How should the muzzle be pointed when changing or loading your air rifle?

The muzzle of the air rifle should always be pointed downrange towards the targets when changing or loading the rifle. This practice is crucial for ensuring the safety of everyone in the vicinity. Pointing the muzzle downrange minimizes the risk of accidental discharge causing harm to the shooter or others nearby. It reinforces a standard safety procedure that prioritizes the direction of the rifle's muzzle towards an area designed for safe shooting.

While it might be tempting to consider other directions, such as upwards or towards the ground, these do not provide the same level of safety as aiming downrange. Pointing the muzzle upwards can pose a danger to individuals above or nearby, depending on the environment. Conversely, pointing it towards the ground does not necessarily guarantee that no one is in harm's way, particularly in various shooting environments where the ground could lead to ricochets or unintended injuries. Thus, downrange is the only correct and safest direction when handling the rifle.