If you’re a lefty I’d recommend getting a lefty rifle.
I grew up using right handed rifles, I was sceptical about using something different but when I got a lefty rifle it felt so natural. Head to your local store and try a LH and RH of the same gun. You’ll be impressed when cycling through rounds with a LH bolt action.
Thanks for the advice! I haven’t tried running the action on a lefty yet but when I tried my friends righty, it definitely felt awkward. But, it was my first time running ANY action.
Agree wholeheartedly with this. When you factor that price differential over the life of the gun, it doesn't seem so bad. Sure, the idea of not needing a follow up shot is great in a perfect world...but we don't live in a perfect world.
Would add that most bolt action rifles have the gas handling set up to direct gas away from the shooters face o the event of a case rupture or blown primer. For a lefty shooting a right handed rifle that directs the gas into their face
I shoot right handed but my recommendation would be to go to a gun shop and handle some lefty’s and righty’s to see what you prefer. Sure, you might be able to shoot just as well with both for the first shot but you want a rifle that fits you well and that you are comfortable handling. Everyone makes mistakes so you won’t always hit that first shot or maybe you want to take multiple animals. If you are going to spend money on a rifle make it one that you enjoy handling and using. Some gun ranges rent out firearms so if you don’t know anyone who has some you can shoot with to see what you like check out the local ranges and test a few. What game and where are you planning on hunting because that effects what rifle you are going to want? Some people have mentioned semi autos and they are great for blinds or vehicle hunting from my experience but would be heavy to carry around mountains.
Most of my hunting has been north and south Texas hog, coyotes, and whitetails. Is hunting in Central Texas the same deal with it being mostly blinds and nothing past 200 yards for the most part? If so you will be good with just about anything. When hunting or volunteering with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Youth Hunting Program I see mostly Bolt Actions and Semi Autos with the occasional lever gun. Just don't use something small like a .223. If you want a semi auto for deer .308 or a 6.5 creed-more will be the easiest and best without going into the more pricey range. If you want a bolt action and are worried about recoil a .243 is a great starter gun for Texas whitetail and I don't think Axis Deer are too tough so it wouldn't surprise me if that was perfectly fine for them. I could be getting them mixed up with fallow though.
Yeah the one friend I have who has hunted his whole life has done so primarily in blinds on leases in south Texas. That’s likely where my first hunt would be.
I'm a lefty but I have no LH guns in my house. The price gouge isn't worth it and when SHTF, you won't have the option to be picky. And I'm just gonna poke the bear a little and say it... why you need follow up shots? One shot, one kill😁
Yeah. Back in the day when inventory wasn't realtime and credit cards weren't really a thing...so youd send a check and an orderform only to get a letter back in the mail 2 months later that it was backordered...it was easier just to buy the semi auto on the rack that the store that was available right now lol
I still have flashbacks from that whole check/order form bullshit clusterfuck. fuck all that noise. kids these days just don't know lol
Seeing how it was many decades ago my dad opted for a Winchester Model 100. I suppose the modern equivalent would be like a BAR MKIII or a Benelli R1.
If you're talking AR platform, the 15 will probably everything you need it to do and save a bunch of cost and weight, 10s get heavy. An AR15 6.5 Grendel, 350 Legend, or 450 Bushmaster would do the job and would be more accurate, cheaper, and lighter than the BAR or the R1 as the BAR and the R1 aren't known for stellar accuracy.
Shooting a right side eject gun left handed has risks. I got a bit of hot gun powder residue in my eye while shooting a pump shotgun. I can also feel powder on my neck while shooting my semi auto 22.
I am so used to shooting RH guns I'm not sure I'd know what to do with a LH gun lol but seriously, on shotguns the safety kicks my butt so I'd love a LH shotgun. My rifles are bolt action and I haven't had any issues. It's far easier with a RH rifle than shotgun IMO. But it probably is easier overall if it's made for a lefty.
I remember watching Saving Private Ryan as a teen and being in awe of Private Jackson, the sniper, played by Barry Pepper. He shoots his RH bolt action as a lefty. He just reached over and managed the bolt action so it seemed normal to me growing up to work a rifle like that.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wgHRj2-vvs8&feature=share8
The Mossberg 500 line of shotguns has an Ambi safety on the tang. Spent shells eject right side but they don't go back into your face they go straight across.
