Options for lefties?

[CV32]

I know my factory rifle options are limited, but I will ask anyway.

And, of course, there's the custom build option. What action? What smith?

Leaning toward either 6.5x55mm (or 6.5AI) or .300WM. Something for all around long range shooting.

 

[Obtunded]

Virtually all custom actions can be got in a left bolt configuration. I must be honest with you.... as a right handed prone shooter, I would LOVE to have a leftie action. It makes so much sense to me to keep your dominant hand welded and keep your eye reielf consistent while your non-dominant hand cycles the action.

To me, you lefties have the best of all worlds!

As to caliber, there is no right or wrong answer. CyaN1de proved last weekend that a good shooter with a 6mmBR can still put 6.5, 6.8 and 7mm shooters to shame at 900M. Likewise a goot shooter using slow, mediocre 30 cal bullets can whoop 223's with velocity and good ballistics. It all boils down to the shooter.

I would stay away from a 300WM, because the ballistics of most 30 cal bullets sucks. The 6.5 Swede is a great choice, and so is the venerable 260 Remington.

In F-Class, the trend has swung towards heavy 7mm bullets, but a 6.5 (or even a 6mm) in the hands of a good shooter can kick the butt of a mediocre 7mm shooter any day.

Heavy recoil is not at all desirable in long range precision shooting.

 

[CV32]

Virtually all custom actions can be got in a left bolt configuration. I must be honest with you.... as a right handed prone shooter, I would LOVE to have a leftie action. It makes so much sense to me to keep your dominant hand welded and keep your eye reielf consistent while your non-dominant hand cycles the action. To me, you lefties have the best of all worlds! As to caliber, there is no right or wrong answer. CyaN1de proved last weekend that a good shooter with a 6mmBR can still put 6.5, 6.8 and 7mm shooters to shame at 900M. Likewise a goot shooter using slow, mediocre 30 cal bullets can whoop 223's with velocity and good ballistics. It all boils down to the shooter. I would stay away from a 300WM, because the ballistics of most 30 cal bullets sucks. The 6.5 Swede is a great choice, and so is the venerable 260 Remington. In F-Class, the trend has swung towards heavy 7mm bullets, but a 6.5 (or even a 6mm) in the hands of a good shooter can kick the butt of a mediocre 7mm shooter any day. Heavy recoil is not at all desirable in long range precision shooting.

Thanks for the advice. So where would you turn to start building a 6.5x55 for a lefty?

 

[Cpt.Flan]

Cheers.

 

[beltfed]

For a custom build I'd go with a left bolt throw with a right eject.
For an out of the box gun with that option, I'd look to the Blazer LRS 2 with a left bolt.

 

[Obtunded]

Thanks for the advice. So where would you turn to start building a 6.5x55 for a lefty?

Assuming you want a custom action, the two that are readily available are the Barnard and the PRA actions.

It also depends on your purpose. If you are looking for a repeater, Montana actions are available. Barnard is handled by CGN and shooting sponsor Robertson Composites. You'll need to google the other two.

Savage makes a target action as well. They are not my cup of tea, but you may find them perfectly suited for your purposes.

 

[Suputin]

I know my factory rifle options are limited, but I will ask anyway.

Why are your options limited. You can use any rifle action on the planet. Adapt and overcome.

I am a lefty and use exclusively right hand rifles.

Ed Zachary! The problem with left handed rifles is when you decide to sell them. We lefties, being only 15% of the population need to learn to adapt to our right handed world.

 

[CV32]

Why are your options limited. You can use any rifle action on the planet. Adapt and overcome.

Most of my current rifles are right hand action, and I shoot them just fine. But I prefer left hand.

 

[GRiNGo]

If you want factory, a good start is Tikka T3 varmint left hand. Great shooting out of the box.

 

[Satain]

http://www.albertatacticalrifle.com/firearms.html
Custom Left Hand .308 Win:

LH Stiller Predator action, fully dressed McMillan A5 stock, 26" Rock Creek 5R stainless barrel, Jewel trigger,
ATRS detachable bottom metal.

 

[CV32]

http://www.albertatacticalrifle.com/firearms.html
Custom Left Hand .308 Win:

LH Stiller Predator action, fully dressed McMillan A5 stock, 26" Rock Creek 5R stainless barrel, Jewel trigger,
ATRS detachable bottom metal.

I like many of the choices that went into building this one (was selling for close to $5K, and noted as "sold", I see), excepting the caliber. I am pretty much gunning for 6.5x55 or 6.5AI at this point.

 

[wapitiwhacker]

Why don't you shoot juanvaldez at Northshore barrels a PM? He imports Pierce custom actions (available in LH) and builds customs for folks. Any customers who have posted results seem very happy.

 

[LongDraw]

I've built 6 or so lefties on Remington actions and another couple on Stillers. I believe the new Stillers are all one piece bolts, nice feature for the price of their actions.

 

[CV32]

I've built 6 or so lefties on Remington actions and another couple on Stillers. I believe the new Stillers are all one piece bolts, nice feature for the price of their actions.

Care to elaborate on your experience? What worked best? Anything that you wouldn't do again?

 

[CV32]

Okay, so Barnard and others can produce left hand actions. Great.

How about the stock? Just as readily available to lefties? And I am thinking of the 'tactical' style (as much as I dislike using that word) rather than F class.

 

[Skyllz]

Being a hardcore leftie, I will agree with some other comments on top about using a right handed rifle being very easy. I love being able to cycle the bolt without having to change my grip or move my head. As long as the stock is ambidextreous of course. Most are unless you get into special purposes rifles(target, thumbhole, F class style).

Enough that I almost regret getting my Savage BVTLSS in lefty now that I have shot both sides enough.

 

[CV32]

Being a hardcore leftie, I will agree with some other comments on top about using a right handed rifle being very easy. I love being able to cycle the bolt without having to change my grip or move my head. As long as the stock is ambidextreous of course.

Hmm, a good point. Do most folks agree that being able to maintain the cheek weld and grip (by shooting wrong handed) negate any advantage that might be gained by switching to the more natural left hand action?

 

[gristle111]

I agree with the right bolt for a lefty in a bechrest rig. But prone off the elbows might be a problem for working a bolt. Works great for a heavy barreled savage 22. Also like having a good visual of the action for loading and single shell feeding.

Hmm, a good point. Do most folks agree that being able to maintain the cheek weld and grip (by shooting wrong handed) negate any advantage that might be gained by switching to the more natural left hand action?

 

[Shooter ----/]

I just had a lefty custom built and I can say that the right hand rifle benefits are nice BUT having a custom rifle made with your choice of parts in the correct hand is a wonderful feeling. Also shooting prone does change things and a left bolt does work better for a lefty shooter.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

I like many of the choices that went into building this one (was selling for close to $5K, and noted as "sold", I see), excepting the caliber. I am pretty much gunning for 6.5x55 or 6.5AI at this point.

We can build something like this in virtually any caliber and certainly both that you mention. Some of the options on that build could not be used, like the AICS mag as they do not make a mag to fit the calibers you are looking at.
We even build left handed 50 BMGs