Lefty needs help deciding left or right (bolt action)

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bosscott

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I am looking for a new bolt action hunting rifle. I shoot left handed because I am blind in my right eye therefore shooting right handed is not an option. I have always shot right handed rifles without issues. This time I want to go with a left handed rifle, problem is choices are few and far between. Any left handers out there that shoot right handed rifles from the left side just because of choices or any other reasons?
 
Although lefty when it comes to shooting, I've always shot RH rifles. I'm just used to it and don't see a need to switch.
 
Both Savage and Ruger make left-hand versions available. My family is blessed with its share of southpaw people. I've bought several over the years and I intend to buy another this spring.

Might I suggest the Model 11/111 FLNS as one alternative. From my simple searching I found about 20 different left hand rifles that Savage lists.

I'm told that Ruger makes several left-hand bolt rifles and a simple search at their website found these listings.

A quick search of the Remington website lists a half-dozen models of left-hand rifles. I really like this SPS Synthetic Model 700.

Betwixt Savage, Ruger, and Remington, you're bound to find something to suit you.
 
Browning, Savage, and Ruger all make a lefty turn bolt gun. I would get the X-Bolt myself, but the other two are great too. I shoot lefty with a scoped 1971 Marlin 336C. Good luck.
 
i am also a lefty.alot of people that are lefty shoot right hand bolts for me when i buy a bolt action its better to get a left hand.just easier for me, its really what is more comfortable for u. i know sometimes it can be alittle harder to find exactly what u want when it comes to left handed versions. i shoot a rem. 700 lh in .300rum.
 
I'm a lefty and while I grew up shooting a right handed bolt, I bought a Savage 110 in 7mm Rem Mag as my primary hunting rifle a few years ago. While you can adapt to any right handed gun pretty easily, I will tell you that shooting a left handed bolt action is much more natural for me. It certainly allows for quicker follow up shots when hunting too.

In my opinion, it is worth your time and effort to hunt a left handed bolt action down. You won't regret it. Personally, I will never buy any bolt action rifles that aren't left handed.
 
One bit of advise on buying a left-hand bolt action.

Take your time and make you choice based on your individual preferences. Then take the time to find the rifle online, print out the page that shows the rifle you want and take it to your local gun dealer. Ask him to find the rifle, tell him you'll put it on layaway. Sometimes I'll write them a check on the spot as a substantial deposit on the rifle.

I've done this four or five times. You'll have your rifle in short order. Taking the time to get to know a particular dealer pays off in more ways than you might imagine.

Another tactic is to let the dealer know exactly what you're looking for. (In my case, left hand, .308, synthetic stock) Tell him when he finds it to call you. That particular process has worked really good for me finding used rifles.
 
Thanks for the responses. As much as I hate it, I guess I wii have to be patient to get exactly what I want. I have been pretty successful using right shooting left, actually I have never even held a lefty. Thinking the situation through, I might go find a lefty and work the bolt a few times, just to be sure I would even prefer a lefty. Something tells me I will prefer the lefty.
 
Being a southpaw myself, the first time I operated the bolt on a Model 70 I cut my left thumb.

Told myself to make sure I never bought a Model 70.

Now I own three.
 
I am left eye dominant and shoot a right hand bolt. My next rifle will probably be a left hand bolt.

My only concern with left hand bolt guns is make sure it's what you want as they are a little more difficult to sell.
 
How many rightys do you see shooting left-handed rifles?

Look into the Tikka T3 rifles. Excellent rifles, good prices. I own 4 left-handed Tikkas.
 
i,m left handed and i own five left hand bolt rifles and a few pumps and levers, about three years ago i bought a left hand 7mm08 youth model 700sa, and put a good slip on recoil pad for lenth, and it is my favorite deer rifle next to a rem 7600 carbine in 3006. with 43 grs varget and nosler or hornady 120-130gr bullets its scary accurett. eastbank.
 
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My brother shoots lefty and has tried everything. Pumps and levers make a lot of sense. He even bought a left handed bolt gun and used it for 1 season before selling it. He has just decided he prefers to shoot right handed bolt guns from the left side. Part of it is that no one makes a left handed bolt gun in the configurations he wants. Remington makes left handed guns, but not in the Mountain rifle, which is what he prefers.

He has spent many years practicing and is pretty good shooting from the wrong side.
 
I was looking for a rem 700 lh in 308... I wound up with a righty Winchester 70... If the gun you want comes in a left hand model and you can find it in stock, then get one! I'm the only lefty in my family, so I've only ever used right hand bolt actions. It's just a bit awkward cycling the bolt with a scope in the way and monte carlo stocks don't have much benefit, but there's not much else different.
 
Why does anyone think that trying to sell a left handed rifle would be a tough sell if you wanted to sell it?... like there are not many lefties around to buy them...lol
 
IF I was a lefty I'd want a lefty bolt action. I've held a r.h. up as if I was shooting left hand and cycling the bolt was a real spastic affair.....
 
My first wife was a lefty as is my daughter and they both adjusted to RH early, so early that they found a LH awkward. I would have thought that semi's would have been a distraction but my wife was an excellent shot.

Early in our relationship I was always buying the future wife 'lefty' things and I don't remember her using any of them. The one thing that I DO remember is that we always had an electric can opener.
 
Thanks again for the replies. After a couple nights web surfing the Tikka T3, Savage 116 FLHSS, and Weatherby Mark V Accumark seem to offer the most in stock caliber choices. I haven't found many complaints online from any of these models. The Tikka and Savage are about the same price. The Mark V Accumark will be more than double the price of the other two, unless someone knows of an online discount weatherby dealer. the Weatherby is appealing because it is offered in weatherby calibers, not that I need a .30-.378 but I could probably talk myself into buying one.

Mostly I have looked at buds, cheaper than dirt, gallery of guns, and Hinterland outfitters. Am I missing any online stores that might offer better choices or prices?
 
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