Lefty in a right handed world - any tips on shooting a gun with the bolt on the wrong side

[TacosGigante]

I have always shot left handed bolts for hunting guns, and have a lefty Savage 10 FCLP-K, but one day I hope to have an AI (not now, I have kids on the way). Of course lefty AIs are rare as hen's teeth and frankly I am getting sick of being frozen out of all the cool stuff that either doesn't have a left hand model or you have to wait longer/pay extra. I tried shooting right handed but eye dominance issues is making that really difficult, and I have years of muscle memory built up already that I would prefer not to have to completely overcome. So my question is: how do lefty's cope in the tactical and precision world? Shooting a right handed bolt gun supported doesn't seem like a big deal, but off hand seems like it would be a pain. Do you just do it? Do you insist on a left hand bolt? What are best practices?

Thanks.

 

[tackleberry2000]

Shoot it like a normal left handed gun. The only differance is cycling the bolt. Ive been shooting right handed rigles for years. I am right handed. Ut left eye dominate. I tried a left handed gun but it was to awkward for me.

 

[DOA]

There are a lot of LH actions available and both Manners and McMillian have LH stocks.

 

[John-K]

1:10

Saving Private Ryan (5/7) Movie CLIP - Private Jackson (1998) HD - YouTube

 

[joseph-98]

I have been shooting bolt guns for 5 years im a lefty but I will never shoot another left handed gun ... I like being able to cycle the bolt and stay on the trigger

 

[wilwith1l]

I have been shooting bolt guns for 5 years im a lefty but I will never shoot another left handed gun ... I like being able to cycle the bolt and stay on the trigger

This. I'm right handed, but whenever I do rapid fire/rapid bolt manipulation drills I fire left hand/shoulder/eye. My right hand will adjust the bag or butt-pod and rack the bolt. You would be amazed how fast you can send them with your right hand stationed on the bolt.

 

[JSTARSZ]

I have been shooting bolt guns for 5 years im a lefty but I will never shoot another left handed gun ... I like being able to cycle the bolt and stay on the trigger

I am left eye dominant person and shot right handed bolt guns for years until I got a left handed rifle and it all just came together. I find it more important to keep my eye on the target as I am manipulating the bolt versus having to cross in front of my eyes to work the bolt with a right handed rifle and losing the target. And, what happens when you are not prone? Just like the video above he had to take his eyes of the optic to rack the bolt while not prone. That is hard to do and I did it while hunting...it is difficult. I would rather have a left handed bolt as it makes it easier to deal with out of prone shots.

There are so many left handed option available today so I choose to stay with left handed rifles as much as possible.

BlackOps Precision 308 and 6.5mm Creedmoor.

 

[missed]

I am a lefty too and have an flcpk and another model 10. I think I'm going to order a bat or Shilen lefty action this year. Supposedly the Shilen Lefty is in stock. I want to have the same barrel threading as my savages since I have a few barrels already. I have a Choate stock on one gun and a Boyds Tacticool on the other. I have talked to McMillan and manners and they will both make the lefty stock the lead time was just longer. Shooting right handed rifles left handed is fine prone or on the bench but if you have to stand up your in a bind.

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[shoots100]

I'm a southpaw and prefer shooting LH rifles over RH rifles. I suffered shooting RH rifles, but once I shot a true LH rifle, I was done with RH rifles.
If your comfortable shooting RH rifles, so be it, but if it was easier for a RH shooter to shoot a LH rifle, we'd have more manufacturers producing LH rifles for RH shooters. It aint so though.
Most stock manufactures offer Straight stocked rifles, so they can be shot both ways, but your going to have a problem shooting a RH bull pup style rifle LH ( COPY THAT DTA ).

 

[Nik H]

To OP,

I have your same problem. I am LH and left eye dominant. Never owned a bolt gun for this reason. I have tried using a RH bolt and there isn't much of a penalty with cycling the bolt with your RH as you can keep your LH on the trigger but only prone. I found it a pain in any other position. That is why all of my rifles are SA.

However, many of the posters are correct. There are a large number of very high quality actions and stocks on the market now that are available in LH. Building a LH bolt is #2 on my list. I need to buy a nicer optical rig for my .308 semi rifles first. I don't know if Surgeon makes a LH action but GA Precision makes some nice stuff around the Defiance machine actions. There also less expensive alternatives.

