Improper cycling of action - handling ...

[86er]

Today I was at an outdoor range messing around with my Remington 81 autoloader and my Win 1886 45-70. This range does not have any benches. All the shooters are either standing, sitting, kneeling or prone without the aid of a chair and bench. It's a private range so there were not a lot of people there but I was surprised to see 5 leverguns besides my own. What I did notice among the shooters was that every one of them took the gun off their shoulder and looked at the action as they cycled it, slowly. This included the levergunners and the bolt gun shooters. I was working the lever and continuing to shoot without removing the gun from my shoulder or completely losing the sights. I asked each of the shooters why they did that and none of them really knew why. They watched me shoot and tried it. Some of them still removed the gun from the shoulder out of habit. Maybe I instilled better shooting habits in them for the future. Why do folks handle rifles like this? How do these bad habits start?

[20cows]

Most shotgun buttstocked Winchesters I've shot would slip off the shoulder as the cycling wasn't as slick as it might be.

This is less noticeable with a crescent stock and smoothed action.

[RKrodle]

They have watched to many old westerns where the guy shoots his Winchester and then takes it down from his shoulder to admire his own shooting. Like so many hunters who fire and don't immediately cycle another round in, they believe one shot is all it takes.

[jnyork]

It is not necessarily a "bad habit". When the goal is accurate offhand shooting vs. rapid rate of fire, almost all knowledgable shooters take the rifle down from the shoulder and rest a few seconds between shots, this gives the muscles of the left arm a chance to rest and gives the shooter a chance to take a few deep breaths, all to aid in steadying the hold on the next shot. Go take in a High Power match or a silhouette match and you will see this in action.

[FWiedner]

I believe that is has more to do with a habit developed from the sighting-in and target practice process. A shooter will take a shot from the line, see where it went, and adjust if necessary. When a shooter gets into the field or another shooting situation, he takes the pattern with him.

It's that old thing about shooting in the field the same way you practice.

I've heard stories about cops on the street putting themselves in danger because they stopped shooting to pick up their brass.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Most shotgun buttstocked Winchesters I've shot would slip off the shoulder as the cycling wasn't as slick as it might be.

This is less noticeable with a crescent stock and smoothed action.

I think that is a big part of it. The lever detent/friction studs for most modern guns just hold too well then with the late Wins you have to deal with the heavy rebounding hammer spring to get the lever/bolt back. The earlier Rossi 92's say pre 99 or so you just about had to break it over your kneee they were so stiff.

[Don McDowell]

+1 with Mr York. It happens all the time in levergun competition. Sometimes by rule as the rifles must be single loaded.
Sometimes a fella likes to see what condition the brass is in when it comes out of the action..
Not real sure I've ever heard of what you described being defined as improper gun handling.

[shooter]

I don't think I would call it "improper" gun handling either. I would call it very poor practice for in the field, though. I personally don't take the rifle off my shoulder every time I fire. I like it to be second nature to cycle another round after firing a shot. If you're hunting something that could hunt you back, you better have a follow up shot to put it down if need be.

[Old Savage]

I think I always drop it from the shoulder to do it. The black bull isn't going anywhere.

[AJMD429]

I developed the habit because I generally try to catch the brass or barely eject it into my hand, vs. spend time looking for it in the grass - but often I shoot where there isn't the short, mowed grass most ranges have.

[20cows]

I generally try to catch the brass or barely eject it into my hand, vs. spend time looking for it in the grass -

This is my practice as well. The only time I ever let brass fly is with an actual hunting shot and then I'll look for it after the excitement settles down.

[Lefty Dude]

This comes from an early development period in our lives when we all learned to shoot our first BB guns. We had to drop the stock from the shoulder to cock the lever. I remember using my Leg as a support for the stock to cock the Daisy BB gun.

Just the view from my Saddle you understand.

[C. Cash]

I developed the habit because I generally try to catch the brass or barely eject it into my hand, vs. spend time looking for it in the grass - but often I shoot where there isn't the short, mowed grass most ranges have.

That's me, exactly. My brass, if I don't catch it out of my Win. 94AE, goes into the fine dirt, gets stepped on by my kids, hides behind something...etc., so I just catch it into my hand. 356 Win. brass is precious these days! Not always, but that's usually what I do. Twenty Two's from the Marlin 39A goes into the dirt of course.

