Advise for a big game rifle?

'09fxdb

'09fxdb

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Heart's Delight, Newfoundland
Here's my dilemma...I'm right handed but I shoot left handed so that leaves out a left handed bolt action (though I have hunted successfully with a Lee Enfield .303 but it is very awkward). Thing is, I'm looking to buy a hunting rifle for moose hunting in Newfoundland (we have no deer :() and my choices are semi, pump, lever or single shot. I have also hunted successfully with my Model 94 but I would like a bit more power. Been reading up on the BLR, the BAR, the 7600, the Savage 99, the 7400 and even a good dedicated slug gun. The calibers I am considering are .30-06, .308 and .270. Something with good knock down power in the 100 to 300 yd. range. Not looking to pit anyone against each other but I'm sure there is somebody here with some good advise. Thanks for taking the time to read this short story...Bill
 
Get another model 94 in 307 or 375. I think there is even a 307 on the local classifieds. If not I would go with a Browning BLR or BAR.
 
Bill, ..... if you don't want a leftie bolt gun, look for a good used Remington 7400 in .30-06. With so many premium bullets widely avaliable today it's a great standard caliber moose cartridge. Try out winchesters supreme XP3's 180s, with nearly 2300ftlbs energy at 300yds and over 2000 fps still remaining at 300yds, it will deliver the bottled meat nicely within your specified ranges.

I have had 2 7400s over the years and both were very reliable and accurate. I purchased the 7400 '06 from a co-worker as a deer gun for my son and got it for 350 dollars with scope mounted! A deadly combo on NFLD moose and won't break the bank either.

There are alot of combos that will work, but having owned all the calibers and actions you are asking about, and your right handed/ shooting left problem,it seems a great value in a moose rifle for the Rock.:wave:
 
please explain why you are right handed but shoot leftie? I am right handed but left eye dominant and it is WAAAAAYYYY easier to just shoot right and use my weak eye than try to screw around southpaw
 
Sakonut said:
please explain why you are right handed but shoot leftie? I am right handed but left eye dominant and it is WAAAAAYYYY easier to just shoot right and use my weak eye than try to screw around southpaw
Click to expand...

My Father has a problem closing his left eye only to aim for a right handed gun so he had to learn to shoot left handed...I learned to shoot from him over 45 years ago and the rest is history. I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks after all. It's not a big deal as I adapted very well to it and I am a decent shot. Just can't get the bolt action down pat. The Canadian Armed Forces accommodated me back in '77, I had to do all the handling and drills right handed but when I shot, I just moved the FN-C1 rifle to my left shoulder. Whew...another long winded story..shoulda' been a writer :)...Bill
 
I have a friend who is kind of the same way due to an accident where his index finger was removed. Still does everything as a right hander, except squeeze the trigger. The most comfortable thing for him was to just switch to a single shot encore.
 
T/C Pro Hunter in .270 or .30-06.

.270 if you like lighter recoil, .30-06 if you want the option of heavier bullets.

Or just get two barrels and have fun with both.
 
I am right handed and was right eye dominant until I had a right eye accident as a teenager. I had shot thousands and thousands of rounds prior to my accident and then had to switch to lefty. Once you get used to operating a bolt with your left hand I don't think you will have much of a problem. Just need to practice as it will feel unnatural for awhile.
 
:agree:

My dad is right handed but has been blind in his right eye since he was a kid. So obviously he is left eye dominant. He uses right handed bolt guns shooting on his left shoulder all the time. He always has, and he's been shooting for 50 years. His left hand is on the trigger, and he works the bolt with his right hand. He does have to pull his face from the stock to work the bolt, but he's quick and in a fast follow-up situation he's just as fast as anyone.

Once a couple years ago we both had buck and doe tags [we had a total of 7 tags between us actually]. He came over a hill looking into a deep coulee, and there were 3 whitetail, and they saw him just as he saw them. He shot the buck first, then had to turn about 45 degrees, and nailed the doe. The shots were like 1.5 seconds apart. It was some impressive field shooting.

The only guns he has an issue with are muzzle loaders. He doesn't like the powder burns from the priming pans right next to his face.

So with a bit of practice shooting a right hand bolt gun on the left side will become as natural as anything.

But if you want to use a lever or a pump or something, then go ahead; they're good guns too. Just don't think you're limited to only those, because you're not.
 
I'm left handed and have hunted with all types of rifles. Left hand bolts, right hand bolts, pumps, levers and muzzle loaders. My favorite are levers, and front loaders. My present collection includes model 94 in 30-30 and 356, and Savage 99s in 300 savage and 308. My all time favorite is the 99F in 300 savage. Light, easy to carry, more than enough power for most big game, with a very quick follow up second shot. Try one on for size you might like it.
 
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