Most bolt-action rifle shooters pull the trigger with their trigger-pulling arm. The reason for this is that most rifles sold to “right-handed” shooters have right-side bolts while “lefty’ rifles have left-side ones. This “standard” configuration forces the shooter to remove his dominant trigger-pulling arm from the stock in order to cycle the bolt. Then, he must reposition his hand and “reclaim” the trigger. The shooter often has to lift his head or move it to operate the bolt. This also means that he must re-establish the cheek weld for each shot. This is not good. It doesn’t really make sense for precision shooting when using fore-end supports*. There is a better method. You don’t have to change grip and head position every time you fire if you keep your trigger hand in place and use the other hand to operate the bolt and feed rounds. This is possible with a bolt that is placed on the weak side, i.e. A left bolt is used by a shooter who is right-handed, and a right one for those who are left-handed. This video shows a “Lefty”, working a right-handed bolt. This is a very efficient way to shoot a rifle.Derek Rodgers, a recent F-TR World Champion and a King of 2 Miles Champion, is the ONLY person to have WON BOTH THE U.S. F-Open AND U.S. F-TR National Championships. Derek uses this “opposite” bolt setup. Derek does indeed shoot right-handed using a left bolt. Derek is a left-handed shooter who uses a Left Bolt/Left Port action. He pulls the bolt on the left side with his weaker hand, while pulling the trigger with the index finger of his right hand. This allows him to maintain his cheekweld and stay in position. He holds the bolt with his right hand, while using his non-trigger pulling hand to manipulate the bolt and feed rounds.
This is the rifle that Derek used to win the 2013 F-TR National Championship.
*For true off-hand, standing shooting (whether it’s in competition or hunting), a conventional placement of the strongside bolt makes sense. This is because the non-dominant hand must always support the front end of the rifle. It’s different when shooting from a bipod or rest.
Similar Posts:Tags: Bolt, Derek Rodgers, LBLP, Prone Shooting, RBRP, Reverse Bolt Placement, Weakside
