RBLP -vs- RBRP

[Tommie]

All my varmint guns are traditional RBRP configuration, but I'm itching to try a RBLP setup. I shoot prairie dogs off a portable bench. For you folks who have used both types of actions: which works better for you and why?

Tom

 

[RidgeRunner]

Well, the only left port I own is a 6PPC. It is kind of awkward at first. After all, being right handed, and shooting right port for 35 years, it takes some geting used to. It is nice to be able to see the port with ease, but my left hand still feels out of place handling rounds. Being a benchrest rifle, my rest locks and windage adjustments tend to be blocked by the ammo box. I wouldn't buy another unless it was a bench only rifle. I am too used to handling things on the right side in the field.

 

[rayjay]

I also wanted my first custom actioned gun to be RBLP but the used Viper I ended up with had everything I wanted in a rifle except it was right port. The Savage I have been shooting is also right port so there is no confusion in swapping back and forth and one of my mentors gave me some hints on how to best utilize the RP layout.

I made a 15 round cartridge block on a pedestal that sits right by the port. I found a nice plastic meat tray that the pedestal sits in to keep my fired cases from rolling off the bench. After firing the round I open the bolt, take a cartridge out of the block and place it into the chamber, as I am coming rearward with my hand I pluck the fired case out of the receiver and drop it in the meat tray, close the bolt and reacquire the trigger guard. The left hand is not needed for loading.

I do lust after a LP rimfire because they are more difficult to place the round on the loading tray or directly into the chamber. With a centerfire you can do it by feel.

 

[Tommie]

rayjay, I'm confused. After firing a round, you load a fresh round into the chamber before removing the spent case? How do you do that?

Tom

 

[Preacher]

My first RBLP action was a Ram-Pro and it was awkward for a while but then it got to the point of being easy to load that way, and then a BAT SV set up the same way got me to the point of thinking that all my 700's and XP rifles seem strange to operate...
Being right handed it's easy to see the loaded round go into the action, and is a bit quicker to run......

 

[AckleymanII]

If you shoot off a bench and you are a right handed shooter, then the Right bolt, Left port is the only way to go. For shooting off the bench, the R bolt-right port is awkward.

Once you try the RB-LP, you will never look back and regret the decision.

 

[rayjay]

rayjay, I'm confused. After firing a round, you load a fresh round into the chamber before removing the spent case? How do you do that?

Tom

Try it. Even with a left port this would be the fastest way for a rifle that doesn't eject.

 

[jamesh]

If you shoot off a bench and you are a right handed shooter, then the Right bolt, Left port is the only way to go. For shooting off the bench, the R bolt-right port is awkward.

Once you try the RB-LP, you will never look back and regret the decision.

I agree 100%.
I just started shooting a Right bolt Dual port and it's the cats meow. The switch is very natural, no learning curve. I see no drawbacks to the RBLP unless you have a case failure/blown primer in which case some gas could be vented toward your face.
James

 

[Tommie]

The learning curve issue was my main concern since my other PD guns are RBRP. I usually take 3 rifles into the field. When the shooting gets fast/furious I'm wondering if it would be confusing.

 

[SlowpokeRodriguez]

I am now used to RBLP more than I am the traditional configuration---shooting off of a bench there is no comparison with a single shot IMHO.