9.3x57,

What you say regarding hunting alone is certainly true with plains game, but not when it comes to dangerous game. Even the poachers like Nychens hunted with trackers, so too the Game Department control officers like Harland and old time pros like Taylor, et al. And in the Gov't concessions, you get a game scout like it or not.

Which brings up an interesting distinction, carying a relatively light rifle is actually something close to impossible, at least for me, using the "African Carry." The rifle needs enough weight to provide upward leverage on your forward hand. The lighter the rifle, the more butt that needs to stick out the back end. I doubt a rifle under 375 has the weight, unless its a pigger of a rifle. No desire to hump with only the barrel riding on my shoulder.

Also, you find foolish, ignorant and lazy hunters everywhere. A moron holding his rifle in his one hand is just as likely, and more, to point that rifle at the back, butt or thighs and calfs of the fellow in front as a moron with the rifle over his shoulder. It isn't natural to point the rifle directly ahead with the African carry since the rifle naturally rests on the shoulder pointing to the front and side, but it is only natural for the rifle to be pointing to the front, and parrallel, while holding the rifle in one hand. Reverse the one hand hold so the barrels point rearward and the same problem exist for the man behind.

A moron is a moron no matter how he carries his rifle. Conversely, a safety and muzzle conscious fellow won't be a moron and point his rifle at another fellow no matter how he is carrying his rifle.

Try another example, the port arms carry. Unless a fellow is a good bit taller than his companions, he will end up pointing it at the head of a close compatriot. Try the crook of the arm/elbow, the muzzles are even lower and the fellow to the right or left and a bit behind, and not in the line of sight of the holder, will be looking down the muzzles. Or try a short fellow holding a rifle on his shoulder with the muzzles point more or less up and back, seen this one many, many times too, the fellow behind again gets to inspect the crown on the muzzle in front, and isn't in the line of sight of the carrier. The list goes on and on.

It isn't how you carry the rifle, it is whether the fellow with the rifles is a lazy moron or not.

JPK