Best left hand bolt action in .30-06?
- Thread starter CV32
- Start date
- Location
- Lloydminster
Price range?
A Cooper Model 52 Classic or Jackson is attractive, for sure, but $2,000 is probably a bit more than I'm prepared to put up.
A Sako 75 might fit the bill nicely, but I realize that might be hard to find nowadays.
I guess it all depends and what you are planning on doing (hunting, target, long range, etc..) The biggest problem I ran into is getting L/H rifles, they are in short supply (Yes I know most large dealers carry some, but never what are exactly looking for) It is always compromise when shopping for a L/H rifles unless you want to wait.
Anyways, I have 2 Tikkas T3's - a T3 Stainless Lite in .270 win and a T3 Stainless Varmint in .308 win., both are great rifles, super accurate, 1/2 moa right out of the box, great bolt and a adjustable trigger, what else do you want in a rifle? My only complaint for the T3 Lite, is it is really light, and once you add some optics it feels very front heavy ( I have a Ziess Conquest 4.4-14x50 - which weighs in at 20 oz) and a bit out of balance - with a lighter 3x9 scope it may not be an issue.
I really wanted a T3 tactical in .308 win, but not offered in in L/H, the other great option is Remington 700 which offers a variety in L/H, the SPS it a great rifle if you are looking for a heavy barrel, plus lots of aftermarket support for R/H Remington's, but stock options again will be limited for L/H rifles, so it may not even be a issue.
/cl
Anyways, I have 2 Tikkas T3's - a T3 Stainless Lite in .270 win and a T3 Stainless Varmint in .308 win., both are great rifles, super accurate, 1/2 moa right out of the box, great bolt and a adjustable trigger, what else do you want in a rifle? My only complaint for the T3 Lite, is it is really light, and once you add some optics it feels very front heavy ( I have a Ziess Conquest 4.4-14x50 - which weighs in at 20 oz) and a bit out of balance - with a lighter 3x9 scope it may not be an issue.
I really wanted a T3 tactical in .308 win, but not offered in in L/H, the other great option is Remington 700 which offers a variety in L/H, the SPS it a great rifle if you are looking for a heavy barrel, plus lots of aftermarket support for R/H Remington's, but stock options again will be limited for L/H rifles, so it may not even be a issue.
/cl
MuleyMadness
Regular
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
I'm a lefty, have shot a ton of rifles....Sako 75 is the finest left hand I have come across as well, but they are hard to find. Next up is gonna be a Tikka T3, and then a good ole model 700. Not the ###iest choices I know, but they all function well, and the first two for sure will shoot fantastic right out the box. My main rig right now is a Tikka T3, and I can't say enough good things about it. Yes it's not gonna win pretty rifle of the year, but it's a tool...a tool that can shoot better then I am capable of, and put a round through a flea's ass at 300 yards..or close enough no moose or deer will ever know the difference. Plus for the money, there is no more accurate, nor nicer handling bolt out there.
The new .30-06 would be for hunting. I already have three Tikka T3's, a couple of right hands (including a .30-06) and a lefty .223. I have nothing bad to say about them, except the T3 Lite is perhaps a bit too light for the .30-06. This is the only reason I would even think of looking for a different brand, and perhaps in large part why the Sako appeals to me.
I agree t3 lite is lite for 30-06, and they don't offer laminate in left hand... I have a 300 wsm in T3 Hunter (walnut) and it is noticeably heavier feeling than the lite.... try one out, 30-06 and 300 wsm aren't much to compare in recoil.... get a good pad and the hunter left hand would be perfect.
Lefty
I'm a lefty as well, I had a heck of a time finding the "RIGHT" gun. I wanted a 7mm rem mag or a 30-06. the short list was the t3, ruger m77 mkii or hawkeye, or the buckmark stainless stalker. price and availability were the 2 deciding factors. I eneded up with the m77 mkii in a 7mm rem mag. black laminated stock stainless barrel. it was the best looking rig. but not quite the best functioning gun. a trigger job is forthcoming.
I'm a lefty as well, I had a heck of a time finding the "RIGHT" gun. I wanted a 7mm rem mag or a 30-06. the short list was the t3, ruger m77 mkii or hawkeye, or the buckmark stainless stalker. price and availability were the 2 deciding factors. I eneded up with the m77 mkii in a 7mm rem mag. black laminated stock stainless barrel. it was the best looking rig. but not quite the best functioning gun. a trigger job is forthcoming.
