Left handed shooter looking for advice

[tom30calglassburn]

Hey guys, just been getting into long range shooting. I started on a savage 110 tactical in 308, but found that something was always missing in accuracy. I sold that and purchased a Sako a7 long range in 308 the gun shoots great and I have really improved as a shooter, but I still feel as if I am missing something. I know that I need to work on my fundamentals of shooting. But I am looking for advice, as a left handed shooter I have always shot right handed although I do ok shooting right handed. Would it benefit me buying something like an APO Saber in left hand? A good friend of mine keeps telling me (he’s a benchrest guy) that I should just stay with my Sako and keep practicing. Sako has Nightforce 5.5-22x50 with nightforce rings and nightforce 20moa rail. But I borrowed a friend Tikka Tac in 260 Remington last year for a competition, and I shot the best groups I’ve ever shot. So should I spend the money to get something in a chassis? Is it worth it to keep upgrading or is my friend right and just stay with what I got and build a good load for it and keep shooting??? Any left handed advice is appreciated

 

[tom30calglassburn]

Ps there is almost no aftermarket stuff for the Sako A7. So upgrading it pretty limited

 

[Petrov]

You have a logbook/databook?
What do your groups look like with your 308?
What did they look like in 260?

 

[Petrov]

Also Im left handed, having bolt on left or right side doesnt affect my group size if I am just laying there prone and taking my time.

 

[Petrov]

Last thing I wanted to add. I am an OK shooter. If you want to spend the money on "accuracy" shop for good adjustable stock chassis whatever, LOP chek rise ability to adjust butt plate etc. Having Carbon fiber wrapped barrel quenched in virgin elf blood is nice and all but you not gonna have consistency when you feel like monkey fucking a football when you get behind your rifle.

 

[broncoaz]

I’m also lefty and 10 rounds into break in on my new stick. I went with the Magpul pro chassis with a lefty Bergara B14 HMR 6.5 and Gen 2 Razor mounted in Badger stuff. in my limited rounds down range, the chassis rifle feels miles ahead of my previous R700 .308 that was in a Choate stock with a PST Gen 1. I don’t really have much to add as I’m fairly new to precision rifle when measured by round count. Most of my shooting is AR platform and pistols thusfar.

 

[MtnCreek]

Are you shooting a right hand rifle with the stock against your right shoulder or left shoulder?

Look up eye dominance. Really easy test holding up your finger.

 

[tom30calglassburn]

I am shooting right handed rifle in my left shoulder I am left eye dominant. But it always takes a minute for me to get in the same position when I get behind the rifle. Feel like I have to move look where point of aim is and move some more. Always takes a minute to get the rifle feeling correct

 

[One1Bravo]

I'm a lefty that shot right handed rifles for a long time. A left handed rifle won't improve how well you shoot, but it will improve the experience. At least it did for me. After I bought my first lefty action I immediately sold all my right hand builds and started from scratch. It's a lot more comfortable and convenient to have the rifle set up appropriately.

 

[tom30calglassburn]

You have a logbook/databook?
What do your groups look like with your 308?
What did they look like in 260?

I do have a log book, but I have only just started using one. I have some pics of the groups I shot with the .260. This pic below is the group I shot for sighter's at the match I took first place. I shot a Tikka Tac with the chassis. I just feel way more comfortable in the chassis then behind the plain stock. Just felt easier to get into that natural position behind the stock.

I have a range that I can go to that has steel set up from 100-1000 yards. So I would love to have a rifle that I can set up and shoot for fun at the club, but also to do some local prs matches and be competitive. I really enjoy the Sako. And I want to stay with 308 because I have soo much brass and bullets.

 

[tom30calglassburn]

Groups for my Sako in 308 were at the best an inch or slightly less

 

[MtnCreek]

If your current rifle does not fit you well, it will hold you back.

 

[tom30calglassburn]

If your current rifle does not fit you well, it will hold you back.

Ya can't explain it just can't seem to settle into it to get that natural position.

 

[MtnCreek]

Make sure you don't need to adjust scope mounting. Also you can build up temp check riser with cut pieces of pipe insulation/tape.

I don't know enough to know how to adj without changing things around. I'd play with it. But you plan to shoot in situations where you'll need to op the bolt fast, probably would be best served with a lefty.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

I'm left-handed and I own a lot of lefty stuff these days. What is your dream? I've shot conventional precision pistol, standard pistol, air pistol and high powered mid-range and long range and some F class rifle over the years.

I like my left handed Bergara HMR, extremely accurate and uses Remington based after market parts and scope bases. The gun was right at $1K my optics just swapped over. It was threaded for a comp or can already and uses easy to find magazines. For years I used a Remington 40XB-KS custom shop rifle(lefty) in an XLR chassis. It is older now, I bought it for work so it was tax deductible back in the day. It is 7.62 and has close to 3K rounds thru it and still holds under MOA. I used a match AR, a Garand, an M-24 and an M1A for various rifle matches, they were all right handers and other than the reload on a Garand had no problems. I do have a left-handed M1A, it is fun to shoot and looks so original it confuses almost every righty who tries and shoot it.

Unless you look for neutral stocked rifles to start with, many rifles have cast built into them for a right hander and when a lefty uses them they do not align with your body correctly. Same with palm swell on pistol grips, rifling twist direction and how safeties and controls on the gun work. Push button safeties push the wrong way. Except on Benelli shotguns, they are easily reversible.

I also shoot sporting clays for fun. Rizzini is an Italian shotgun maker that makes really high quality stuff and left-handed wood is a no cost change. So I own a left-handed Rizzini over and under clays gun. I don't shoot any better than I did with my Benelli auto loader but it points perfectly and it is a beautiful gun.

 

[Inifinty]

It can be difficult for left handed prone shooter to cycle right handed bolt without lifting head off the stock. It can be done, just not intuitive.

Not maintaining check weld shot to shot while prone can influence ability to shoot tiny groups.

 

[WtxShooter]

Coming from a lefty that was in your exact same situation about 3 years ago, I feel your pain. So here’s my 2 cents.
In regards to chassis vs stk, it’s honestly personal preference, as well as quality of the one you go with. I’ve had several chassis systems, and some shot super accurate, but some were horrible, even with the same barreled actions. My J Allen is kind of the best of both worlds, but sure not the cheapest. But get one you are comfortable with. Adjustable options are great, so keep that in mind.
But of all the things I did, honestly training was the best money I ever spent. As stupid as it may seem, it sped up my accuracy learning curve years ahead. And was a ton of fun as well. Id do that before switching anything.
Also, that 260 round does tend to group better than 308’s anyways, without proper fundamentals, so keep that in mind as well. That’s just my personal OPINION.

 

[Petrov]

Sounds like you need a comfortable rifle that fits you well.

 

[LH_Gina]

Normally, I'd recommend people go with their eye dominance. As for the rest, a majority of that goes to personal preference. With a bunch of trial and error, it took me a while to decide what set up I liked the best. I shot a right handed rifle when I started out and found that everything was much more fluid when I switched to a lefty. I'll also strongly agree with @WtxShooter's recommendation for a training course. Occasionally people look at the cost of a week long course and think it's too expensive. It's not. Spend the money. You'll end up saving money in the long run and a ton of frustration.