CVA Scout for right handed/left eye kiddo?

[WstrnCP]

I have an 11 year an old who is right handed, left eye dominant. When he was younger he would go between shooting right and left handed with a BB gun. For the last couple years he has been pretty consistent shooting left handed. Has been shooting a 10/22 and more recently a right handed Tikka 223 in a compact stock. In a good supported position he can manipulate the bolt well by sliding his right hand back. Anything unsupported is where he gets frustrated. After reading some forums here and talking to people, I want to get him a left handed set up. First option would be getting in on the left handed 223 order through UM. After watching some of THLRs videos with his k95 started thinking about a break action.

Definitely will start with a 223, maybe in a CVA scout. Thoughts on starting with this and if shooting/hunting takes invest in a Tikka or just get the Tikka now?

 

[Pilsner]

My wife has the same problem and has zero interest in shooting enough to overcome the handicap. My solution was to just toss a red dot optic on her deer rifle so she can keep both eyes open. Works a'charm.
I've got a Rossi break action that also carries a red dot for use as a loaner rifle for new hunters that I mentor. I see no reason why it wouldn't also be a good solution for your use case.

 

[Jpsmith1]

Is a Contender/Encore platform an option for you instead of the CVA?

Super versatile platform and they’re super accurate.

 

[Scottf270]

I'm a lefty and use a CVA for hunting in Illinois. It will work great for him.

 

[WstrnCP]

Is a Contender/Encore platform an option for you instead of the CVA?

Super versatile platform and they’re super accurate.

Could be, definitely look cool. Was thinking a cheaper option to ensure shooting stuck.

 

[WstrnCP]

I'm a lefty and use a CVA for hunting in Illinois. It will work great for him.

Nice. That’s good to hear.

 

[Dean McCollom]

I am a cross dominant kiddo. I think an ambidextrous rifle like a scout with a red dot is a great idea.

 

[Hoosker Doo]

Definitely keep him shooting with dominant eye. My son's the same, but I happen to be left-handed & left eyed.

After shooting right handed bolt guns my first couple years of big game hunting (12-13), I decided to buy something more suited to me. My dad immediately dissuaded me from getting a lefty bolt ("there's no market for them if you ever wanted to sell it". He's never sold a gun in his life). Anyways, I bought a Ruger #1 single shot and have loved it. Ambidextrous, classy, accurate and have killed lots of stuff with it.

All that said, I have felt extra pressure at times with a single shot when needing a follow-up shot, but the biggest annoyance of anything single shot or lever action is having to break your shooting position when using a rest to reload and having to take your eyes away from your target. A couple seasons ago I almost got into a sticky situation when I shot an elk that dropped and was trying to get back up, so I reloaded and while I took my eyes way to put a bullet into the chamber, she slid down the hill out sight and another elk came out of the timber and was standing where she had been.

If only for the reason of breaking your shooting position between each shot, I would recommend a left-handed bolt gun.