Author Topic: Question for lefties (Read 832 times)

Questor · « **on:** March 04, 2005, 04:24:48 AM »

What is your favorite left handed bolt-action rifle? My son will need one within the next few years and I've got to start thinking about it. Thanks.

savageT · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2005, 05:41:24 AM »

Quote from: Questor

What is your favorite left handed bolt-action rifle? My son will need one within the next few years and I've got to start thinking about it. Thanks.

I own a Savage 110L in 30-06...is it my favorite?

It would be nice to have the ability to choose from a better selection of brands, styles and calibers among a handfull of other companies who make true left-hand actions. I guess you feel lucky if you find a plain stocked right-hand action in a caliber you want!

Just my frustrations showing....that's why I love the levers!!!!

Jim

bajabill · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2005, 05:56:06 AM »

Savage is the most Left handed friendly bolt action mass market gun maker on the whole dam planet :-D

And if you think that is wrong, please direct me to the others, cause I haven't found them. Not comparing custom makers of course. For most of the others, you get a wood stock 223, 270, 7mmmag, 308, 30-06, and you should be thankfull for that, oh, and you owe us an extra 50 dollars for that great service buddy!

wild willy · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2005, 06:36:20 AM »

Tikka is my favorite brownings are nice too savage will work fine not as fancy as the others I have more savages than any other brand because of the diifferant calibers I dont like remingtons becuse I'am left eyed but right handed more comfortable carrying gun on right shoulder always knocking bolt open on remingtons The older savage 110 safetys were a little hard to work with gloves on but I think the new ones with the accu-trigger are differant I know Tikka doesn't have a lefthand T3 listed but they are supposed to make them this year

kenscot · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2005, 08:39:12 AM »

I have several remingtons and a few brownings that have been good to me. There are more and more option coming out every year for leftys. In remington the CDL is avaliable in 223,243,308,270,7mm mag,300 ultra mag they also make a couple of heavy barrel rifles as well as a safari grade gun in big calibers that you won't need on this continent. Browning makes several rifles that include wood and synthetic stock model in regular cartridges as well as the new winchester short mag's. Ruger makes several but have terrible triggers but you could change that, I personally think they feel a little sloppy. Savage makes quite a few including some with their new accu trigger, from what I have read hear Savage are supposed to be the most accurate rifle out of the box, just wasn't in my case and I do not like their look the same goes for the Tikka Whitetail in my opinion but that is just me.
To me a rifle has to look good, feel good and shoot real good. Since it seems that you are looking for a rifle for your son you might want to look at the Browning Micro Hunter if you can find one it weighs only 6# 6 oz. with a slightly smaller stock to me it is a great little rifle I got one in 223 a couple of weeks ago I like it so much I am picking up another one in 7mm 08 tomorrow.
So contrary to what many think you can go from 22 hornet -458 win mag today minus a few cartridges and styles this is far from 20 years ago when it was only 270, 3006 & 7mag Good Luck

MickinColo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2005, 11:44:25 AM »

Ruger makes left-handed rifles. As with most manufactures that make left handed models, the caliber selections are limited but getting better. Rugers right-handed rifles are lefty friendly much like the Savage. Personally I wouldnt bother with a left-handed rifle, I learned to shoot with a right-handed rifle and a lefty feels weird to me now. Bill Ruger was left handed and shot right-handed rifles.

wild willy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2005, 12:23:26 PM »

Forgot about the Rugers and I have one. Winchester makes some left hand models too Right hand guns feel weird to me. I agree with kenscot the Browning micro would be nice and they aren't too small for an adult to use

ms · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2005, 12:32:00 PM »

I bought my first lh in a tikka white tail hunter in 300win I'am so glad I did. I'am waiting to see if they are coming in t3. I HEAR alot of rumors. Then I a friend you has a savage thats about 300 dollars that shoots like a custom job. Good luck :lol:

Gregory · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2005, 01:02:55 PM »

Quote from: Questor

What is your favorite left handed bolt-action rifle? My son will need one within the next few years and I've got to start thinking about it. Thanks.

I'm a lefty and own or have owned the following left hand bolt guns:
Ruger M-77 300 Win Mag
Browning A-bolt 25/06
Remington 581 22LR (purchased used)
Savage 110 270 Win (purchased used)

Most accurate : The Browning and Savage tied.
Favorite: Browning

I'm selling the Ruger, not that its a bad gun , just don't need a 300 Win Mag.

