I don't even think this should be a "Stage Zero". I shoot a match every month that directly addresses this issue.
Rifles are always carried slung cruiser ready (verified by the competitor & RO before the beginning of any stage) if for some reason your cruiser ready rifle hits the ground you will not earn yourself a DQ.
Iv had a sling break while in a full sprint at this match.
This rule is designed for multi gun because of the circumstances and stress on gear that we have no control over. IE slung rifles.
Now if a weapon is dropped while loaded for any reason theres your match DQ plain and simple.
I shoot this match also and Fred simplifies the rules of "safe" condition when abandoning a firearm by making you drop the mag and rack the shells out. No questions if it is safe. Doesn't matter if it is a rifle, shotgun, or pistol. Unload it before abandoning it. Match DQ if you don't.
gerritm
The isssue with that however is for tube fed shotguns. It really sucks to have to rack 4 or 5 shells out of your gun.
Pat
It does suck to rack shells out. Or shoot em all into the last target.
But this is part of the challenge, round count & target count. Iv got a video somewhere where I load up 6 shells only to shoot 2. Lost a lot of time cus due to my lack of multi tasking. Now I'm constantly scanning at the end of a shotgun run so as to minimize time added.
I guess but I would rather be tested on my shooting ability vs my memory. (on how much to load)
Pat
Time and round management are all part of 3 gun.