Right port or left port

It depends on your loading technique.

When I'm loading I generally hold the rifle just in the front of the trigger guard with my right hand, resting the barrel on the stand/table in front of me, and load with my left hand.

In the cases where I don't have a stand/table in front of me (or it's too low) I'll support the rifle in my left hand and load with my right hand.

My advice... you have to find what technique works for you and stick with it, but have a backup plan when you're shooting at a range that may be different than your home range.

You are right hand and is gun right or left port?

Yes, I'm right-handed. Standard Anschutz 1700 receiver, so right bolt and a right-ish port. The top is open enough that I don't find it to be a problem to load from the left.

I swap hands with the rifle rested on the table in front of me. Not sure how that would translate to a range which doesn't have tables, I'd likely bring a stand.

I love the right bolt left port actions. You don't need to look over the receiver or between the scope mounts to make sure the round is going straight into the chamber. I have a fused neck and since it is SOLID and does not bend the left port makes guiding the round straight into the chamber is a lot easier. YMMV.

bpost1958 said:

I love the right bolt left port actions. You don't need to look over the receiver or between the scope mounts to make sure the round is going straight into the chamber. I have a fused neck and since it is SOLID and does not bend the left port makes guiding the round straight into the chamber is a lot easier. YMMV.

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I agree that this is a nice arrangement for a quicker follow-up shot. The right hand is holding the gun securely while the left hand is loading the the follow-up round, and then the natural movement back to setup for aiming is quicker. Practice helps get this timing better and have a good setup for getting the follow-up rounds matters, especially when shooting in low light situations. This is not a suitable setup for an automatic rifle with the hot spent cartridges flying out quickly with rapid firing.