Stupid question Monday, has anyone considered shooting an opposite handed rifle?

[grainy]

If I'm a righty shooting a right-handed rifle, I have to take my hand off the grip to cycle the action.

If I switched to a left-handed rifle, I could keep my dominant hand on the grip, possibly reducing how much the rifle is moving between shots, right?

 

[Tokay444]

Weirdos do it all the time.

 

[Tokay444]

If I'm a righty shooting a right-handed rifle, I have to take my hand off the grip to cycle the action.

If I switched to a left-handed rifle, I could keep my dominant hand on the grip, possibly reducing how much the rifle is moving between shots, right?

Your firing hand isn't what keeps the rifle from moving between shots.

 

[Mike278th]

My son is left-handed, so i shoot his lefty gun right-handed plenty. More helpful than just not as much movement of the trigger hand, there's the benefit of being able to see the chamber pretty easily with that configuration. You can keep an eye on whether the bolt picks up a round. I've thought about building me a lefty, since it wouldn't be any big loss if it didn't work out, he'd just get a nearly new action for Christmas

 

[Sheldon N]

If I'm a righty shooting a right-handed rifle, I have to take my hand off the grip to cycle the action.

If I switched to a left-handed rifle, I could keep my dominant hand on the grip, possibly reducing how much the rifle is moving between shots, right?

No, there would be a lot more problems and more gun movement. If you shoot enough weak-side/left handed with a right handed rifle you will have experienced this.

Shooting prone or any other modified prone with a bipod and a rear bag - your rifle should be supported by the rear bag and your non-firing hand stays on the bag controlling the rifle. If you run the bolt with your non-firing hand you lose all rear bag control. Shooting bipod/rear bag weak-side sucks because of this.

Off a barricade it's not too bad, if your rifle is balanced. Either way you can pretty much keep the rifle on target while running the bolt.

Shooting actual off-hand unsupported would be terrible. You'd have no way to hold up the rifle while running the bolt.

 

[grainy]

More helpful than just not as much movement of the trigger hand, there's the benefit of being able to see the chamber pretty easily with that configuration.

Good point!

Shooting prone or any other modified prone with a bipod and a rear bag

Didn't think about prone, was just thinking about barricades, but you're right -- this wouldn't help for prone.

 

[37L1]

Weirdos do it all the time.

 

[Rob01]

If I'm a righty shooting a right-handed rifle, I have to take my hand off the grip to cycle the action.

If I switched to a left-handed rifle, I could keep my dominant hand on the grip, possibly reducing how much the rifle is moving between shots, right?

If the rifle is moving when you work the bolt you need practice and not try some useless band aid to your problem.

 

[Tokay444]

If you want your face on the side that everything is coming out of in the event of a case failure, there are right bolt left ports.

 

[reelserious]

you are over thinking it. Just ask yourself if the top shooters are doing this and you will have your answer

 

[Emerson0311]

BR folks sometimes do things a bit differently than the “normal” crew. I have considered right bolt left eject, but undercapitalized and over hobbied.

 

[MrSmith]

Some folks do it, most don't. Definitely NOT advised when shooting a flintlock.

Thank you,
MrSmith

 

[Jo3tek]

I shoot at RiflesOnly whenever I get a chance and most of the time, one stage requires weak shoulder to be utilized. So I practiced and gotten proficient.

Secondly, the wife is a lefty and I’m a righty. So I get a chance to practice both hands/shoulders when I feel like it.

I’ve gotten pretty proficient at it. I normally shoulder/eye left side but keep my hands running normally right handed.

But switching to a left hand rifle to keep your hand on the grip sounds like you’re gonna have trouble handling your rifle when moving or trying to get stable