MRA Renegade - Your preference on charging handle side?

[wasa]

Been shooting my MRA Renegade in 223 at my local range. Range time is most often sitting at a bench with the front of the rifle on sand bags. I'm a right handed shooter, holding the pistol grip with my right hand. Currently, my charging handle is on the left side. So shoot, keep right hand on the pistol grip, rack charging handle with my left hand, then shoot again.

But when I stand up to shoot, taking my left hand off of the fore end and racking the charging handle results in the muzzle dropping so I tried moving the charging handle to the right side. So keep my left hand on the fore end holding the stock tight against my right shoulder, and rack the charging handle with my right hand. Feels OK, but feels "wrong" when I sit down.

Future plans are to use the MRA for 2-gun and 3-gun in both Canada and USA, so lots of running and gunning - shooting from both unsupported and supported positions.

So, what do others do with their straight pull bolt rifles? Dominant hand or non-dominant hand work the bolt?

Yes, I will eventually figure out what works for me, but curious what other people think or like. Accuracy vs speed of chambering a round and all that. In the US, will be competing with Americans with AR-15s mainly (TBH, I normally score in the lower 1/3 so not like it will overall make a huge difference in my score. Still, no DQs yet and I'm having fun!).

Thanks!

 

[Innavedaw]

I have a charging handle on both sides on my Ruger PCC and my MRA Renegade…I’m a lefty but like the option to be able to use either hand depending on circumstance, especially in competition.

 

[DVX]

I picked up a Maverick not too long ago (after this recent ban gong show). When bench shooting, I keep the charging handle on the right side. When shooting standing up, I keep it the same. I'm right handed, so I keep my left hand on the hand guard (with the butt tucked into my shoulder) as I rack it with my right hand. It takes a second or so to get back to looking down the scope, but it's not a deal breaker for me.

 

[wasa]

I have a charging handle on both sides on my Ruger PCC and my MRA Renegade…I’m a lefty but like the option to be able to use either hand depending on circumstance, especially in competition.

Now this was exactly what I was looking for. Ordered another charging handle directly from MRA. ($20 shipping. Ouch). But I like the thought of having the option to use both sides.

Thanks for the suggestion!