Any Lefties using Righty Bolt actions?

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PropellerHead

New member
I'm considering getting a bolt action rifle again, and would like to get your input.

I'm a left-hand, left-eye dominant shooter. In the past I've purchased LH style bolt actions so that I could use my left hand to cycle the action. I've been hearing more about people using an "opposite" type action so that they could use their weak hand to cycle the action while maintaining a proper cheek weld and trigger weld. This applies to shooting from a supported position only.

My biggest concern is safety. If a round pierces a primer, or if a case lets go, and I'm shooting a RH action, then the opening in the action is pointing at my face. :eek: Is this an unsafe condition? What would be the consequenses if this were to happen?

Another consideration is availability of RH rifles and resale potential compare to a LH action.

Taking all of this into consideration, what would your recommendations be?
 
I have always purchased the the RH models for two of the reasons you mentioned. Availability and resale. I have never thought about the saftey factor.
 
i shoot from the left shoulder and find the only bolt action i can operate (with speed) is the enfield military action. the safety is also on the proper side of the reciever to be operated by a left handed reciever oddly enough.
 
bullfrog99,

I used RH actions for many years, but have made a decision to buy only LH actioned bolt guns. I still shoot RH shotguns, but a semi-auto or pump is more ambidextrous than a rifle. I have never had a case go, so cannot personally comment on the danger. I really like the LH bolts better in the field. On the bench, or supported, a RH bolt is easier to manipulate. I guess if I were building a BR gun it would have a RH bolt with a LH port, as many do. The resale question is a valid one, I have sold some LH rifles in the past, but I don't consider it anymore, I keep them.

Good shooting,
JB
 
Lefty shooting Right

I've owned several dozen right hand bolt action rifles. With my military training, it was no problem for me, a LEFT HANDER, to shoot with a right hand bold action. I WOULD NOT KNOW HOW TO HANDLE A LEFT HAND RIFLE!
 
I'm a rightie who has to shoot leftie. I have been using right hand stuff all along. I don't want to be stuck with a rifle no one else will want for the most part. Righties are chaeper too!
 
I had a Savage .223 LH bolt action because I shoot long arms left-handed. I found this very awkward working the bolt left-handed. I later sold it.

If I were to buy another bolt action it would be a RH model. Either way you have to pull your face away from the comb to chamber another round. I have found that I can still keep the butt in my shoulder while working the bolt with my right hand on a RH model.

The AR series works pretty well for me too shooting left-handed.
 
I find it preferable to mount the scope on the sling stud and hold the gun upside down. Actually I just have to learn to shoot righty if I'm dealing with a Monte Carlo stock or something otherwise I cycle with the weak hand.
 
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I shoot all my rifles left handed. The bolt rifles themselves are right handed. To cycle the bolt I reach over the action with my left hand while holding the forend with my right hand. I can do this relatively quick and still keep good accuracy with quick shots.
 
I am a lefty with several C&R bolt action rifles, heck all my guns are left handed.........

Its never bothered me, I just don't know any better I guess!

I have greater success with straight pull rifles like M44's and 93 Mausers.


Zouave
 
If you're worried about a pierced primer or gas blowback, the vent hole should deflect it to the side. It'll happen faster than one can operate the action so the concern about over a right handed action isn't anything to dwell upon.

BTW, I also shoot right handed guns left handed. Like other southpaws, I reach over the tang to grab the bolt. A good example of a lefty operating a right handed action is the sniper in Saving Private Ryan.
 
I'm a lefty and I shoot righty also. The safety is not really a factor, because your face is in the same place it would be for a semi-auto, so you aren't in any more danger. If the lockup is good, and it's a good rifle, should not be a concern.

I was at the gun store, and was testing out a bolt action. A righty was to my right. I can manipulate the bolt faster than he could. Same Rifle. What's more, if you have a big dip in the thumb position so you don't slice yourself, and if your wrists are strong enough, I can (on some models) hold the rifle, and cycle with my right hand, especially on bench, without taking my eyes off the target, or my finger off the trigger well. That was a HUGE advantage. I can manipulate the bolt with both hands. People see it and think it's weird.

Just remember, when you cross reach with your left hand for the bolt, MOVE YOUR FACE, so you don't give yourself a bloody mouth. (From experience).

Albert
 
I'm a lefty, and left-eyed, too. I have LOTS of rt-handed bolt actions, and shoot them from my left shoulder. I use a different technique than the one that's so frequently written of: I use my left hand to maintain the fundamental pointing of the rifle off my shoulder, lift my head slightly away from the stock (to keep the bolt handle out of my front teeth), take my right hand back off the fore-end and manipulate the bolt, put my right hand back and my cheek back on the stock and fire again.

I've done this for years, and I can do it while looped into a sling. Some of my shooting buddies have been impressed with my rate of aimed fire, I'm pleased to report. You might play around with variations of this technique and see if it works for you.

I wear glasses when I shoot, so I'm not worried about primers blowing.
 
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