Left Handed Hunting and Target Rifles

M

MinuteOfBarn

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Simcoe County, ON
This is for all the lefties out there. Other than the obligatory Tikka T3X comment, what are some of the left handed rifles you have tried?

From the best to the worst, the least expensive to the most, let’s hear/see them all.

I’ll start with my Savage 110 Apex Storm in 308, a Burris Signature HD, and the trigger turned all the way down. It’s a very nice shooter and has been effective in the field. I especially like the adjustable stock and trigger weight. It also likes to shoot Federal Premium rounds in 165gr coming in under 1 moa. It also shoots cheap PMC relatively accurately as well which is nice.
 
Have a couple of unusal lefties, a Remington 788 308, Carl Gustaf in 25-06 and 300 win mag.
Had a CZ 527 in 223 that I had bought new.
Also have a 7.62x39 and 6.5x55 Zastava.
For my rifles I'm going to be working up loads for them.
The 25-06 going to be running 85 gr varmit and 120 partitions.
The 6.5x55 have some Norma 130 gr golden dot farget bullets that I'm going to try.

Probably my cheapest rifles and the 2 Zastavas, bought them for around 350 each, lucked out :D

Most expensive is probably my CZ, bought it new but onsale from wolverine in 2018.
 
Been running a Browning A bolt 2 lefty Stainless in .300 WinMag for the past 26 years.Utterly reliable accurate rifle. Love it. Have a lefty T3x as well of course and a Browning BLR which is great for lefty shooters.. Oh and a lefty Savage Tactical in 6.5 CM . Most accurate rifle I have ever owned. Wished the Tikka shot as well..
 
REM 788 (3)
REM 700 (7)
Sako AV (2)
Savage 11/110 (3)
Savage Axis (1)
Zastava M70 (1)
Tikka T3 (1)
Ruger American (1)
Ruger M77 Mk II (1)
Winchester Model 70 (2)

That’s the true lefthand bolts, there’s been a healthy smattering of ambidextrous actions like levers, pumps, semis, and single shots too.
 
Last edited:
MilitaryCollectorMark said:
Have a couple of unusal lefties, a Remington 788 308, Carl Gustaf in 25-06 and 300 win mag.
Had a CZ 527 in 223 that I had bought new.
Also have a 7.62x39 and 6.5x55 Zastava.
For my rifles I'm going to be working up loads for them.
The 25-06 going to be running 85 gr varmit and 120 partitions.
The 6.5x55 have some Norma 130 gr golden dot farget bullets that I'm going to try.

Probably my cheapest rifles and the 2 Zastavas, bought them for around 350 each, lucked out :D

Most expensive is probably my CZ, bought it new but onsale from wolverine in 2018.
Click to expand...

I’ve been looking for one of those Zastavas in 6.5x55 for years! Very interesting gun and not bad for how inexpensive they are.
 
Was looking at left hand bolt guns a few years back trying to decide which were my top 3, after handling a handful the Ruger scout, Rem 700ltr and Browning Xbolt were my top 3. I handled Ruger, Rem, Browning, Savage, Tikka and possibly one other, all were nice but some were nicer or fit me better than other's.

Only one had every feature I was looking for and that was the Ruger, I wanted something stainless, laminate stock, good irons with a scope mount as an option, box mag and 18”-20” barrel.
 
custom Ruger in 7X57
custom LH Mauser in 280 Rem
Browning A Bolt medallion in 280 Rem
Savage in 223
Custom Savage in 280 Rem, stainless and plastic
Winchester Model 70 Classic in 7MM mag
Remington model 700 in 7mm mag

Love them all. All are great rifles and great shooters. The custom Mauser is the newest member of the group. Had another Browning in 30.06 but gave it to one of my sons. He thinks it is a great rifle and I agree. All but the Mauser have taken game. Can you tell that I like 7mm bullets?
 
Last edited:
Rem 700 in 308 a couple years ago.
My hunting rifle is a Browing XBolt in 30-06 and I got a left handed thumb hole custom stock on it (LOVE it!).
My latest is a Tikka T3 in 223.

It makes for faster follow up shots, but I can accommodate any right handed rifle (besides bullpups!).
 
I’ll not mention my Tikkas for now ;)

I did have a savage 110 as my first rifle and a buddy of mine still owns it :)

I also used to own a Christensen Arms Mesa in 6.5 PRC nice and lightweight but ended up selling when I could switch back to a Tikka.

Outside of that I haven’t strayed to far from what works for me :) I do plan to build a custom soon of a Pristine Action as they not offer lefties.

