Hunting & Fishing Slung Rifle, Muzzle up or down?

[bullseye13]

This is going to be a dumb question, and I'm sure I'll catch hell, but here it goes.

I've hunted my whole life. I have, and have always seen hunters carry their rifle slung with the muzzle up. I assume this is done to protect the muzzle. Ive seen a couple movies lately (Shooter, and Behind enemy lines)and have a question.

Why do I see pictures of the "Tactical/Military guys" carry their precision rifles muzzle down? I'm not talking about an AR style carbine either, I'm talking like M24 or similar weapon system. I would think in a dynamic enviroment that with the muzzle down your risking your rifle barrel getting full of shit, or possibly having the crown damaged if you fall?

This could be an "only in the movies thing", but maybe not? Maybe there is something I'm missing? Please explain the reasoning of carrying a rifle muzzle down.

 

[Danco411]

Walking around - Muzzle up. Yes to protect the crown and safety. Slung on my back over my shoulder.
Stalking/hunting - Muzzle down. Slung over shoulder in hands ready to fire.

I use a V-Tac wide padded sling with QD swivels and matching studs on all my rifles both ARs and bolts. This works good both ways.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

When you're moving through brush and trees etc if you're muzzle is down shit can't fall down your bore. It generally creates a lower silhouette with no donkey dick barrel sticking up above you. That's just my way not saying its "the" way.

 

[Redmanss]

We would carry it low against our side for a low profile. When things go "dynamic", you don't have it slung...

 

[DropZone]

When I'm hunting I carry it muzzle down on my left shoulder with my hand in the sling. Shot many a critter this way as it allows the gun to be presented swiftly and steadily.

 

[Bobo3020]

For hunting I've always heard movement high to low is more natural as not to spook game Could be complete bs. The muzzle down suggestions in previous posts make sense as well.

 

[Graham]

Slung Rifle, Muzzle up or down?

Please explain the reasoning of carrying a rifle muzzle down.

The Earth has a perfect record for stopping bullets. The record of the sky is inversely proportional to that of the Earth.

 

[bullseye13]

We would carry it low against our side for a low profile. When things go "dynamic", you don't have it slung...

I understand not having the rifle shouldered, or if so having it shouldered in a ready position when your stalking game, or in a hot area. I was just wondering if you Mil guys were taught to always carry muzzle down for some reason.

Shooter was on TV the other day and I watched it again for a lack of better options.
The scene where he is in the cabin with the ex sniper in the wheel chair, and all the bad guys surround the cabin. He busts out of there with his M4, and his Rem 700 on his back muzzle down. seems like everytime you would take a knee your barrel would be in the dirt.

 

[high right]

I carry muzzle down cause I shoot suppressed. muzzle up on a sling or in a pack will get you carbon in the chamber.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

muzzle down to keep from getting caught on limbs and crap. of course then you risk plugging up the muzzle with a longer barrel, ya just have to be aware of how you are walking and what you are walking through. easier to crawl "on demand", and grasp, shoulder it IMO.

addition of studs on the sides keeps it right in front.

a little mallninjaish but a bonus is when you come across another guy, they give you the look and they don't want to jaw with you too much, and adds "the don't F with me out here" factor.

 

[mrbungle]

muzzle down because what goes up must come down.

 

[Punisher29073]

Muzzle down because my barrel is heavier and the gun rides more naturally muzzle down on my guns.

Ryan

 

[Nortex]

Muzzle down across my chest cause I have a backpack on. It also makes for quick shouldering of the rifle if a shot is presented on the way to and from the stand.