Lefty Rifle Option Opinions Savage/Sako/?

S

Smithwess

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Okay, I have a left handed Savage Axis .270 win with a Rifle Basix trigger and Bushnell Trophy XLT 3-9x40 with the multi-x reticle. It performs alright, 1.5 MOA average, the scope is surprisingly good in low light for the price. The biggest issue I have with the rifle is the magazine, it has an issue where the round is angled upwards, the back of the case is not pushed to the top of the magazine occasionally which causes the bolt to just slide over the cartridge without grabbing the bottom of the case. Also there is the potential the magazine does not seat properly and simply falls out when you work the action thinking it has seated. I've been looking at upgrades to the Axis (pillar bedding/metal replacement parts/Boyds AT-One stock) but am not seeing anything as far as bottom metal/magazine upgrades go and don't really want to keep the rifle with the magazine issues present, let alone dump money into upgrading it for accuracy and comfort but it being just as unreliable as it is now.

I have always liked the lefty Sako's since i fell in love with a Sako 85 Hunter at Wholesale Sports (R.I.P), I may just look at getting a Sako, whether it be the Bavarian/Hunter/Finnlight II(brand new check it out!). I really like .270 Win and will likely stick to the cartridge for whatever hunting rifle I get IF I need to replace the Axis.

So pretty much do you have any ideas/knowledge/opinions on what to do or what may be available or what you would do?Note: The Axis was a gift and was my first new rifle, it has some level of sentimental value but not enough for me to keep it if I won't use it but enough for me to dump more than the value of the rifle into it if it can become what I want it to be.
 
Smithwess said:
I have a Tikka T3 Varmint .223 rem and don't want another Tikka. Not because I don't like Tikka but because I love variety, don't have any interest in owning 2 of the same model.
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Tikkas are great and the bolt moves as smoothly as corn through a goose. If it's variety you want, there is also Browning, Remington, Savage and Ruger among mass manufacturers.
 
MDT has chassis systems for the Axis, I have my left hand Axis .308 resting in an MDT LSS Chassis with a Nikon Buckmaster 4-12x optic........I couldn't pick another gun to settle on so I just changed out the stock and I'm very happy.

5, 10 and 12 round capacity detachable magazines are available for the rifle as well.


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Grove said:
MDT has chassis systems for the Axis, I have my left hand Axis .308 resting in an MDT LSS Chassis with a Nikon Buckmaster 4-12x optic........I couldn't pick another gun to settle on so I just changed out the stock and I'm very happy.

5, 10 and 12 round capacity detachable magazines are available for the rifle as well.
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Awesome setup but I don't believe the mag conversions are available for long action.
 
Smithwess said:
I have always liked the lefty Sako's since i fell in love with a Sako 85 Hunter at Wholesale Sports (R.I.P), I may just look at getting a Sako, whether it be the Bavarian/Hunter/Finnlight II(brand new check it out!). I really like .270 Win and will likely stick to the cartridge for whatever hunting rifle I get IF I need to replace the Axis.
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My lefty Sako 75 is a keeper.
 
Smithwess said:
I have always liked the lefty Sako's since i fell in love with a Sako 85 Hunter at Wholesale Sports (R.I.P), I may just look at getting a Sako, whether it be the Bavarian/Hunter/Finnlight II(brand new check it out!). I really like .270 Win and will likely stick to the cartridge for whatever hunting rifle I get IF I need to replace the Axis.
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If Sako is in the budget and what you really want, you should go that route. Just know they have well documented potential ejection/scope mount compatibility problems and Berretta doesn't consider it to be a warranty issue.

If Sako is budget realistic, maybe also consider some smaller manufacturers who are making LH rifles? Christensen, Montana, etc.
 
As a lefty, I have had a savage 16 and a tikka, the tikka was much better, thought the savage was accurate.

The bolt just wasnt smooth enough on the stainless savage, if you tried to cycle it fast it would bind if you didn't push perfectly straight forward, i tried polishing it up with lapping compound, didnt make any difference, best chance would have been a coating.

Didnt like the 90 degree bolt lift, I made my own bolt handles from 6061 in a CAD file and had them waterjet to lower the angle of the bolt handle. I did notice the bolt lift but it wasnt a deal breaker, and i did do the bearing bolt lift thing, it made very little to no difference.

The tang safety was the eventual deal breaker, pulled the trigger on a really nice bull elk, didnt go bang, safety was only half off, and that beautiful animal took off while I was trying to figure out if I had a round in the action.

Had a tikka hunter after that and it was much better, only sold it as i bought a steyr model M in the same caliber, and didnt need two, but the tikka was superior to the savage in so many ways.
 
Tikkas are kind of lame but frustratingly good at everything. They usually make my fancy guns look bad. Probably your best bang for the buck in the lefty market.


I do have a Christensen Mesa that stacks accubonds into the same hole all day long. So I’d second littleboyleftys recommendation there.
 
Smithwess said:
Awesome setup but I don't believe the mag conversions are available for long action.
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I went on their website and it appears the left hand chassis for the Axis in LA or SA are no longer listed on their website............what a shame but it was probably not a big seller.
 
I own/have owned a lot of odd ball factory chambered left handed rifles in a lot of different makes and models. The older Tikka M65/M55 and then tbe M595/M695 are my prefered tikka, currently I do own a T3 Hunter in .260 rem, but the T3 lacks the quality feeling that the older Tikkas had. Lately I have been playing with the older Browning A-Bolt 1 and A-Bolt 2 rifles, at first I didnt like the removable hinged mag, but the more i play with it, the more I like it. Unless I was buying an older Sako in a LH, I wouldn't go near them. I find that the current production Sako LH rifles cost a lot of money for what you get.... And if you're really lucky, an older Winchester model 70 LH would be a great choice. No matter What you decide to go with, expect to pay a lot, that just seems how LH guns are now....
 
As accurate as the Savage's are, I just can't grow fond of them.
Been a Remington, Browning and Sako fan for years.
I have a few customized lefthand Rem 700's and Ruger 77's. Also have a customized lh Browning X Bolt. Have owned Browning A Bolts, but never a lefty. I actually liked the hinged floorplate and detachable magazine. Found them to shoot very well too, usually sub-MOA. Now have a lh Tikka T3 in 338 Federal. Have only been to the range once with it to sight it in. So far so good, but need to try some other loads to see what it really likes (shot the 200 Fusion ammo, previous owner stated that the rifle shot very well with the 180 gr AccuBond ammo)
One of my favourite rifles is a customized lh Sako AV. Great rifle, smooth action and very accurate.
I have read that others have had ejection problems with the Sako 85's, but I have two now, and have not had any issues. Love these rifles. Sub-MOA (1/2") performance with factory ammo. Looking forward to seeing how much better I can do with handloads. Very smooth actions, you just won't find on any Ruger, Winchester, Browning, Savage and dare I say, even Remington (at least not without a lot of use and a little lubrication). Good triggers too. Yes, Sako's are pricey compared to other manufactures' rifles, but you do get a lot of rifle for the money. Try building a custom lh rifle with similar features. You'll be about a $1000 more! Rifles from Christenson or Proof are going to be even more! Had a lh Montana action I was going to build a custom rifle on, but it was fairly heavy and not very smooth. Definitely rugged though. Sold it and went with another LH Sako 85 Hunter in 9.3x62. Do not regret that decision!
There is a LH Sako 85 Hunter in 270 listed on EE that would save you several hundred dollars over new price, if you want to take the plunge (no, not mine! LOL). Hope this helps!
Best of luck in your quest!
 
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