B
 
Have had multiple Winchester 70 li LH 3006, 270wsm , 7 WSM & 300wsm all sold at times of weekness.
Ruger 77 LH in 270,3006 SS laminate.
Carlgustaf in 270 that was sold in times of weekness.
Multiple Tikka T3 all were accurate but couldn't warm up to the stocks.
Multiple Browning's X bolts and A Bolt's great shooting all of them fit was excellent don't know why I sold them.
Remington model 700s almost all varieties and Cal's in left hand.Fit and accuracy was as good one could ever want.
Savage 10s & 110s , 116 114
At present time.
Anshutz .22
Remington 700 ks in 2506
Remington xcr 3006 in McMillan edge.
Remington SS short action switch barrel 22-250 , 7mm08
Tikka T1X LH
All left hand bolts. Those are the the ones I remember probably missed some too
 
I have several left handed bolt action rifles, both factory and custom/semi-custom:
Factory:
B-14R LH Trainer Rifle Carbon Fibre in 22LR - still need to ring it out and learn how to use a FFP scope for rimfire PRS
LH Sako 85 Hunters in 6.5x55 and 9.3x62 - beautiful, accurate rifles! (Just a little heavy)
LH Browning X Bolt Micro Hunter in 270 WSM - will be rebarreled to 6.5 PRC and restocked for my longer LOP
LH Steyr Mannlicher Model M FS in 270 Win - just got home and need to find scope to try out
Semi Custom:
LH Rem 700 CDL rebarreled to 250AI
LH Browning X Bolt All Weather rebarreled to 6.5 Creedmoor
LH Rem 700 XCR rebarreled to 280 Rem (smoothest untouched factory Rem action I have ever handled)
LH Sako 85 Finnlight II rebarreled to 338 Federal
LH Ruger Model 77 MkII rebarreled to 416 Taylor
Custom:
LH Sako AV in 7MM STW with MacLennan fluted SS barrel and Fajen nutmeg laminate stock
LH Rem 700 in 300 WSM with King barrel and Wenig pepper laminate stock
LH Rem 700 in 338-06 with King barrel and Wenig nutmeg laminate stock
LH Rem 700 in 358 Win with McGowan barrel and Boyds walnut stock
LH Ruger 77 MkII in 376 Steyr with King barrel and Wenig FS pepper laminate stock

I have also owned the following LH bolt actions over the years:
LH Savage 16 Weather Warrior in 6.5x284 Norma
LH Sako Finnbear in 300 Win Mag
LH Rem 700 LSS in 270 Win
LH Rem 700 BDL in 338 Win Mag
LH Sako AV in 338 Win Mag
LH Tikka T3 Lite in 338 Federal
LH Sako L691 Carbine FS in 30-06

My main problem is that I like oddball cartridges and those that not everyone has, which is an added challenge for a lefty!!!
So in many instances I am forced to customize or rebarrel factory rifles and actions to get what I want. Is a lot of fun, and adds to the experience when you also add handloading the ammunition and then making a rifle shoot even better, and then putting meat on the table for friends and family!
Can be more difficult when it comes time to sell a rifle for a new project...gotta find someone who has the same needs and wants as you! LOL
As far as factory rifles go, I really love the Sako 85 and Browning X Bolt rifles. They have most/all of the features that I am looking for and have found their balance, fit, finish, and accuracy to meet and usually exceed my expectations!
For customizing rifles, Remington is great as there are so many options available! And the finished project usually meets or exceeds my expectations.
To date, I have not replaced any factory trigger, as most once tuned perform very well.

I have also shot the LH Ruger American and was surprised by the accuracy of a budget level rife with Federal blue box ammo (my uncle's atv rifle so he would beat up his LH Ruger 77 Mk II stainless/laminate rifle).
The one that surprised me most by not meeting quality and accuracy expectations, was the Savage Weather Warrior in 6.5x284. I did not keep it long.

I would also like to try out the LH CZ and Sauer rifles. (Have only shot RH CZ's to date).
 
