Bolt/port configuration ?

[TrxR]

Ordering a action for a 30br benchrest build on Monday and have a question . Im right handed but shoot left due to me being left eye dominant . Ive been shooting a RBRP 40x rimfire for a few years now off the bench. I know i want right port as i like being able to see my loading port and using my dominant hand to handle the loading and unloading as needed. I am debating getting a left bolt though. What do you think?

Thanks

 

[F Class John]

I’m a big fan of bolts on the opposite side of the port. I know a number of guys a shoot with have that configuration and none of them regret it. Having the bolt on the opposite side makes for a much smoother operation and in my opinion more natural and for shooting. It took just a little bit to get used to you but once you do it’s lovely.

 

[TrxR]

I see some people suggest a seperate eject port, what the advantage to that?

 

[natdscott]

They make a neat pile to the OPPOSITE side of the rifle as where you sre trying to shuck in a new round.

If you're a believer in Vaughn, then perhaps the 180-degree opposed port is a good thing for accuracy potential.

Also trendy, so that's good too.

 

[Tim Singleton]

Sounds like you are used to working the bolt left handed
I’m just thinking left eye dominant shooting right handed might be pretty good watching your flags with your dominant eye and thru the scope with your right eye
Just a thought

 

[Evan]

I see some people suggest a seperate eject port, what the advantage to that?

It can eject as you feed another round in. It's faster than waiting for the brass to eject before putting the next round in. It feels really slick too: one fluid motion. Open the bolt with one hand while bringing another round up with the other hand to drop in the port while the brass is ejecting out the opposite side.

 

[expiper]

before you $pend a lot of money on an action ,,,go to a benchrest match and look at what is there ,,,there should be every imagianble configuration of rifle known to man,,,ask the shooters what they like about their particular type and most will let you sit behind it and cycle it (maby even shoot it during practice),,,then you can make up your mind on what is best for you,,,Roger

 

[BoydAllen]

My situation is the same as that of the OP, right handed shooting LH because of left dominant eye. In short range group shooting, the state of the art would be left bolt, right port, with a mini port on the left and an ejector. Actions with that configuration and a coaxial rest (Seb or Farley) allow a shooter to run a group much more easily with the rest having an advantage for getting to the sighter and back quickly as well as aiming. If your intent is to mostly shoot score, something that I am totally inexperienced at, I am not sure if the advantage is as great. but I do not think that that configuration would be a disadvantage. I have bench rifles that are both right, right, and left, right, and am equally comfortable with either. Neither have ejectors. If I were building a new rifle it would. Here is a video of a very good shooter using a setup such as I have described. He is shooting RH but the example is still there.

 

[jghoghunter]

If it were me I would either go with a left bolt right load bottom eject or the same with a left eject. If it ejects out the opposite side it loads you definitely need an ejector. If it loads and ejects out the same side then an ejector is a preference of what you like. I have actions with all three options. I probably like the bottom eject the best. But I don't have a problem with any of them.

 

[dickn52]

I shoot right handed even though a doctor told me I'm left eye dominant. He said you've trained yourself to shoot right eye, so don't try to change it now. I shoot a Savage 12 LRPV in 223 with a right bolt and left port. It is ideal to me.

 

[martin22250]

I'm left handed and use to shoot a right right, after getting a left bolt right load left eject I'm much happier

 

[Tommie]

About 15 years ago I bought a 1957 Triumph motorcycle. The gearshift and rear brake pedals were on opposite sides of the from the “normal” positions. Should be no problem, right? Well all went OK until I got into a semi-gnarly situation and immediately my feet went into muscle memory mode. Not pretty.

My point is to go with what you’re used to.

 

[BoydAllen]

Over time, and the course of many discussions, I have come to understand that this is not a simple subject because people vary widely as to the strength of their hand dominance. Even though I am right handed left eye dominant, I can shoot standing or from the bench from either shoulder, but if I shoot right handed I have to close my left eye, and if I stare for too long at the sights or through the scope, I start to become uncomfortable from using my non dominant eye. For a quick shot or two, no problem. My dad did two handed things like golf or using a hoe, left handed, and one handed things such as writing, right handed. I know some fellow who are pretty much useless with their off hand but I can comfortably do quite a lot with mine. Perhaps that is because of some of the things that I have some training in, a little piano when I was young, and a little time with stringed instruments, until I recognized my musical limitations. My point is this, don't take anyone's word for what would work for you. His opinion is probably entirely correct for his situation, but it may not be for yours. Try different approaches for long enough to really come to a conclusion, and then do what works best for you.

 

[Jennb]

Sounds like you are used to working the bolt left handed
I’m just thinking left eye dominant shooting right handed might be pretty good watching your flags with your dominant eye and thru the scope with your right eye
Just a thought

I am left eye dominant and shoot right handed