Posted a similar question earlier, but would love to get some input from left handed shooters that shoot right handed bolt action riffles. My son shoots right handed and I shoot left handed. I am comfortable shooting right handed shotguns no problem. I'm wanting to get him into deer hunting too so am in the market for a decent entry level riffle we both can shoot. I would love to hear from any guys that shoot right handed bolt action left handed. How well do you manage the gun, as far as having to take your support hand off the riffle to chamber another round. Any suggestions on riffles or ones to stay away from. I think I could manage a right handed gun, but haven't shot one left handed before (I'm right handed but began learning to shoot left handed a few years ago due to an eye issue).
Recommendation from lefties shooting right bolt action rifles
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MI2600
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My first rifle was a Remington 514 .22 bolt. I learned to just reach over the action with my left hand. My only other bolt is an 8mm Mauser.
Why not just buy a lever, pump, or auto?
Why not just buy a lever, pump, or auto?
I responded to your other post. I'm righty, but my younger brother went though the same thing. He started shooting right handed years ago and really struggled. He was still in his teens when I figured out he was right handed, but left eye dominate. There was a learning curve to train his body to shoot left handed, but that was easier than shooting with the wrong eye.
He is 51 now and is a good shot. Over the years he has tried literally everything. Remington 7600's, semi's, levers and he even bought a left handed bolt rifle once. He has since standardized on right handed bolt guns. A bolt guns advantages outweighed the others even shooting from the wrong side. As long as the safety is in the right spot he does just fine. The Winchester or Ruger wing type safety is probably the hardest to work with, but even it is possible.
He is currently using an older Ruger tang safety rifle, but most anything with the safety in that location works easy enough. He keeps his left hand on the guns grip and works the bolt with his right hand. If you don't think it can be done fast and effectively watch the sniper in the movie "Saving Private Ryan". I realize that is Hollywood, but my brother is at least as fast. It just takes time and practice.
He is 51 now and is a good shot. Over the years he has tried literally everything. Remington 7600's, semi's, levers and he even bought a left handed bolt rifle once. He has since standardized on right handed bolt guns. A bolt guns advantages outweighed the others even shooting from the wrong side. As long as the safety is in the right spot he does just fine. The Winchester or Ruger wing type safety is probably the hardest to work with, but even it is possible.
He is currently using an older Ruger tang safety rifle, but most anything with the safety in that location works easy enough. He keeps his left hand on the guns grip and works the bolt with his right hand. If you don't think it can be done fast and effectively watch the sniper in the movie "Saving Private Ryan". I realize that is Hollywood, but my brother is at least as fast. It just takes time and practice.
Yes, that is what I was thinking. I don't think I would be comfortable reaching over with my left hand to work the bolt. Using my right seems like it would be more comfortable. I naturally rack a shotgun slide with my right hand...never thought twice about it. Does your brother have any issues steadying the gun with just one hand? Interesting you brought up snipers. I have read that they were all issues right handed riffles, even the lefties, or at least they used to be?
I have shot right-handed bolt guns left-handed for my whole life and I don't have any issues with support using my right hand to work the bolt. I am just used to it, and it has become very comfortable, and fairly quick, to do so.
The only issue I've ever had has to do with the comb of the gun; if it's very flat (typical of many old mil-surps) versus curved, the bolt my strike the thumb or webbing of my left hand as I work the bolt with my right hand. On guns where interference may occur, I typically tilt the muzzle upward for balance, and slide my left hand back out of the way of the bolt.
The only issue I've ever had has to do with the comb of the gun; if it's very flat (typical of many old mil-surps) versus curved, the bolt my strike the thumb or webbing of my left hand as I work the bolt with my right hand. On guns where interference may occur, I typically tilt the muzzle upward for balance, and slide my left hand back out of the way of the bolt.
DM~
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I got stuck shooting an RH bolt gun the first 20 something years of my life, one of the smartest things I ever did was to buy a LH bolt action rifle!
Things just got so much better, but then again I wasn't just piddleing around at the range, or shooting a few deer. I got into hunting bigger big game and DG, so having things fit me "right" was/is important to me. I wouldn't go back to a RH bolt gun if the rifle was free and you paid me!
Why not buy a LH bolt gun and let your son struggle with it??? It would do him some good to learn how to be more versatile with the different action types.
DM
Things just got so much better, but then again I wasn't just piddleing around at the range, or shooting a few deer. I got into hunting bigger big game and DG, so having things fit me "right" was/is important to me. I wouldn't go back to a RH bolt gun if the rifle was free and you paid me!
Why not buy a LH bolt gun and let your son struggle with it??? It would do him some good to learn how to be more versatile with the different action types.
DM
DaisyCutter
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I use the 'reach-over with strong hand' technique. I'm more comfy shooting RH bolts than LH bolts.
IIRC, the sniper in Saving Private Ryan manages fine for a lefty... LOL.
