First Hunting Rifle - for Lefty

N

nickybh

Inactive
Hey there,

I am looking to purchase my first hunting rifle aimed mostly at elk, bear and deer. The trick for me is that I need a lefty bolt action gun.

I had originally wanted a remmy cdl but soon decided synthetic is probably the best for me.

I think 30-06 is my preferred caliber but have heard about accuracy inconsistency with different loads. While 270 sounds like a more consistent caliber it may not be powerful enough.

I thought I had landed on a Savage 116 with accustock and accutrigger but then I saw a Tikka T3 and it peaked my interest.

Do any of you have any experience with this gun or recommendations for caliber, brand, configuration, etc?
 
Have you shot a lefty rifle? I only ask because my wife was a lefty and prefered righty rifles as does my daughter also a lefty.

I lost a lot of money buying lefty specific guns and other stuff only to have them become 'closet queens' or relegated to junk drawers.

The Savage is an excellent choice (I'm shopping for one now). You might want to look at a .308, very close ballistics to a 30-06 in a short action.
 
I think 30-06 is my preferred caliber but have heard about accuracy inconsistency with different loads. While 270 sounds like a more consistent caliber it may not be powerful enough.
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Most rifles will shoot different with different loads. There is nothing special about either. Both are plenty for what you want to do. Also look at the Browning X-Bolt and the Ruger Hawkeye.
 
Have you shot a lefty rifle? I only ask because my wife was a lefty and prefered righty rifles as does my daughter also a lefty.
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I have never shot a lefty bolt action gun. I do have a savage mark II that is right handed and I just don't like having to move my forehand to actuate the bolt. I feel as though followup shots would be faster with a lefty.

Quite frankly, I have tried to make righty rifles work for me and in most cases modern gun designs have enough ambi features, controls, and options to compensate but when it comes to bolt action I just really feel like I want a lefty rifle. The price is no different but it would make resale a bit more difficult I think. Maybe not. Perhaps there are enough southpaws out there like myself that would be interested. Either way, I think I will end up with a lefty bolt action for hunting.
 
Love my Savage 116 (righty). The '06 vs. .270 debate goes back a long way, and will never be settled. Both are adequate and accurate with the right rifle and load. One to consider: Browning BLR. Excellent lever gun that gives away little or nothing to turnbolts, and it is available in a wide range of calibers.
 
Are you shooting a rifle left handed because you are left eye dominant or because you are left handed? Do you know which eye is dominant? Shooting a handgun cross dominant really does not really present much of a problem. However, shooting a long gun left handed while being right eye dominant has potential to really affect your accuracy, quickness of target acquisition and field of view.

One option would be to use a single shot rifle, but I don't think I would want to hunt bear with a single shot rifle. How heavy of a bullet are you planning to shoot? Some barrels have a faster rate of twist and should be able to stabilize the heavier bullets better. Barrel length has an affect on muzzle velocity which can affect the ability to stabilize a bullet.
 
Most rifles will shoot different with different loads. There is nothing special about either. Both are plenty for what you want to do.
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+1. A 30.06, .270, 7mm Rem Mag or a .308 would all be good choices.

As far as a lefty set up goes, I hunted for years with a right handed .308. It got the job done but was certainly awkward to use. Once I finally had enough of that, I bought a lefty 7mm Rem Mag Savage 110.
I only regret I have is that it took me several years before I finally bought a left handed bolt action.

Follow up shots are quicker and most importantly, I feel much more comfortable working a left handed action vs a right handed one. Personally I've never had any problems adapting to right handed guns but a right handed bolt action always felt uncomfortable to me. A left handed set up really makes a difference. It is really the only type action that recommend left handed people actually buy a left hand specific gun.

As far as Savage goes, they are very accurate and reliable. If you find one you like, you really can't go wrong with them.
 
I'm right handed but grew up with a left handed Father,brother, raised a lefty daughter and have a lefty grandson so I know a little about working lefty.
Dad made it through WW2 working an 03/Enfield so he was pretty handy but he still thought it was a new world when I got him a Savage 110LH. Older brother never could make the RH bolt work and only went bolt action when he got a Rem 788LH.
Daughter was pretty clutzy and simply couldn't make the RH bolt work. She gets along fine with the Savage LH bolt.
I can actually shoot left handed using a RH bolt pretty well-even better when using a LH bolt. About the same reload time with either but sometimes I get a finger or part of a glove wedged between the RH bolt handle and scope tube.
 
