bolt knob-checker or not?

The Accurate Reloading Forums

This topic can be found at:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4711043/m/9371003231

08 May 2010, 22:58

ArthurOlds

bolt knob-checker or not?

We all know that nice metal checkering is wonderful to look at (and poorly done, it is an abomination--and hard to fix)...but how practical is it on a big bore? It would seem to me that the good stuff would tear up your hand if you tried to reload in a hurry. I know there are lots of opinions and I do need some advice here! Do I have a well checkered knob installed or not? Thank you for your opinions, Arthur Olds

08 May 2010, 23:51

jro45

Checkered is the way to go. Its not the checkering that can hurt your finger its the bolt that supports the checkering. I found a way
to get around it by using your second finger. It works for me.

09 May 2010, 00:04

MFD

Have both checkered and uncheckered, but "old school" was not to have checkering for better bolt handle operating. Knob is to rotate, move, etc. smoothly when operating bolt and not give resistance. Now, having said that, does it really matter either way with enough practice?? Personally I think the checkered bolt knobs look nice, but either way will not be a big hinderance. JMO

Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”

09 May 2010, 01:08

500N

I have both and although the chequering on the bolt looks nice it can be a pain in the arse sometimes - I was shooting fast and furious and
I noticed it afterwards.

I would say no, but if you decide to, make sure it's not sharp chequering.

09 May 2010, 06:00

Indy

Don't.

It will only help bolt operation if you operate the bolt with your thumb and first two fingers.

That's the wrong way to operate a bolt.

It will hurt if you raise your right elbow when shooting offhand and the recoil scrapes the checkering along the knuckle of your first finger.

Indy

Life is short. Hunt hard.

09 May 2010, 06:42

MHC_TX

I don't like checkered bolt knobs. I use the palm of my hand to cycle the bolt and the checkering tears up my hand. I think the late Finn A. also recommended leaving the bolt handle smooth.

09 May 2010, 20:55

Tim Carney

While I'm not much with a bolt, preferring doubles, was taught that reloading for my .375 was with the blade of my palm up and back and then wrapping the palm around to push forward and then down with the area between thumb and index finger. It's fast and positive. Had my bolt checkered to ensure some bite, but then I wear gloves when I hunt.

Regards

12 May 2010, 03:14

PatagonHunter

Definitely the bolt knob must not be checkered! It must rotate between the fingers and or the palm! Who want it checkered? Only for looks and even then I don`t like it. Forms and beauty follows function! All serious made hunting rifles in history had and have a bolt knob uncheckered!
Sorry but I have a strong oppinion about it!

Regards

PH

12 May 2010, 08:06

ForrestB

quote:
Originally posted by PatagonHunter:
All serious made hunting rifles in history had and have a bolt knob uncheckered!
Sorry but I have a strong oppinion about it!

Strong or not, it's still just an opinion. I have various rifles with either checkered, engraved or plain bolt knobs. They are all serious hunting rifles in their own right. More than anything else its a matter of personal preference. If a checkered bolt knob is tearing up your hands you might ought to rake the leaves a little more often and toughen up your paws.

______________________________
"Truth is the daughter of time."
Francis Bacon

12 May 2010, 19:56

PatagonHunter

Forrest,

Of course it is a matter of opinion! I need to add something when I said serious hunting rifles. I was thinking in the classic British and German bolt action rifles. And their actual recreation. I never saw one with a checkered bolt knob. And it is not a question of toughen our paws!! I still can`t see the porpouse to cheker the knob, other than for looking! And, of course, it is only muy opinion.

PH

12 May 2010, 21:14

tasco 74

another vote for a smooth bolt handle........ for all the reasons mentioned before.... the engraved bolt looks nice though....

LIFE IS SHORT.....

12 May 2010, 21:20

ForrestB

quote:
Originally posted by PatagonHunter:
And it is not a question of toughen our paws!! PH

The paw toughening comment was directed at my soft-skinned friend MHC-TX.

______________________________
"Truth is the daughter of time."
Francis Bacon

12 May 2010, 22:51

Use Enough Gun

Mine are all checkered and I have never had a problem with any of them, right up to the .458 Lott. It's a matter of preference more than anything else.

13 May 2010, 01:21

MHC_TX

quote:
Originally posted by ForrestB:
quote:
Originally posted by PatagonHunter:
And it is not a question of toughen our paws!! PH

The paw toughening comment was directed at my soft-skinned friend MHC-TX.

I try not to rake the leaves or mow the lawn.....my wife likes "soft paws" and I still don't like checkered bolt handles.

I do have one rifle that has a engraved bolt handle and it is pretty nice.

13 May 2010, 01:33

ForrestB

quote:
Originally posted by MHC_TX:
I do have one rifle that has a engraved bolt handle and it is pretty nice.

I think that rifle belongs to your wife.

______________________________
"Truth is the daughter of time."
Francis Bacon

13 May 2010, 01:37

MHC_TX

She can't tell one gun from another and after what she did to a rifle on a recent elk hunt....well I'm thinking she will never know which one's are her's.

13 May 2010, 19:27

PatagonHunter

Hi MHC,
Beautiful rifle! And tke knife! Can you tell more about both? Very nice combination! Indeed!! The knife has, for me, a close to perfect size and configuration!!!
And about the engraved knob, I see it as an entirely different thing than a checkered one! That engraving does not interfere with bold manipulation! It doesn`t has any "edge" and is very subtle and tastefully done!

13 May 2010, 20:05

MHC_TX

PatagonHunter,

The rifle & knife were from a fund raising project that ForrestB organized here on the AR Forum ~2yrs ago.......I was the lucky winner and rumor has it, that I gave the rifle to my wife. If you go to the Gunsmithing section and do a search on "Scholarship Rifle" you can read more about it.

13 May 2010, 21:58

jetdrvr

quote:
Originally posted by Rusty:
Maybe engraved?

Work done by Roger Kehr aka Scrollcutter.
(360)456-0831

That's really nice, Rusty. Thanks for posting.

I have rifles with both, and don't really notice the difference. I use the palm method of cycling the bolts, as someone previously mentioned. Just my $.02...

14 May 2010, 03:02

Gatehouse

I have both and i have a strong opinion too....

I really don't care.

I have never missed a shot on an animal, or been unable to reload quickly and make a second shot, because of a knurled or smooth bolt handle.

375 Ruger- The NEW KING of the .375's!!

15 May 2010, 17:25

mauser93

FYI, Ken Royce found that he was bothered by the checkering on an M70 Classic. He put shrink wrap on it. Black. Problem solved.