How Do You Grasp A Bolt Knob?

12 March 2022, 18:27

Puddle

quote:
Originally posted by Hipshoot:
That reminds me of one video---a guy (can't call him a hunter) had just shot a Cape buffalo and as the buffalo is running away he turns toward the camera and looks down to find his brass!

Hip

Yea, especially with my 450/400 3" brass the PH has already passed the word to the rest of the team about retrieving brass...

13 March 2022, 05:28

Hipshoot

quote:
Originally posted by dpcd:
Opening with pinky is one I have not heard of or seen before.

That's the Brits for ya! It comes from drinking too much tea in little cups with their pinky straight up----after awhile it freezes in that position!

MIGHT AS WELL USE IT FOR SOMETHING USEFUL!!!

Hip

13 March 2022, 07:37

FMC

quote:
Originally posted by dpcd:
Not sure where to put this, but the topic has come up;
On your 375, WITH a scope mounted normally, or other biggish bore (or really any bore) rifle, how do you grasp the bolt handle and manipulate the bolt? Everyone has their own method.
This question is for everyone, but pertains mostly to a new Win Model 70.
I just measured 4 of my 375s: the side of the knob is .450 from the bell. No way my thumb will fit in there, so it can't actually grasp the side of the knob. It has to be on the front or move out of the way.
Here are some ideas:
1: Use your palm; the knob is not actually grasped.
2: Use thumb and first two fingers on the knob.
3: Use high rings so there is sufficient clearance for my fat thumb.
4: Grab the knob like on your Ferrari and slam it. Of course you can't have a scope.
5: Bolt actions are for the peasants; I wouldn't be caught dead with one.

.450 seems a lot to me- I try to get as low a scope as possible. Can barely get an RCH between my scope and bell.

As for your poll: I palm mine both with and without a scope.

13 March 2022, 08:57

MoreBS

quote:
Originally posted by MoreBS:
quote:
Originally posted by Hipshoot:
quote:
Originally posted by dpcd:
Opening with pinky is one I have not heard of or seen before.

That's the Brits for ya! It comes from drinking too much tea in little cups with their pinky straight up----after awhile it freezes in that position!

MIGHT AS WELL USE IT FOR SOMETHING USEFUL!!!

Hip

Now I know why!

13 March 2022, 11:35

walkinhorseman

Rifle bolts are best operated with the palm. The pear shape of the pre-64 Model 70 was designed that way. If you were to witness an NRA HI-Power rapid fire stage outside of service rifle, you could see rifleman shooting bolt guns faster than you think you need to.

13 March 2022, 22:36

BaxterB

Someone who uses palm only on a scoped rifle please make a video so I can see it. Thanks.

14 March 2022, 02:32

MoreBS

quote:
Originally posted by MoreBS:
quote:
Originally posted by MoreBS:
quote:
Originally posted by Hipshoot:
quote:
Originally posted by dpcd:
Opening with pinky is one I have not heard of or seen before.

That's the Brits for ya! It comes from drinking too much tea in little cups with their pinky straight up----after awhile it freezes in that position!

MIGHT AS WELL USE IT FOR SOMETHING USEFUL!!!

Hip

Now I know why!

Ok, checked with my brother, he does it the same way! He said it was from lifting "pints".

14 March 2022, 04:40

Hipshoot

That is where the old saying comes from==="MIND YOUR P's and Q's!)----Mind your pints and quarts!

Hip

BOY< DID WE SURE SCREW UP THIS THREAD!!!

SORRY TOM!

Hip

16 March 2022, 00:17

Atkinson

Oh how Id love to abscond with Pierre van Tonders pre war mod 70, a 20" carbine in 375 H&H factory original, worn but not abused. I went beyond sanity offering him gold and silver, even a black land form in Georgia, but to no avail..I did win $5.00 hitting a floating stick in the river at what we all guessed at plus 300 yards with its iron sights. best I recall

16 March 2022, 00:20

Atkinson

Dpcd,
Shame on you, keep your "pinky" in your pants! and off your knob!!

16 March 2022, 00:55

ZekeShikar

quote:
Originally posted by bghntr416:
#1 for me. I do not "grab" bolt handles.

This^^^ is the correct way....according to me.
When I see guys "grasp" the bolt, I cringe knowing that their thumb is about to get mashed and 83.7% of the time they cannot lift the bolt high enough to cycle the action! Silly boys!

Zeke

Zeke

16 March 2022, 00:58

ZekeShikar

quote:
Originally posted by BaxterB:
Someone who uses palm only on a scoped rifle please make a video so I can see it. Thanks.

Well. I lift with the palm (or the root of the pinky finger) but draw back with the curled pinky with palm up. Push forward and down to battery with palm.

Super fast. Super clean. Mount the scope where you want.

Zeke

16 March 2022, 02:07

BaxterB

quote:
Originally posted by ZekeShikar:
quote:
Originally posted by BaxterB:
Someone who uses palm only on a scoped rifle please make a video so I can see it. Thanks.

Well. I lift with the palm (or the root of the pinky finger) but draw back with the curled pinky with palm up. Push forward and down to battery with palm.

Super fast. Super clean. Mount the scope where you want.

Zeke

Thanks. I ask because I cannot do it without hitting the scope using ONLY my palm - no fingers.

I suspect the original config of the Mauser bolt hand straight out made this easy.

16 March 2022, 09:20

Malloy805

# 1 most of the time.

16 March 2022, 10:55

Cougarz

#1 for all bolt guns but my Rem model 660 with its almost flat bolt knob that’s close to the stock. For that I catch it with the base of my little finger then close it with my thumb so I guess that makes it a 1 1/2.

16 March 2022, 19:32

dpcd

Forgot about my Rem 600; that one you can actually grab (Note that I never used that term before in this thread), because it is flat and low.
Also, the .450 measurement is on a 375 Model 70 with low Leupold mounts and a Leupold 3-9. So, it is not mounted high. Measure yours.
For Bax: yes you can use your palm with a scope. Get MD to teach you. Not like with no scope of course.
For others; no you will not hit your thumb if you grasp the handle with it and the first two fingers. You are trying to GRAB it using too much thumb if you are hitting your thumb.
Again, practice with your equipment under field conditions; I find Americans don't like to do that. They use range techniques and then panic with they get under stress of engagement.
Your method does not matter: performance in the field, does.

17 March 2022, 17:04

p dog shooter

quote:
Again, practice with your equipment under field conditions; I find Americans don't like to do that

I found most gun owners don't like to practice.

17 March 2022, 21:20

Hipshoot

Around here 2 shots and if anywhere near the bullseye and they are "GOOD TO GO!" Their rifles never to be touched again until opening morning!

Twenty years ago there were very long lines and long waits at the local range to get a shooting position-- no more 3 or 4 waiting at best. Most of the shooters have one form or another of BLACK rifles and the cheapest foreign ammo they can get their hands on. It doesn't phase them when a lot of the ammo doesn't fire.

Hip

17 March 2022, 22:49

Atkinson

I was introduced to the bench resters trigger pull by several of SAeeds friends in Tanzania..I will try and describe it..close the bolt fast with the palm thumb, slap the trigger with your first finger, yes I said slap, and it works off a bench, not so much for shooting game..Interresting however and quite common I understand...