[Malamute]

I've been in the habit of reloading instantly (from the shoulder) when I shoot, and worrying about the brass later. I try to make a habit of working the action sharply, especially bolt guns. Trying to gently open the action on bolt guns can result in the case not clearing the action, and laying loose in the action. Just trying to build habits mostly. Like the cops that have ended up looking for the brass bucket to dump their empties in, we sometimes revert to what we've done in practice. I usually don't bother with brass at all until I'm done shooting.

I guess I'm not a target shooter. No disrespect to them intended. Critters sometimes move, when you're standing there admiring your work.

[adirondakjack]

Depends on the gun. Some 92s or even brandy new Marlins ya need to operate em right smartly, and that seems easier when help off the shoulder.

My first rifle as a kid was a single shot lever, ithaca model 49, and ya had to reload by pointing the gun downhill somewhat and dropping a round into the "chute" cut in the top of the bolt.

That habit carried over UNTIL I got into CAS. It also seemed to ease feeding woes when using oddball ammo.

Now, after untold rounds downrange using the high speed CAS technique and my short stroked Marlins that are slick as frog snot on a wet glass doorknob, I instinctively flick my fingers, chambering the next round INSTANTLY after tripping a shot. Those rifles only require about 3lbs finger effort to cycle (aout the same as to trip the trigger).

[Pisgah]

Without question, removing the rifle from the shoulder to cycle the action is not good technique; but also without question, it's what most folks do.

Part of the reason, I think, is a common Winchester/Marlin design feature, and it is one area where the Savage 99 is far superior. With a MarWin (or, a WinMar), it's the opening stroke that requires the greatest force -- a cock-on-opening action. In other words, just when you want the butt to stay welded to the shoulder your hand is forcing the gun down and forward.

In contrast, the opening stroke of the 99 requires almost no force at all -- the lever almost falls open. The butt stays in place; then, on the closing stroke the greatest resistance is met just before the action closes and locks -- cock-on-closing -- and thus the greatest force of the entire cycle pushes directly back in to the shoulder, locking the butt in just when you need it to be locked in.

If you've never tried rapid fire with a 99, do it if you get the chance. Running the mag empty without the butt budging from the shoulder is easy as pie.

[mikld]

I kin under stand slow cycling may be a problem, but what's "wrong" with lowering the gun from your shoulder to cycle? I can under stand ifn' the Commencheros are in full attack and you have to get all 34 shots out of your magazine quickly, but a quick follow up shot for deer always necessary?

[msmith1228]

I think it is from being started off with single shot rifles and shotguns.

Mack

[JB]

I agree with the others. I'm normally catching the brass. Plus I'm not playing cowboy and there's no use rushing the shots.

[Chas.]

I do it both ways, depending on circumstance. Maybe it's the many years I spent bird hunting with a pump gun. In that circumstance, you just can't remove the gun from your shoulder. But at the bench with a lever gun, it just seems easier.

[Sixgun]

It is not necessarily a "bad habit". When the goal is accurate offhand shooting vs. rapid rate of fire, almost all knowledgable shooters take the rifle down from the shoulder and rest a few seconds between shots, this gives the muscles of the left arm a chance to rest and gives the shooter a chance to take a few deep breaths, all to aid in steadying the hold on the next shot. Go take in a High Power match or a silhouette match and you will see this in action.

Right on the money! There are exceptions but for the most part, when we are shooting at targets for play, there just is no reason for the continued "hold up".

[76/444]

I'm with you 86er.

I think the main problem why most don't shoot from the shoulder is the weapon doesn't fit the shooter. Most levers I have owned, or shot, or just handled,... when cycling,... the butt is too long and when reaching the most forward portion of the cycling I have to move to accommodate that little bit more needed to complete the cycle, which forces my sight pattern to be lost.

So I can understand why so many do what you have described.

I personally believe the lever rifle was designed to be shot from the shoulder, just as the pump was. I never see a pump gun owner drop down to reload. But they have a lot more ability to adjust for length of pull with a pump. The lever gun needs proper length of pull for shoulder cycling, imo.


I cut around about 4 inches from my straight butt stock and replaced the missing wood with almost 2.5 inches of recoil material in a crescent shape, shortening overall pull. This resulted in a length of pull that allows me to stay on my target and cycle, as well as the feeling of a wrap around grip from the soft recoil material in the crescent shape butt. I didn't trim the recoil material properly because I thought the suede stock cover would hide the imperfections, but in the pic below you can see some wrinkles showing how thick I applied it. Even with the shorter barrel,... this pad and shortened pull makes the 444 a pussycat to shoot from the shoulder while staying on target. I just couldn't see having a lever gun that couldn't be shot this way, and had to modify it to accomplish it.

