Scope carry?

[Newtosavage]

If I fall, I am in a lot better position to protect a rifle if it's in my hands, than if it is slung over my shoulder. What can you do to keep a rifle slung over your shoulder from hitting the ground in an awkward way? Not much.

Carry the weapon on the downhill side is what I was taught, because if you fall, you fall into the hill. So I've always done that. Easy to switch hands if I'm switching back on a steep hill. I have no idea how you keep a rifle slung over your shoulder from hitting the ground if it's on the side of the hill when you go down.

So first the argument was it will damage the scope, now it's that you can't protect a rifle if you're carrying it in your hands???

I had no idea that carrying a rifle by the scope would be such heresy.

Let's see... I've been doing this for a couple decades, have never had a scope lose zero because of it, it gets me through the brush better and helps me keep my balance better, while allowing me to protect the rifle better in a fall, and it's helped me get off quite a few shots I wouldn't have otherwise gotten because I had the rifle up and on target so quickly. No need to try and convince me it's a bad thing guys. I was just curious who else did it. I see a few brave souls above that are willing to admit to it. LOL

 

[ChrisAU]

(sigh)

I'm just saying carrying the rifle in my hands is more comfortable and less fatiguing to me, than slung on my shoulder. And if you carry it by the stock, you have to bend your wrist around the scope to carry it. That's where the added fatigue comes in.

Why do I get the feeling the rifle scope police are about to bust down my front door and confiscate my rifle scopes for alleged abuse? LOL

I feel like I've upset the force somehow by suggesting that 7 lbs isn't enough to bend a 1" tube across a 6" span, and that it's easier, faster and less hassle in the brush to carry my rifle in my hands than slung.

My apolgies for even suggesting such a thing. LOL

At this point, I'm sure that not even a mythbusters episode would convince some of you guys.

The thread is still going because you keep saying things like this...what?

 

[ChrisAU]

And I carry my rifle in my hands...

 

[ChrisAU]

This is the sling position taught to us in LE training for our shotguns. I'm so used to it now that slinging my rifle barrel up seems weird to me. It is by far the fastest way to get a slung rifle or shotgun into shooting position, and as you say, your support hand never leaves the stock so you can maintain good control the whole way.

Still not faster than when I am carrying my rifle by the scope though.

I'm thinking some of you guys don't hunt through thick brush very often? A slung rifle in thick brush is a major PITA.

And this...you are not shouldering your rifle with a hand wrapped around your scope, so you have to change the position of two hands...my method, the LE training method you mention, you only move 1 hand position.

You posted this just to kick a hornet's nest, didn't you? Bet you scold people for carrying their rifle by the scope. Grab an rifle by the optic or, heaven forbid, an M4 by the mothereffin "carry" handle during firearm training in the military and see if the instructor pats you on the back...

 

[ElPollo]

Heh, heh... I do this all the time. Didn't even know I was offending the scope gods. I have an old Savage 110 that came with a cheap ass Bushnell 3-9 scope in aluminum Weaver rings. I bought it in 1994 and carried it by the scope all over 5 Western states over more than two decades. It never lost zero once, including the time I tripped over a rock in the snow and landed on top of it on another rock, leaving a big divot in the rear ring. I replaced that scope last year, but not because it was broken... Carry on. ;-)

 

[NomadHunter603]

This is the sling position taught to us in LE training for our shotguns. I'm so used to it now that slinging my rifle barrel up seems weird to me. It is by far the fastest way to get a slung rifle or shotgun into shooting position, and as you say, your support hand never leaves the stock so you can maintain good control the whole way.

Still not faster than when I am carrying my rifle by the scope though.

I'm thinking some of you guys don't hunt through thick brush very often? A slung rifle in thick brush is a major PITA.

I wouldn’t use a scoped rifle in thick brush, unless the brush you have isn’t super thick


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisAU]

So for those it works for, it works.

But

A rifle carried by the stock has never lost zero as a consequence of it being carried by the stock.

Has a rifle ever lost zero because it was carried by the scope? Maybe...

 

[rob86jeep]

Your sharp rock analogy doesn't work. My fingers aren't sharp rocks.

Again, what is the amount of force it takes to bend an aluminum tube supported 6" apart? I would bet in the hundreds of pounds. Asked another way, are you honestly suggesting I could - with my own fingers - bend a 1" aluminum tube supported 6" apart? I can tell you right now there is no way I could do that even if I ate my wheaties.