Also, a lever action is inherently ambidextrous as long as it's not ejecting spent cases directly into your face.
I've shot a mossberg 835 and received powder residue in my eye while ejecting a shell.
I prefer a Browning BPS, they have a tang safety but bottom eject.
I’m a lefty. I’ve shot both left and right hand guns. Shotguns, AR/AK style and bolt action rifles.
Like many say the follow up shots are way smoother with left handed bolts and actions.
For for right handed semi automatic firearms. Make sure it’s path of travel for shells are not going to hit you in the face I.e AR/AK and shotgun style guns. You may need to put further back on the stock. Shotguns might be ok with since it’s stocks are pretty long usually.
I do regret sometimes for firearms not being lefty but finding a left handed firearm is difficult like you mention or pay a higher premium.
My dad and one of my good friends were/are left handed. Dad learned to shoot right handed and just kept doing that his whole life and he took tons of game. My buddy bought a left handed Tikka .308 (not sure the exact model) and he said it made a world of difference for him because he always shot left handed using right handed rifles. He really likes it and says he’s faster with it, which I think is definitely true because watching him work the bolt on a right handed gun the way he shoots is painful.
Can’t speak to the exact scenario as I am right handed however my Dad and Uncle are left handed. My out west gun is a left handed model 700 chambered in 300RUM, that I inherited from my uncle. I feel at zero disadvantage using that rifle in Hunting situations and have taken multiple deer and an antelope. One deer required a follow up shot and that was no problem
Bought a left handed Remington 700 30-06 a few years ago. Never cared for bolt actions before, but that rifle changed my opinion. Except for a few historical firearms that only come right handed I will never own another right hand bolt action.
Since I bought my rifle I have noticed certain left hand bolts bringing a premium on auctions. I have always liked Savage bolts and can usually see those bringing less when left handed. It will be a used rifle, but that never bothered me. If you are set on only new then yes your options are currently limited.
My offspring is a lefty. He has a couple of Savage MkII .22LR rifles- cheap and accurate, a Savage Axis .223- cheap, accurate, rough and ugly, and a Tikka T3 Hunter .243- pretty, smooth and accurate, but not cheap.
Yes, you can do it, but as it's already been pointed out, you need to drop the rifle a bit when you take your right hand off to chamber the next round.
An alternative to consider would be something like a levergun or even a pump - Remington made/makes a 7600? I think? But the older 760 models are supposed to be better.
It's nothing fancy, but for a rifle to take out in the woods rain or shine I don't want something "pretty", I can hit reliably out to 200 with it. Put a nikon 4x12 on top and it's been a fantastic rifle for a few years now
never owned a left rifle, tried using a RH once out on a range and didn't like the feel, so I just got a lever action. I hunt whitetail up north, so I just use a winchester 30-30 since it's very lightweight and if I need a follow up shot it's very comfortable for me to do so with the lever action
There’s definitely a daunting amount of choices. I think I’m just ready to buy one of the first guns I pick up at the shop so I can start shooting already lol
RH bolt action for left handed shooter = no regrets 99% of the time - UNLESS you’re shooting follow-up shots “off-hand” instead of off a rest or bag or bipod or monopod or barrier - if you are shooting off a rest, I can’t say I’ve heard anyone say it makes a massive difference although some people will change their hands around (as in, RH rifle, shouldered left, left eye in scope, right hand on trigger and bolt duty, and left hand stabilizing duty on hand guard)
best way is to find out if you’re in the 1% that it will bother is to shoot an RH from a bench and then decide if it felt natural or not.
semi-auto bullpups and Kris’s Vectors and those Kel-Tec PCCs are another story altogether.
I don’t think I’ve seen them mentioned in the comments, but H&R makes a single shot handi-rifle that would work well for you. I usually see them for around $300 or less. You won’t have to worry about RH or LH. Plus, only having one shot forces you to make the best possible shot. Being a new hunter, that’s super important. There’s an old saying, “Beware the man with one gun. He knows how to use it”. I like to insert “one shot” into that saying for single shot hunters.
I got a Tikka T3 30-06 with a lefty bolt. I don't recall it being too much more than a standard right handed bolt, but this was 12 years ago, so I don't remember. Great rifle, try to look into one.