I used to just drop the muzzle to a comfortable angle that allowed staying on my shoulder, because trying to cycle and stay on target was not possible or comfortable.

[Modoc ED]

It is not necessarily a "bad habit". When the goal is accurate offhand shooting vs. rapid rate of fire, almost all knowledgable shooters take the rifle down from the shoulder and rest a few seconds between shots, this gives the muscles of the left arm a chance to rest and gives the shooter a chance to take a few deep breaths, all to aid in steadying the hold on the next shot. Go take in a High Power match or a silhouette match and you will see this in action.

+1. Funny how some guys think that just because others don't do as they do that the others have developed a "bad habit".

Old Savage said:

I think I always drop it from the shoulder to do it. The black bull isn't going anywhere.

That's true Fred. I've never had a black bull go running off between shots at the range either.

[Modoc ED]

It is not necessarily a "bad habit". When the goal is accurate offhand shooting vs. rapid rate of fire, almost all knowledgable shooters take the rifle down from the shoulder and rest a few seconds between shots, this gives the muscles of the left arm a chance to rest and gives the shooter a chance to take a few deep breaths, all to aid in steadying the hold on the next shot. Go take in a High Power match or a silhouette match and you will see this in action.

Right on the money! There are exceptions but for the most part, when we are shooting at targets for play, there just is no reason for the continued "hold up".

Jack -- Ya got that right. Some of these guys that do a good part of their hunting for animals that are kept behind fences seem to think that their way is the only way.

If ya call Cynthia today, tell her the "old guy" from Alturas, CA says Hi !!!!!

[Lastmohecken]

I have always done it both ways, as the siduation dictated. However, I am very picky about how my guns fit me. If a gun doesn't feel natural to me, to shoot and operate from the shoulder, I usually modify it, trade it off, or shoot it enough until it does become natural.

However, when I am not in hurry, I often lower the gun, to catch the empty brass, as I rarely have the luxury of shooting at a close mowed, graveled or concrete covered range.

But I also practice with any gun I use, by just cycling it empty, in the house, when handling it. And since I have fired thousands and thousands of rounds from 22 leveractions, from the shoulder, without the need to recover the brass, it's just automatic. If I need to shoot fast, the habit is built in. Many times, when shooting at deer, even if it fell on the first shot, I have often amazed myself by reloading without even remembering doing so.

If all one ever shoots is bullseyes, then it doesn't matter, but if you hunt, then I suggest you at least practice reloading from the shoulder, until it's a natural reaction, before you have even recovered from the recoil of the first shot. Not everything drops dead right there, with only one shot.

[Lastmohecken]

You know, come to think of it, I think attitudes and hunting practices have changed, a lot in the last 20yrs or so, and that probably reflects on how we operate our guns, in both shooting practice and hunting.

Most people are mainly deer hunters, these days. Many of us even hunt from tree stands, or blnds, with bows, muzzleloaders, and centerfire rifles, often in that order, every year. And we watch all of the hunting shows, where usually the hunter sits inside the blind, wispering into the camera, while watching his quarry slowly work it's way into the perfect position.

After watching countless game animals show up over a three day period, he finally gets his chance, just before the end of the hunt. He carefully lays his rifle on the padded window sill, or shooting sticks, and slowly, painfully, holds us in suspension, until he squeeses off the shot, or releases the arrow, and then we are often fast forwarded to the fallen game, either before or right after the next commercial.

One shot is usually all that it fired, and our current generation has seldon seen it done any other way. And this is our current morality of how game should be taken, for the most part.
And maybe it is the best way, and certainly looks more humane to the viewers. So, a generation grows up seeing no need for a quick second or third shot, and as a result, places little importance on quick aimed repeat fire in a hunting siduation, so why practice for it.

However, it wasn't always that way, and still isn't for some. And it is true we owe it to the animals we hunt, to make a quick kill, with as little suffering as possble out of respect for our game animals. But sometimes things go wrong, and that perfect first shot doesn't happen, so I think we still need that skill, of being able to get off a quick second or third shot.

[Don McDowell]

You know, come to think of it, I think attitudes and hunting practices have changed, a lot in the last 20yrs or so, and that probably reflects on how we operate our guns, in both shooting practice and hunting.