Some of you guys think your scopes are made of eggshells or something. I just don't get it. I figured guys would question the mounts, not suggest that carrying a 6.5# rifle (actually 5.7 lbs of rifle without the scope) would somehow do permanent damage to a 1" aluminum tube across a 6" span. Holy cow. I think I need to do a Mythbusters test on this now.

No one is telling you what to do with your gear, only that the majority of people choose to handle their equipment differently (and how it was designed). Have fun carrying your rifle by the scope, you bought it so you deserve to treat it how you wish to.

 

[Randle]

Why ask a question when you already have your mind made up. Has some questioned making you doubt it? Has someone said it was a poor way , making you defensive? just honest questions . Every answer here you have a defense so I am just saying why I dont

 

[Rob5589]

Not generally but, have lifted it many times by the scope, including a 17 lb match gun. Never had an issue. I don't carry it in that manner as I don't see it as particularly safe. I am almost always a muzzle up carry guy.

 

[Newtosavage]

Why ask a question when you already have your mind made up. Has some questioned making you doubt it? Has someone said it was a poor way , making you defensive? just honest questions . Every answer here you have a defense so I am just saying why I dont

LOL Why assume that when someone asks a question, they are looking for advice? And please understand the difference between explaining and defending.

Do you not ever ask anyone if they use the same tent as you, or drive the same truck? I dunno. Just curiosity I suppose. I had no idea so many people would get so excited about it.

 

[Newtosavage]

The thread is still going because you keep saying things like this...what?

If you're carrying a rifle in your hands, you have to either use two hands, or if you're carrying one-handed you have to bend your wrist slightly to avoid the scope. It's not a hard concept. Give it a try sometime. When you carry it by the scope, your wrist hangs in a natural position. I'm sorry if this isn't making sense to you.

 

[Newtosavage]

Heh, heh... I do this all the time. Didn't even know I was offending the scope gods. I have an old Savage 110 that came with a cheap ass Bushnell 3-9 scope in aluminum Weaver rings. I bought it in 1994 and carried it by the scope all over 5 Western states over more than two decades. It never lost zero once, including the time I tripped over a rock in the snow and landed on top of it on another rock, leaving a big divot in the rear ring. I replaced that scope last year, but not because it was broken... Carry on. ;-)

Damn. Now they'll be after you too. LOL

 

[ChrisAU]

If you're carrying a rifle in your hands, you have to either use two hands, or you have to bend your wrist slightly to avoid the scope. It's not a hard concept. Give it a try sometime. When you carry it by the scope, your wrist hangs in a natural position. I'm sorry if this isn't making sense to you.

Carrying it by the stock in one hand with the rifle upside down doesn't require me to bend my wrist...you are trolling at this point. And if I saw you carrying a rifle by the scope in the woods I'd assume you were an amateur who was never taught any better, I'm sorry if this isn't making sense to you.

 

[Newtosavage]

And this...you are not shouldering your rifle with a hand wrapped around your scope, so you have to change the position of two hands...my method, the LE training method you mention, you only move 1 hand position.

You posted this just to kick a hornet's nest, didn't you? Bet you scold people for carrying their rifle by the scope. Grab an rifle by the optic or, heaven forbid, an M4 by the mothereffin "carry" handle during firearm training in the military and see if the instructor pats you on the back...

You're getting wayyy too upset over this. It's the holiday season. Great time of year for a nap.

The LE slung position is a great technique, and it's what I do when the rifle is not in my hands.

 

[Newtosavage]

Carrying it by the stock in one hand with the rifle upside down doesn't require me to bend my wrist...you are trolling at this point. And if I saw you carrying a rifle by the scope in the woods I'd assume you were an amateur who was never taught any better, I'm sorry if this isn't making sense to you.

Funny, I thought you were the one trolling at this point. I'm just carrying on a conversation and trying politely reply to folks. But not you - anymore. Bye.

 

[ChrisAU]

Funny, I thought you were the one trolling at this point. I'm just carrying on a conversation and trying politely reply to folks. But not you - anymore. Bye.

Your reply was anything but polite, sir.

 

[Newtosavage]

To the rest who replied, I'm sorry things got off track. I honestly was just curious how many folks also tended to carry their rifles by their scopes. I had no idea some folks would get so upset about it. Thanks for your replies.

Glad to know there are at least a few other long-time scope grabbers out there.

 

[ChrisAU]

Every single post in this thread is about why or why not to carry a rifle in a certain manner, which is the topic of your original post.

"But, your opinion is different than mine, therefore I shall make snide remarks and then tell you I will not engage in conversation with you. Bye." - Bernie supporters, and OP.

 

[Randle]

I know some of these threads get interesting.
If it works for you that's great.