IIRC, the sniper in Saving Private Ryan manages fine for a lefty... LOL.
rugerman
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I am right handed and my son is left handed, I started him out on my Ruger #1 .270. He used it for several years until he wanted a rifle of his own and I got him a Savage .270 left handed model.
It's just like everything else...PRACTICE. I'm left eye dominate and right handed.
I have friends that are left handed and I had them conditioned to shoot right handed.
With enough practice, you will condition yourself. What is nice is that manual of arms will be the same for you and your son using the same firearm.
I have friends that are left handed and I had them conditioned to shoot right handed.
With enough practice, you will condition yourself. What is nice is that manual of arms will be the same for you and your son using the same firearm.
I shoot all sorts of bolt action rifles left handed - I generally hold the gun with my firing hand and run the bolt with my support hand. Only time I reach over the top is if I have a shooting on.
Here's an example, with a K31:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOEJ7hiS7mQ
Here's an example, with a K31:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOEJ7hiS7mQ
I shoot long guns left handed and pistols right handed (cross dominance) and I regularly shoot my brother's Mosins and Lee Enfield. Last weekend I was out shooting a 1915 Mosin having a great time. I use a sling when I shoot, meaning my right hand is slung to the gun, and I just use my left (trigger) hand and reach over. I am very used to doing that and it works especially well with the Mosins, with their straight bolts.
I think that technique would be very difficult with a rifle with a normal curved bolt and a normally mounted scope...
I shot a .308 Savage Axis with a scope at an Appleseed event, but that was a left handed model. That was MUCH easier and it was very easy to adapt to, it worked great, even loading single rounds from a butt cuff trying to keep up with the guys shooting semi-autos.
I think that technique would be very difficult with a rifle with a normal curved bolt and a normally mounted scope...
I shot a .308 Savage Axis with a scope at an Appleseed event, but that was a left handed model. That was MUCH easier and it was very easy to adapt to, it worked great, even loading single rounds from a butt cuff trying to keep up with the guys shooting semi-autos.
M1GarandDeerHunter
Member
I'm leftarded too! LOL 
I will roll the rifle to the left at about a 45 degree angle to put the bolt handle within easy reach, and flick the bolt rolling the rifle back to zero all without pulling the rifle from the shoulder. That works well for iron sights, like military rifles.
For scoped sporters, I reach over the scope rolling the rifle to the left to better expose the bolt and work it the same as iron sighted rifles, the difference is I will roll it to nearly 90 degrees. If the rifle is long stocked or Im bundled up, simply dismount rifle and I work the bolt with my left hand. In no do I work the bolt right handed, unless the rifle is sandbagged or on a bipod. YMMV
I really like my left hand M77 Ruger and M 700 Remington. Slick, troublefree. Still love my M1 and M1A. Perfect lefty guns.
I will roll the rifle to the left at about a 45 degree angle to put the bolt handle within easy reach, and flick the bolt rolling the rifle back to zero all without pulling the rifle from the shoulder. That works well for iron sights, like military rifles. For scoped sporters, I reach over the scope rolling the rifle to the left to better expose the bolt and work it the same as iron sighted rifles, the difference is I will roll it to nearly 90 degrees. If the rifle is long stocked or Im bundled up, simply dismount rifle and I work the bolt with my left hand. In no do I work the bolt right handed, unless the rifle is sandbagged or on a bipod. YMMV
I really like my left hand M77 Ruger and M 700 Remington. Slick, troublefree. Still love my M1 and M1A. Perfect lefty guns.
JerryMander
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Be born right eyed. Worked out alright for me, if a bit awkward.
Sav .250
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I`m a lefty by birth but have been a righty for years. Never looked back. Although I do have some ......lever actions.
ironworkerwill
Member
Wrong Handed
Being left handed my father wouldn't own a LH bolt gun. He explained that he'd rather use his right hand to work the action while shooting southpaw. He loved to shoot and watching him on the bench looked natural.
Fast forward 20 years, my son was born without a right hand. He'd actually reach for his bottle as a babe with his right hand and realizing in mid grasp change to his left hand. He's been working the shooting bench like there is no issue. Having to grasp the stock with his left hand, he has no other option but to use the "nubb'' on the right to operate the bolt.
I'd badly sprained my right thumb once and I barely could put my clothes on. I could not imagine shooting left handed. Or tying my shoes one handed!
Being left handed my father wouldn't own a LH bolt gun. He explained that he'd rather use his right hand to work the action while shooting southpaw. He loved to shoot and watching him on the bench looked natural.
Fast forward 20 years, my son was born without a right hand. He'd actually reach for his bottle as a babe with his right hand and realizing in mid grasp change to his left hand. He's been working the shooting bench like there is no issue. Having to grasp the stock with his left hand, he has no other option but to use the "nubb'' on the right to operate the bolt.
I'd badly sprained my right thumb once and I barely could put my clothes on. I could not imagine shooting left handed. Or tying my shoes one handed!
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