Most people are mainly deer hunters, these days. Many of us even hunt from tree stands, or blnds, with bows, muzzleloaders, and centerfire rifles, often in that order, every year. And we watch all of the hunting shows, where usually the hunter sits inside the blind, wispering into the camera, while watching his quarry slowly work it's way into the perfect position.

After watching countless game animals show up over a three day period, he finally gets his chance, just before the end of the hunt. He carefully lays his rifle on the padded window sill, or shooting sticks, and slowly, painfully, holds us in suspension, until he squeeses off the shot, or releases the arrow, and then we are often fast forwarded to the fallen game, either before or right after the next commercial.

One shot is usually all that it fired, and our current generation has seldon seen it done any other way. And this is our current morality of how game should be taken, for the most part.
And maybe it is the best way, and certainly looks more humane to the viewers. So, a generation grows up seeing no need for a quick second or third shot, and as a result, places little importance on quick aimed repeat fire in a hunting siduation, so why practice for it.

However, it wasn't always that way, and still isn't for some. And it is true we owe it to the animals we hunt, to make a quick kill, with as little suffering as possble out of respect for our game animals. But sometimes things go wrong, and that perfect first shot doesn't happen, so I think we still need that skill, of being able to get off a quick second or third shot.

While part of that might be true. In excess of 50 years of using leverguns, and bolt guns, and learning the proceedures from old mostly now dead guys. Not once, not even once, nor in my training as an NRA ceritified instructor has ANYONE at any one time EVER said it was improper cycling or handling to dismount the rifle to load the next round while informal target shooting. NOT ONCE.
So I would be curious to know where this Improper bullspit came from?
Even in a hunting situation I can't imagine anyone saying it to be improper. True you might loose a split second on a follow up shot, but sure aim is way more proper than spray and pray.

[AJMD429]

I kin under stand slow cycling may be a problem, but what's "wrong" with lowering the gun from your shoulder to cycle? I can under stand ifn' the Commencheros are in full attack and you have to get all 34 shots out of your magazine quickly, but a quick follow up shot for deer always necessary?

I want one of those 34-shot leverguns; I promise I'll keep it shouldered like a good boy...

[shooter]

I don't think 86er is talking about "spray and pray". If you're target shooting and want to catch brass, then no big deal to take it off your shoulder, IMO. What I read from the OP is that when he asked the people why they did it, they didn't know, it was just habit. Having a reason for doing something a certain way is one thing, but doing it strictly out of habit is another. The habit may not be the wrong way of doing something, but I think you should at least know why you do it. If hunting, I think it is a good idea to form a habit of cycling from the shoulder for a quick follow up shot.

Some people like to shoot a certain way all the time to form muscle memory. I dry fire some of my guns at home to build that muscle memory. To say "improper handling" might not be the right term to use, but in some cases not cycling the action immediately from the shoulder would be improper. If you are hunting bear or other dangerous game, I would consider it improper handling, because wasting time could put you and the people you're with in danger.

[Doc Hudson]

How do these bad habits start?

I can't speak for the fellows at the range but I can tell you how I got into that bad habit.

Handloading! It is less trouble to remove the brass from the receiver than to crawl around in the grass and gravel hunting it.

I try to shoot your way often enough to keep the habit from becoming too ingrained, but when shooting from a bench it is pretty much the routine.

BTW I know you simply meant rapid repeat firing not spray and pray.

[Doc Hudson]

Speaking of habits....

In his classic No Second Place Winner, Bill Jordan spoke of a shoot-out in which he and several other Border patrol agents were arresting a band of smugglers. All went well until one of the smugglers ran off into the brush and started throwing shots at the m with a carbine from 200 yards away.

Bill ordered one of his men to try to keep the shooter's head down while they cuffed and secured the rest of the smugglers. The man detailed the job was an inveterate handloader and routinely picked up his brass and stuffed it into his pockets when practicing.

Eventually the Border Patrolman managed to walk his shots onto the sniper and ended the affray. After the shooting was over, Bill happened to notice that the man's pockets were bulging, they were full of fired .3577 Magnum brass.

Even while underfire from a man attempting to kill him, the Border Patrolman had calmly removed his fired brass picked it up and put it in his pocket. habit could have gotten the man killed. After a discussion with Inspector Jordan changed his habit, thereafter he let his brass fall to the ground and he retrieved it only after his shooting session was finished.