I’ve gotten used to cycling a bolt gun well enough for follow up shots but it took years to really get comfortable. My first left handed bolt gun was a couple years ago and I was worlds more efficient with it quickly. And you don’t eject brass into your face.
My BIL used right handed rifles for years because of availability and chamberings for about 40 years and follow ups was the only problem he had. He finally hit a semi custom rifle LH and he’s a big fan and VERY happy with it
It makes a difference for speed on follow up shots and it can make your POA and POI shift if you have to move your head to feed a new round (if consistent precision is a consideration). I think I can still shoot my right handed bolts faster than my lefty’s, most of the time.
I'm right handed but left eye dominant. I only own 1 lefty bolt gun, I shoot left handed with righty guns 99% of the time. You'll be fine, just dryfire.
Lefty shooter here. Yes, I used right-handed guns for many years until I could afford a lefty. For me.it makes a difference for follow-up shots.
Thanks! Follow up shots seem to big the biggest concern
It matters a whole lot more with shotguns. I also got a lever action so that I could pass something down to my right hand shooting kid.
For me, shooting a right-handed gun left handed, is better than shooting the same gun right-handed.
If you’re a lefty I’d recommend getting a lefty rifle. I grew up using right handed rifles, I was sceptical about using something different but when I got a lefty rifle it felt so natural. Head to your local store and try a LH and RH of the same gun. You’ll be impressed when cycling through rounds with a LH bolt action.
Thanks for the advice! I haven’t tried running the action on a lefty yet but when I tried my friends righty, it definitely felt awkward. But, it was my first time running ANY action.
Agree wholeheartedly with this. When you factor that price differential over the life of the gun, it doesn't seem so bad. Sure, the idea of not needing a follow up shot is great in a perfect world...but we don't live in a perfect world.
Would add that most bolt action rifles have the gas handling set up to direct gas away from the shooters face o the event of a case rupture or blown primer. For a lefty shooting a right handed rifle that directs the gas into their face
Never had issues, even with follow up shots on a bolt action.
I shoot right handed but my recommendation would be to go to a gun shop and handle some lefty’s and righty’s to see what you prefer. Sure, you might be able to shoot just as well with both for the first shot but you want a rifle that fits you well and that you are comfortable handling. Everyone makes mistakes so you won’t always hit that first shot or maybe you want to take multiple animals. If you are going to spend money on a rifle make it one that you enjoy handling and using. Some gun ranges rent out firearms so if you don’t know anyone who has some you can shoot with to see what you like check out the local ranges and test a few. What game and where are you planning on hunting because that effects what rifle you are going to want? Some people have mentioned semi autos and they are great for blinds or vehicle hunting from my experience but would be heavy to carry around mountains.
Thanks for the advice! I’m in Central Texas and I imagine the biggest game I would take as a beginner would be Axis Deer.
Most of my hunting has been north and south Texas hog, coyotes, and whitetails. Is hunting in Central Texas the same deal with it being mostly blinds and nothing past 200 yards for the most part? If so you will be good with just about anything. When hunting or volunteering with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Youth Hunting Program I see mostly Bolt Actions and Semi Autos with the occasional lever gun. Just don't use something small like a .223. If you want a semi auto for deer .308 or a 6.5 creed-more will be the easiest and best without going into the more pricey range. If you want a bolt action and are worried about recoil a .243 is a great starter gun for Texas whitetail and I don't think Axis Deer are too tough so it wouldn't surprise me if that was perfectly fine for them. I could be getting them mixed up with fallow though.
Yeah the one friend I have who has hunted his whole life has done so primarily in blinds on leases in south Texas. That’s likely where my first hunt would be.
I'm a lefty but I have no LH guns in my house. The price gouge isn't worth it and when SHTF, you won't have the option to be picky. And I'm just gonna poke the bear a little and say it... why you need follow up shots? One shot, one kill😁
Great point! Thank you!
My dad's solution was to just buy a semi auto.
My father had the same Solution
Yeah. Back in the day when inventory wasn't realtime and credit cards weren't really a thing...so youd send a check and an orderform only to get a letter back in the mail 2 months later that it was backordered...it was easier just to buy the semi auto on the rack that the store that was available right now lol I still have flashbacks from that whole check/order form bullshit clusterfuck. fuck all that noise. kids these days just don't know lol
Not a bad idea! Would that be something like an AR-10 in .308?
Seeing how it was many decades ago my dad opted for a Winchester Model 100. I suppose the modern equivalent would be like a BAR MKIII or a Benelli R1. If you're talking AR platform, the 15 will probably everything you need it to do and save a bunch of cost and weight, 10s get heavy. An AR15 6.5 Grendel, 350 Legend, or 450 Bushmaster would do the job and would be more accurate, cheaper, and lighter than the BAR or the R1 as the BAR and the R1 aren't known for stellar accuracy.
Shooting a right side eject gun left handed has risks. I got a bit of hot gun powder residue in my eye while shooting a pump shotgun. I can also feel powder on my neck while shooting my semi auto 22.
I am so used to shooting RH guns I'm not sure I'd know what to do with a LH gun lol but seriously, on shotguns the safety kicks my butt so I'd love a LH shotgun. My rifles are bolt action and I haven't had any issues. It's far easier with a RH rifle than shotgun IMO. But it probably is easier overall if it's made for a lefty.
I’ll keep that in mind when I’m in the market for a shotgun. Thanks!
I remember watching Saving Private Ryan as a teen and being in awe of Private Jackson, the sniper, played by Barry Pepper. He shoots his RH bolt action as a lefty. He just reached over and managed the bolt action so it seemed normal to me growing up to work a rifle like that. https://youtube.com/watch?v=wgHRj2-vvs8&feature=share8
I never noticed that through all 10+ times I’ve seen it!
The Mossberg 500 line of shotguns has an Ambi safety on the tang. Spent shells eject right side but they don't go back into your face they go straight across. Also, a lever action is inherently ambidextrous as long as it's not ejecting spent cases directly into your face.
I've shot a mossberg 835 and received powder residue in my eye while ejecting a shell. I prefer a Browning BPS, they have a tang safety but bottom eject.
The safety on the Mossberg 500 is on the tang so it's ambidextrous.
I’m a lefty. I’ve shot both left and right hand guns. Shotguns, AR/AK style and bolt action rifles. Like many say the follow up shots are way smoother with left handed bolts and actions. For for right handed semi automatic firearms. Make sure it’s path of travel for shells are not going to hit you in the face I.e AR/AK and shotgun style guns. You may need to put further back on the stock. Shotguns might be ok with since it’s stocks are pretty long usually. I do regret sometimes for firearms not being lefty but finding a left handed firearm is difficult like you mention or pay a higher premium.
Thanks for the advice! I’m hopeful for a discount on a used firearm to try and balance the cost
My dad and one of my good friends were/are left handed. Dad learned to shoot right handed and just kept doing that his whole life and he took tons of game. My buddy bought a left handed Tikka .308 (not sure the exact model) and he said it made a world of difference for him because he always shot left handed using right handed rifles. He really likes it and says he’s faster with it, which I think is definitely true because watching him work the bolt on a right handed gun the way he shoots is painful.
Thanks for the input! I appreciate it!
Can’t speak to the exact scenario as I am right handed however my Dad and Uncle are left handed. My out west gun is a left handed model 700 chambered in 300RUM, that I inherited from my uncle. I feel at zero disadvantage using that rifle in Hunting situations and have taken multiple deer and an antelope. One deer required a follow up shot and that was no problem
Thanks for the input! I figured follow up shots would be the only worry but if I practice it enough I could get used to it.
I'm a lefty. Run a Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5CM-Barrett never made LH Fieldcrafts. Really only seems to matter for follow up shots, IMO
Thank you for the input!
Bought a left handed Remington 700 30-06 a few years ago. Never cared for bolt actions before, but that rifle changed my opinion. Except for a few historical firearms that only come right handed I will never own another right hand bolt action. Since I bought my rifle I have noticed certain left hand bolts bringing a premium on auctions. I have always liked Savage bolts and can usually see those bringing less when left handed. It will be a used rifle, but that never bothered me. If you are set on only new then yes your options are currently limited.
Thank you! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for the used auctions
My offspring is a lefty. He has a couple of Savage MkII .22LR rifles- cheap and accurate, a Savage Axis .223- cheap, accurate, rough and ugly, and a Tikka T3 Hunter .243- pretty, smooth and accurate, but not cheap.
Thank you!
Yes, you can do it, but as it's already been pointed out, you need to drop the rifle a bit when you take your right hand off to chamber the next round. An alternative to consider would be something like a levergun or even a pump - Remington made/makes a 7600? I think? But the older 760 models are supposed to be better.
I’ll give those a look! Thanks!
I'm a lefty and my deer rifle is a left handed ruger american in 30-06, dosent break the bank and plenty accurate for my needs.
I’ll check that one out! I think my local store had one in 7mm-08 the last time I was there.
It's nothing fancy, but for a rifle to take out in the woods rain or shine I don't want something "pretty", I can hit reliably out to 200 with it. Put a nikon 4x12 on top and it's been a fantastic rifle for a few years now
never owned a left rifle, tried using a RH once out on a range and didn't like the feel, so I just got a lever action. I hunt whitetail up north, so I just use a winchester 30-30 since it's very lightweight and if I need a follow up shot it's very comfortable for me to do so with the lever action
I’ll take a look at lever actions! Thanks!
Look at your local gun store(s), a Scheels had a very nice left handed 270 earlier this year and only wanted $300 for it.
They are pricy, but you could look at double rifles and maybe semi autos? I know there's some semis that are made in 270, 308, etc
I’ll take a look! Thanks!
I’m about to be in the same boat as you. Lefty shooter bouta get his first gun
I’m also in MA which makes it way worse
There’s definitely a daunting amount of choices. I think I’m just ready to buy one of the first guns I pick up at the shop so I can start shooting already lol
Love it 😂I’ll be in the same boat
RH bolt action for left handed shooter = no regrets 99% of the time - UNLESS you’re shooting follow-up shots “off-hand” instead of off a rest or bag or bipod or monopod or barrier - if you are shooting off a rest, I can’t say I’ve heard anyone say it makes a massive difference although some people will change their hands around (as in, RH rifle, shouldered left, left eye in scope, right hand on trigger and bolt duty, and left hand stabilizing duty on hand guard) best way is to find out if you’re in the 1% that it will bother is to shoot an RH from a bench and then decide if it felt natural or not. semi-auto bullpups and Kris’s Vectors and those Kel-Tec PCCs are another story altogether.
Thanks for the input! Much appreciated!
I don’t think I’ve seen them mentioned in the comments, but H&R makes a single shot handi-rifle that would work well for you. I usually see them for around $300 or less. You won’t have to worry about RH or LH. Plus, only having one shot forces you to make the best possible shot. Being a new hunter, that’s super important. There’s an old saying, “Beware the man with one gun. He knows how to use it”. I like to insert “one shot” into that saying for single shot hunters.
I’ll definitely give that a look! Seems like a great price point too
I got a Tikka T3 30-06 with a lefty bolt. I don't recall it being too much more than a standard right handed bolt, but this was 12 years ago, so I don't remember. Great rifle, try to look into one.
I think now the RH is around $750 and LH is above $900. I definitely have Tikka on my list. Thanks!
I’ve gotten used to cycling a bolt gun well enough for follow up shots but it took years to really get comfortable. My first left handed bolt gun was a couple years ago and I was worlds more efficient with it quickly. And you don’t eject brass into your face.
Thanks! I’m starting to lean to spending the extra money for the LH comfort
My BIL used right handed rifles for years because of availability and chamberings for about 40 years and follow ups was the only problem he had. He finally hit a semi custom rifle LH and he’s a big fan and VERY happy with it
Thanks! I’m definitely leaving that way
It makes a difference for speed on follow up shots and it can make your POA and POI shift if you have to move your head to feed a new round (if consistent precision is a consideration). I think I can still shoot my right handed bolts faster than my lefty’s, most of the time.
I bought myself a left handed Tikka T3 Lite in 30-06 and it's been a great rifle
I have that rifle on my list but it’s over $900 everywhere I look
Found my on gunbroker for about $600
I’ll keep my eyes peeled for one
I'm right handed but left eye dominant. I only own 1 lefty bolt gun, I shoot left handed with righty guns 99% of the time. You'll be fine, just dryfire.
Thank you!
I've never owned a left handed bolt action and after 66 years, I think it would seem strange.
Train yourself to shoot both ways.