Safety: Retiring from the mound

[DannyS]

Buy an action where bolt removal and visual checking of the chamber is easy, then no probs

[sungazer]

Seems everybody here is in the camp it wont affect me so it doesn't matter. Well its not a problem for me either but I do care about getting more people in off the other forms of shooting and onto our ranges. It effects some Eliso stocks and there are plenty of modern rifles that it could effect to.
What do you think happens to the shooter that gets told sorry mate you cant shoot that here. It goes up on FB and all sorts of other social media that those old guys dont want us here, and a whole lot more.

[lonerider43]

thats never happened on a range ive been too.everybody follows the rules and nobody complains.
must be just a city thing

[PeteFox]

So, in your first paragraph you say it's not possible, then in the second give 2 scenarios where it is.

Tim
Not exactly, I gave two examples of a breech flag improperly fitted/ not suitable for the job. If people aren’t going to do the right thing then no safety rules are going to work. If a breech flag is actually fitted into the chamber then a rifle is safe, and continuously and demonstrably so.
Going through the motions of visually looking down the breech is no guarantee of an unloaded rifle either if the marker isn’t actually doing the job properly either.

Pete

[bruce moulds]

why not just allow both methods?
bruce.

[PeteFox]

why not just allow both methods?
bruce.

Bruce
I think the rules actually allow this. The rules don’t say a look through the barrel is mandatory, they say “using any appropriate method”. Rule 2.1.5(b), page 13 of the SSR’s.
I was really just looking to clarify.
Pete

[bruce moulds]

when shooting a falling block, it is impossible (impractical) to remove the block on the mound.
however with the block in the open position seeing through the barrel is easily done.
chamber flags can easily fall out.
this is the sort of thing where common sense needs to prevail.
in fact using the word "bolt" fails to accommodate falling blocks.
muzzle loaders of course need their own safety protocols.
I have often wondered about building an fclass rifle on a falling block for the ability to have a somewhat longer barrel than a bolt action in the same length rifle.
bruce.

[scott/r]

Umm, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't we supposed to shooting a bolt action rifle?
Scott

[Tim L]

So, in your first paragraph you say it's not possible, then in the second give 2 scenarios where it is.

I gave two examples of a breech flag improperly fitted/ not suitable for the job.

For me , and i believe what Peter H was getting at, the very fact that you can have a situation where a flag protrudes from the ejection port while there IS a round in the chamber devalues the method.

As i said previously, every firearm I've seen allows for the breach (rear end of the chamber) to be seen and checked its empty, even lever actions. IMO this is the only safe way to ensure theres notjing in there. I would say some people insist on being able to see daylight down the bore. IMO this isn't necessary,it cant be done with the SLR, SA80 M16 etc, lever actions, falling block, but you can see the rear of the breach in all.

PS we are all shooters. I would like to think we are the people who do do the right thing. We insist on it for ourselves and for our shooting colleagues. That is why check scorers insist on looking despite any objections they may encounter.

[bruce moulds]

scottr,
all rifles on nraa ranges.
there is no rule that says bolt actions are the only ones allowed.
for example, can a blr be used in so called hunter class.
it is certainly a hunting rifle.
bruce.

[scott/r]

scottr,
all rifles on nraa ranges.
there is no rule that says bolt actions are the only ones allowed.
for example, can a blr be used in so called hunter class.
it is certainly a hunting rifle.
bruce.

Well there you go, I was under the impression that you had to use a bolt action as in rule 3.1.1. Target Rifle have to use a bolt action, but F Class can use any rifle that can be legally owned by the competitor, rule 20.1.1.
Scott.

[bruce moulds]

and we might want other disciplines on our ranges to make them financially viable in the future.
bruce.

[Barossa_222]

So we have to use chamber flags now? I think the system used now is the best one. There have never been any complaints or issues I have ever seen. I have always used the visual checking method with my hunting guns long before I started range shooting. Bolt removed (action opened in Bruce's case) scorer checks the action. The scorer is on the mound anyway. It in no way hinders me as I get off the mound, and I don't see how it could. This is simply rules for rules sake if there has in fact been a change. It isn't progressive and it isn't moving the sport forward. If people want to use them I'm not against it, but I shouldn't be forced into line 'just because'.

[UL1700]

I would say some people insist on being able to see daylight down the bore. IMO this isn't necessary,it cant be done with the SLR, SA80 M16 etc, lever actions, falling block, but you can see the rear of the breach in all.

But it's good to see that no one is leaving the range with a squib and who may then return with it! Especially true at range / practice days on ET's where you have can have inexperienced shooters / loaders, shooting different length strings and without the express attention of a scorer...