With the Oberndorf style bolt knob, do you prefer a checkered/ engraved knob or plain smooth.

Three or four tear drop panels with inside checkering for me.

I always wondered about bolt operation .Why do some choose thumb and forefinger to operate it and some choose holding the knob in the palm ???
Then I came across a WWI training photo -a long line of soldiers on the firing line and I could see every one of them. About half were thumb and forefinger types and half palm types !! I guess they had their choice !
Mine is smooth , the favorite is my M98 with original round 5/8" smooth knob.I'll keep the checkering for other things !

Year of shooting high power competition with a bolt gun brought me to a method of bolt operation in which the bolt is opened using the index finger alone. Using that system, the smoother the bolt knob, the better.

Bolt knobs checkered on the under side have an abrasive effect on my finger and I try to avoid them. This applies only to cut checkering. Stamped checkering, like that of a Remington 700, has no such effect.

Smooth for me.

I have a couple of guns that I use for 'roo culling here Australia. In a night, you might fire 150 shots, I palm the bolt, so a smooth bolt knob is a must.

I like the MacFarland 2 panel with border on my own rifles.

checkered. In times of stress, and a sweaty palm I would like the added help grasping the bolt.

jmho...

Smooth for go; checkered for show.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Smooth for go; checkered for show.

+1

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Smooth for go; checkered for show.

I've used and hunted with both and well, no.

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Nelson:

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Smooth for go; checkered for show.

I've used and hunted with both and well, no.

Same here. I don't think there is a nickels worth of difference as far as hunting goes. It's more about esthetics than anything else.

If you like it then get it. If you don't it'll never be missed.

If there was any real advantage, the tens of millions of bolt action military rifles used in the last two centuries would have had checkered handles.
Of course, to some individuals, they like them.

dpcd, seems if I remember the much vaunted Mauser had a flat bottom boltknob and was checkered.

Thanks for the replies guys. I already knew any checkering didn't provide other that cosmetics, but wasn't sure if there was a real reason to avoid it. More than likey I'll just do a couple plain handles so I have the option of having them checkered and engraved down the road if I have the floor plates done.