When Joe approaches with his single shot rifle, he pulls the bolt halfway back and then pushes it forward. If the bolt was already full forward it was either a) already loaded and ready to shoot or b) closed empty which would require it being drawn all the way back and a round added. The half pull doesn't make sense unless he was checking the chamber however he never looked at it.
Joe checks Ote's pulse at his wrist with his thumb. The thumb has its own pulse, so it is not used to check someone else's.