Author Topic: Lefties and cheap right-hand rifles (Read 830 times)

RTBRICK · « **on:** September 25, 2005, 04:03:32 PM »

I am right-handed, but shoot (long guns and archery) left-handed. I can shoot so-so right-handed, but it's just not comfortable. I grew up shooting my fathers right side guns on the left side. So much for a quick follow-up shot...then again a good shooter should only need one.

Given the cheap price of a Stevens and Rem ADL, how many lefties choose to shoot on the "other side?"

dukkillr · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2005, 06:31:49 PM »

I shoot right handed rifles and shotguns. I've had safeties switched over on shotguns (except my turkey gun) but otherwise I've never owned a left handed gun. I shoot a left handed bow. I've never had a problem with shooting right handed guns. That's what I learned and I shoot them well.

PEPAW · « **Reply #2 on:** September 26, 2005, 03:30:19 AM »

I am left eyed dominent, but right handed. The right hand bolt seems comfortable to me. I have a one lefty bolt, but I doubt I am any faster with it than my righties.
I have a new Handi-Rifle this year as my deer rifle and a pump for backup.

As long as there is no cheekpiece on a rightie rifle, I am fine with either.

pepaw

Savage .250 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2005, 04:12:52 AM »

I`m an old lefty and have only shot "righty`s" A left handed gun would
seem........strange to me.
Now i`ve gone middle of the road. I shoot a sav 99R in .300. the only draw back,if you want to call it that, is the safety is a lever safety, bottom right. That being said, i could care less, after all it`s a Sav 99. One of the great guns of all time. IMO.

" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2005, 12:09:43 PM »

Was it your goal in bringing this topic up to get me riled and cause conniptions? I shoot lefty, all my rifles are left-handed and I have two righty 870 shotguns. There are a lot of rifle models and calibers I'd like to get one of these days, but they're just not available for left-handed shooters. Most (not all) rifles available for southpaws are in the usual .270 Win, .308 Win, .30-06, 7mm Mag, .223 Rem and .22-250. I'd love to get a .260 Rem, 6.5X55 Swede, .257 Roberts and others, but can't find 'em. Would like to try the new .25WSSM. Browning makes it in their base A-bolt hunter, but I've heard about feeding problems with handloads. Winchester's model 70 doesn't come in anything smaller than .270 WSM for lefties. I'd better stop now before I have a fit.

Gregory · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2005, 01:44:07 PM »

Quote from: The Sodbuster

Was it your goal in bringing this topic up to get me riled and cause conniptions? I shoot lefty, all my rifles are left-handed and I have two righty 870 shotguns. There are a lot of rifle models and calibers I'd like to get one of these days, but they're just not available for left-handed shooters. Most (not all) rifles available for southpaws are in the usual .270 Win, .308 Win, .30-06, 7mm Mag, .223 Rem and .22-250. I'd love to get a .260 Rem, 6.5X55 Swede, .257 Roberts and others, but can't find 'em. Would like to try the new .25WSSM. Browning makes it in their base A-bolt hunter, but I've heard about feeding problems with handloads. Winchester's model 70 doesn't come in anything smaller than .270 WSM for lefties. I'd better stop now before I have a fit.

Savage Model 11FL is available in
223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, 243 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, 308 Win, 270 WSM, 7mm WSM, 300 WSM

Model 111FL in
25-06 Rem, 270 Win, 30-06 Spfld, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag

RTBRICK · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2005, 03:26:53 PM »

I am building a custom .257Roberts in a MR 1999 left hand ('cuz I apparently cannot buy one lefty). Probably be my only custom as it costs way too much. I'll rebarrel a used rifle next time. I also want to try a 6.5X55, but want left hand. I'm actually going to purchase two Stevens 200s: a 25-06 and a 7MM-08 for my teenage boys (both righties). Something they can shoot accurately and bang around in the woods....and I get to try out the calibers.

handirifle · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2005, 04:45:01 PM »

I thought very long about buying a Stevens and shooting RH. I am left handed, right eye dominant. I shoot shotguns RH but rifles LH. It does not feel as fast or comfortable to shoot right handed. It's OK from the bench, but.....

I just bought two new Savage rifles. The 11Fl in 223 and the heavy barrel 93 in 17 HMR. I am glad I did too. It is so much more comfortable to me and these suckers sure do shoot. Wow!

