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Lefty prone shooters - RH/LH bolt?

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awpk03s

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Jun 17, 2017
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For other southpaws out there.... for a rifle primarily shot prone, or off a bench or tripod, do you utilize LH or RH actions?

I can see how a RH action may work fine, to keep left hand on the grip and pulling in to your shoulder while using the off/support hand to run the bolt. It’s much less cumbersome than reaching overhand with left hand as when shooting standing offhand...

Just trying to think. As a lefty, I like to buy LH products just because, usually it’s easier. But in entry level precision rifles ($1000-1200), there’s no good options, meanwhile if I just shot a RH action I could get a CTR, Bergara HMR, or Howa Bravo.

Curious for thoughts from others in similar situation.

Thanks!
 
I'm a right handed shooter who is left eye dominant so I shoot long guns left handed. I have shot left and right hand actions and prefer a right handed action run left handed. I started with right hand actions because they are cheaper and more available *but* if I were gonna complete or train with professionals I'd run left hand actions.

I get along fine shooting a right hand action left handed but I am self taught and do not compete. My "style" offends many instructors and competitors at the range I shoot at who are constantly trying to "learn me to do things the right way" and if I was going to train and shoot with them I'd have to conform to their "Way" or ride the waves/suffer the constant corrections by my betters.

VooDoo
 
I am a left handed shooter and my first bolt gun with a RH. Now that I've gotten proper left hand actions I would never go back.

From a prone position, I find it critical to operate the bolt with my trigger hand so that my support hand under the stock can stay in place.
 
I'm a lefty and have shot right hand actions all my life. I've considered a left hand action several times. I've never used one but it looks like it would be awkward for me.
 
One1Bravo said:
I'm a lefty and have shot right hand actions all my life. I've considered a left hand action several times. I've never used one but it looks like it would be awkward for me.
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I am opposites of Xander, Lefty but right eye dominate. I shoot all right handed, I don't see the problem running the bolt with my right hand.
 
Lefty here, and started off with right hand rifles. After switching, I can’t go back. And if I’m not mistaken, you can now get the CTR in left hand options now I believe.
 
awpk03s said:
For other southpaws out there.... for a rifle primarily shot prone, or off a bench or tripod, do you utilize LH or RH actions?

I can see how a RH action may work fine, to keep left hand on the grip and pulling in to your shoulder while using the off/support hand to run the bolt. It’s much less cumbersome than reaching overhand with left hand as when shooting standing offhand...

Just trying to think. As a lefty, I like to buy LH products just because, usually it’s easier. But in entry level precision rifles ($1000-1200), there’s no good options, meanwhile if I just shot a RH action I could get a CTR, Bergara HMR, or Howa Bravo.

Curious for thoughts from others in similar situation.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

LH Shooter who is left eye dominant. I shoot a LH bolt. I used to shoot semi-autos or RH bolt. Buy a LH bolt and you will never go back..

Tikka makes a T3x TAC a1...hell of a rifle for not a lot of cash ($2K MSRP). I am sure you get it cheaper than $2K.
 
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Darn, no go. That’s in the US though right?
I would hit “Buy” on a lefty CTR right now if anybody was selling them.
 
Screenshot_20181104-151035_Facebook.jpg
 
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Son of a biscuit... that’s what I’m talking about. Thanks! Hope to see some of these show up for sale sometime soon.

Maybe I will just hold out for the true LH version, sounds like that’s the most recommended way. I do have other LH actions and would be best to stay consistent.

I am aware of the LH Tac A1, but $1800 is a bit more than I’m looking to drop right now, and I’m not a huge fan of the chassis anyway.
 
I'm a lefty and run left hand actions - 2 Barnards for F-class and a Tikka T3 and a Kelbly Atlas Tactical for the practical/tactical rifles. I've gotten behind a couple of right hand actions in F-class and would be happy enough running one, but left hand actions are readily available and it's what I'm most comfortable with so that's the way I'll continue to go.
 
I think we have it all wrong. I have this discussion with my cousin who is a lefty all the time. He wants a left hand action, which makes zero sense. In fact, left hand actions match up better with a right hand shooter.

As a right, your primary hand is your right hand, which is actually controlling the rifle. It's quicker using your support hand to manipulate the bolt without having to break grip. It takes some getting used to, but it's faster. Faster for the same reason all controls are on the left side of an AR so the weak hand can do work while you maintain control.

It's like the people who cry about paddle releases on pistols. Despite the fact they are faster for reloads and reduce accidental mag drops under stress, people fail to approach the problem logically. Leftya should save their money and be thankful they have an advantage using a right handed bolt.
 
I would consider a RH bolt / LH port eject if that were available for the very reason you mention. But a reason that I also prefer LH actions that hasn't been mentioned is the gas relief ports in the bolt. If something ever went wrong, I wouldn't want that gas to hit my face which it would if I am LH and shooting a RH stick.
 
Righty left eye dominant grew up shooting right handed bolt guns finally got a lefty when I was old enough to buy my own and I haven’t bought a right handed one since and would t even consider it at this point I have no problem with right handed semis and other guns but the first time you have to shoot standing with a wrong handed rifle you will see why you can never go back though limited there are options for us lefty’s I was able to find used actions in the exact configuration I desired in the px more than once so that says options are out there though not as readily available as our right handed counterparts
 
Left eye dominant, right handed - otherwise known as cross dominant. Run long guns left and pistols right. Works for Larry Vickers, so should work for me.

Run right hand bolt guns so far, would like to swap to left hand actions but the cost is prohibitive at this point. Doing it all over again I’d start left.

ETA: On a bench or prone I actually really like running the right hand bolt gun. I can easily see if there is a round left in the magazine, or any issues with feeding. On the down side, if things go boom I will have a lot less protection.
 
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I know you specified only bench or prone and in that situation it really is not much of a handicap but I too once thought I would never shoot other positions
 
My 2 cents... I have been shooting RH bolts since I was 12 (I am 52 now). I am left eye dominant, but right handed. Always shot rifles left handed/left eye and pistols right handed/right eye - go figure.

I just recently bought my first real LH rifle (Tikka TAC A1). While prone, on a bag/bipod, works fine for me either way. As I shot my Tikka more, I found I felt smoother and more controlled keeping my support hand with the rifle on target than breaking support and running the bolt with my right. It just feels more natural and more comfortable thus I now prefer it.

Off handed was always a bit of a challenge with RH bolt. Shoot, lower rifle, left hand x-over run bolt, raise rifle and re-aquire target. Soooo much easier that way with a LH bolt.

Others may feel different, I don't compete nor put myself in harms way, so it is not that big of deal.

At least my RH rifles have a home - gift them to my boys for them to enjoy.....

Oh, and Nik H has a great point about the gas port. Never thought about that, so I guess it is just another plus.
 
I'm left hand, left eye dominant. I grew up shooting right handed actions on everything left handed. I just adapted to shot shells ejecting across my face and controls being less than ergonomic.

Since I started buying firearms, I've always bought a left handed version if it was an option. Now, the only right handed firearms I own are the model 70 my dad gave me, and my SCAR 17 and my glock 19. I run the bolt on my model 70 with my support hand, and I just live with hot brass slapping my forearm from my 17. Everything else is a left handed or ambidextrous action.
 
Anderson_A said:
Righty left eye dominant grew up shooting right handed bolt guns finally got a lefty when I was old enough to buy my own and I haven’t bought a right handed one since and would t even consider it at this point I have no problem with right handed semis and other guns but the first time you have to shoot standing with a wrong handed rifle you will see why you can never go back though limited there are options for us lefty’s I was able to find used actions in the exact configuration I desired in the px more than once so that says options are out there though not as readily available as our right handed counterparts
Click to expand...
That's becuase it's a software issue not hardware one. Run a left and and right hand 10,000+ times each and it will be clear which is faster/better.
 
Primus said:
That's becuase it's a software issue not hardware one. Run a left and and right hand 10,000+ times each and it will be clear which is faster/better.
Click to expand...


I half ass don’t disagree with you until you realize your support hand is supporting the rifle and not a rear bag once you leave the bench. If I were shooting f class I might agree but in all fairness the question asked was about the bench and prone
 
And FWIW primus at this point in my life I have run a right handed rifle About as much as a left handed one but I’m pretty sure I haven’t shot 10,000 rds cumulatively and I wouldn’t buy a right handed bolt gun with your money let alone mine for my applications of a rifle that may vary for others
 
Thanks for all the replies guys.

I’m right handed basically, but left eye dominant, and grew up doing everything (rifles, pistols) left handed.

My mil surp rifles are obviously RH bolt action and that’s fine for how I use them.
My modern bolt action rifles, I have tried to gravitate to LH actions, and have a Tikka T3 in 30-06 and a Ruger Scout rifle in 308 - both of which are left handed.

