How to reload a big game rifle

stug said:
Found another video. Different advice from what I'd heard about taking the rifle from the shoulder to reload.

Click to expand...
I think the most important thing is to practice until you eliminate possible problem areas. There are weaknesses to any second shot technique, and strengths as well. Here you have to remount the rifle.
 
These are great videos, thanks!
 
Great stuff
 
I can only imagine the observations are correct about short stroking the bolt.

"Open it with authority" (y)

Whatever the rationale.
That moment it takes to drop that gun to reload works for me. Shotgun or rifle.
The hard part will be training yourself to keep your eye on the target while working the bolt.
 
Interesting....

I was taught to keep it shouldered and to not bring the head up even, to keep looking through the scope.

Either way you do it practice is the key. Lots of practice.

I can definitely see how short stroking occurs and why. But, if you've eliminated that issue through practice which technique is truly better, and could one be better for the client and one better for the PH?

I hope some of the DGS PHs who use bolt guns will weigh in here.
 
I'm going to reach out other the SAAM guys and see what they have to say. They are after all the ones who taught me to keep my head down. ;)

Will be very curious to here their feedback though as they typically stress "a way" and not "the way.`
 
Royal27 said:
Interesting....

I was taught to keep it shouldered and to not bring the head up even, to keep looking through the scope.
.....
Click to expand...

If I did that on the new .416 I'd have that 8 inch bolt into my right eye when I brought it back.
(no scope)
 
BRICKBURN said:
If I did that on the new .416 I'd have that 8 inch bolt into my right eye when I brought it back.
(no scope)
Click to expand...

Have you tried it? I bet it doesn't hit although without a scope if you're far enough up on the rifle perhaps it does, especially for you personally.

I will also be the first to admit that I have a tendency to pick my head up regardless. If I haven't been focusing on that specifically and practicing it certainly occurs.
 
Royal27 said:
Have you tried it? I bet it doesn't hit although without a scope if you're far enough up on the rifle perhaps it does, especially for you personally...........
Click to expand...

I actually did try it. (I knew about your SAAM training )
For me, right in the eye, with the current LOP. That will be changing soon.
 
Yep on my 404 I have to lift my head slightly when reloading or the bolt hill hit me, on my 9.3x62 the longer LOP means it is fine.
 
Being short finally has an advantage! :E Big Grin:
 
Royal27 said:
Being short finally has an advantage! :E Big Grin:
Click to expand...
ha ha ha, yep... but the LOP can be fixed... ;):D:ROFLMAO:

i can work the bolt on my 416 without smashing my face in, but it is about a 1/4" away from causing damage!!
I have tried keeping the rifle in my shoulder and working the action, but prefer to move it away as they do in the video, maybe not so far down as in the video though.
 
I guess against DG hitting yourself in the face isn't too much of a problem, but if it causes a short stroke it is.

I can cycle my 375rug in my shoulder, but will be trying this now.
 
After the rifle recoils, my head is off the stock anyway especially on the Ruger 416 Rigby I tried out. My MRC 375 H&H with a brake is only a fraction of the 416, but my head still comes off the stock.
Guess I now need to practice it this way. It seems very logical.

Thanks for the video Stug!
 
stug said:
Found another video. Different advice from what I'd heard about taking the rifle from the shoulder to reload.

Click to expand...

If you change your DG gun often then you may have an issue with 'short stroking' presuming you're changing from short to long action ( .458 WM to .375H&H) for example. If you go the other way round you shouldn't have the problem. Practice and 'presence of mind' are key.

We have a 'Panterror' charging Lion target system at the range ( covering 2m/s) and if you have to dismount the rifle from your shoulder to reload for the second shot.. you're gonna get eaten..as it were. We start it at 20m and one may only fire once it gets to 10m (giving it time to build up the charge speed.) the starting position is rifle held at 'port arms' as you would on a DG follow up - safety on. Guys dismounting the rifle to reload can seldom get it back up for the second shot before the frame hits your feet.

The way I was taught and it has kept me with a whole skin over the years is to: Keep the rifle shoulder mounted, shoot with both eyes open - as you should!-, lift your head away from the action keeping the rifle mounted, work the bolt 'with authority' keeping your eyes on the prey...head back down and fire.
With the rifle mounted, should you have a tight ('hard) extraction', you have more leverage with the rifle up against something solid to pull against. I've seen bolts pulled back with not enough force to eject the case but causing the rifle to twist in the shooters hands.

At the next proficiency exams, I'll have some video taken for comments and discussion. Our Learner PH"s and Guides have about as much gun handling (most likely less) as the average guy on this forum... given the cost and availability of ammo locally.
 
