Why Remove Bolt for Transport or Storage

[Papa Charlie]

I have noticed that most of the competitors at F-Class matches remove their bolt and place it in a separate carrying case or have a special pocket cut into the foam in their hard cases for it.

Why do they remove it? What is the advantage for the bolt and/or the rifle?

 

[CaptainMal]

Safety.

In IBS shoots you cannot have any bolts in rifles unless directed to do so. Then they are removed at the end of each relay and shown held over the head. Good habit to get into.

 

[Grimstod]

I like to store mine deckocked. Minimizes wear on the bolt and springs. Also nothing touches the trigger, when you shooting with a 1onz trigger you want to really treat it good. Removing the bolt helps here.

 

[centershot]

When storing the rifle, if the bolt is in a separate location it may not be stolen.

 

[dstoenner]

I only remove my bolt to store in the safe. that way adjacent rifles don't get dinged by the bolt handle. In my carrying case I just have it decocked.

David

 

[Albany Mountain]

Is decocked the norm for storage??

 

[Papa Charlie]

That is how I was taught. You want to remove the load on the firing pin spring and trigger mechanism. When closing the bolt, hold the trigger depressed and the bolt will fail to lock.

Still not understanding the logic behind transporting the bolt outside of the gun here. There are tons of bolt scabbards, cases, etc out there. Seems like there should be a logical reason for it.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Different strokes for different (disciplines) people.

 

[carlsbad]

I have seen people show up at the range without their bolt. If you decide to change your habits, don't fall into an error trap. --Jerry

 

[DirtySteve]

Just one more thing to possibly forget.. I store mine in the gun and decocked.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

When I show up at a match with no bolt I donate the match fee to the club. Helps the club and your memory.

 

[wboggs]

A stolen rifle without a bolt might make it easier to track. The thief might try to obtain one. I always remove bolt when traveling or shipping.

 

[people]

When I show up at a match with no bolt I donate the match fee to the club. Helps the club and your memory.

Sounds like you have done this more than one time.

 

[Shynloco]

At our range, rules dictate that you open your bolt as soon as you take the rifle out of your carrier. I then take my bolt out and lay it next to my rifle and finish setting up or posting my target. Then finally when I'm ready to start shooting, I run a dry patch down my chamber to make sure it is perfectly clean and dry. The bolt then goes back in and I'm good to go. As to storage, I never store a cocked weapon in my safe, not even my AR's (or combat shotgun) that have loaded mags/tube, but nothing in the chamber. Safety first!

Alex

 

[people]

I never take them out for storage or transport. I also keep my mags loaded. Some states dictate what you can do but mine does not. Screw Iowa! The state where a loaded handgun mag is considered a loaded handgun even if there is no handgun.

 

[ebb]

Papa Charlie organized benchrest shoots do it for safety cause many benchrest shooters have triggers with no safety. The gun cannot go off if it has no bolt in it. The practice has spread.