Most of my Precision type shooting has all been semi autos, ARs and M1s.

I want to get a dedicated Precision type bolt rifle. I’m miffed at the lack of working man options, and I guess I was trying to rationalize/talk myself into a RH action, and if I was only ever shooting off bench, prone, tripod, maybe it would be okay?

The more I think about it, I just think that would be a compromise that I would regret.

I just need to hold onto my money awhile longer and hope that companies will show some love for the working class lefty to get me going. Or I could just rebuild my existing Tikka and rebarrel, etc; but I just can’t yet convince myself of that path as an option yet.
 
awpk03s said:
Thanks for all the replies guys.

I’m right handed basically, but left eye dominant, and grew up doing everything (rifles, pistols) left handed.

My mil surp rifles are obviously RH bolt action and that’s fine for how I use them.
My modern bolt action rifles, I have tried to gravitate to LH actions, and have a Tikka T3 in 30-06 and a Ruger Scout rifle in 308 - both of which are left handed.

Most of my Precision type shooting has all been semi autos, ARs and M1s.

I want to get a dedicated Precision type bolt rifle. I’m miffed at the lack of working man options, and I guess I was trying to rationalize/talk myself into a RH action, and if I was only ever shooting off bench, prone, tripod, maybe it would be okay?

The more I think about it, I just think that would be a compromise that I would regret.

I just need to hold onto my money awhile longer and hope that companies will show some love for the working class lefty to get me going. Or I could just rebuild my existing Tikka and rebarrel, etc; but I just can’t yet convince myself of that path as an option yet.
Click to expand...


I bought a barreled action from the px here with a trigger for about 1300$ and then got a krg bravo because I couldn’t find anything I could afford at the time plus I was going to hack it up anyways and with 1600$ and less than an hour with a hacksaw and dremel tool I made a left handed bravo and had a complete rifle that otherwise would have cost me twice as much not to mention months of waiting to order left hand actions and/or chassis it’s not cheap but then again relative to what you could spend it’s nothing
 
If you ever want to shoot using a sling use an action you can operate with you firing hand I think is is easer to run the bolt without breaking possession
 
Lefty here, I'm running all left hand actions now. Just works better for me.

You could buy a Savage lol.....

I love my lefty Mausingfield.
 
missed said:
Lefty here, I'm running all left hand actions now. Just works better for me.

You could buy a Savage lol.....

I love my lefty Mausingfield.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know Savage has the Stealth series rifles available in LH. But I’d feel like that was again, a compromise and I’d sooner or later be looking to drop more coin on a different action rifle.
 
I just think it's an archaic concept that people just accept. They run what's comfortable with the least ammount of effort. I can tell you as a right handed shooter, I can run a left handed bolt action much faster in any position , especially standing/kneeling off hand. Unless you are running a 30" MTU type barrel, you support the weight with your strong hand on the grip,trigger finger indexed forward and use your weak hand to cycle the bolt. It's easy with a mcmillian style stock and even easier with a thumbhole or modern chassis will a full grip. You don't have to break cheek weld or grip, resulting in faster follow up shots. If you have a barricade or steady rest, the only thing your weak hand does is cycle the bolt, reducing motion and number of actions.

Try it for yourself. With actual time behind the gun, it is faster. I suspect the real reason that left handed actions came out was not due to action manipulation, but mobte Carlo stocks that had cast on/ cast off instead of neutral cast.
 
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Hey @Primus, how many LH actions do you own? This conversation is so funny, because it only happens in one direction. The RH shooters never talk about the merits of the LH bolt action, only leftys shooting right-hand.

It’s a large disadvantage. Almost or actually hitting yourself in the nose while cycling the bolt, doesn’t exactly help establish cheek weld discipline.

How about that thumb on the improvised “support” hand? You know the one on the stock’s wrist as you support your rifle, yeah that one is right in the bolts pathway. I still have a scar from the time I carried a RH Weatherby Mark V on a PA whitetail hunt.

Or how about all those firing side muscles you’re tensing and contracting to pull the maneuver off? Yeah, those are the exact muscles that all those precision shooting instructors are trying to get you to totally relax as part of your recoil management and follow-through training.

We don’t even need to talk about the “benefits” of having your eyes protected by the port instead of steel... It’s full of real disadvantages (chuckle).