BR,

 

[JSTARSZ]

I don't know if Surgeon makes a LH action but GA Precision makes some nice stuff around the Defiance machine actions. There also less expensive alternatives.
BR,

Surgeon was supposed to make a left handed action but that was a couple of years ago so I guess they decided against it or was Overcome By Events (OBE). Defiance, BAT, and Stiller are the custom LH actions that are available. There are probably more I just can't think of them at the moment.

 

[Nik H]

Thanks JStarz!

I need to look at BAT and Stiller as I don't know them. This is why I come here. Always learn something

BR,

 

[missed]

I kinda want one the aluminum flat bottom BAT actions and build a skeleton chassis for it with a jewel trigger and take AI mags. I think that would be a slick rig.

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[TacosGigante]

Thanks everyone. It sounds like the consensus is: If you are going to have to shoot off-hand better to go with a lefty gun. Also, if you find yourself in a bell tower when the Nazis roll up an open-topped assault gun your first target should be the crew.

Now to hope AI does a run in about five years when I can hopefully afford them.

 

[JC Steel]

OP, there is just a ton of Left Handed rifles out. I would keep looking and not settle for a right Handed rifle.

 

[mrbungle]

lefty actions for a lefty, i finally got a true left handed bolt action the other day, i have not even fired the weapon, but there is no going back to right handed bolts now.......the lefty just feels so much better.

 

[bbcellars]

Switched all my Right Hand bolt guns to Left Hand, and couldn't be happier....

Be patient, and either find a used LH, or have one built....you won't regret it...

 

[bornhunter04]

I'm a southpaw too. Shot right handed bolt actions growing up, and hated it. Once i bought my first bolt gun it was a lefty, second was a lefty, and from here on out they'll all be lefties. It just makes too much sense to suffer. If we were meant to operate the bolt with the opposite hands the righties would shoot lefties a vice versa. Tons of lefty rifles/actions out there. Get what fits/works for you.

 

[missed]

Being a lefty is what turned me on to the Savage rifles it is the last haven for factory rifles for lefties that regular people ate actually able to get a hold of without spending $1k+ for a receiver.

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[JeffLebowski]

Be like this guy.

 

[1791PrecisionArmory]

Same deal here. At 31 I finally got a custom LH rifle built by Marc at Spartan and it's like a whole different ball game. Sold all my RH rifles and got a few more in LH.

 

[Woj8541]

Left handed shooters using a right hand bolt rifle will always be just as quick, if not quicker than their right handed counterparts. Lefty's using a right handed rifle should maintain fire control with the left hand, and manipulate the bolt with the right hand. In doing this the firing hand never leaves the shooting grip, hence quicker follow-ups, given your bolt manipulation technique is squared away. In my opinion left handed shooters should always use a right handed rifle. Makes more sense for efficiency in movement. And the Saving Private Ryan clip is an example of what not to do... Fail...


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[houndog]

I'm right handed and left eye dominant. Have been shooting lefty since I went to camp (at age 10) and the counselor figured out I was left eye dominant. I'm 55 now, so it would just feel weird to try and shoot right handed.

I own 2 bolt guns right now, a .22, which is a lefty and a schmidt rubin K31. I find the .22 much easier to shoot. It's not just that I can continue to support the rife with my right hand (don't really shoot off a bipod), its also that I don't have to take my head off the stock. For those that shoot right hand bolts lefty, how do you maintain the site picture? That's what would really slow me down in a right hand model, particularly if shot off a bipod, not cycling the bolt, which I can probably do faster right handed than left handed (since I'm not in fact left handed).

 

[JC Steel]

I don't think this is accurate sir from my experience,
If that were the case, you would see all the right handed shooters shooting left handed rifles(because its more efficient right), and that is just not the case

I shot right handed rifles for 2 years in matches and long range shooting because I could not afford the left handed rifle I wanted,
After I finally acquired my left handed rifle, I noticed it is substantially faster for me to shoot a left handed rifle from the left side. At least in field shooting, off a rock, prone, off a log, tires, stairs, barricades, and for sure while you are slung up

On the range, when your all nestled up in sand bags and rests, it might be, because the rifle will not move anyway in between shots because it might be locked in, but not in field shooting.


The hardest thing for me when I had to work the bolt with my right hand, was taking it off of my rear bag, losing my target, cycling the bolt, then putting my right hand back on the rear bag, then finding my target. Then pulling the trigger. Yes, my trigger finger has never moved, but it cant do its job because my gun in not pointed at my intended target.

