Is that so cascade? I have taken hunters safety.. long ago. Now i cant tell u how many times ive had my rifle slung over my shoulder and turn around and have someone elses face right over it trying to look over my shoulder. I commented that in the rain, why would you have your barrel pointing up? It has nothing to due with safety. When im out hiking up a mountain my rifle is usually cradled in my arm pointing out away from me. It all DEPENDS on the situation and if someone is in front of you. Now i always prefer to be ahead since im the only one in our group with a flintlock. But when im behind, the rifle is always over my shoulder with the muzzle pointing away from everyone. Now again, your therory of the rifle barrel pointing up is the safest direction is not always true, one slip going down a mountain and if that gun goes off when u hit the ground, that person behind you is going to be in a world of pain. It all depends on the situation you are in.