Is it impossible? Not at all, but neither is using your feet.

Can a talented rifleman nearly completely close the gap on a less talented shooter using better equipment? Yes, but no one is going to be that much more talented than the rest of the best. At some point it will prevent you from doing your best.

If my rifle were issued to me, would I rework my software to utilize my hardware? Without question or complaint.

Would I BUY myself a RH rifle? Never have, never will.

Do I think it can, in certain forms of shooting, be acceptable, or even beneficial? Yes, I also think that in those disciplines it’s best to not touch your rifle. If you’re into that, get a RH bolt and drive on.

It’s your money, do what you want. You’ll surely find other leftys that have adapted. But take note of how very very few leftys started with LH bolt guns, only to later discover the advantages of RH bolts and make the change. Hint: It’s the same as the number of RH shooters rocking LH bolts.
 
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jakelly said:
Hey @Primus, how LH actions do you own? This conversation is so funny, because it only happens in one direction. The RH shooters never talk about the merits of the LH bolt action, only leftys shooting right-hand.

It’s a large disadvantage. Almost or actually hitting yourself in the nose while cycling the bolt, doesn’t exactly help establish cheek weld discipline.

How about that thumb on the improvised “support” hand? You know the one on the stock’s wrist as you support your rifle, yeah that one is right in the bolts pathway. I still have a scar from the time I carried a RH Weatherby Mark V on a PA whitetail hunt.

Or how about all those firing side muscles you’re tensing and contracting to pull the maneuver off? Yeah, those are the exact muscles that all those precision shooting instructors are trying to get you to totally relax as part of your recoil management and follow-through training.

We don’t even need to talk about the “benefits” of having your eyes protected by the port instead of steel... It’s full of real disadvantages (chuckle).

Is it impossible? Not at all, but neither is using your feet.

Can a talented rifleman nearly completely close the gap on a less talented shooter using better equipment? Yes, but no one is going to be that much more talented than the rest of the best. At some point it will prevent you from doing your best.

If my rifle were issued to me, would I rework my software to utilize my hardware? Without question or complaint.

Would I BUY myself a RH rifle? Never have, never will.

Do I think it can, in certain forms of shooting, be acceptable, or even beneficial? Yes, I also think that in those disciplines it’s best to not touch your rifle. If you’re into that, get a RH bolt and drive on.

It’s your money, do what you want. You’ll surely find other leftys that have adapted. But take note of how very very few leftys started with LH bolt guns, only to later discover the advantages of RH bolts and make the change. Hint: It’s the same as the number of RH shooters rocking LH bolts.
Click to expand...

Don't you know that @Primus knows all??? ;)
 
I have several examples of rifles that have had catastrophic pressure spikes. Barrels launched down range, front receiver ring in 3 pieces, front receiver ring enlarged, stock shattered, etc. Everyone walked away essentially unscathed. The reason. They were not looking into the loading port. I have a few target rifles with dual ports. They will be my last.

Given a choice I would never ever use a rifle where I was looking into the loading port at the ass end of bomb.
 
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DAVETOOLEY said:
I have several examples of rifles that have had catastrophic pressure spikes. Barrels launched down range, front receiver ring in 3 pieces, front receiver ring enlarged, stock shattered, etc. Everyone walked away essentially unscathed. The reason. They were not looking into the loading port. I have a few target rifles with dual ports. They will be my last.

Given a choice I would never ever use a rifle where I was looking into the loading port at the ass end of bomb.
Click to expand...

More eloquently said than I did on post #19...

I have seen this happen firsthand to a LH shooter firing a RH bolt gun. We had to take him to the hospital. The safety glasses he was wearing got blown off his face. 4 hours of surgery to his eye. His eye had to be removed from his skull to get the fragments out. Thankfully, he recovered his sight in that eye but for 6 months, no one knew what the outcome would be.

Needless to say, he shoots a LH action now.
 
Piss poor gunmithing, inproper heat treating and reloads by bubba are the only way a properly designed/built bolt gun is going to kaboom.

I will yeild that if you use shitty Smith's, poor grade components and reload after downing a fifth of jack, then you may want to stick with something that will keep your head attached to your body.

As far as actual manipulation is concerned, it's a learned habbit. I don't run lefties because I don't play gun games and when I do go to war ( not that it will ever happen again), I bring something that goes burrrrrp and boom instead. But running them is easy and faster for me as a right handed shooter.

