rocky

I use the safety , just like any other gun. Hunting and outdoor activity may get snow, dirt or other debris in the action , if left open. As mentioned, while hunting a safety clicking off is less likely to spook game than working the bolt.

__________________
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson


Nemo Me Impune Lacesset

Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

Gunner69

not to Hijack the thread but what unit are you hunting this year Son???

__________________
The 6 P's
Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance

No man who refuses to bear arms in defense of his nation can give a sound reason why he should be allowed to live in a free country" T. Roosevelt

target1911

OK....i am caught of gaurd here.....What is it about bolt rifles that cause any issue/question about the safety? I have always used them. Is there a problem I should be aware of???

__________________
David

Ride hard and Shoot safe

The first rule of gunfighting should be to know when the gunfight starts - being the last one to get the news certainly won't put the odds in your favor.

SonofASniper

Depends on which hunt your refering to .

But I can tell you I avoid the wilson and trask units up by you like they are the plague. Far too many people up there and about 9 out of 10 of them are scary/stupid. You know its bad when the profesional guides stick to the roads because it is safer, and there is a higher probability of success because of all the brush beaters.

FYI: I hunt couger, bear, deer, and elk. Shoot me a pm.

__________________
The unreasonable person will determine what the reasonable compromise will be.

SonofASniper

I think you just summed it up right there.

However, I do agree with RR in that safeties can fail. Or I should say in my experience, safeties can be disengaged unintentionally. I have snagged a bolt safety before in brush and had it disengaged. I have also caught myself subconscously "thumbing the safety" as well.

That is why it is important to observe all guidlines of firearms safety. I really like the safety on my ruger scout rifle. It comes all the way around and not only has an internal safety, but it locks the firing bolt so that even if the internal failed, the bold can't fall and strike the primer.

__________________
The unreasonable person will determine what the reasonable compromise will be.

USPnTX

I have always used the safety on my bolt rifles. Never had an incident with a safety failing on me. As others have said; trying to work a bolt when shooting whitetails in Texas will do nothing but have you going back to the camp empty-handed.

__________________
"Do not fear those who disagree with you; fear those that do and are too cowardly to admit it" - Napoleon

Rob72

The general concern is that you have a heavy spring, usually between 18 and 24#, pushing against the firing pin, which is restrained by (generally) about .050" of sear engagement. Proportionally about the same as a 1911, but a .308/.270/.30-06, etc., has more BOOM!, so...

FWIW, I have a Steyr, with the safe-bolt-system, so with the safety on, the firing pin is cammed into a recess that prevents its forward travel, when double-locked, so I'm content with my safety.

pgrass101

I use a safety on all my bolts except for my Nagants

__________________
Noli nothis permittere te terere

I am waiting on my personal bailout!!!

General Geoff

The only bolt gun I own is a Mosin Nagant, and the safety on them is anything but safe to engage or disengage! I usually just leave the chamber empty. Keep in mind, however, that I don't hunt.

Of course, even if I owned a bolt gun with a real safety, I probably wouldn't use it. I don't use safeties on any of my guns, because they seem to me like a possible complacency issue. If I know all my guns have their safeties off, I'll never wonder or assume that a safety is on, for any reason. The only reason I'd use a safety is if I had a single action carry piece, like a 1911.

__________________
Discretion is the better part of valour; and a virtue beyond reproach.
Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association

SonofASniper

If you ever decide to take up hunting, let me know which area you will be hunting....

__________________
The unreasonable person will determine what the reasonable compromise will be.