How to Use a Bolt Action Rifle

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Co-authored by Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon

Last Updated: March 22, 2024

Learn how to use this common and simple weapon, in any caliber.

Steps

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1. 1
   Point the gun away from you and anyone in range - the safe direction is almost always at the target(s). If you are setting up the targets yourself, know what lies beyond them. Be sure you know How to Handle a Firearm Safely, and always follow all the rules.
2. 2
   Open the breech by opening the bolt. Move the lever or bolt handle upwards, then pull the bolt back as far as you can. (Do not force it, it should come easily)
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3. 3
   If there is a round in the breech, remove it. Check to see if it has been misfired (it will be indented if so) - if it is a misfire, dispose of it. If you don't know where it came from, dispose of it. Otherwise, fire it at your own risk.
4. 4
   If no round, locate a magazine, and place it below the breach, through the stock. You will have to click it into place. Some rifles require manual loading by placing the round behind the breech and SLIDING the round forward into it, until it is secure. Some rifles also have a built in magazine, that requires either a stripper clip or manual loading of each round. These rifles typically take 5-10 rounds. To load bullets manually in these rifles, push bullets down into magazine, they fit with the follower plate. Don't try to fit an extra round in the breech, just fill the magazine to it's capacity.
5. 5
   Push the bolt forward as far as you can, and then close it. The bolt head strips a bullet from the magazine and the rifle is now ready to fire.
6. 6
   Wrap your dominant hand around the grip, keeping your index finger out side the trigger guard.
7. 7
   Cradle the front of the guard with you other hand (do not touch the barrel)
8. 8
   Lock the rifle into your shoulder. Hold it firmly.
9. 9
   Optional: If you have a sling, you can gain better control by wrapping it tight with the arm that is cradling the rifle.
10. 10
    Remove the safety, by clicking on to 'FIRE' or red button.
11. 11
    Place your finger inside the trigger guard.
12. 12
    Either use the scope and place the crosshairs on the target or line up the two sight posts (one at the front, one at the back of the gun).
13. 13
    Take a deep breath and let two-thirds of it out. Hold.
14. 14
    SQUEEZE the trigger gently.
15. 15
    Exhale, remove finger from trigger guard, safety on. Repeat from (4) to fire again.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  What is the best way to use a rifle scope?

  

  Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon
  Firearms Instructor

  Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon is a Firearms Instructor based in Southern New Jersey. He is the Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Ironsights Academy, a firearms education & training organization that he launched to continue his love of teaching and learning. Dr. Harmon is a higher education educator with over 20 years of experience who blended his passion for teaching with shooting sports as he launched Ironsights Academy: Firearms Education & Training. Dr. Harmon is an NRA Certified Instructor in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection Inside & Outside the Home, Concealed Carry Weapons, Defensive Pistol, and a certified Chief Range Safety Officer. Dr. Harmon is also certified by the American College of Surgeons to teach Stop the Bleed courses.

  

  Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon

  Firearms Instructor

  Expert Answer

  Magnification and cost of scope vary greatly. So, depending on whether you're shooting 50, 100, or 1000 yards, you may need a different type of scope, but once you're sighted in and that scope is sited in for the correct distance, using a scope is fairly easy and intuitive. Most have a simple crosshair. Some have more advanced radicals where they have what we call bullet drop compensators, different hash marks on the scope reticle for different distances that allow you transition between close and far distances relatively easily.

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• Question

  I just got my rifle. The bolt won't go all the way forward. Is there a button or something stopping it from closing? It is a Winchester 300 magnum.

  

  Shrek33sander

  Community Answer

  Check the action and make sure it's clear. If it is, check the safety. If it still won't close, take it to your local gun shop.

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• Question

  If my rifle has a built-in magazine, do I have to put an extra round in the breech?

  

  Community Answer

  If you choose to load your magazine and insert the magazine in the firearm, all you have to do to load it is to pull open the bolt and close it. You do not need to put in another round as long as the magazine is not empty.

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Tips

• Most stable position to fire from is prone, or lying down with your elbows shoulder width apart, holding the rifle firmly into your shoulder.
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• Optional: Having a sling makes rifles easier to carry and can aid with steadying the rifle. A good, usually cheap investment.
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• You won't see the bullet leave the rifle, so don't try to.
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Warnings

• Safety first!
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• Make sure you have the right caliber ammo. It will be listed on the box of ammo. Make sure it matches with the number and name stamped on the rifle. Just because the number is the same, or similar, doesn't mean the ammo will work in the gun. For example, a .22 Long Rifle will not take any of the following ammo- .22 Magnum, .223 Remington, .220 Swift, .222 Sako-even though the bullets are similar in size.
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• Guns are dangerous! Make sure you are not shooting at anything that you don't want to. Ammunition larger than 5.56mm (such as 7.62mm/.308/etc) can shoot over several kilometers and still kill. Even a small round (.22LR) can kill at over 500m.
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