Or a lefty shooting a left handed right, or righty shooting a right handed rifle, pulls the trigger, uses the same hand to cycle the bolt, while the reticle is still on the target, then pulls the trigger again. much more efficient and way quicker.

All this is from my opinion and experience. Nothing else.

Left handed shooters using a right hand bolt rifle will always be just as quick, if not quicker than their right handed counterparts. Lefty's using a right handed rifle should maintain fire control with the left hand, and manipulate the bolt with the right hand. In doing this the firing hand never leaves the shooting grip, hence quicker follow-ups, given your bolt manipulation technique is squared away. In my opinion left handed shooters should always use a right handed rifle. Makes more sense for efficiency in movement. And the Saving Private Ryan clip is an example of what not to do... Fail...


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[Woj8541]

Well Jake decades of military snipers have been dictated that a right handed rifle is the only option and I've trained my fair share of southpaws on right handed rifles. We just found ways to get around the limitations. Yes, you bring up a valid point about loosing sight picture and you might be able to mitigate your loss of sight picture with a more solid NPA coupled with a bit more load on the bipods. I know Vu from NorCal is a southpaw and he shoots a left handed rig too. He obviously does very well with it. My point is that one doesn't necessarily need a left handed rig if they shoot left handed as long as they've got a bit of training and an understanding of the mechanics. Glad your left handed rig works for you.


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[shoots100]

Well Jake decades of military snipers have been dictated that a right handed rifle is the only option and I've trained my fair share of southpaws on right handed rifles. We just found ways to get around the limitations. Yes, you bring up a valid point about loosing sight picture and you might be able to mitigate your loss of sight picture with a more solid NPA coupled with a bit more load on the bipods. I know Vu from NorCal is a southpaw and he shoots a left handed rig too. He obviously does very well with it. My point is that one doesn't necessarily need a left handed rig if they shoot left handed as long as they've got a bit of training and an understanding of the mechanics. Glad your left handed rig works for you.


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In most cases, a southpaw can adapt to shooting a RH rifle, but it's not so easy for a righty to adapt to a LH rifle. That's what I've found in training shooters.
I had one shooter get all bent out of shape in trying to get behind my LH rifle,yet all of the LH shooters had no difficulty in getting behind RH rifles.
Mostly because they had to deal with RH rigs before they could get a LH rig, but also because most LH shooters have adapted to become ambidextrous from growing up in a RH world.
I remember when the nuns used to smack my LH with a ruler(When Nuns could do that sort of thing) while writing in class. I was beaten into writing right handed at school, so now I can write LH and RH because of that. I was pissed at the nuns, but they actually made me more adaptable. I still don't like Nuns though.
It was an eye opener watching RH shooters floundering around trying to operate their rifles left handed during weak side training.
Most smack themselves in the nose with the bolt a few times before getting the hang of it.
I know a majority of LH shooters never go back to shooting a RH rifle after acquiring a LH rifle.
And rightly so, because shooting a LH rifle is more comfortable for them.

 

[JC Steel]

Yeah that's a good point,

if you are a lefty in the military and you are a sniper, they wont buy a left handed rifle for you??

Well Jake decades of military snipers have been dictated that a right handed rifle is the only option and I've trained my fair share of southpaws on right handed rifles. We just found ways to get around the limitations. Yes, you bring up a valid point about loosing sight picture and you might be able to mitigate your loss of sight picture with a more solid NPA coupled with a bit more load on the bipods. I know Vu from NorCal is a southpaw and he shoots a left handed rig too. He obviously does very well with it. My point is that one doesn't necessarily need a left handed rig if they shoot left handed as long as they've got a bit of training and an understanding of the mechanics. Glad your left handed rig works for you.


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[Arbiter]

Ehhh, I'm a lefty who prefers to just shoot a RH action. I've handled lefty boltguns plenty of times, but they never feel right. And I like the ability to see into the ejection port and visually confirm what's going on with the rifle. Against a very top-level shooter it's going to be a disadvantage of a fraction of a second, but in any other circumstance it's not a hindrance, provided that you go out and get in even a slight amount of practice.

