Palming or grasping the bolt?

[Phaethon]

I've noticed that there seem to be two schools of operation for bolt-action rifles; those who palm the bolts, and those who grasp it with their fingers. Is there any significant difference or advantage to either method? What method do you guys use? I'm speaking from the perspective of a right-handed shooter.

I've noticed that on certain rifles, namely the Mosin, the short bolt handle and stiff action make anything other than palming it an infeasibility.

 

[M-Cameron]

heck, i dont even use those.....

i use my index finger and flip the bolt arm like a light switch ......


not sure if theres really any advantage to any technique with a bolt action.......i suppose if you were doing speed shooting one might be faster.....but other than that ivve not noticed anything.

 

[MtnCreek]

If grasping w/ fingers, my scope will get in the way.

 

[Chris Rhines]

I palm the bolt if I'm shooting offhand, and grasp it for most other potions.

-C

 

[JohnM]

Never thought much about it.
Think I just sort of push it up and pull it back in one motion of my trigger finger.

 

[dprice3844444]

palming it will save fingers from getting squished tween scope and handle,besides,it's quicker

 

[crazysccrmd]

I palm it up, close my hand, bring it back, and then palm push it back forward and down. Palm up is probably a habit formed from being in the Army.

 

[Shadow 7D]

IT DEPENDS
really it does, what style of bolt are we talking
the Russian manuals for the Mosin Nagant explain the proper procedural as palming the bolt, which is true of most STRAIGHT bolt guns, but OTH most Olympic .22 or Biathlon shooters FLICK the bolt open with one finger???

so, it's up to the shooter to find what they prefer.

 

[MCMXI]

I found this video by Darrell Holland to be very informative. I use his suggested technique when shooting prone matches with my Remington/Krieger rifle. At the end of the video, Darrell shows how effective this technique is for fast follow up shots.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKDWMEoZS8o&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

 

[jmr40]

If I'm in a hurry I bump the bolt handle with the palm while on the way up with my hand. I then hook the bolt handle with my ring finger and little finger to pull it to the rear. I do this in 1 motion. When the bolt hits the boltstop I change direction with the bolt handle in the palm until the bolt is all the way forward. I keep my hand moving forward allowing the bolt handle to slide down across my palm. Once again my arm only makes 1 movement back and 1 movement forward, but I move my hand in a small arc and roll my wrist a bit as I move back and forward. With practice, it is really fast.

If I'm shooting at a bench and in no hurry I just use my trigger finger to pop the bolt up and use the same finger to pull it slowly back while I reach into the action to get my brass with the other hand.

 

[Walkalong]

I palm it up, close my hand, bring it back, and then palm push it back forward and down

Pretty much.

Interesting video 1858. I shoot offhand at game here in Bama where shots are close. I have the bolt cycled by the time the bore is back on target, but I do lose sight of the target for a second or so. Lever gun the same way. I do not hunt much, but have never taken a second shot.

That method makes a lot of sense for shooting off of a bipod, and I assume at longer distances.