What matters most and defines 'best' to you? What features are important? Exp., detach mag, out of the box trigger, finish, CroMO or SS......
When I 're-jigged' my rifle line-up to a 223, 30-06 and 375, the 30-06 that stayed was a LH SS M77MII. It was 'workable' out of the box and very accurate. But now is bedded in a B&C stock w/ a adjustable Timney trigger, cause I can't resist tinkering.
I kept the Ruger over the others because it had features and the fit for me. Having owned many of the brands available to us southpaws ( if you can call the available brands 'many'
) I've come to know what I prefer in a hunting rifle, CRF, SS, 3 position safety, 'simple' trigger design.......The new Hawkeyes are nice, much better stock than the MII. Also, the M700 CDL is a gooder. Or a lightly used M70 Classic. Or a lightly used Sako (good luck with that one). Cash flow permitting the Coopers are nice.
Good luck. Let us know what you go with.
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I like the Remington's. The 700 is available in both long and short action LH, they fit me well right out of the box and you can get all kinds of accessories for them. In addition, you can fine tune them for some real precision! My LH 700 in .308 will shoot in the 1’s and 2’s all day, although it took a bunch of cash to make it do that. Out of the box it was a ¾” rifle.
left hand bolts
I've have/had left hand remington SA 700, ruger 77 mk II converted to controlled feed, savage 10 flp and winchester 70 classic.
By far the best hunting rifle was the 70 classic stainless (controlled feed) in 300 wm, it just needed a composite stock. Best cycling, simplest trouble free trigger, accurate enough, handled well...one of those never-should-have-sold rifles.
The Mdl 77 ruger was the toughest beat-about-piece with P.O.S. ramline stock. Accuracy was so-so with crappy factory bbl. (oversize till 4 inches from muzzle then choked down several thou.) but cycled well and I modified the stock some to fit better.
Best consistent accuracy has been the savage (.5-.7).
Spent a bunch of money on the 700, shilen select match barrel, jewel trigger, tubs lug, trued, blueprinted, bedded composite stock, blah blah blah... the stock savage still shoots better.
I've never shot a Tikka but have a hard time getting past plastic feel.
Sako is ok but you get the similiar solid mounted scope set up on the ruger, which is modifiable to (or comes with) controlled feed, and solid, easily disassembled bolt for much less money...the Alaskans look great as hunting rifles if they came in left hand.
So it depends on what you want, hunting or accuracy.
If it helps, all the big game hunting I do now is with a Marlin Guide 1895 in 45-70. This is only if you reload, factory loads are pretty useless for what I want.
I've have/had left hand remington SA 700, ruger 77 mk II converted to controlled feed, savage 10 flp and winchester 70 classic.
By far the best hunting rifle was the 70 classic stainless (controlled feed) in 300 wm, it just needed a composite stock. Best cycling, simplest trouble free trigger, accurate enough, handled well...one of those never-should-have-sold rifles.
The Mdl 77 ruger was the toughest beat-about-piece with P.O.S. ramline stock. Accuracy was so-so with crappy factory bbl. (oversize till 4 inches from muzzle then choked down several thou.) but cycled well and I modified the stock some to fit better.
Best consistent accuracy has been the savage (.5-.7).
Spent a bunch of money on the 700, shilen select match barrel, jewel trigger, tubs lug, trued, blueprinted, bedded composite stock, blah blah blah... the stock savage still shoots better.
I've never shot a Tikka but have a hard time getting past plastic feel.
Sako is ok but you get the similiar solid mounted scope set up on the ruger, which is modifiable to (or comes with) controlled feed, and solid, easily disassembled bolt for much less money...the Alaskans look great as hunting rifles if they came in left hand.
So it depends on what you want, hunting or accuracy.
If it helps, all the big game hunting I do now is with a Marlin Guide 1895 in 45-70. This is only if you reload, factory loads are pretty useless for what I want.
The enlightened leftys shoot these.
Gross.
The enlightened leftys shoot these.
What, your other favorite victims chase you away with their railed/Eoteced/flashlighted 12" 870s?
I actually don't mind that one, for a pump. 35 Whelen? It'd not be kicked outta my safe..... though it'd be a little lonely in amongst the bolts.
Must get your attention when it goes off, with no recoil pad to speak of....