 

[Edsel]

I remember when the nuns used to smack my LH with a ruler(When Nuns could do that sort of thing) while writing in class. I was beaten into writing right handed at school, so now I can write LH and RH because of that. I was pissed at the nuns, but they actually made me more adaptable. I still don't like Nuns though.

Sister Mary Stigmata - YouTube

 

[58blackflag]

Try shooting multiple targets off of shooting sticks with the bolt on the wrong side...

If you're shooting prone or off of a bench all time it doesn't make a difference but if you shoot improvised field positions like those in matches a bolt on the opposite side of your firing hand is going to make things difficult. You NEED the offhand to hold up the front end of the gun or to stabilize your sticks.

There are plenty of left handed bolt guns available as well as custom actions if you look around some. There is a lefty AIAW for sale here right now.

 

[jakelly]

Left handed shooters using a right hand bolt rifle will always be just as quick, if not quicker than their right handed counterparts. Lefty's using a right handed rifle should maintain fire control with the left hand, and manipulate the bolt with the right hand. In doing this the firing hand never leaves the shooting grip, hence quicker follow-ups, given your bolt manipulation technique is squared away. In my opinion left handed shooters should always use a right handed rifle. Makes more sense for efficiency in movement. And the Saving Private Ryan clip is an example of what not to do... Fail...


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And I think all RH shooters should shoot LH rifles. Then when the industry starts making over 90% LH rifles I'll have access to all cool stuff at cheaper prices. By the time everyone "comes to" it'll be too late, all you rightys will be better served by just adapting and I'll keep telling you guys how fast you are while you stab yourselves in the webbing of your thumb with your bolts.

 

[TacosGigante]

If the American Rifle Company M2 makes good on its promise it could be just the ticket: American Rifle Company ? Most Innovative Product of SHOT Show 2014 | PrecisionRifleBlog.com

Not only is it ambidextrous, it is also fairly light, making off hand shots easier regardless of which hand you use to manipulate the bolt. And since every gun is a potential lefty the used market will be the same as for right handed shooters.

 

[gmsharps]

I to am a lefty and don't have much of an issue with bolt guns I just try to be better with the first shot. Semi's are a different game. I have not found a way to shoot a M1D with the scope left handed and a M1 Garand shooting in a service rifle match eats my hands up a bit but is doable.

gmsharps

 

[wilwith1l]

I to am a lefty and don't have much of an issue with bolt guns I just try to be better with the first shot.

You heard him guys:Be better on the first shot.
Problem solved.

 

[Woj8541]

Jakelly, if you're stabbing the webbing of your thumb with the bolt, your bolt manipulation technique is flawed and a little training would totally eliminate that problem.

As for shooting off of sticks in field positions left handed with a right handed rifle, I do it all the time. Training to be ambidextrous is important as we live in a fluid world and as shooters we need to be able to adapt to a variety of situations. Again, this is a training and technique issue that can easily be resolved.

As far as a right handed shooter shooting a left handed rifle; it shouldn't matter one way or another. The fundamentals remain the same.


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[dmike]

There are so many left handed option available today so I choose to stay with left handed rifles as much as possible.

BlackOps Precision 308 and 6.5mm Creedmoor.

JSTARSZ, those are phenomenal looking rifles. What are your thoughts on port side? It seems like a left handed shooter might have a better view into the action if the port is right side?

 

[mallrat]

Off-Set Scope Mounting Rail within AccurateShooter.com

Not necessarily the best option, but may help in some situations.

 

[JSTARSZ]

JSTARSZ, those are phenomenal looking rifles. What are your thoughts on port side? It seems like a left handed shooter might have a better view into the action if the port is right side?

I also wondered if that work out well for left eye dominant person but is right handed as I can load right handed but shoot left handed. I think it would be interesting to try and see if it would work better and you are correct, you could see the chamber easier. I have never tried it but would be open to given it a try.

 

[Graham]

Lefty in a right handed world - any tips on shooting a gun with the bolt on t...

Jakelly, if you're stabbing the webbing of your thumb with the bolt, your bolt manipulation technique is flawed and a little training would totally eliminate that problem.

As for shooting off of sticks in field positions left handed with a right handed rifle, I do it all the time. Training to be ambidextrous is important as we live in a fluid world and as shooters we need to be able to adapt to a variety of situations. Again, this is a training and technique issue that can easily be resolved.

As far as a right handed shooter shooting a left handed rifle; it shouldn't matter one way or another. The fundamentals remain the same.


