Need Rifle Recommendations

D

dennis carter

New member
I've decided to purchase a centerfire rifle and would like your recommendations. I'm looking for something that meets the following qualifications:
1. Primary use-target shooting, possibly hunting/defense
2. Bolt action, custom for left-handed shooter
3. With scope
4. Commonly found cartridge, relatively easy to reload
Right now, I'm considering one of the following calibers: .223, .308, .30

I'm leaning towards having Ed Brown make one for me, but really don't know what else is out there.

What other brands, calibers, models, etc., should I consider.

Thanks,

Dennis D. Carter
 
Pretty much any modern bolt rifle should be scopeable. I am not familliar with any leftie bolt guns so I don't know what's out there, although I know they do exist. I might as well tell you what I think about ammo. If you are worried about hunting, plinking, and defense, I think I would go with a high velocity .30 caliber cartridge. I would stay away from 30 Carbine because I think it is a little on the weak side for hunting. I think your best bet would be 30/06 or .308. You will have something that is .30 Caliber and powerful, yet common. Good luck. :)
 
There are many good riflesmiths out there if you're looking for a custom rifle. Mine is Jeff Hicks. He has a site at www.members.tripod.com/hicksdesigns He can basicly build anything you would like and it's going to be tough and accurate. He's also pretty reasonable as far as prices. Just drop him an e-mail with what you want and any questions and he'll get back to you. Another smith I've used and is excellent is George Gardner at GA Precision. His web site is www.dennysguns.com and click on the precision rifles icon. He basicly builds tactical rifles but you can have him put on whatever McMillan stock you want and in whatever color or pattern. An HTG stock, also known as the M40A1 stock, is an excellent field stock and also a very good target stock. George makes a very accurate rifle. What's the Ed Brown rifle going to cost?

As far as caliber, if you want ease of loading, availabe ammo, good for hunting and defense and also accuracy then the .308 is the cartridge. It's basic and there are alot of other new kids on the block recently but the old .308 is a great cartridge that can still hold it's own.
 
Good luck finding a LH short-action...
The only "mainstream" manufacturer that still builds one is Savage, and they are not too popular on custom guns... Remington discontinued theirs a few years ago, and for Win, I honestly do not know. Ruger, like many of their counterparts, only builds LH long-actions...

I guess it's our southpaw plight...
:(
 
Overall, since your serious interest is more target shooting than hunting, I guess the .308 would be best, particularly for cheap, readily available factory ammo.

For handloading if hunting is more important, I'd go the .30-'06. You can get better velocity--and range--with the heavier bullets.

Generally, the short action is stiffer and thus gives a bit inherently better accuracy.

Art
 
Tikka Whitetail Hunter is available in left hand configuration. Available in most calibers you've listed. Excellent workmanship and quality. Each rifle features fully adjustable trigger, free floated match grade barrel, the slickest bolt you ever want to work, and accuracy out of the box that rivals far more expensive rifles. My opinion the Tikkas are one of the shooting worlds best kept secrets.
Mine is in .308 caliber with an absolutely beautiful wood stock. Paid around $425 new. Imagine there's a premium for the left hand model.
Take Care
 
I've got the Tikka Whitetail Hunter in stainless steel/synthetic stock (.338 WM). Love that rifle.

http://www.sako.fi/tikka/fr-rifles.html

And I'd agree with Art about the .308 as far as ammo availability and the action used. The old saw "short and fat is where it's at" applies. And if you ever do decide to go hunting, you won't be under-gunned with that caliber. Probably the most accurate cartridge in the .30 caliber series.
 
Thanks for your recommendations. I've pretty much decided on the .308. I've sent an email to hicks designs and will contact Tikka tomorrow. The Remingtons, etc., top end are around $1,800. The Ed Brown's are about $2,800. I know Brown does good work and will research the others.

I'll be using the gun primarily for target shooting. I haven't hunted in more than 20 years and may or may not get back into that. So, I'm most concerned about accuracy and the quality of the workmanship. The .308 will be better all around than a .223.

I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks again,
Dennis D. Carter
 
I'm still researching. Hicks Design recommends a Remington action for his custom build rifles. Two reps at a local dealer have added to my confusion. One recommends a Remington 700 and the other recommends a Browning. The Remingtons I saw looked pretty solid. One heavy barreled model was very impressive. The Browning I looked at had a slightly different bolt than the Remington. You didn't have to raise the bolt as far and it didn't rotate as did the Remington. I was told this was an advantage because sometimes the bolt would interfere with the scope on the Remington. Anyone familiar with either the Remington or Browning? I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks,
Dennis D. Carter
 
Whatever happened to the Remington 700 VSS in left hand? They made both a .223 and .308 version. It would have been an ideal rifle upon which an LTR barrel could be installed.

BTW, consider the righthanded LTR. With practice, you can operate the right handed bolt easily with your left hand. Remember the sniper in Saving Private Ryan?
 
Another vote for Tikka. They are the best value on the planet. There's a heavier barrel model called the Continental (or something like that) that might be a better choice for the range.
 
As ammo selection goes, I agree with 308. Commonly found (30-06 surplus seems to be getting in shorter supply in the last year or so), and very easy to reload.

After reloading 223 for a few hours, my hands get arthritically cramped into a ball.
 
I ended up ordering an Ed Brown Savanna 702 in 308 caliber, left-handed bolt, with a Swaroviski Habict AV 4-12x50 scope.

I think the best buy for the money would have been a Remington VS 700. I just couldn't see spending more for the scope than the gun. Another good pick would have been a Remington 40 XB KS.

The Tikkas have a very good recommendation but I couldn't find spec information and the closest dealer was 200 miles away.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Dennis D. Carter
 
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