BlackRam said:
I have several left handed bolt action rifles, both factory and custom/semi-custom:
Factory:
B-14R LH Trainer Rifle Carbon Fibre in 22LR - still need to ring it out and learn how to use a FFP scope for rimfire PRS
LH Sako 85 Hunters in 6.5x55 and 9.3x62 - beautiful, accurate rifles! (Just a little heavy)
LH Browning X Bolt Micro Hunter in 270 WSM - will be rebarreled to 6.5 PRC and restocked for my longer LOP
LH Steyr Mannlicher Model M FS in 270 Win - just got home and need to find scope to try out
Semi Custom:
LH Rem 700 CDL rebarreled to 250AI
LH Browning X Bolt All Weather rebarreled to 6.5 Creedmoor
LH Rem 700 XCR rebarreled to 280 Rem (smoothest untouched factory Rem action I have ever handled)
LH Sako 85 Finnlight II rebarreled to 338 Federal
LH Ruger Model 77 MkII rebarreled to 416 Taylor
Custom:
LH Sako AV in 7MM STW with MacLennan fluted SS barrel and Fajen nutmeg laminate stock
LH Rem 700 in 300 WSM with King barrel and Wenig pepper laminate stock
LH Rem 700 in 338-06 with King barrel and Wenig nutmeg laminate stock
LH Rem 700 in 358 Win with McGowan barrel and Boyds walnut stock
LH Ruger 77 MkII in 376 Steyr with King barrel and Wenig FS pepper laminate stock

I have also owned the following LH bolt actions over the years:
LH Savage 16 Weather Warrior in 6.5x284 Norma
LH Sako Finnbear in 300 Win Mag
LH Rem 700 LSS in 270 Win
LH Rem 700 BDL in 338 Win Mag
LH Sako AV in 338 Win Mag
LH Tikka T3 Lite in 338 Federal
LH Sako L691 Carbine FS in 30-06

My main problem is that I like oddball cartridges and those that not everyone has, which is an added challenge for a lefty!!!
So in many instances I am forced to customize or rebarrel factory rifles and actions to get what I want. Is a lot of fun, and adds to the experience when you also add handloading the ammunition and then making a rifle shoot even better, and then putting meat on the table for friends and family!
Can be more difficult when it comes time to sell a rifle for a new project...gotta find someone who has the same needs and wants as you! LOL
As far as factory rifles go, I really love the Sako 85 and Browning X Bolt rifles. They have most/all of the features that I am looking for and have found their balance, fit, finish, and accuracy to meet and usually exceed my expectations!
For customizing rifles, Remington is great as there are so many options available! And the finished project usually meets or exceeds my expectations.
To date, I have not replaced any factory trigger, as most once tuned perform very well.

I have also shot the LH Ruger American and was surprised by the accuracy of a budget level rife with Federal blue box ammo (my uncle's atv rifle so he would beat up his LH Ruger 77 Mk II stainless/laminate rifle).
The one that surprised me most by not meeting quality and accuracy expectations, was the Savage Weather Warrior in 6.5x284. I did not keep it long.

I would also like to try out the LH CZ and Sauer rifles. (Have only shot RH CZ's to date).
Click to expand...

Dang! Nice collection of lefties you have there!

How do you like the FS rifles? One of my dream rifles is a FS in 6.5x55.
 
stag10010942-1-1.webp
 
Tikkas got me into shooting a proper handed rifle. Slowly I'm converting all over to lefties.

T3's in various calibers. Obviously a good gun, nice trigger.
Merkel B4 combo gun. Having the proper cheek rest on this is a really nice experience. I'm glad I waited for a left hand stock. Very much enjoying it.
PGW M15. Just received it from PGW. Feels great, but haven't shot it yet.
 
Love the FS rifles!
Just very rare and very difficult to find in factory form. Have only seen two over the past 38 years, and I bought them both! I built the Ruger into FS.
The Sako was beautiful, just heavy. And I'm not a fan of the 30-06 (as good as it is). Sold it and now found the Steyr Mannlicher. Much lighter rifle.
I too love the 6.5 Swede and wish either was chambered to this (or 9.3x62). THe Sako was offered in both of these calibers, but I have never seen one, or even a photo of one. May never have been imported to North America. I believe the only lh options in the Steyr were 270, 30-06 and 25-06 (or at least that is all I have been able to find in searching online to date).
I almost bought a CZ FS in 6.5x55 (very nice rifles), but haven't as it is/was only available in right hand.
I ordered a LH Sako 85 Bavarian in 9.3x62 but after a few years finally bought the Hunter, as Sako only sends 5 LH Bavarians in 9.3x62 to North America a year, and since they go directly to the US, if their orders eat those 5 rifles up, none make it to Canada. I have even watched for them for sale on GunBroker, but have yet to see one in the past 13 years.

I missed out on a custom Winchester Model 88 in 284 Win with a custom FS stock last year that was absolutely gorgeous! Just didn't have the asking price at the time.
I have a Model 88 rebarreled to 7mm-08 that I want to get a custom FS stock for when I can find the right piece of wood, and a stockmaker that will take on the project. (Inspired by the pair that Joe Balickie built for John Wooters and his wife back in the day!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom