Firearm Safety: How To Load and Unload a Bolt-Action Rifle With Janis Putelis

MeatEater's Janis Putelis gives careful, step-by-step instructions for how to safely load and unload a bolt-action rifle.
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[@chriskassela9060]

No annoying intro sequence, didn’t tell us to like and subscribe before starting the actual video, didn’t babble on and repeat himself, told us clearly and concisely exactly what we came here to see.. who is downvoting this god-tier KZbin video? You guys are savages if you disliked this.

[@waybornjohnson4311]

How do you load a pretty cat AEA, Aaron😊

[@waybornjohnson4311]

Igow to load a 50 cal ara air rifle

[@waybornjohnson4311]

5:02

[@waybornjohnson4311]

🎉

[@victoria.4321]

Oh you know, liberals

[@ffnovice7]

Always good to show the steps for those not in possession of firearms. One day they may be able to enjoy emulating these steps with their own hands!

[@MiniNinja258]

I’m watching it in case I managed to steal a robbers gun!!! If you managed to wrestle a gun away from a criminal gotta know how to use it!!

[@ffnovice7]

@@MiniNinja258 per se, yes!

[@Pillowpetlover]

@@MiniNinja258 they would probably use a handgun

[@carlitosho]

Good video. Recommend amending the procedure to unload to first release the bottom plate and remove all the cartridges in the magazine, then remove the cartridge in the chamber. Yes instinctively people want to remove the round from the chamber first. But that is counter intuitive as it will require the next step to carefully NOT re-insert the next cartridge from the magazine into the chamber. And this is how accident happens--people think they took the round out of the chamber already. Think semi-automatics. How do you unload? First step is always remove the magazine! Take the magazine out of of the semi-automatic pistol. Then rack the slide to remove the round in the chamber. Same for semi-automatic rifles. First step, remove the magazine, then pull the charge handle to retract the bolt to remove the round that's in the chamber. Otherwise the slide or the bolt cycling will chamber the next round. Right? So, I recommend you amend the unloading procedure for bolt-actions to be the same way: First, remove all the cartridges from the magazine first; Then, remove the cartridge from the chamber; Then, cycle the bolt to check and re-check. This is a much safer procedure and less likely to lead to accidentally re-chambering a round.

[@pahhaw4251]

This was such a great, straightforward video!! Thank you so much for posting - such a great resource for us newbies!

[@billyluong6633]

Really great, clear, and nuanced explanation. I’m a newbie and appreciate this!

[@caseroj6020]

Extremely handy tips. Thanks for sharing Janis but I will only add that I never travel with a rifle in my vehicle that has the bolt in it. When I transport the rifle to/from the range/field I always make sure that the bolt is removed from the action and stored in a labeled zip loc plastic bag that clearly shows the gun model and serial number it belongs to. The bagged bolt is then put into a pocket of my range bag where the rifle is stored or in a foam cut out of the plastic hard case used for the same rifle. In this way I can be 100% sure that there is zero chance this rifle could discharge during transit even if I goofed up and let a round in the chamber or magazine.

[@jeanniemustola7628]

Thank you! My husband is on a hunting trip and a buck keeps wandering on to our property and I needed a refresher course on my gun!

[@jamesprescott4302]

Getting my gun tomorrow. Can't wait :(

[@bassfishga]

Well done! This is the video I was looking for for a new rifle I have. That loads and unloads differently than the one I have had for years. Thank you and good luck this season!!!

[@Asyncwav]

Do you know what caliber is that?

[@bassfishga]

@@Asyncwav I do not know what was used in the video. I have a 30-06 that loads like this one.

[@wlcsp]

I finally found this video. Excellent tutorial. Thanks man.

[@TheGprove]

Nice simple and clear explanation. Well done.

[@jsiciliano7355]

Excellent video. Just got my first bolt action and I needed this tutorial.

[@joshsrandombuilds3957]

I just bought a .243 Winchester weatherby and was unfamiliar with how to load and unload it safely thanks this helped a lot. It’s my first rifle ever so I needed some info about it and it helped me

[@mathewkromeo2934]

Cool. 👏

[@lelikbolek1362]

Never “too much “-it’s good to see and remind yourself that we’re dealing with life questions matters here. Stay safe and good hunting for everyone.

[@aexjones3473]

The Best Informative Video I’ve. Seen in 10 years ❤

[@borzica]

Awesome video, always great to know the safest way to handle a rifle!

[@marcelorodriguez7524]

Great simple video, thanks.

[@pufferfish5980]

Dude you are a professional. Thank you for this very educational video, I am gona go for a Remington 700 VTR

[@romansivers]

Thank you for slow and patient explanation. Very helpful!

[@irineojason]

Thank you for this video!!!

[@xxkasperxx]

EXCELLENT video buddy ..thanks ..new to firearms and this was a great help

[@popo7718]

Thx for the vid just picked up my new custom with the rigby bdl. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jeffpelphrey3953]

The best I've seen on this subject!!!!!!!!

[@teonatsios491]

Super informative and descriptive video. Thank you

[@ephrancesteele3833]

Awesome video! Thanks fit sharing the basics. Straight and to the point. Luv it

[@ashgonza92]

I have a Remington 700 that had a few problems catching rounds fed from the magazine. Turns out it needed to be cleaned and oiled! Also break the magazine spring in by having it loaded and put away for a while so the spring tension can adjust to being loaded.

[@beanhat]

Fort Collins, CO resident here, love your vid

[@dewanmasum4667]

Very helpful video

[@George-on3zm]

Great job!!