That is how habit can become ingrained. As the saying goes, "You fight like you train." I'm pretty sure we also hunt like we train.

[Modoc ED]

I don't think 86er is talking about "spray and pray".

I agree but 86er did say, "How do these bad habits start?" thereby implying that removing the rifle from your shoulder between shots is a bad habit.

[Don McDowell]

Why do folks handle rifles like this? How do these bad habits start?

Ok maybe we should start on who is the grand determiner that determined it to be "bad habits"?

[RIHMFIRE]

dittos on catching the brass.....

[deerwhacker444]

I developed the habit because I generally try to catch the brass or barely eject it into my hand, vs. spend time looking for it in the grass - but often I shoot where there isn't the short, mowed grass most ranges have.

+1 The range I get to shoot at is loaded with weeds and if your brass gets flying around it gets hard to find. Also I don't like it to hit gravel or get dusty. Just being picky, but that's why I try to "catch" my brass as it ejects.

[L_Kilkenny]

Guess I'll fess up to having this so-called bad habit. Why? Heck if I know. It doesn't matter what action I'm shooting (except semi's), I do it on pumps, bolts and levers. I may not bring it all the way down but I will lift my head at a minimum. It could be partly the Red Rider aspect, could be reloading and target shooting. But more than likely it's because I've just never tried to keep the gun at my shoulder or practiced it. Guess that's not completely true, I have tried it with my Win94 but the lever throw is too long/jerky for me to do it comfortably. I always seem to miss that last little bit and short stroke it.

But over all I don't think it's a bad habit and it doesn't keep me from sending rounds down range. I've been known to send 4 or 5 shots downrange at a running yote and miss more than a few times in a row at a pheasant or deer. Quickly reacquiring the sights on my guns has never been an issue either. It was always a running joke that in my younger, more excitable days that I could get 2 good clean misses on a pheasant before it got 10 feet off the ground. Now the bird makes it a good 10 or 15 yards before I get the second miss.

LK

[Buck Elliott]

"Is a quick follow-up shot on a deer really necessary...?"

You never know, going in. I want to be ready for a second shot RIGHT NOW. If it isn't necessary, I've lost nothing by being ready.

Shoot --- cycle --- watch --- &c.

Even with my '86 XLR...

[Bill_Rights]

I agree with the OP, Mohecken, Shooter, Buck and others: cycle immediately, then look, think or whatever.

And I DO NOT want to get into what is "improper" or "bad habit".

I do want to say that I am a "fundamentalist" when it comes to all shooting. That is, the primary reason to own and know how to use a firearm (or any weapon, for that matter) is protection. Second to that is putting food on the table. But food doesn't matter if you (or a companion, family member or anyone you're responsible for) is dead or greviously wounded. So, protection is first. I know that this is a fun forum, and that shooting is also a sport. And I know that economy of brass is desirable - there are few people as provident and resourceful as I try to be. I have read and acknowledge what others have written in this thread. But, fundamentally, shooting is about self- (or other-) preservation. This is the first duty of the living.

Sorry to be a "downer". I did hesitate, as a newcomer to this forum, to reveal my harder edge.

[madman4570]

jnyork is dead on the money!

Joe,
Did the guys appear to be shooting as if for accuracy,or did they just shoot,look down,work action,pull up shoot????

Most people I know that are shooting offhand at paper "except" in a "timed" event, even then slow fire can be 10 shots in 10mins etc.shoot that way(for accuracy)with leverguns not sure what there purpose was?? Was anyone spotting for them?

But in the real world,leaving it at the shoulder and shooting as quick as possible trying to keep em where they need to be is also a vital" need in real world hunting situations etc"


anyway, too bad the guy's don't put nice benches in.
The Private Club I belong to back about 20 years ago had old wood beat benches so I got 6 new 800 lbs each concrete tops/built the structures and took each one "at a time" in my GMC truck and set them up(with my brother and 3 friends)Then they wanted a lighting system installed down range also for night shooting(yep,we did that too)

[Doc Hudson]

I agree with the OP, Mohecken, Shooter, Buck and others: cycle immediately, then look, think or whatever.

And I DO NOT want to get into what is "improper" or "bad habit".

