bolt gun. There will be enough time to chamber a round quietly when you start closing with your quarry and you are getting close.

As for sling use(especially on a DG rifle) it is a good idea to get a set of QD strap mounts that will enable you to remove the sling as soon as you get close to whatever you are hunting. This makes for much easier and safer carry during long stalks.

With regards to carry a rifle with a sling, I was always taught to carry the rifle muzzle down when using a sling. You then have control of the rifle muzzle and the muzzle does not stick out above your shoulder catching on brush or bushes. This is also the fastest way to get the rifle from slung on the sling into your shoulder. If right handed and you sling the rifle on your left shoulder the left hand grips the stock where you would hold it when firing, you just lift with your left hand and swing the rifle in front you across and into your shoulder.

Has always worked for me as even shoulder carry without a sling, can become uncomfortable after a long tracking session.

Whatever you prefer and are comfortable with would be recommended, but a fully loaded rifle behind anybody's back is not a good idea. If unavoidable due to circumstances on the ground the second person(client/other PH) with a loaded rifle should be off to the side slightly and not directly behind the PH and tracker.

 

[charleslabounty]

I apologize if this is a high-jack, but this thread prompts a question about safety on bolt actions.
I saw on a TV Africa hunting show hunters just raising and dropping the bolt handle as they began a stalk/closed on game, (looked odd to me). On many bolts, this cocks it. So, I asked my PH about this method when we were discussing gun safety and his preferences of when to chamber a round etc. (I initiated this discussion before the first hunt started, he seemed to appreciate it.)

He said "this" is a very safe way to carry a bolt action - "chamber a round,
and hold the trigger back while dropping the bolt handle". I elected not to do this as I did not want to introduce anything new to my gun handling at the beginning of my safari.
But when I got home, I tried this process in a safe manner, works, no accidental discharge. And no mark on the primer when I checked the round.
I discussed this with a shooting buddy. His opinion was, this might be safe with a controlled feed bolt but not for a push feed like my Savage.
Can one of you experts clarify this for me?
Thanks

 

[IvW]

I apologize if this is a high-jack, but this thread prompts a question about safety on bolt actions.
I saw on a TV Africa hunting show hunters just raising and dropping the bolt handle as they began a stalk/closed on game, (looked odd to me). On many bolts, this cocks it. So, I asked my PH about this method when we were discussing gun safety and his preferences of when to chamber a round etc. (I initiated this discussion before the first hunt started, he seemed to appreciate it.)

He said "this" is a very safe way to carry a bolt action - "chamber a round,
and hold the trigger back while dropping the bolt handle". I elected not to do this as I did not want to introduce anything new to my gun handling at the beginning of my safari.
But when I got home, I tried this process in a safe manner, works, no accidental discharge. And no mark on the primer when I checked the round.
I discussed this with a shooting buddy. His opinion was, this might be safe with a controlled feed bolt but not for a push feed like my Savage.
Can one of you experts clarify this for me?
Thanks

Extremely dangerous and an uninformed person who would recommend such a way to carry a rifle!!!

By doing this you now have a live chamber in the rifle with the firing pin resting against the primer under pressure from the firing pin spring! Any bump on the butt of the rifle will cause it to fire, controlled feed or push feed makes no difference.

I had this same argument with a PH/Outfitter of many years experience who used a P14 actioned 505 Gibbs. He was so adamant that it was totally safe that I challenged, him one night around the campfire. He promptly fetched his rifle did what you have explained and then bumped the rifle but on the ground. Needless to say he almost sh@t himself when the 505 Gibbs went off and he did not speak to me for 3 day's!

Never ever do this, it is very dangerous and an accident waiting to happen.

 

[CTDolan]

Yes, lowering the firing pin on a live round is exceedingly dangerous!!! Never do it!!!

 

[bilmcc]

Before Ruger put transfer bars in revolvers, the rule was to load one less round than the revolver would hold, so the hammer rested on an empty chamber. A firing pin should not touch a primer except when you want it to go boom!

 

[spike.t]

Needless to say he almost sh@t himself when the 505 Gibbs went off and he did not speak to me for 3 day's!

 

[ZG47]

Yeah, s--t for brains. I have lost count of the number of times that particular piece of stupidity has come up!

 

[charleslabounty]

Got it.

 

[fourfive8]

Understandably, seems to be quite a wide variety of preferences. I have used and continue to use all manner of carries depending on circumstances. Muzzle control is always a top priority. And when in the "Africa single file" system I've learned to double down on paying particular attention to muzzle control. I do use a sling for long hauls and for the most part leave the Africa over the shoulder muzzle forward carry to those in front (usually the PH) or those who are most comfortable in using it. I've tried both the "shoulder arms" type carry and the Africa muzzle forward shoulder carry and find both somewhat fatiguing over time. With the sling on, and following in tight single file formation and going through thick brush, I've learned to reach back, grab the butt in my hand rotate the rifle slightly to the left and pull the butt forward and upward... thus lowering the muzzle to the rear, maintaining control of the rifle while clearing overhanging obstacles. Sometimes I'll switch to a two handed "port arms" carry or to the common one handed trail carry to break the stress of using one type over long distances. Of course a crawl or low sneak changes everything, but muzzle control remains the highest priority no matter the carry.

