What bolt and port orientation do you prefer.

[zanemoseley]

I'm curious if there is a majority consensus on what the preferred bolt and port side is when shooting f class with a joystick rest. I'm left handed but that shouldn't matter, I'll just reverse the what most of you say.

I got to where I really tried to get a true LH rifle since I shoot small bore 3P and with your arm slung up its WAY better to have a proper handed bolt. I've realized shooting off a bipod/rest it isn't as big of a deal however let's assume you're buying a new custom action and have your choice of bolt and port options.

 

[B Mize]

Left bolt, right port is the only way to go for a lefty in my opinion.

 

[butchlambert]

A couple of my Left Handed buddies will not trade their right right.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

RBLP...

 

[Switchbarrel]

I'm left handed & mostly shoot Benchrest. For that I prefer left bolt/right port.

I don't do a lot of prone shooting but, when I do, I find the opposite bolt/port configuration awkward. Using both hands required me to change positions more than I wanted (felt like I was floppin' around on my belly). I found shooting my left bolt/port rifles much more comfortable.

-Rick

 

[Scott Harris]

do you use a spotting scope? if so, left, left with an ejector works well.

 

[JohnKielly]

A couple of my Left Handed buddies will not trade their right right.

I have a leftie friend who shoots F class right right too. The Joypod stick hand is the easy one to fiddle with he says.

 

[Zilla]

RBLPRE

 

[dkhunt14]

I like left bolt, dual port of that configuration. I am left handed and have shot both, right and left. Left bolt is faster and smoother. I prefer to see the shells when put it the gun. I also prefer the empties to land on a towel, on the bench beside the gun. Matt

 

[dickn52]

Sav LRPV right bolt, left port works great on the bench for me.

 

[MGYSGT]

I am a left shooter. Right bolt is so much easier in the prone with bipod and bag. My rifle also happens to be right port. The right hand/arm has much more freedom to move around without disturbing anything than the left when in position. I would think a left port would make things move when you removed your brass or picked up your brass. That is, unless you leave it on the ground between shots, then it wouldn't matter. With a sling, left/left is the way to go.

 

[Phil]

I have more RB / LP than anything else, so I guess that`s my answer........


Phil.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I'am right handed but for bench shooting I LOVE my left handed repeater action mounted in a right handed thumb hole stock. Right hand stays in the thumb hole while the left hand works the bolt and feeds ammo.
No taking my right hand off the stock to work the bolt or mess with ammo and NO reaching across to work the bolt on a right handed rig.

 

[Ringostar]

Some of the better left handed F class shooters that I know, prefer RBRP. Their left hand stays on the grip at all times. The bolt and ammo loading is all Right in front of them.

 

[peter6mm]

As a lefty, any prone off a bipod or joystick rest I always use RBRP. Keeping my left hand on the grip at all times and using my 'weak' right hand to load and adjust the rest. For me this works, but only for prone rested. Makes the rifle easy to sell as well. Anything else, standing, sitting or kneeling then I use LBLP. 100yd benchrest off the bench where speed of reloading can be important to catch a wind condition and its normal to use both hands to reload then I use LBRP.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Not a big believer in single purpose rifles. A rifle is a multigenerational investment that will likely see a number of applications in its useful life. RR for me.

 

[Lbart]

do you use a spotting scope? if so, left, left with an ejector works well.

Scott is correct. However I don't use one so my rifles are LBRP.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

I'm with Phil. RBLP.

 

[Iowa Fox]

Right-Right for me. The only reason is because that's the way my hands are wired to my brain.

 

[Joe R]

I'm curious if there is a majority consensus on what the preferred bolt and port side is when shooting f class with a joystick rest. I'm left handed but that shouldn't matter, I'll just reverse the what most of you say.

I got to where I really tried to get a true LH rifle since I shoot small bore 3P and with your arm slung up its WAY better to have a proper handed bolt. I've realized shooting off a bipod/rest it isn't as big of a deal however let's assume you're buying a new custom action and have your choice of bolt and port options.

I'm right handed and right eye dominant, but both of my F-Class rifles are LBLP for the simple reason that I can easily see into the action when in the prone position.

I have the habit of inserting a round into the action (with the bolt open to let the barrel breathe) and wait for the score to come up before chambering the next round. When I had a RPRB rifle too often I found myself closing the bolt on an empty chamber and wasting my time just to get a nice "click". The reason? I couldn't see if I had already placed the next round in position. The LPLB configuration fixed this problem for me. Additionally, the LBLP also enabled me to keep my hand on the trigger and minimize movement and strain on my back. It makes a difference by the time you get to the 15th+ shot.

In conclusion, if you are left hand and left eye dominant, close observation will reveal that RBRP is really the most logical choice for anyone shooting F-Class or Benchrest. Ultimately, you need to do what feels most comfortable to you.

Kindest regards,

Joe