[@Rick-rl9yk]

Awesome video thank you

[@manuholleis6914]

Thank you so much! I loaded my dads gun by Accident, its a bolt action rifle, i couldnt figure out how to unload it, until i found this video, Thank you so much❤️

[@joshsrandombuilds3957]

Don’t play with guns😂 it’s dangerous and you coulda shot yourself or someone else. It’s a good thing you found this vid

[@rocknhorror]

after seeing the movie wolf creek where she gets the gun away, but has no idea on how to load it, i figue i better learn just incase it happens to me, great video and info

[@LonelyPoet]

Very Useful Information

[@chris51ification]

Great video, I have been into firearms for a long time but for some reason never a bolt action, I just recently picked up a howa 1500 and was confused with this style of magazine.

[@TheBriansle]

Thank you, I am looking to purchase a hunting rifle and very worried about operating it. This video was extremely educational.

[@booksRbad]

Hey Steve, or the person who manages this channel, can we get some full episodes put on YT or more put on Netflix? Please? I don't have cable to add the sportsman network and don't want to bootleg the show.

[@anthonyharper8161]

Great video ! Just purchased a 308. Rifle. Safety first ..Haven't shot it yet .

[@akamphom4438]

Well explained.. 👍

[@nicholashalvis5376]

What scope & rings do you have on that gun? Great explanation. Thanks

[@anotherbluecollarchristian2341]

Great! Thank You

[@jourdongirard]

Thanks. I didn't run into this style of rifle in my firearms safety course.

[@kaibaskywalker2725]

which one do they give you ?

[@hotsausekidhotsausekid]

Most likely a detachable box magazine

[@waynematthews6297]

I've always thought bolt action rifles were cool. Thanks for the video.

[@nigelbright8032]

So where was the muzzle pointing when loading and unloading !!!!!!!

[@DirtDigglerDetecting]

New hunter, You answered some questions thank you. safety first :)

[@notthestatusquo7683]

3:05 The ejector is what kicks the case out, the extractor is what pulls the case out of the chamber enough so that the ejector can do its thing, no?

[@jakeevans7075]

Depends on the gun some use an ejector and some use a combination of the extractor and the firing pin.

[@rikoflishas]

Beautiful rifle, reminds me of CoD4, sounds very nice too, ASMR believe it or not.

[@RedCrimson_v2]

Life Saving Rule of thumb: No such thing as “clear” or “safe” gun. You check that thing every single time u pick it up or take a gun from someone.

[@rtylerwirth]

Is it ok to dry fire the trigger to reset it after unloading the live rounds?

[@brandonfluellen1707]

up Isn't a safe direction down would have been better being outside

[@merfs2770]

Thank you for the help, I myself just got a Remington 700 bolt action rifle. What type of rounds can I use for it or would be best to use on it. Not for hunting more target practice if anything??

[@Weedreek]

Thank you. My grandpa just passed and I got a bolt action. And couldn't figure it out

[@runlikehell_productions]

I’d love it if you did Friday the 13th next year!

[@moscato1ca]

Why not empty the hinged floor plate with the bolt in back position?

[@rvaugh230]

This will sound crazy but I've ben around guns my entire life. I've owned a bolt action rifle for 20 years now. But every one I've had had a magazine. Just got a howa 1500 and had no idea how to load it.

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

Excellent! I've hunted with bolt action rifles in Alaska for the past 28 years and also hunt with no cartridge in the chamber until I see an animal I wan to kill.

[@Plasticjesus504]

Janis "The Latvian Lover" Putelis.

[@vitaminjtuber]

What are your thoughts about storing an empty firearm with a cocked bolt? Would it make any difference to store it with the firearm uncocked? Is there an advantage to this? Great video, btw.

[@BacktotheOutdoors]

If the magazine only holds four rounds, how did you get a fifth round in the magazine at 2:06?

[@LACraftsman]

the fifth round goes into the chamber, the mag is maxed out at 4.

[@BacktotheOutdoors]

@@LACraftsman - that’s not what is shown in the video. He claims to have inserted five rounds into the magazine itself.

[@bruhbruh-us6gl]

I have a friend in Rome named Janis Putelis

[@Firelord360]

no complains here this works with any bolt action

[@kodyarocho4618]

The Latvian Eagle, also known as long tong yanni

[@rikoflishas]

Why I wasn’t taught this is in Call of duty!?

[@doeyjiaz4798]

Nimble fingers for a Latvian Eagle

[@aivee6817]

Aubri Likey bolt action

[@AKapsa]

Dood, your Latvian?

[@andyhoughton1984]

+ comment

[@Mark-wg9ej]

Janis, you wouldn’t happen to be Latvian would you?

[@Mark-wg9ej]

I notice your ring so that’s a dead giveaway!

[@cas1363]

any writers here lol

[@kingjoe2283]

no but cool you’re doing you’re homework while writing

[@9thchild358]

I always have one in the chamber, safety on. I would never carry any other gun without a round in the chamber, so why would I carry my hunting rifle that way?

[@Camboninja94]

9thchild you're not supposed to rely on your firearm's safety to keep you safe. The idea is that you don't wanna put your life in the hands of a gun's safety, although I'd also argue that most modern firearms do have safety mechanisms that can be relied on.

[@Camboninja94]

Toxic_Dragon going bird hunting with my 870 as a kid I was always told to just keep the action open with a shell at the ready and when we'd flush a bird I'd just slide the pump forward and close the action, the only situation where I personally would keep one in the chamber with the safety on is if I had a concealed/open carry piece.

[@bluesteel8376]

What if you drop your gun and the safety gets knocked off and the trigger gets tapped? That is a risk I am not willing to take and you shouldn't either.

[@serviceboy82]

This is how my uncle taught me to carry a firearm when I was a kid, as the firing pin is not in the rear/ready position the rifle can't discharge even if dropped. You are not relying on the mechanical safety in the firearm.

[@Firelord360]

It all comes down to practice and muscle memory i see nothing wrong with any of the methods described here