BRICKBURN said:
I can only imagine the observations are correct about short stroking the bolt.

"Open it with authority" (y)

Whatever the rationale.
That moment it takes to drop that gun to reload works for me. Shotgun or rifle.
The hard part will be training yourself to keep your eye on the target while working the bolt.
Click to expand...

I short stroked the bolt of my Guide Gun on my elephant hunt. Thank goodness the bull was already down and dead. The last round in the magazine got crossed up and it took me a few seconds to clear and reload.
Frankly I had not practiced reloading that quickly before the trip.
 
Ole Bally said:
If you change your DG gun often then you may have an issue with 'short stroking' presuming you're changing from short to long action ( .458 WM to .375H&H) for example. If you go the other way round you shouldn't have the problem. Practice and 'presence of mind' are key.

We have a 'Panterror' charging Lion target system at the range ( covering 2m/s) and if you have to dismount the rifle from your shoulder to reload for the second shot.. you're gonna get eaten..as it were. We start it at 20m and one may only fire once it gets to 10m (giving it time to build up the charge speed.) the starting position is rifle held at 'port arms' as you would on a DG follow up - safety on. Guys dismounting the rifle to reload can seldom get it back up for the second shot before the frame hits your feet.

The way I was taught and it has kept me with a whole skin over the years is to: Keep the rifle shoulder mounted, shoot with both eyes open - as you should!-, lift your head away from the action keeping the rifle mounted, work the bolt 'with authority' keeping your eyes on the prey...head back down and fire.
With the rifle mounted, should you have a tight ('hard) extraction', you have more leverage with the rifle up against something solid to pull against. I've seen bolts pulled back with not enough force to eject the case but causing the rifle to twist in the shooters hands.

At the next proficiency exams, I'll have some video taken for comments and discussion. Our Learner PH"s and Guides have about as much gun handling (most likely less) as the average guy on this forum... given the cost and availability of ammo locally.
Click to expand...

I'd love to see some videos! I just can't get my mind around dismounting to reload due to the extra time alone. The only advantage at all seems to be to see other potential targets, but as a client I don't think other targets should be my primary concern. Only THE target should be.

CAustin said:
I short stroked the bolt of my Guide Gun on my elephant hunt. Thank goodness the bull was already down and dead. The last round in the magazine got crossed up and it took me a few seconds to clear and reload.
Frankly I had not practiced reloading that quickly before the trip.
Click to expand...

Helps to prove my initial point. Practice practice practice. I bet that 99.5% of all short stroke issues are due to lack of preparation and nothing else.

My wife gets so mad at me for sending snap caps flying across the room before a hunt, but I do it every day for at least a couple of months before a hunt. I want the reload to be as automatic as breathing.
 
Ole Bally said:
If you change your DG gun often then you may have an issue with 'short stroking' presuming you're changing from short to long action ( .458 WM to .375H&H) for example. If you go the other way round you shouldn't have the problem. Practice and 'presence of mind' are key.

We have a 'Panterror' charging Lion target system at the range ( covering 2m/s) and if you have to dismount the rifle from your shoulder to reload for the second shot.. you're gonna get eaten..as it were. We start it at 20m and one may only fire once it gets to 10m (giving it time to build up the charge speed.) the starting position is rifle held at 'port arms' as you would on a DG follow up - safety on. Guys dismounting the rifle to reload can seldom get it back up for the second shot before the frame hits your feet.

The way I was taught and it has kept me with a whole skin over the years is to: Keep the rifle shoulder mounted, shoot with both eyes open - as you should!-, lift your head away from the action keeping the rifle mounted, work the bolt 'with authority' keeping your eyes on the prey...head back down and fire.
With the rifle mounted, should you have a tight ('hard) extraction', you have more leverage with the rifle up against something solid to pull against. I've seen bolts pulled back with not enough force to eject the case but causing the rifle to twist in the shooters hands.

At the next proficiency exams, I'll have some video taken for comments and discussion. Our Learner PH"s and Guides have about as much gun handling (most likely less) as the average guy on this forum... given the cost and availability of ammo locally.
Click to expand...


I've seen some video of that Lion replica in motion. It would certainly help practice sessions.

It would be interesting to see some more examples.
 
CAustin said:
I short stroked the bolt of my Guide Gun on my elephant hunt. Thank goodness the bull was already down and dead. The last round in the magazine got crossed up and it took me a few seconds to clear and reload.
Frankly I had not practiced reloading that quickly before the trip.
Click to expand...

Glad it got done on the first one.

I'll take note and practice a lot more.
 
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