Cordite, well done on that Elk.

Lancaster, sorry for late reply. From what I have read in my younger years. The Cock on closing is the best and safest way for a battle bolt action rifle to function. The Brits found that with the heat generated with rapid fire of large number of rounds the bolt was easier to open with cock on close. With cock on open the bolt would/could be come stiff to open due to expansion of the steel in the action. For hunting I find cock on opening the better way but have no trouble with cock on close.