different action 'ports'?

[memilanuk]

Okay keep in mind I 'grew up' w/ factory bolt actions... i.e. right-bolt/ right-port,RBRP). That's what 'makes sense' in most things I do at this point,occasional hunting, practical/tactical matches, NRA High Power, & F-Class). I am open to something new, and I've heard a number of top shooters @ F-Class Nationals were using RBLP actions... seems awkward to me, but whadda I know?

I think I understand what a 'drop port' is... where the system is set up to drop the spent cases out a small hole in the bottom of the action,and stock) onto a waiting towel or pad, correct?

So what is the purpose for a dual port action? Seems like they would give up a considerable amount of stiffness w/ that much metal cut away? How does one best utilize this sort of action?

Thanks,

Monte

 

[tightneck]

You have the drop port correct. Most of the dual ports out there utilize a micro port for ejection and it doesnt effect the action stiffness all that much. They have an ejector on the opposite side of the boltface than you are use to which ejects the empty case out of the micro port. I use a RB/LP/RE. What it does for me anyway is lets me forget about my empties, keep my eye on the flags, and shoot fast when the conditions are right. I can reach down, grab another round, throw it in the left port and chamber it without taking my eyes off the range. When I have got all my records downrange, I pull the bolt and collect my empties. I do see guys using RB/RP/RE with Kelbly extra high rings that seem to have this down to a science too. They can reach under the scope with the next round and shoot very fast.

 

[DJD58]

Monte, the real purpose of the rt bolt left port is speed and the ability to see the loading port and rounds the easiest instead of having to look over the rifle. This really is a benefit in short range benchrest where shooters try to shoot really fast before the wind changes,5 rounds in under 25 seconds). The dual port came as a next step after this so the bolt could be opened and have the case get ejected out one side while a loaded round was being thrown in the other, hopefully making the whole process even faster.
There are many really good shooters that still use a rt/rt setup with an ejector and shoot really fast anyway, so it isn't necessary to have all that new stuff. It is really just finding what you are comfortable with, or suits your style of shooting