Left hand rifles

Browning, Tikka, Sako, Savage, Ruger, all make LH actions at different price points. I’m forgetting one or two other makers from when I was looking into it last year, handle a bunch they are all different.
 
Your Savages Axis an Ruger Americans will be the least expensive left handed rifles available. While your basic introductory priced models, they do shoot fairly well.
From there you move up into your regular Savage rifles and then your Rugers. These are rugged rifles with a reputation for accuracy and reliability.
Then you will be into your Tikka's and Brownings. These are excellent rifles that shoot well and offer detachable magazines.
Sako will be your most expensive of the above mentioned manufacturers. These are well made rifles that have very smooth actions and a reputation for accuracy. While pricey compared to the others, they offer good value for their features and are better priced than building a custom left handed rifle (if they offer the cartridge that you are looking for).
After that you will be into your Blasers. These are beautiful rifles that are very quick cycling rifles. Offer many models and options. Your wallet may dictate how fancy it can get.

I currently own several custom left handed rifles built on Ruger, Remington, Browning and Sako actions. My left handed factory rifles are from Sako (6.5x55, 30-06 FS and 9.3x62). Configutations vary as to purpose. I also like cartridges that are not just run of the mill, so this has led to various custom builds (250AI, 338-06, 376 Steyr, 416 Taylor), or in chamberings not offered in LH (6.5 Creedmoor, 280 Rem, 7mm STW, 300 WSM, 338 Federal)

It really comes down to the features that you desire for your rifle and its intended use. (i.e. ss vs blued, wood vs synthetic or laminated stock, purpose; target, hunting, open country, mountain rifle, brush gun, etc., length of barrel, and blind magazine, or drop floor plate or detachable magazine, and open sight or clean barrel)
 
22 cal up to 500 Jeffery. Your question needs to have some kind of explanation as to what your intentions are e.g target shooting, hunting, budgets, etc.
 
Tikka is best value. X-bolts are just as good IMO as well, but I like the tikka mags better.

I really like my Steyr though, and sold the Tikka, but didn't need two in the same caliber or I would have kept it (T3 hunter)
 
So many choices and such a diverse question. Lots of good responses already.
Often over looked are the single shots actions. Henry, Ruger and Thompson are a few that come to mind immediately. They can accommodate both left and right hand shooters. Have an aura of safety for young shooters as well.
 
My best bud, and my hunting buddy, is a south paw. He used to go to lever, pump, or semi-auto actions since they're not dependent on left or right hand dominant. He was a fan of bolt actions and specifically the .308 platform, but decent rifles in that caliber are only come up once in a while. Another buddy and I went in on gently used LH Savage Mod.11 that I found on the EE. I set him up with a decent Redfield scope and though I handload, he found out-of-the-box accuracy with some commercial ammo he had. Doesn't he nail a nice big 6 pt. buck last year! If budget is a factor, we got him behind that rifle for $600. all in, thanks to some fellow gunnies on the EE. At the end of the day, what do you want? I have a couple of budget rifles that may not be the prettiest things you ever saw but with my handloads, they all print MOA or less.
 
LawrenceN said:
My best bud, and my hunting buddy, is a south paw. He used to go to lever, pump, or semi-auto actions since they're not dependent on left or right hand dominant. He was a fan of bolt actions and specifically the .308 platform, but decent rifles in that caliber are only come up once in a while. Another buddy and I went in on gently used LH Savage Mod.11 that I found on the EE. I set him up with a decent Redfield scope and though I handload, he found out-of-the-box accuracy with some commercial ammo he had. Doesn't he nail a nice big 6 pt. buck last year! If budget is a factor, we got him behind that rifle for $600. all in, thanks to some fellow gunnies on the EE. At the end of the day, what do you want? I have a couple of budget rifles that may not be the prettiest things you ever saw but with my handloads, they all print MOA or less.
Click to expand...


Ditto on the above. There are plenty of “ambidextrous” choices out there so bide yer time and pick the best deal that fits yer budget.
 
i have had few different rifles since i was able to purchase rifles. zastava, steyr, heym, tikka, ruger, weatherby, winchester ... there is no good or bad depending what you want, need and fit.

define the use and you will find the tool needed.
 
Hi batmanlandry

I think BlackRam summed up things really well. I’ve also shot the Savages and Axis in left hand models. They are excellent shooters with excellent triggers (Accutrigger). The downside is their high bolt lift. You’ll often whack your fingers on the scope if you don’t get high/extra high rings etc. Also, the Savages seem to have a long separation between the scope mounts which can impact scope ring placement and eye alignment distance. I’ve often had to get extension rings so that the scope comes back far enough.
I’ve also owned and shot a Remington 700 BDL too. Nice looking wood. Same bolt lift issues, and worse trigger IMO.
I still have one old Savage 110L that will always stay with me ... but if I were to buy another lefty it would not be a Savage for the reasons mentioned above. I’d stick with a rifle that offers a 60-70% bolt lift.
Tikka/Sako or Browning would be my recommendation. If you’re going for magnum caliber, the Tikka lites, A7, AB3 or any other plastic (cheaper) model is going to kick.

Happy shopping!
 
I’ve owned over the years:

CZ’s
Remington 700’s and 788’s
Ruger
Savage11,110,116, Axis
Sako AV
Tikka
Weatherby Mark V
Winchester
Zastava

They all had their pros and cons.

Today my 26’06 AV Sako is lonely, but it’ll see daylight soon.
39ljy8T.jpg


My current Rem700 is a .280AI, and it’s been my elk slayer for a few seasons.
UDPksNW.jpg


Ive got 2 Rem 788’s
The first is in .284Win.
92VXBQ0.jpg


My other is a .260 Rem.
aLuBvlo.jpg


My latest little project is a Savage 11, in .308.
nFB26Rq.jpg


I’ve also got a Rem 700 VLS in 22-250.
A Rem 700 SPS Varmint in .243Win.
A CZ 452 American in .22RF
A Savage 9317 in 17HMR.

We won’t get into the ambi stuff at this time except maybe this one:
ya3zIOJ.jpg
 
Last edited:
Shotgun, Browning BPS 20 ga slug gun. Bottom ejects with a top tang safety or bolt action Savage.
Rifle bench, Ruger PR RH. With a bipod you can tuck your RH under the butt firing and cycle the action. Supposed to be an awesome platform.
Rifle Hunting, Tikka LH or a pump action if you're right handed shooting left.
 
I like the Browning and Sako brands and one can save a bit if you don't mind a used rifle. We can't knock Savage for accuracy but that high bolt throw means higher rings. Never owned a Ruger center fire rifle so I have no comment on them. Tikka is good but usually on the light side. I've owned a Remington BDL and it was a nice looking rifle but I had other rifles from other brands that were better shooters. CZ does a good job on producing LH rimfire rifles but are limited in Center fire production rifles. I think that the Browning BPS shotgun is very left hand oriented and they can be taken out on rough hunts without a hitch. Ruger and Winchester make decent single shot rifles - but they are pricey. If you hold one of the newer Browning BLR you will find that there is a palm swell that is carved in favor of the right handed shooter. But it's not impossible to shoot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom