Which hand for F class?

[Bodhisafa]

Looking to purchase a Borden action for at class use. I am right handed was thinking about ordering right bolt / right port however after listening to a podcast with guest Speedy Gonzalez mentioning some right handed shooters are switching to left bolt / left port actions to allow the right handed shooter to maintain right hand on stock at all times reducing body movement.

what do right handed shooters recommend for action orientation?

 

[B Nettesheim]

Everything on the right so when hunting season comes around im not reaching for a bolt that isn’t there

 

[CJ6]

Before you order try a left handed rifle first. My daughter is left handed and I tried this with hers. I found that I was constantly lifting or backing my head up while cycling the bolt which disrupted the position. YMMV.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

I am right handed but have my f-class rifles actions with right bolt and left port, very comfortable to shoot.

 

[Dub]

I am right handed and use a right bolt dual port action. I record my score and sometimes a note after each shot. I use a very deliberate routine and don’t go too fast. May not be the right way but works for me.

 

[BP1]

I have always shot RBRP.. but my new Borden that I ordered will be RBLPRE.

 

[XTR]

If you use a spotting scope while shooting then LB LP makes it harder. Had a friend who ran LB RP for a while, he shot really well. There are people who do it, and some are very good, generally right handed shooters run Right Right.

 

[rardoin]

I run RB/RP and would have issues with a LB as suggested by Wade; I use a spotting scope on my left and I would have to come off the scope to cycle the bolt. With a RB/RP I adjust the spotter to only require a gaze shift to view it versus the rifle scope. That said I have never shot a LB comp rifle.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I don't compete but I thought I would like to try shooting a lefty action. I'am right handed.
Picked up a Savage Model 12 "lefty repeater action". Found an "ambi" stock, mounted the action and went shooting. Love it!!
Ordered up a Laminated right hand BR style thumb hole stock, plugged the right bolt handle cut and re cut it on the left side. Got it in a color easy to match. You can't see the plugged cut.
Right hand stays in the thumb hole for control of the stock while my free left hand feeds ammo and works the bolt.
Tough to go back to shooting a right hand action and taking your hand off the stock to work the bolt.

 

[Ned Ludd]

The correct answer is, "use whatever feels best to you". Because of the scoring systems and firing cadence we typically use in F-Class, the various loading/ejector port options that allow for very smooth, fast, and efficient firing in a BR setup really aren't absolutely essential in F-Class. Thus, use what feels best to you. Your choice of action type really isn't going to make or break your F-Class scores. Realistically, any of the possible combinations will work, and whatever action you choose will eventually become your "new" normal.

 

[Fuj]

I switched to RBLP and very comfortable with the move.
You can run the rifle faster with your hand never leaving
the bolt.

 

[Warren Dean]

I am right handed but have my f-class rifles actions with right bolt and left port, very comfortable to shoot.

Ditto

 

[Rope2horns]

The problem I've found with RBLP is spotting scope placement. Total pita...for a right handed open shooter I would recommend RBRP.

 

[Warren Dean]

The problem I've found with RBLP is spotting scope placement. Total pita...for a right handed open shooter I would recommend RBRP.

No whining, Norm.

 

[Ringostar]

I can really understand what Norm is sayin. I have a right/right that I use for mid range. Then got a right bolt/left port for long range. I can set up my spotting scope nice and close with the right/right. On the left port action, I have to leave room for loading. Which means that I have to move farther off the rifle to check mirage.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I will never have a rifle with a left port or bolt. I am right-handed and I have my spotting scope snuggled up on the left side. No room for anything else.

But the main reason for my eschewing anything on the left side is safety. We did have one right-handed shooter experience a case malfunction in his right bolt, left port rifle and his face was peppered with crap from the exploding case. The action is your last line of defense. I am very happy that left-hand (sinister) shooters can have left-handed bolt and port; but they can keep them for themselves. I will never have a left bolt, left port rifle.

 

[1shot]

Do your best to try all the variations, then go with what feels best to you.

Lloyd

 

[Rope2horns]

No whining, Norm.

All of my rifles are RBLP...I still think it sucks lol.

I started with RBLP and didn't shoot off a spotting scope. Once I figured out I was leaving information on the table by not using a spotter I made that transition.

Then I figured out there really isn't a great place to put a spotting scope. Things going on on both sides of the gun.....the left, loading ammo and extracting spent cases, plus running the joy stick ....on the right is opening and closing the bolt and yanking the trigger. Doesn't seem like much, but it gets busy. That said RBLP and a spotting scope is doable, just not what I would call ideal.

About shooting fast.....It's FClass not BR, we have target pullers or ET's with 7-8sec delay. I've had some great pullers over the years, but none that could pull and mark a target before I had the next round ready. Some were close.

 

[Lbart]

I agree with everything Norm has said. I am left-handed and have shot FC with a LBRP since 1999. I now have a LBLP, but have problems putting my rounds in the chamber. I can't look in the loading port! Seeing the port is ingrained in my head! I bought the LBLP so I could use a spotting scope on my right side, but I haven't found a good setup yet. Guess I'm too old to break ingrained habits. I guess I'll continue to leave info down range without one.

 

[Jennb]

I shoot RH with a LBLP and absolutely love it. That being said I shoot FTR and do not use a spotting scope. I have used one a time or two with the scope set up on the right side of my rifle but it has to be just right. A friend uses his spotter hanging down from a tripod that is over his rifle set up.

I have found LBLP works very well for me!