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #8 on:** September 26, 2005, 05:25:17 PM »

Gregory advised me:

Quote

Savage Model 11FL is available in
223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, 243 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, 308 Win, 270 WSM, 7mm WSM, 300 WSM

Model 111FL in
25-06 Rem, 270 Win, 30-06 Spfld, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag

Thank you Greg. Like most lefties, I'm familiar with the Savage lineup. I own 2 Savages (.270 Win & .22-250) and am looking hard at a third. My frustration stems from looking at the models and calibers available to righties and finding I can't get what I'd like in a left-handed gun. I don't hunt moose and am not interested in any magnum calibers larger than a quarter-bore (I'm not entirely anti-magnum; I do have a .257 Wby Mag).

I've never shot a lever gun and wouldn't mind picking up a Marlin 336 in .30-30 and/or a Browning BLR in .243. Eventually I'll probably get the Marlin. It's a lot cheaper.

WW1 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 26, 2005, 06:24:24 PM »

I am a lefty...my wife bless her heart bought me my first deer rifle the year we got married..a Savage 110CL in 06...still have it...at that time Sage made the only bolt gun for a lefty and finally if I remember correctly Remington did..all those years and finally Winchester made one, by that thime after waiting that long you couldnt give me a Winchester... hahha...over the years all I hear is how ugly the Savage is..I happen to think all 5 of mine are things of beauty....hahaha...now all I own are the Savages and Ruger #1's..oh yes one more thing, the other gripe was the "lousy trigger" of the Savage...mine came with a booklet that showed you how to adjust them...all of mine are excellent if you follow the directions..I have one new accu-trigger and it isnt any better than my older guns...I am glad I found Savage as I dont think I could hit the barn right handed...anyway thanks for letting me ramble...just my thoughts anyway

redial · « **Reply #10 on:** September 27, 2005, 04:41:41 AM »

I try to find lefty boltguns (which is getting easier, thankfully) but I'm quite happy to buy a starboard shifter if need be. I'm looking at the Stevens 200, for example. I have to be conscious of running the bolt over my left thumb, but that's the only forseeable drawback for a hunting rifle.

Redial

bajabill · « **Reply #11 on:** September 27, 2005, 09:36:05 AM »

I could repeat nearly this entire thread

I have a left handed savage, 30-06, its my hunter. I have a right handed win coyotee, 270wsm. It is not a hunting tool. I actually prefer the right handed action for bench shooting, easier to access the loading and unloading areas to save my brass. I have gone to HR products, single shots to get into additional chamberings. But, I do want a 35 whelen in a LH bolt, I may have to make it from a savage 30-06 and an Adams and Bennett barrel.

RTBRICK · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2005, 09:13:04 AM »

I do have one left-hand rifle: a Ruger 77/MKII in .270W. It was the only left-handed rifle I could find at a large local gunshow a few years ago, and it seemed the dealers had stacks of rifles to sell. Was actually after a Savage, but none of the dealers had one.

Slamfire · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2005, 05:59:39 PM »

I bought a left handed Savage, when I got out of the Navy, the day JFK was elected. I still have it. I have owned a Remington 788, amd a 700 in left handed versions. I don't care for the shinyness of the Brownings, and Winchester waited too long for me. The only right handed rifles I have bought since have all been milsurps. I'm aware you can adapt, but why bother, the southpaw rifle is better in every way for a real left hander.
Did you know the Ruger #1 is a right handed rifle. Try loadin' one with a low scope, you'll find out. :-D

PEPAW · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2005, 07:56:07 AM »

I had a #1, but always fed it right handed even though I shoot off the left shoulder with my dominent eye.

Why is it right handed?

pepaw

Slamfire · « **Reply #15 on:** October 03, 2005, 07:43:13 PM »

The cut away on the receiver where the breech block rides up to fill the hole, is on the right side. You can insert a cartridge with your right thumb. There is no cut away on the left, so under a low mounted scope your left thumb won't fit.

azmike · « **Reply #16 on:** October 04, 2005, 09:58:51 PM »

I bought an inexpensive Savage bolt action .22lr righty, mainly to teach myself to shoot right handed. I have no trouble with either hand.

What I really wish for is that Browning and Remington go to a tang safety instead of a crossbolt on their auto and pump rifles. I find the crossbolt safety at the back of the triggerguard far more of a nuisance than a right hand bolt, at least for this lefty.