My daughter bought a 116, flh "Weather-Warrior" in left hand. It's a .270 win, she handles it pretty well at the range so far, (when she takes her time). It is a real accurate rifle and pretty well balanced for a synthetic and stainless combo.. I'm pretty sure I could shoot it accurately also. The Savage is that good... ;)
 
I have the impression lefty rifles can be hard to find and may be more expensive because of limited production - I think lever guns may be more practical than most right handed actions. My Winchester 95 in 30-06 is good as are my Winchester 94s in 30-30

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Slide actions work also - I just prefer lever guns.
 
Left Eye Dominant

Are you shooting a rifle left handed because you are left eye dominant or because you are left handed? Do you know which eye is dominant? Shooting a handgun cross dominant really does not really present much of a problem. However, shooting a long gun left handed while being right eye dominant has potential to really affect your accuracy, quickness of target acquisition and field of view.
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I am indeed left eye dominant. In addition to that I just can't get used to putting a rifle up against my right shoulder. I just doesn't feel right. I got used to playing guitar right handed but this is a different ball game.

Does anyone have any input on the Tikka T3 series rifles? I have never seen one but would be interested to know some opinions on these. It seems as though there isn't much info about these in the forums. Perhaps I will have to post a thread specific to them.

Thanks for all the input guys. Your views are appreciated.
 
I've never had a lefty specific rifle. Levers like the aforementioned BLR work. Falling block, break action, auto rifles, all are very ambi. I like hunting with a Garand or M-1A, I think they were designed for a left hander.
 
I'm right handed with a dominant left eye. I cannot write my name left handed but I have been shooting long guns left handed for 55+ years. Ruger, Browning, Remington and others make left handed bolt action rifles, and a .30-06 is as close to the perfect factory cartridge for the lower 48 states as you will find. Synthetic stocks tend to be less costly, more reliable, and not as good looking as beautiful walnut. I have never shot a Tikka, but they seem to be as well made as those I have owned or shot. I have a .270 but no .30-06. A .270 is NOT inherently more accurate than a .30-06. A .280 is another viable option. A scope is as important as the rifle, I prefer (based on the value) a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5 x 8 - I have 3 of them and 3 other Leupold scopes. If I could afford them, I'd have Swarovski, Kahles, Night Force or Schmidt-Bender scopes. One more thing, I have never shot an animal with a factory loaded cartridge; rather, I have chosen to develop (with much expert advice in reloading manuals and elsewhere) handloads which shoot accurately in my rifles.
 
To answer you question-Yes,Tikka T3 rifles are excellent guns,and very accurate.The bad thing is that the only LH Tikka's that are imported to the USA by Berretta are the T3 Lite versions,so the bigger the caliber-the more felt recoil.Good luck on trying to get anything else from them,I've tried.

Savage makes very good LH rifles,I have 6 of them. Remington,and Browning also have a good selection of lefties,as well as CZ-USA,also a very good rifle.
Weatherby makes nice LH rifles,but if they are in Weatherby calibers,factory ammo will cost you plenty.
 
Savage it is

Thanks so much guys,

I'm pretty sure I will end up with a Savage after all of your input. A 116 with Accustock and trigger will suit me just fine I bet.

Hopefully picking one up in the next couple months then getting a Leupy for it.
 
My lefty rifle

is a Win Mod 70 Classic Featherweight in .270 WSM. I bought it in 2006, just before the Mod 70's went out of production. I don't know if the newly produced Mod 70's are available as lefties, or not.

I am left handed in all aspects, i.e., left handed and left eye dominant.

I shoot Rem 870 Wingmaster shotgun, in a right hand action. Had a gunsmith convert the safety to lefty operation. Even though they (20 ga & 12 ga 870's) shuck the empty hulls out the right side, I never have been hit in the face with an empty.

Resale of a lefty action is indeed slow, as I witnessed one pawn/gun shop took 8 years to finally get rid of a NIB Rem 700 lefty in 30-06.

I went to a gun show yesterday, and found only one Rem 870 in lefty, and one Mauser rifle lefty in 30-06. Show had about 300 tables, in a city of 100,000 population.
 
left hand rifles

I'm new to the sight and not sure this is the proper forum. I am looking for a Browning left hand ABolt medallion with Boss in .300 win mag. Does anyone have any ideas where to look. I have tried gunbroker, auction arms, guns america, and almost every gun place out there. Browning stopped making the left hand medallion with boss several years ago. appreciate anyones help.
 
Ruger M 77 Hawkeye. 270

I too am left eye dominant therefore dad taught me to shoot lh. I now shoot sidearms and long guns LH. I love that ruger and it will serve your purpous.
 
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