3 Lug Bolts vs 2 Lug bolts: A Comparison

There are a lot of aspects of bolt action rifles that get debated. One of these topics is 3 lug bolts and 2 lug bolts. Each has some benefits to them with few downsides. The major factor between selecting one is what you are looking for in your rifle’s performance.

So we are going to compare these two bolt styles to see why you might want one over the other. A few other factors get added in that are not directly connected to the number of bolt lugs but with the bolt’s performance in general. We’ll address those as needed.

For example, we will use the term “locking lug” when dealing only with those lugs that interact with the chamber. Newer Mauser actions include a third lug but that lug is farther back on the bolt and nowhere near the chamber. We won’t be including it in our analysis today.

2 Lug Bolts

The 2 lug design is one of the oldest for rotating bolts and has over 100 years of success. This is because the lugs are extremely robust and are relatively large when compared to something like an AR-15’s bolt.

These interact with the locking surface and are rotated out of the way when the bolt is operated. This requires a 90 degree throw or a 90 degree rotation of the bolt to clear the lugs from their locking surface. 

Now some people do not like a 90 degree throw. This is completely fine, but it can make your cock-on-open feel lighter than it is, which is a personal preference in addition to a machining question. An actual consideration you have to have with a 90 degree throw is if the cocking handle will hit your optic or leave enough room for your hand when you’re using it.

This will result in you having to mount the optic higher or farther forward, which will impact your way of shooting. If you don’t have a modular stock but your optic needs to be close to your eye, setting the optic higher or more forward is not an option.

Then there is the aspect of rifle rotation. That 90 degree throw can cause some slight rotation to your rifle as you put force into that cocking handle. This can barely shift the rifle, but the difference in positioning can be very noticeable at long range.

Pros:

• Lighter feeling on cock-on-open designs

• Generally quicker action (user dependent)

• Wider use across multiple brands

Cons:

• 90 degree throw isn’t for everyone

• Can cause rifle rotation

• Potentially impacts optic choices

3 Lug Bolts

When it comes to 3 lug bolts, the difference is very minimal in actually using the gun. The 3 lug design usually has a shorter bolt throw than a 2 lug design at 60 degrees or less. But this comes down to manufacturers.

That shorter throw makes it easier to mount your preferred optic, scope rings, etc. to your rifle without having to worry about the bolt handle hitting or getting in the way of the scope. This opens up your options when it comes to optics which is very important if you do not have an adjustable stock.

A 3 lug design also works better with off-the-shelf ammunition. This is because it distributes the cartridge’s force/movement more evenly, which often doesn’t apply for handloads but does apply when you have mass produced ammunition.

Pros:

• Doesn’t impacts optic selection

• Better with off-the-shelf ammunition

• More engagement with locking surfaces

Cons:

• Slower on average due to locking engagement

• Brand dependent

• Stiffer bolt feel

Conclusion

Which lug style you use really comes down to preference and what you think looks good. If a bolt is properly machined and you spend enough time on it, either lug style will be very quick. The only measurable distinction is how the throw of each design affects your optics. And even then this comes down to the manufacturer and action itself.

No matter which style you want for your rifle, we have quality options available in both 2 lug and 3 lug varieties.