 

[duckman90]

So call me crazy but I use the over the shoulder carry all the time. My experience has been that in the more open country I can keep the rifle off to the side of everyone else in line. This essentially points the muzzle in the dirt about two feet left and three feet in front of me well off the line of the PH or tracker in front of me. (Not to mention that this can be adjusted almost instantly should something change and you constantly have the muzzle in sight to confirm where you feel it is pointing. I do this even when pheasant hunting over long distances as well when the dogs aren't birdy. I have always enjoyed this form of carrying because I can visually see where my muzzle is pointed at all times. This has always been a comfort for me.

In heavy cover. I usually take a vertical grip holding the rifle with both arms, (Kinda like a flag) straight up or at a low ready canted off to the side depending on how sketchy the place is. (Same for bear country.)

 

[Ridgewalker]

IMO the bottom line is never ever point any gun at anything you don't plan to kill...muzzle down, at-arms, over the shoulder, slung, etc!
Once you've lost a friend to an unloaded gun, you'll understand. 55 years ago and I occasionally still have nightmares of a best friend shooting himself between the eyes with an "unloaded" gun! Luckily I wasn't present when it happened, or I might be more crazy today than I am.
I don't even like looking down "empty" barrels to see if there's any trash in them.
JMO
Be safe guys!

 

[ArmyGrunt]

There was a guy in Henderson KY that died on the Fourth for walking up to a "dud" and looking down the tube. That rule is truly applicable to everything that launches projectiles

 

[Philip Glass]

Everyone has an opinion. The the truth is lots of Africa where DG hunts take place has thick brush and thorny plants of all kinds. A sling constantly gets tangled up and is in the way. Regards got used to not using a sling long ago and only on occasion do I miss it.
Regards,
Philip

 

[salesman]

On both of my trips to Africa I have carried my rifle over the shoulder and gripping the muzzle, my PH carries his rifle in the same manner. Both of us are carrying rifles with cartridges chambered.

To me it is a very efficient way to carry a rifle...but a very stressful way as well. Safety is my utmost concern, so muzzle awareness/control is at the forefront of my thinking. I also find myself checking the safety constantly, who knows when an inadvertent bump on a branch could knock it off.

I have reflected on the above quite a bit, and I think I have come up with my solution for the next trip.

I assume my PH will carry his as he always has done, that is up to him and his business, he is the one out front anyway. For myself I am going to carry with an empty chamber if just tracking/walking over the shoulder; and closing in or in question on DG I will load, but only carry with both hands in front across my chest muzzle up. If hunting plains game I will carry empty chamber as much as possible and if I miss an opportunity because of it...well so be it. Yes, safety and good handling practices are still of utmost concern, but I think it will lead to having a better overall experience...at least for me.

My 2 cents.

 

[CTDolan]

Carrying a rifle (or shotgun) with both hands, across the chest, when following another is dangerous as, should you trip or stumble, your instinctive reaction will result in the muzzle pointed more or less straight ahead (just as you are falling forward and reflexively putting your hands out to catch yourself). Best is to cradle it in your off-hand arm, pointed to the side, or the other arm, pointed toward the ground.

 

[BWH]

Personally, I use a sling.... over shoulder or across chest.... all my hunting. Ducks with shotgun or Rifle in Africa. No way I would trust a trigger to get caught on a limb or twig..... @gizmo knows exactly what I'm talking about. #cornstubble #afro #redhead #prostaff

 

[Red Leg]

I remain comfortable with my initial analogy. Would any of you who are bird hunters, hunt with anyone who carried a SxS or O/U shotgun loaded in an African carry. I suspect not. And such a person would be thrown off of any sporting clays range or quail plantation in this country. And yet we are going to say its a good idea walking, exhausted, mile after mile with a .470, with at least two people in front of us.

 

[bilmcc]

Carrying a rifle (or shotgun) with both hands, across the chest, when following another is dangerous as, should you trip or stumble, your instinctive reaction will result in the muzzle pointed more or less straight ahead (just as you are falling forward and reflexively putting your hands out to catch yourself). Best is to cradle it in your off-hand arm, pointed to the side, or the other arm, pointed toward the ground.

If that is what you practice, that is certainly what will happen. Don't practice that.

 

[salesman]

Carrying a rifle (or shotgun) with both hands, across the chest, when following another is dangerous as, should you trip or stumble, your instinctive reaction will result in the muzzle pointed more or less straight ahead (just as you are falling forward and reflexively putting your hands out to catch yourself). Best is to cradle it in your off-hand arm, pointed to the side, or the other arm, pointed toward the ground.

I appreciate your opinion. However, in my case I am quite comfortable with having both hands on the rifle across my chest with the muzzle up and pointed slightly back. If I am in terrain where a misstep could happen I will adjust carry appropriately. As I stated in my OP I will only have a cartridge chambered if contact is imminent. At that point movement will have slowed and I will be most careful where I am placing my feet.