NZGAC Hunter Education. Enabling better education and safer hunting practices.
NZ Hunter Education:
Module 7: OTHER RULES
1. Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
This applies particularly to older firearms that may have an unknown history. Inspect your firearm before you shoot it. Check the bore for any obstructions and if something else is not operating correctly, be patient and if in doubt take your firearm to a gunsmith.
Shotguns with any pitting of the barrel should not be fired. Modern ammunition must not be used in old shotgun, especially those with Damascus barrels. You can generally tell a Damascus barrelled shotgun by the swirl marks on the barrel. The barrels were made by wrapping strips of steel around a mandrill and then welding them together. Over time the welds can rust and weaken the barrel. These barrels may not be strong enough for the high pressure of modern ammunition or the chambering may not allow for modern star crimp cartridges.
The chamber is the slightly enlarged section of the barrel bore where the cartridge is locked up before being fired. In the case of a star crimp shot cartridge, the chamber needs to be long enough to allow the crimp to peel forward, out of the way of the shot and wad.
Get a gunsmith to check your old shotgun before you consider using it.
2. Know how to use the gun safely.
Because different firearms can have different actions and safety features, it is essential that you check before you use the firearm and familiarise yourself with its use so there is no second guessing and you know how the safety operates. For example, safeties may work in different ways and what you assume may be different from reality or the firearm you used previously.
3. Sight your firearm in correctly.
This is important for a number of reasons.
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If the sights are not set correctly your shots may fall short, beyond or to the side of the target.
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You may wound game which no ethical hunter wants.
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You may waste expensive ammunition.
Sighting in is best carried out at an established range.
In other situations, such as on private property ensure you have a safe back stop such as a clay bank. Remember if your firearm is shooting low and there are rocks where your bullets hit, you may have ricochets. Note bullets and pellets from a shotgun can also ricochet off water.
To sight in:
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First sight in at 25 or 50 metres by bore sighting your rifle or by using a laser sighting device. Remove the bolt and adjust your sights until the point of aim and the possible bullet impact are the same. You can check this by looking down the barrel.
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Fire a shot and then adjust your sights – if using iron sights, move the rear sight in the direction you want to shoot. If using a telescopic sight follow the arrows on the scope adjustment. Remember the scope adjustments are for 100 metres so you will need four times the adjustment at 25 metres.
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Once you are hitting near the centre of the target, you can then shoot at 50 metres for rimfire cartridges or 100 metres for centre fire. Most centre fire rifles are sighted in 7.5cm high at 100 to make the best use of the trajectory.
4. Use a Chamber Safety Device (CSD)
The CSD is a small and portable device that, when inserted into the chamber of a rifle or gun, will demonstrate clearly that there is no live ammunition in the chamber. It fits almost all action and calibre firearms, with the exception of the 17-calibre and black powder rifles.
By bending the shaft over itself the device can be inserted and will stay firm in a 12-gauge shotgun. It can be easily inserted into the chamber of bolt, lever, pump and semi automatic action firearms.
Essential for use on ranges and where you are sighting in firearms.
5. Different types of hunting and shooting may require different safety procedures.
Hunting may involve pursuing different kinds of game animals in different places and may also involve the use of equipment such as vehicles or boats.
Extra care needs to be taken in these situations and hunters must think through the issues and make safety a priority. They also need to aware of the law in these situations, especially when shooting game birds.
6. Environmental Hazards
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If you fall or stumble when carrying a firearm, your first and most important responsibility is to make sure the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction, and that you do not touch the trigger.
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It is vitally important that the barrel is kept free from any obstruction at all times. If you fall and the muzzle touches the ground, always stop and check for signs of blockage. Always carry your firearm in such a way that you can control the direction of the muzzle should you stumble.
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To prevent water getting into the barrel in heavy rain or snow, keep the muzzle pointed down. (Make sure it doesn’t touch the ground.) A small square of insulation or masking tape over the muzzle can keep snow and mud out of the barrel. Never insert a plug of cloth or other material into the barrel.
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When hunting in heavy scrub, watch for twigs getting into the barrel. If you have a firearm action with an exposed hammer (see photo on right), be especially careful that the hammer is not cocked accidentally by brushing through scrub. Exposed hammers can also catch on clothing so be aware. This applies equally to single shot rifles and lever actions, not just hammer shotguns as illustrated.
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Pay attention when walking along riverbeds or dry creek-beds. They are often slippery or icy.
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Walk through streams if carrying a firearm. Do NOT try to jump ditches and streams, or to cross on rocks with a loaded firearm.
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If your firearm misfires you must check the barrel, from the breech end, in case a bullet is stuck in it.
7. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
This is critical because the moment you put your finger to the trigger you have crossed a mental boundary, especially if you have raised the gun to your shoulder.
As well, when you are carrying the rifle, the same thing applies – consciously keep your finger outside the trigger guard. You may have a round in the chamber and have forgotten to put the safety on! Think safety at all times.
8. Use safety devices to protect your eyesight and hearing.
Some ranges require the use of safety glasses and all require the use of hearing protection. While you are in the field and using a rimfire rifle or a centrefire rifle a suppressor is recommended where possible.
Remember, there is an absolute relationship between the firing of a centre fire rifle and damage to your ears. (See section on suppressors in Hunter Education.)
9. Keep your firearm clean.
Firearms work better and last longer when they are cared for. Before storing your firearm give it a clean. If you have fired it, you may want to clean the barrel with a cleaning rod, clean patches and solvent. Always insert the cleaning rod from the chamber end of the bore to avoid damage to the muzzle. Push a slightly oiled patch through the barrel and wipe the metal parts with a lightly oiled cloth before putting it away.
Before you go hunting again check to see that the firearm is unloaded and run a patch through the barrel to remove any oil.
Also it’s a good idea to take a pull through with you when hunting – you can give the barrel a pull through if you get mud in it or you can give it a clean after you have been hunting.