I'll be picking up another Savage next week, an 11FL in 7-08 with an accutrigger.

Next purchase (agreeing with kenscot) a Browning Micro Hunter in 22 Hornet or a Hunter in 223. still undecided and they are hard to locate.

If you're buying him one to have for the rest of his life get him a Browning .The Micro Hunter has the best selection of calibers. The Remington CDL may be a good selection too, but I have no experience with them.

kenscot · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2005, 01:45:44 PM »

Almost smells of a lefty forum. Oh, I forgot we are 8% of the shooting population :roll:

earschplitinloudenboomer · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2005, 02:38:53 PM »

I know it's not a bolt gun but the Savage 99 with top tang safety works well for lefties.

best to you and yours...
ears-

Gregory · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2005, 02:44:35 PM »

Back when I was just dreaming of owning a bolt action centerfire (late 1960's) I think only Remington and Savage made lefty models. Now, in addition to those two, in popular priced guns, we have Rugers, Winchesters and Brownings too.
Life is wonderful!

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2005, 02:57:48 PM »

I am not only left handed I am left eye dominant as well. I have only owned one left hand gun in my life except for muzzle loaders where it is a real safety issue. I actually like using right hand bolt actions.

kenscot · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2005, 01:30:19 AM »

I know this is the wrong forum but if lefties want something to gripe about try lookig for leftie shotguns. There are only a few 12 gauge auto's & pumps. When it comes to over & unders most are cast for righties ecspecially the european guns even browning has started putting right hand palm swells on most of it's guns ( thank God I got my 425 when I did) The only true leftie over and under is made by Franchi, nice gun barrel are interchangeable also

Nunk · « **Reply #14 on:** March 05, 2005, 04:52:33 AM »

I am right handed but left eye dominant. So, I need lefthand products as well. I have or have owned left hand bolt actions in Ruger, Savage, and Browing. I still have the Savages and Brownings because I love their top tang safety.

My suggestion would be a Savage. I just bought a Model 16FLSS. Great gun, top tang safety, a meriad of calibers. My pick would be to start your son of with a Savage.

As far as shotguns, amen. It's tough. My favorite is the Browning BPS with it's top tang safety. There are a few manufacturers who make guns for lefties, but not many. Always fun looking though :lol:

Lawdog · « **Reply #15 on:** March 05, 2005, 11:03:55 AM »

Questor,

My son and granddaughter are both left handed. My granddaughter's rifle is a Win. M70 and my son's rifles are Ruger, Savage and Winchester. My sons recommendation is to check out the Savage line for your son's first rifle. Lawdog

kenscot · « **Reply #16 on:** March 05, 2005, 03:36:47 PM »

Gregory,
I have a shop near me that has the micro hunter in 22 hornet I think the price would be real reasonable as he has been trying to unload it on me ( I have it in 223 so I don't need a hornet) send me a PM if interested and I'll get you the address and number if your interested
Ken

CB900F · « **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2005, 04:24:22 PM »

Fella's;

I'm a left/left shooter, as in handed & eye dominant. Perforce, I had to shoot right hand bolts for years, decades even. I can do it, but when buying my own anymore, my attitude is: The only way I'm gonna change it is to withold my money till I get what I want.

So, I've built & am adding to my LHB battery. Savage MKII .22 lr, Remington 788 in 6mm Rem, Winchester new model 70 stainless LHB in .30-06 with BOSS, and Tikka Whitetail Hunter in .338 Winchester Magnum.

There's only one more paycheck to go to get the Charles Daly .223 mini-Mauser LHB outta the local gun emporium. This is actually the Zastava mini-Mauser once imported by Interarms. It's a true small-scale Mauser action, with a 20" hammer-forged barrel. The 'superior' grade is all that's in this country at this time according to the local gun emporium, with a field grade to follow at some unknown time. I think it's the same unknown time that the T3 Tikka LHB's are coming in too.

The stock styling is Weatherby knock-off with a high-gloss poly finish. However, the wood underneath looks pretty good. The fit is standard production work, serviceable but nuthin' special. It may be worth taking the plastic goo off & reworking some things to make honest wood outta it.

In any case, this is another option available to those looking for a smaller light recoil LHB. Price wasn't bad either, well under $500.00. Your dealer should be paying 'about' $404.95, depending on the wholesaler they use. Make the best deal you can.