An AR is a much more fragile system with lots of a AL instead of high carbon steel, with the same issues. It doesn't matter what you shoot, bubba gump the build or ammo and you have an ied.
 
So everyone that makes a legitimate error that leads to a failure is a bubba gump in your mind?

Must be nice to be perfect...hope it never happens to your pretty face
 
Well, I guess I answered my question and solved my problem with this....

Been doing a lot of reading and research, and pricing out the various options and possibilities.

I found a LH Tikka Tac A1 6.5CM on Gunbroker with the “Take a shot” make an offer system in place. I made an offer for what I thought was favorable enough to overcome any doubts on the chassis, and it was immediately accepted.

So, now I wait for it to show up at my FFL!
 
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awpk03s said:
Well, I guess I answered my question and solved my problem with this....

Been doing a lot of reading and research, and pricing out the various options and possibilities.

I found a LH Tikka Tac A1 6.5CM on Gunbroker with the “Take a shot” make an offer system in place. I made an offer for what I thought was favorable enough to overcome any doubts on the chassis, and it was immediately accepted.

So, now I wait for it to show up at my FFL!
Click to expand...

Good for you...enjoy it...it is a nice stick
 
You will be very happy with your purchase after all they call it a left handed boom stick for a reason that rifle was definetly on my list when I started out and I know a few people who went that route and have found no reason to upgrade that action is going to be slicker than half the custom actions avaible
 
DAVETOOLEY said:
I have several examples of rifles that have had catastrophic pressure spikes. Barrels launched down range, front receiver ring in 3 pieces, front receiver ring enlarged, stock shattered, etc. Everyone walked away essentially unscathed. The reason. They were not looking into the loading port. I have a few target rifles with dual ports. They will be my last.

Given a choice I would never ever use a rifle where I was looking into the loading port at the ass end of bomb.
Click to expand...

Yeah, when you put it like that... Crap.
 
Primus said:
I think we have it all wrong. I have this discussion with my cousin who is a lefty all the time. He wants a left hand action, which makes zero sense. In fact, left hand actions match up better with a right hand shooter.

As a right, your primary hand is your right hand, which is actually controlling the rifle. It's quicker using your support hand to manipulate the bolt without having to break grip. It takes some getting used to, but it's faster. Faster for the same reason all controls are on the left side of an AR so the weak hand can do work while you maintain control.

It's like the people who cry about paddle releases on pistols. Despite the fact they are faster for reloads and reduce accidental mag drops under stress, people fail to approach the problem logically. Leftya should save their money and be thankful they have an advantage using a right handed bolt.
Click to expand...

This is only true on a bench with solid support to free up your support hand. Otherwise, its 100% false.

Put it this way, if what you said was true, all right handed shooters would be shooting left handed guns.
 
kengel2 said:
This is only true on a bench with solid support to free up your support hand. Otherwise, its 100% false.

Put it this way, if what you said was true, all right handed shooters would be shooting left handed guns.
Click to expand...

Not true, paddle mags are proven to be faster than button mag releases. So why aren't all competitive shooters using one?

Intstitutional inertia is more powerful than logic.
 
Primus said:
That's becuase it's a software issue not hardware one. Run a left and and right hand 10,000+ times each and it will be clear which is faster/better.
Click to expand...
Primus said:
I think we have it all wrong. I have this discussion with my cousin who is a lefty all the time. He wants a left hand action, which makes zero sense. In fact, left hand actions match up better with a right hand shooter.

As a right, your primary hand is your right hand, which is actually controlling the rifle. It's quicker using your support hand to manipulate the bolt without having to break grip. It takes some getting used to, but it's faster. Faster for the same reason all controls are on the left side of an AR so the weak hand can do work while you maintain control.

It's like the people who cry about paddle releases on pistols. Despite the fact they are faster for reloads and reduce accidental mag drops under stress, people fail to approach the problem logically. Leftya should save their money and be thankful they have an advantage using a right handed bolt.
Click to expand...
So you and everyone else that is righthanded and right eyed, why don't you buy a lefty action if it is so much faster? Why aren't there more left handed actions out there if it is so superior for right handers?
 
LeftyJason said:
So you and everyone else that is righthanded and right eyed, why don't you buy a lefty action if it is so much faster? Why aren't there more left handed actions out there if it is so superior for right handers?
Click to expand...

That’s right ! I wish people would then maybe us lefties would have a few more options availible
 
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