[CosmoNew]

I'm getting back into Mosin-Nagant shooting this winter now that it's too cold to shove roundballs into barrels. I've been looking at the methods of working the bolt I've evolved over the years, and wondering what other people do. Here are my main methods.

The first is used prone or in other situations where the barrel is rested. The left hand works the bolt thusly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APHj5GIAGdw

The second is the one I use when my left hand is supporting the barrel, whether off hand or otherwise. The right hand palm smacks the bolt open, ejects, then smacks it shut. It's pretty fast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pvQ72x8oCs

With both methods, I try to avoid breaking my cheek weld too much, and definately avoid the method of lowering to the chest or hip to cycle. What other approaches are you using out there in Mosin land?

 

[Acutus]

When I'm at a bench a frequently do the left hand cycle. If I'm actually having to support the rifle such as offhand I use right.

 

[rocker98]

Method "B" whether supported or rested. I'm right handed.

 

[MILSURPKID]

When I am shooting off the bench I put my left hand under the buttstock and use my right hand to work the bolt. It seems easier to me that way but its really a matter of personal preference.

 

[spitstickler]

B for me.

 

[OU812]

I would shoot B method being right handed. Method A looks hard even for a leftie. I thought about using method A, except with a left bolt , working bolt with right hand and trigger with left hand, seems a little awkward.

 

[learjet60]

Method A: I'm a left-handed shooter. This method feels natural to me.

 

[bxn]

i would shoot method b,since i am right handed

 

[CosmoNew]

I'm also right handed, but I've found it difficult to cycle right handed while prone or rested without breaking the weld and having to readjust my grip. By using the off hand, you can keep your hand and head position.

The down side is getting your little finger caught between the bolt handle base and the receiver. You do that once or twice and you remember it! Notice my fingers are sticking out and up.

 

[ptrthgr8]

How do I shoot my Mosins? Generally the same way I shoot all of my other rifles... muzzle pointing away from me and towards the target. HA!

Seriously, I always work the bolt with the right hand. It's the same way I work all of my other bolt action rifles, so I'd like to have an automatic habit and not end up taking a few extra moments to figure something out if/when I ever find that I need to work that bolt now.

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

 

[Caribou]

Pulled tight against the shouder, firmly with my right hand, resting the forend on my loosly gripped left hand.
I dismount and cylce with the "pinky pull" and palm the bolt back into battery.

I try to sit and shoot, but thats not always the case, so I just have practised so much, off hand standing produces good results for many years now.

For your entertainment;

 

[Tiledude]

From the bench:

Sandbag under forend closer to the magazine than the sight.

Left hand und butt squeezing rear sandbag for elevation

Sandbag or wood block under right elbow

Left hand operates bolt, right hand holds buttstock or opposite sometimes...With surplus ammo I usually need a little leverage.

I will usually spray Sight Black on the front sight to reduce glare.

Also I look for a bench with a lower set to make the recoil work in a straight line - Easier to shoot more rounds.

When shooting offhand I would usually work the bolt with the rifle shouldered but with my Mosin Nagants I drop the rifle to work the bolt - Lots of fun shooting my old steel scuba tank!

Tiledude

 

[CosmoNew]

Good shooting Caribou! I couldn't even see that bou. The only such hunting in my neighborhood is Star the Reindeer on 10th.

 

[Danus ex]

I use both basic styles depending on what position I'm in, whether or not I want to break my cheek weld or position or the mood I'm in. I'll even work it like a turned-down bolt from time to time. That said, one thing I almost never do is drop or move the rifle to cycle it. A consistent group starts with a consistent position/interface.

After watching the video, there are some differences between me and what's generally written in how I work the bolt in the video B style. To eject, I partially grab the bolt handle underhand instead of starting with a slapping motion. Then I give my wrist/arm and bolt a quick twist to **** the bolt, extract, and clear the locking lugs. Pull back, eject. Open my hand a little bit, push forward, feed. Then, to close, I get quick purchase on the bolt handle and knob with a few fingers (mostly thumb) and push down on the same axis I opened it on.

It's kinda tough to explain. All I know is that it does the same thing but it looks different enough to notice. Not the same sweep open, sweep closed motion in the video.

 

[Firehouse85]

Method B works for me, I think I'll give method A a try.

 

[Konstanty]

I don't do anything tricky with the bolts of my Mosins. The trick with the c*o*c*k-on-opening Mosin action is to grab the entire bolt handle and twist it open. Don't just try to flick the handle upward, the way you'd do with, say, an Enfield. Works every time for me, and I've never had any reason to juggle the rifle around to switch hands.

And if anyone's wondering why I put the asterisks in the second sentence, it's because the censorware on this board wouldn't let me spell out the word in the normal way.