I do want to say that I am a "fundamentalist" when it comes to all shooting. That is, the primary reason to own and know how to use a firearm (or any weapon, for that matter) is protection. Second to that is putting food on the table. But food doesn't matter if you (or a companion, family member or anyone you're responsible for) is dead or greviously wounded. So, protection is first. I know that this is a fun forum, and that shooting is also a sport. And I know that economy of brass is desirable - there are few people as provident and resourceful as I try to be. I have read and acknowledge what others have written in this thread. But, fundamentally, shooting is about self- (or other-) preservation. This is the first duty of the living.

Sorry to be a "downer". I did hesitate, as a newcomer to this forum, to reveal my harder edge.

Dadgummit! Next time don't wait so long to make a well-written and logical comment!

Just because we are a bunch of opinionated old fanny burbs is no reason to hold back. Some of us might disagree with your opinion, but only a few become disagreeable with it.

You are right. There is a big difference between serious shooting and fun shooting. And we'd do quite well to make our fun shooting as much like serious shooting as possible. There comes a time when you just can't take time to observe the effect of your shooting before you need to make another shot. That is why I occasionally sau "Devil take the brass!" and rip off a magazineful as fast as I can align the sights and pull the trigger.

[madman4570]

Very well said Doc! Exactly!

[Don McDowell]

But, if fun shooting turns into serious shooting, then does it cease to be fun?
If serious shooting turns into fun, there might be other problems lurking about .

[76/444]

What problems would those be? I find serious shooting, very much fun!

[Modoc ED]

What is boils down to for me is that everyone has their own style of shooting whether it be at the bench or whether it be hunting and it is not for anyone else to determine if one guys style is any better or worse that the other guys. Now safety has to be considered but if a guy is shooting safely who's to say his style is right or wrong.

[Don McDowell]

What is boils down to for me is that everyone has their own style of shooting whether it be at the bench or whether it be hunting and it is not for anyone else to determine if one guys style is any better or worse that the other guys. Now safety has to be considered but if a guy is shooting safely who's to say his style is right or wrong.

Well you'ld certainly think that's the way it is, but looking at a bunch of the replies here,,,,,,,

[Sarge]

What is boils down to for me is that everyone has their own style of shooting whether it be at the bench or whether it be hunting and it is not for anyone else to determine if one guys style is any better or worse that the other guys. Now safety has to be considered but if a guy is shooting safely who's to say his style is right or wrong.

I've only read two posts in this thread and this was one of them. +1 from this camp.

[Doc Hudson]

What problems would those be? I find serious shooting, very much fun!

I doubt if you'd have much fun if someone were shooting back. That is about as serious as I can think of at the moment.

[shooter]

I think everyone is entitled to shoot however they like as long as it's safe. On that I agree with everyone else with that view. If I am teaching someone, however, or if someone asks my opinion on the matter, as was done by the OP, I will give a statement as to what I feel is right, or best. I would venture to say that if anyone here had a student, the student would turn out shooting much like the teacher, with his/her views of what was the "right" way to shoot, because that is how they were taught.

I think that serious shooting can be fun shooting, and I think fun shooting can be fun. For me, I try to balance the two so that I don't develop too many what I consider to be bad habits, or so I don't lose too much brass, but I still sometimes take time to check my target between shots, or to catch brass so I don't have to look for it. But when I'm in the field, I want that second shot quick and don't want to have to think about it.

We're never all going to agree on what is right or wrong in this situation. Everyone has a right to shoot how they want, period, as long as they aren't endangering other people, IMO. If I am a guide in Africa, and the person I am guiding does not do as I tell him and immediately cycle another round, that is a problem. If I am a guide, and I endanger my client by waiting to see where I hit, or stopping to pick up brass, that is a bad habit, and that is the wrong way of doing something. If I am on the range I can shoot however I choose safely, and there is nothing wrong with it. BUT, I also think you should practice enough for the dangerous or critical situations that it is second nature. Most times I find myself having to concentrate on NOT cycling a follow up shot when I want to take my time to collect brass, check targets, etc. Just personal preference.

[Slick]

It's easier for me to write down the FPS reading from my chronograph while not trying to keep the rifle against my shoulder... If I want to continue firing, I keep the rifle on my shoulder and cycle it. I let my habits match my situation. I'd think that other shooters probably have reasons that are just as valid and I don't see this as being a bad habit, but rather safe gun handling.

[20cows]

Now all this has started me wondering something. I don't think I have ever cycled my bolt action deer rifle at the shoulder. I don't know that the end of the bolt won't smack me in the face.

Hmmm.