Lefty Shooting Righty?!?

[Jagerwerks]

I'm left-handed and getting fairly serious about precision rimfire (PRS, NRL22). I have shot right-handed bolt guns my entire life. I currently run a heavy barreled B14R, and I feel that it hasn't held me back up to this point. Right now, I come off of the rifle with my support hand to run the bolt.

Looking for the opinions of people who have done this way longer than I have and who can steer me in the right direction!

 

[codym]

I did exactly that my entire life… this last year I sold all my right handed stuff and switched everything to left handed. I’m much quicker now than I was before. Takes a little bit getting used to manipulating the bolt but no big deal. The worst part is finding left handed stuff, it’s usually special order and longer wait times. It was definitely an improvement for me.

 

[bobby1028]

I'm left handed and built a 457 both ways, did the right hander first only since lefty varmints just weren't around at the time. After running both I'm actually using the RH gun for PRS and the LH is relegated to bench rest use. Really no off hand and not alot of prone stages where I'd need to shoot Left handed to support a heavy rifle. Off barricades I'm faster staying on target by staying firmly on the grip and shouldered running the bolt/mag changes right handed. Short bolt throw on a 22 so I don't have to break cheek weld...it works for me.
Bought a LH 12 gauge autoloader last year, so used to RH gas guns all my life I fumble like a blind man with it trying to speed load.

 

[DrSquall]

We've talked in my post I made about being lefty in the other thread. The hardest thing with PRS is building solid positions and what sucks when you run a right handed bolt left-handed and have to come off the gun as you have to rebuild part of that position. A lot of guys including myself need all the help I can on keeping a solid position so anything I can do to make that more achievable I will do. And it's not really favorable when you're shooting a position where you're using a rear bag and running a right handed bolt being left-handed it just makes it more difficult to have to get back on and squeeze the bag if you have to

 

[Jagerwerks]

I'm left handed and built a 457 both ways, did the right hander first only since lefty varmints just weren't around at the time. After running both I'm actually using the RH gun for PRS and the LH is relegated to bench rest use. Really no off hand and not alot of prone stages where I'd need to shoot Left handed to support a heavy rifle. Off barricades I'm faster staying on target by staying firmly on the grip and shouldered running the bolt/mag changes right handed. Short bolt throw on a 22 so I don't have to break cheek weld...it works for me.
Bought a LH 12 gauge autoloader last year, so used to RH gas guns all my life I fumble like a blind man with it trying to speed load.

I really want to run a left-handed setup before I take the plunge and just sell off my right-hand B14R. I may be so used to it at this point that it may do more harm than good to switch.

 

[Csafisher]

I’m a lefty and use right handed guns. Never had an issue. Only issue is what drsquall described when using a rear bag. However, in the matches I shoot that’s rare. Usually a prone stage and time isn’t typically a problem. I feel like clearing any jams or misfeeds is actually easier.

 

[Jagerwerks]

We've talked in my post I made about being lefty in the other thread. The hardest thing with PRS is building solid positions and what sucks when you run a right handed bolt left-handed and have to come off the gun as you have to rebuild part of that position. A lot of guys including myself need all the help I can on keeping a solid position so anything I can do to make that more achievable I will do. And it's not really favorable when you're shooting a position where you're using a rear bag and running a right handed bolt being left-handed it just makes it more difficult to have to get back on and squeeze the bag if you have to

Coming off the gun with my support hand is the worst part, but I guess you can look at it both ways because you are coming off your grip when shooting the native way. I guess if I was to stick with a RH setup, having a heavy and balanced rifle would become more important than it already is.

 

[DrSquall]

Coming off the gun with my support hand is the worst part, but I guess you can look at it both ways because you are coming off your grip when shooting the native way. I guess if I was to stick with a RH setup, having a heavy and balanced rifle would become more important than it already is.

Yeah that's the only part that sucks like you said is coming off the gun and honestly if I could shoot as comfortable right handed as I do left-handed I would strictly shoot right handed actions just for the fact of more options of aftermarket accessories chassis and guns. When I first started I ran a Ruger precision 22 which was right handed and I never really had issues with it and I will say when you shoot a right handed action being left-handed like mentioned earlier it's easier to see the jams and get to them instead of having to look over the scope and look

 

[Ronws]

To the OP, whatever works for you. I have seen guys shooting right-handed rifles from the left.

Let me get everyone's cogs jammed up.

I am left-handed. I carry my 9 mm on left hip in an OWB holster under a large shirt.

I shoot long guns right-handed. It has to do with options back in the 70s. Our scout master was teaching us to shoot 12 ga. And it was a semi-auto. I was raising it to my left shoulder and he told me to move it to my right. I learned why, instantly.

So, I just kept that up.

In 1974, Just before we were going to move from California to Texas, I picked up my step-grandfather's Sears Silvertone guitar with only 3 strings left on it. And started picking out the arpeggio beginning to "Who'll Stop the Rain?" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. I was doing it right-handed, which felt right because the left hand is doing all the work.

We get to Texas a few weeks later and my mother gives to me an acoustic guitar my father had given her (he was a music major when he was at the University of South Dakota before transferring to UCLA.) All she could afford was Mel Bay's Book of Chords. My step-grandfather taught me how to read sheet music.

Anyway, I surmised that playing guitar right-handed is really a left-handed activity.

So, in the end, do what feels comfortable. And, these days, there are more offerings for left handed actions.

 

[rimfired]

Full send left handed, it is the way.

 

[Stevenhansell]

I started my NRL/PRS journey with a lifted handed Bergara as well. Ran it for a year and had no real issues. Build me a RimX and it is left handed. It is different but I’m able to build better positions and my scores have improved. I find shooting lefty more comfortable and more natural.