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Exactly. Well said.

 

[steinmaster]

I'm right-handed but left eye dominant. Since the age of 10, I always shot a long gun left handed (I shoot handguns right handed) because of my eye dominance. Growing up I used a Remington 7600 pump rifle in 30-06 because of this. By the way, the rifle was horribly inaccurate. I have no issues shooting a right-handed bolt if I am using a bi-pod or bench rest shooting. Shooting off-hand is much more difficult since I have to take my support hand (holding the forearm) off the gun to cycle the bolt or cross-over my left hand to cycle the bolt. In both cases, I have to lower the gun and loose my sight picture. This is much slower to cycle the action and reacquire the target. I recently purchased a L-H Rem 700P LTR 308. The gun is a tack driver and I use it in situations where I'm shooting off-hand or support with a bipod/bench. I will be purchasing a single shot Cooper Varmint Rifle in 223 or 22-250 soon and will be getting a R-H bolt action. I'm getting the R-H because I know I will be using either a bipod or bench rest when shooting varmints at longer ranges. The R-H action makes it easier for me to reload since I have a better view of the action port and can cycle the action with my R-H (since it won't be supporting the rifle). I don't expect to be shooting this rifle off-hand much. I guess my point is, depending on your use, both L-H and R-H actions have benefits for a L-H shooter. My case is a little odd since I'm R-H shooting left hand.

 

[Graham]

At the 2014 Bushnell Brawl, a two day match of over one hundred and fifty rounds, there was a total of ten rounds fired prone strong-side.

 

[steinmaster]

At the 2014 Bushnell Brawl, a two day match of over one hundred and fifty rounds, there was a total of ten rounds fired prone strong-side.

...I would then use a left-hand bolt action rifle so I could support the rifle without loosing sight picture.

 

[Am180man]

I have been shooting bolt guns for 5 years im a lefty but I will never shoot another left handed gun ... I like being able to cycle the bolt and stay on the trigger

+1!!! Nice to stay on trigger and cycle with right hand. Left hand guns feel awkward to me anyhow...

 

[idaho1]

I'm dealing with this issue too... I am left eye dominant and shoot left side as my strong side. My competition rifle is a right bolt gun. When I am shooting supported, whether prone or barricade or whatever, I dont feel greatly disadvantaged. However, when I shoot any position that could benefit from a sling or supporting the front end of the rifle, I am at a distinct disadvantage. Short of switching to weak side (which is what I do), I dont think I can train myself to a level playing field...... Thats why I have a really nice Surgeon/J Allen up for sale. I am going to build a lefty comp gun and train like crazy!

 

[Bill Larson]

A left handed man shooting a right handed gun...esp. with handloads is dangerous.

 

[idaho1]

A left handed man shooting a right handed gun...esp. with handloads is dangerous.

Because exploding gasses from a malfunction are right in your face???

 

[dmike]

I also wondered if that work out well for left eye dominant person but is right handed as I can load right handed but shoot left handed. I think it would be interesting to try and see if it would work better and you are correct, you could see the chamber easier. I have never tried it but would be open to given it a try.

I think Stiller and Defiance might make left bolt/right port actions.

 

[BC 6.8]

I'm left handed and shoot many left handed and right handed bolt actions. My first hunting rifle as a kid was right handed and all of my .22s are right handed. Now my hunting rifles are left handed (Browning A bolt, Savage 10 Predator Hunter, and Weatherby Mark V) because it is easier to shoot from different positions. I also have a new .308 built on a left handed Remington 700 action. Even my ARs are left handed (Stag).

The left handed versions of all of the above mentioned guns are less that $50 more than their right handed counterparts. I think that is a small price to pay for getting what I want. Also, all of my lefty guns work just as well as the right handed version.

I do like shooting my right handed .22s of the bench and prone. I can work the bolt pretty fast that way, and I can hold the rifle to my shoulder the whole time.

 

[projectpat0]

I'm a lefty and all through school I was treating like the red headed step child weird bird. This was no different in BLET firearms class. They only had 3 left hand holsters even available. adaption of instruction was the right handed way to do it just do it ass backwards. Point being, I'm so accustomed to adapting right hand shit for myself (technique and equipment), I don't even really look for left handed equipment (excluding holsters). Its just too hard to find some of the stuff. I don't own a left hand bolt gun but at this point its muscle memory to operate a right hander.