Hi,
So what's the verdict, anyone go for the old 'balanced over the shoulder' FC Selous routine? I am sure many people will claim that they hold their gun at port arms, but this is impossible to do (for me anyway) where there is very thick bush or in unlikely areas.
I either hold onto it with one hand, or balance it in the crook of my arm.
BTW when exactly did gunbearers become extinct? I don't know many hunters that want the tracker holding the scoped rifle, although after a few hours some of us do 'give him a go'...

I believe I read somewhere that in old Africa the gunbearer walked in front of the client with the double on his shoulder so Ph or client could pick up rifle already in a raised position and muzzles pointing forward...

On my last safari I insisted to carry rifle exclusively..I wanted it in my hands for instant operation and also to know if it was banged or not...I only handed it to trackers when I climbed down from truck and back into raised seat in back of vehicle...

Mike

I carry mine balanced over my shoulder or by the scope I do not like slings, but they sure are nice at the range carring more than one rifle. And as much as I do not like to admit, in steep country they come in handy also.

I carry it in my hands, or in the crook of my elbow, or over my shoulder "Africa-style", or on a sling (if we're climbing or crossing water).
I move it around as necessary.

George

I can understand the reluctance to carry a slung rifle in Gangerous Game country, but how do you guys use your bino's? Are you relying on the PH or tracker spotting the game??



Carrying a rifle at low port across the body is quite possible; in fact its the only way to carry it as far as the military goes. However it is a little easier with a typical black rifle because of the pistol grip, but it still means you can't effectively glass...



Regards,



Pete

What does "low port" mean?

I usually carry my rifle in the crook of my arm or use both hands (the butt low so that I just have to lift it to my shoulder). On this years trip I lost the screw on my backsling so I couldn�t use the sling which was just as well...

My only accurate answer is that it depends on the situation. Generally speaking I'll sling the rifle on my shoulder will on a march in the open or in my right hand when in the bush. If my shoulder gets tired I will carry it cupped in my right arm to starboard and on final stalks it will be at the ready barrel up. Regardless, I will never carry guns loose on my shoulder barrel pointing horizontially back or front.

About ten years ago I was told of a really well known PH who was carrying his double rifle .. holding on to the barrels .. stock to the rear over his shoulder .. going through some brush the rifle went off ... killing one tracker .. and wounding another .. He was thrown in jail for a few days but eventually released ... Later I saw videos of him elephant hunting with the same double rifle .. But now he has it on a sling ..barrel facing to the sky .. Actually I like carrying a rifle over my shoulder .. with the barrels pointing horizontally forward ... Of course, no one in front ... that is a given !!! Also, on only one trip did I let someone carry my heavy rifle .. It was hot and tough walking .. the chap suggested that he didn't want my arms weary when it came time to shoot ... (This was not in heavy bush where something might be ready to eat a Canadian ) It actually made sense at the time ...

Crewe,

Butt in the shoulder, muzzle facing down and across the body at about 45deg..one hand on the pistol grip and the other on the forearm...basically all you need to do is raise he muzzle to fire. Muzzle should always cover where you are looking (only pointing at the ground) because you were taught to kind turn the body rather thean just you're head if you get what I mean.. Another variation was to hook both thumbs into your belt and carry the rifle almost horizontally across the body so the forearm is nestled in the crook of your left arm and right hand still controls/holds the pistol grip...the butt is *not* in the shoulder but sort up near the right bicep..Looks similar to the first, but was always considered "sloppy" /"lazy"...

Of course these sourced again from the military...but if it could be done with a 9lb (?) SLR (FN Fal) for days at a time, a hunter really has no excuse for a) not carrying his own rifle b) having it reasonably at the ready...

Regards

Pete

Pete,

One of those bino systems with it attached against your chest and a small set of binos will never be in your way...
As for carrying in open country I all carried with magazine full empty chamber and when actively on a stalk loaded up the spout..In dangerous country it will be loaded and carried in a safe manor...sling off so not to catch on any branches....

Mike

In my opinion, the "African carry" or over-the-shoulder, muzzle-forward position is bullshit, and violates any number of gun safety rules. Don't you just love it when the muzzle of someone's rifle covers you or else covers someone else in your party, such as a tracker or game scout? It looks stylish though, doesn't it?

Style or no, I carry my rifle over-the-shoulder, muzzle pointed up and to the rear (NO ONE is covered by the muzzle!), and if the PH doesn't have anything against slings, I prefer to carry the rifle by a sling, over my shoulder, with the muzzle pointed straight up.

How'd that poem in the Ruger ads conclude?

"All the pheasants ever bred won't repay for one man dead?"

AD

With a bolt action rifle, when I'm actually closing in on game it's in both hands in field ready position. When just covering ground it's usually on a sling, American carry (behind the shooting side shoulder, muzzle up) or in a shooting grip with the forearm in the crook of my support arm. When approaching large or dangerous game that's been shot and is down, I like to use high ready (butt in shoulder, muzzle slightly depressed) in case a quick shot is needed.

On using binos while carrying rifle: Sling the Binos diagonally across the body and put them between ribs and upper arm on the non-dominant side. The length of the bino strap is adjusted so you can use the off hand to reach up and bring the glasses to your eyes as you look at whatever. To do more serious glassing, put your rifle up on the dominant shoulder, muzzle forward (with no one in front of it) and put your dominant forearm over the barrel and your hand on the glasses for two hand support. Real serious glassing means a seated position or leaning against a tree.
Regards, Tim