Can't, of course, say how it shoots since it isn't in my hands yet. But, based on history & the past performance of Zastava's, I have high hopes.

900F

kenscot · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2005, 01:44:01 AM »

Well after a two month quest and 400 miles of driving I was finally able to pick up my Browning Micro Hunter in 7mm-08 lefty While I was there it gave me an opportunity to check out a lot of other lefty rifles. In terms of handling and quick pointing it left the rest in the dust. Some might say that the stock is a little to short well that may be true in a tee shirt at the range but I know in my case while still hunting there have been a couple of time where I had to shoulder my rifle quickly only to have it hang up on my heavy hunting jacket. Has this cost to lose any deer , no but it might someday. So for me this rifle gets my vote. A close second would be the Remington Mountain rifle after that the Ruger 77. I looked at the Tikka whitetail and have to say I did not care for it, felt like a club in my hands but if they do make the T3 lefty in the future I will be sure to pick one up

mike1 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2005, 05:30:34 PM »

I am right handed, left eye dominant. Bought a Tikka Whitetail Hunter in .270 about two years ago. The stock isn't my favorite, but it is a great shooter.

I've been waiting to get my hands on a Winchester Left Hand Featherweight. They've been in the catalog for two years now, and last time I checked (about a month ago), they still weren't making them yet.

Mike

Questor · « **Reply #20 on:** March 07, 2005, 07:36:09 AM »

Wowser! that's a lot of feedback! Thanks everybody!

mart · « **Reply #21 on:** March 09, 2005, 11:47:46 AM »

Questor,

I have several left handed rifles. Ten years ago I finally got my first one after twenty years of fighting right handed bolts. I ordered a KS Mountian Rifle and talked Remington into chambering it in 300 H&H. It is one of my favorites.

My hands down favorite is one that sadly is not available unless you are very lucky and stumble on to one. It is a 1941 model 70 Winchester that was converted to left hand. I had it rebored from 30-06 to 35 Whelen and restocked with a LH Winchester take off stock. It took some work with acraglass to get the job done but it shoots like a varmint gun.

My latest is a Montana Rifle Company in 375 H&H. I just got it up and running and it shoots great.

I have another MRC action, a short one that is itching to be a 9.3x57 and believe I will order another long action to make a 404 Jeffery.

I wouldn't have another right handed bolt for myself unless it was very unique, say a Model 43 in 218 or the like. I am slowly replacing all my right handed rifles with left handed.

As far as factory available rifles in left hand the selection is greater now than ever. At one time Savage was the only one to offer any selection of calibers. The other offers were limited to 3 or 4 calibers. Today we have a somewhat better selection but I find I still have to build most of the ones I want due to my eccentric tastes. Good hunting. Mart

Gregory · « **Reply #22 on:** March 09, 2005, 12:45:16 PM »

Quote from: mart

Questor,

I have several left handed rifles. Ten years ago I finally got my first one after twenty years of fighting right handed bolts. I ordered a KS Mountian Rifle and talked Remington into chambering it in 300 H&H. It is one of my favorites.

My hands down favorite is one that sadly is not available unless you are very lucky and stumble on to one. It is a 1941 model 70 Winchester that was converted to left hand. I had it rebored from 30-06 to 35 Whelen and restocked with a LH Winchester take off stock. It took some work with acraglass to get the job done but it shoots like a varmint gun.

My latest is a Montana Rifle Company in 375 H&H. I just got it up and running and it shoots great.

I have another MRC action, a short one that is itching to be a 9.3x57 and believe I will order another long action to make a 404 Jeffery.

I wouldn't have another right handed bolt for myself unless it was very unique, say a Model 43 in 218 or the like. I am slowly replacing all my right handed rifles with left handed.

As far as factory available rifles in left hand the selection is greater now than ever. At one time Savage was the only one to offer any selection of calibers. The other offers were limited to 3 or 4 calibers. Today we have a somewhat better selection but I find I still have to build most of the ones I want due to my eccentric tastes. Good hunting. Mart

Please remember me in your will. :-D :-D

corelokt308win · « **Reply #23 on:** March 10, 2005, 03:16:27 AM »

My Browning micro hunter is sweet, and don't forget about the single shots, they tend to be ambi-dextrous or however you spell that. I like the NEF Handi-rifles as they are a cheap switch barrel rifle/gun/muzzleloader.