I always understood that a magazine, or pellet, should not be present IN the rifle (Common sense really). However, I have never seen any written law on it, just what i've been told by others.
Imagine the scenario ..... walking down the road, gun in bag (loaded mag in) cops want a closer look, one cycle of bolt and ready to fire! Now if i was a cop, I'd not be happy about that! However, if the mag was loaded, but in a seperate pocket, its far less likely to cause alarm.
Interesting, I'd like to know what the actual law states ........ I bet Deker knows!