I am right handed, but a few years back had a problem with a scope fogging during deer season. I had to use my brothers left handed a-bolt, and it seemed okay. It still shouldered well, and felt pretty nice. The bolt did not get in the way. I shot it previous to that to sight it in, and it did not feel too awkward on a bench rest.

If I am correct, the market only began to make lefty bolts around 15 years ago or so -- maybe twenty, in any real numbers or options. I just do not recall them in the late eighties or early nineties being all that easy to find. So for the previous 100 years or so, lefties had to use right handed actions if they wanted a bolt action, and I'm sure lots of game has fallen to that combo....

I see lefties shooting right handed auto shotguns all the time at the gun club -- Benelli and Beretta do not make them in lefties. Don't think that Browning does either. And those guns extract the shell in front of their field of view. One guy has been the club champion for multiple years.

I am just glad that I am not left handed -- my brother still complains about it (justifiably I may add) all the time!