Advice For A Lefty - First Rifle

[Eric the Red]

There is plenty of choice - you just have to look. I prefer a true left-handed action - but it may be as simple as you having an ambidextrous stock on a right-handed rifle until you work it out. I would also choose a calibre that can be used for both types of shooting - 6.5CM for example an excellent all-rounder. I would also think about having an action that you can easily get two stocks for (to suit different types of shooting) - so probably Remington (or clone) or Tikka - and not be suckered into a short barrel - accept the length that gives the best performance for the calibre. In one rifle there will always be a compromise. I recommend not compromising on cycling the bolt. Later you may find a right bolt, left ejection action the desired option - it's no fun having brass come across your face

 

[Sika98k]

Years of shooting R/H rifles and then bought a Ruger No1. Eventually a Tikka T3 came up in a calibre I wanted, 22/250. This has been followed by a Sauer in 243. I do have a Mauser actioned rifle and have owned several and am very fond of them. @Heym SR20 makes a very pertinent point about a case letting go on the wrong side. Same happened to me years ago with a 22LR. That was the start of my tinnitus.

 

[Heym SR20]

For a new stalker, get a rifle and scope suitable for hunting. All up weight 8 perhaps 9lbs. Certain no more. Cartridge, other than being deer legal doesn’t really matter. Bullet choice and shot placement far far more important. Zero it to shoot 4cm high at 100m and then you don’t need to worry about distance inside 200m. There is more enough to worry about.

Such a rifle is perfectly good to use on the range. Don’t get suckered into buying a target / range rifle with a complex scope with need to dial etc and adjust parralex etc.

Weight is good on a steam roller, not in a hunting rifle. Target rifles are heavy and generally bloody uncomfortable to carry. And all the turrets etc just add to the complexity and buggeration factor when your focus should be on the animal.

 

[Trigger260]

I'm a lefty shooting a right hand action and to be fair it has its advantages! I like not having to move my trigger hand off the stock when a quick second shot is required. The main disadvantage is if you want to upgrade the stock in the future.

 

[Tim.243]

I’m left eye dominant but shoot rifles, shotguns, bow and arrow both right handed and left handed. Buy something ambidextrous and get good either way. Great for shooting rabbits out the car window.

Quite, left footed but used to bowl with my right, left arm is/was holding the pool cue, hold a fishing rod in my left hand
Use both hands with a hammer and dolly (otherwise) you could have never knocked dents out, used a spray gun with both as a big job your arm gets tired. Weld with both hands but prefer my left.
@chriswjx what hands do you swap over with work/play?

 

[shbangsteve]

I'm lefthanded. It's a pain in the arse but hold out for a lefthand actioned rifle. I started out with a right handed Tikka then moved to a proper lefty Sauer 202. No comparison. I have just bought a Schultz and Larsen which will see me out. Can't speak highly enough of it.
Buy once cry once.

 

[Navarone]

Ed at Edinburgh rifles and Steve Beatty at Ivythorn are always good for a lefty

 

[Siggy]

I'm a lefty shooting a right hand action and to be fair it has its advantages! I like not having to move my trigger hand off the stock when a quick second shot is required. The main disadvantage is if you want to upgrade the stock in the future.

advantages and dangers - removing your trigger hand off the stock to reload eliminates the risk (low probability/high consequence) of your finger remaining on the the trigger.

 

[Jim Hutton]

Have you tried shooting right handed and closing your left dominant eye?

 

[reiver]

I am like the OP, right handed, albeit quite ambidextrous and left eyed.

Find a left handed rifle. Of course I can use a right handed rifle perfectly well, but left handed is so so much better.

Most keep rifles for a long time. I have a left handed Heym SR20. I have had it for 30 years, and its my go to rifle. I also have a very nice Rigby, but its right handed. It is irritating to use.

Many right handers don’t get why we like left handed rifles. Hand them a left handed rifle and they are mostly completely discombobulated.

I have shot lh rifles for 20+ years inc tikka , cz and sauer . Wound definitely not considerer a Rh action . Funnny when you hand a righty a left handed action rifle to shoot they look at you like you have just shat in their porridge and just run their dog over!!!

 

[opticron1]

I shoot left handed now and am quite happy using a right handed rifle as long as it's comfortable. Funnily enough, I still can't get used to using a left handed bolt and still prefer a right handed action...... sometimes have to watch out for spent cases if I'm being too energetic!

 

[Grannysmith]

Same problem as you mate never had a lefty and never would no been using right handers for over 50yrs and it soon becomes second nature

 

[Bolognaise]

Good advice all, thank you. Probably will just commit to a true L/H and be done with it given it’ll be long term ownership

 

[Bolognaise]

Have you tried shooting right handed and closing your left dominant eye?

Yeah, I can shoot right handed. It just gets a little too hazy for me at 100 yards+ with my right eye vs my left which is crisp way beyond. I shoot all my shotguns left now so figured its just best to commit to everything! It doesn’t feel uncomfortable to me at all using my left shoulder anymore, its almost become second nature

 

[needsy]

I’m right handed but left eye dominant, all my rifles are right handed as trying to use a left hand bolt seems wrong to me.
My main foxing rig now sits in an AICS stock all others are normal right had & I shootvthem
Ok

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I’m cackl handed, shot a leftie for best part of 20 years, look for sako/tikka or the bomb poof Ruger m77 mk2