The Weird Rt Bolt/Lt Load-Eject Action

[58weasel]

It strikes me as rather strange, but -- being right handed with a right master eye -- the right bolt/left load-eject bench rest action is very appealing. I handled one and really like it. Am I crazy? There must be a rationale behind this setup for a bench-rest action; but what is it?

 

[jonbearman]

Ease of loading so you dont get off the rifle so to speak.

 

[GSPV]

When you are shooting from a bench, you are on the left side. It's pretty natural to load on that side.

If your action is just an extract...no eject, it makes sense for it to be on the left as well.

There generally isn't much room on the left side. If you are shooting an ejector, most folks like it on the right.

Another possibility is a drop port. Some folks like a right port, drop port. Some a left port drop port.

No matter what you do, pick one and stick with it. It's hard enough to watch the flags without having to think about different styles of actions.

 

[58weasel]

As such an action has only one port (load & eject), is it stronger (and therefore more accurate) than an action with two ports? Or is a bench-rest action so strong anyway that 1 or 2 ports is inconsequential?

 

[GSPV]

They are stiff enough that it doesn't matter.

 

[dkhunt14]

It also helps for speed. While you are bolting out the empty you can be getting the next round ready to put in the gun. The same as dual ports except you have to make sure the ejected case is out of the way. I like the dual port better because the spent case is coming out the bolt side and stays on the bench and the ejected case is not in the way to put the next one in. Matt

 

[Phil]

I prefer the RB/LP design...............Not that my opinion makes a difference...

 

[22BRGUY]

I prefer the RB/LP design...............Not that my opinion makes a difference...

+1 on this for me also...I have one and really like it.

 

[expiper]

I have used em all,,,(thats what happens when you get old),,,bak in the 70-80"s there were many ranges that used the U shaped benches that you sat in the middle of and the right edge was close (for right handed shooters) so the port on the left side became in vogue,,,then ranges began constructing the little (cheaper to build) benches that you sit on either side of,,,then along came the mini port or bak to Right/Right,,,,I have stuk with the RB/LP thru it all ,,,especially since I shoot a lot of long range now ,and lots of those ranges use the old style U benches,,go figure,,,just remember ,,,slow is smooth ,and smooth is fast,,,,we are blessed with many great actions today with every port configuration there is,,,I like the RB/LP with the bigger cases that wont eject thru a mini port,,,( there is a Maxi port avail,,,) ,,,,Roger

 

[Shiraz]

I had some BAT actions made that were specific to F-Class/Prone shooting off a mat. They were Right Bolt, Right Load, Left Eject. The empty cases would land on the mat on the left side and not in the dirt on the right as they generally do. This does not work well for bench use as the cases could end up on the ground, falling from the bench, and get dinged up pretty bad. I have gone back to RB, RP action without an ejector and all work is done with the right hand, leaving the left hand to play with the front rest.

For guys that machine gun them down, a Right Bolt, left port (load with left hand), Right eject, works really well.

 

[Nomad47]

I prefer the RB/LP design...............Not that my opinion makes a difference...

+1 on this for me also...I have one and really like it.

Yep, me too.

 

[amamnn]

Not to be a contrarian, I like my left bolt right port action, being left handed..........same thing just the correct orientation...............

 

[NorCalMikie]

IMHO, if you're right handed, shooting "from the bench", a left hand action works great. Your right hand stays on the stock for control and your free left hand works the bolt and feeds ammo. The rig will move (unless it weighs 50 pounds ) so your right hand keeps it in place while your free left hand does all the work.
If you're left handed, use a right hand action. You control the stock with your left hand and your free right hand does the bolt work.
Once you try it, you'll see how natural it feels. 8)

 

[amamnn]

Having been a second class citizen shooter (aka "lefty") for decades I can tell you that a right handed bolt action does not work better for me nor for any of the other members of the equal lefts movement that I know............