Light weight left handed elk guns, what does a guy buy?

Have you looked at Ruger, they have some left hand bolt offerings. I would like to pick up a LH Ruger gunsite scout in .308, stainless with the synthetic stock is around the 6.5lb mark without ammo.
 
Gunnutz said:
If no one else suggested a Savage 99 in 358 Winchester I will. Leupold 4X scope. Not the easiest to find but if you can find a 70’s model or the 99F you would have a reasonably light and handy rig

I admit I like the 99 ��
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Now you're talking!! Have a look at the gorgeous repro model 71 that Prophet River is selling... Chambered in 348 Winchester. It's an Uberti marketed by Cimmaron. Top drawer quality and a handy hard hitting rifle.

https://store.prophetriver.com/cimarron-pedersoli-348win-m71-premium-lever-action-deluxe-pistol-grip-checkered-walnut-stock-case-hardened-frame-blued-24round-barrel-mfg-sh911/
 
For the OP... I just bought a Brno Effect single shot in 308. It's twist and barrel length (23.5") allow for the use of 180 grainers--I am partial to the Sako Hammerhead line. It weights 6.1 pounds without scope. It will be my under 200 yard Elk rifle. Got a nice Czech made base and rings on order and will likely top it with a VX3. It also doesn't hurt that it has a nice set of walnut. :). I had one before and stupidly sold it. They are true MOA rifles and solidly built.
 
It’s too bad the Remington 660 or 670 were never made in lefties. The 350 RM would be a great mountain elk rig.

In terms of short action rifles, I think the 350RM or 325 WSM would be great candidates for elk that you don’t have to follow a blood trail to find after you shoot.
 
Another suggestion is a ruger m77. My compact in 338rcm weighs in at 7lbs 9oz with a leupold vx2 2-7×33. A very handy little thumper i will be using next year for moose and elk.
 
The Kurgan said:
For the OP... I just bought a Brno Effect single shot in 308. It's twist and barrel length (23.5") allow for the use of 180 grainers--I am partial to the Sako Hammerhead line. It weights 6.1 pounds without scope. It will be my under 200 yard Elk rifle. Got a nice Czech made base and rings on order and will likely top it with a VX3. It also doesn't hurt that it has a nice set of walnut. :). I had one before and stupidly sold it. They are true MOA rifles and solidly built.
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My twin brother hunts with a Ruger no1 in .270 and has intentions of getting a win 1885. So since he shoots a single shot, I can't. We already look the same, so we can't be shooting the same guns!!!

And as much as I love good looking walnut, guns get used, abused and beat around bush hunting elk. It would hurt my soul to kill a beautiful walnut stock in the bush.... so stainless and synthetic is what I am after.
 
gobigorgohome said:
Browning does, but only in the hunter versions and not in the stainless stalker. I'd never buy an x-bolt though, I really don't care for the fit, finish, feel or look of them... I wish browning would have kept making the A-Bolt 1s and 2s, those were mighty fine firearms....
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i love my stainless stalkers. prefer them over my sakos and tikkas. the looks, big trigger guard for gloved hands, safety location, flush mag, there very slender and the lines just flow
 
For a light weight lefty, look at the Christensen Arms Mesa or Ridgeline models. Currently waiting to see if they will make the 6.5PRC in the left handed Ridgeline.
You can also look at the LH Sako 85 Finnlight II.
The Browning X-Bolts are nice, just not as light.
Used to have an A-Bolt Composite Stalker in 280 Rem (rh) back in the day, and have the LH All Weather rebarreled to 6.5 CM now. Haven't weighed it, but it isn't overly heavy.

My latest rifle build was to rebarrel the aforementioned Sako to 338 Federal with a Wilson carbon fibre barrel finished at 22". Mounted a Leupold VX5HD 2-10x42 in Optiloc rings and bases (8 oz). Weighs just over 8 lbs (8 lbs 3 oz with medium rings...just replaced with xtra low rings to bring the scope down closer to the barrel a little more...should shave a bit of weight, just not sure how much yet). The balance of the rifle feels lighter than it is, and is very handy. Should be a joy to carry in the field! (and on the mountain!)

I love the 338 Win Mag and have taken a variety of large game with it, and agree with Boddington that it is the elk cartridge.
Have a LH Sako AV in 338 Win Mag now. Also have a custom LH Rem 700 in 338-06, and both of these bare rifles are definitely heavier than my new 338 federal with the scope.
Since most of my elk have been taken at shorter distances, I do not feel that I will be hindered with the Federal instead of the Magnum in many circumstances.
I have used my BLR in 358 Win on a few elk and it has worked very well.
And I can always carry the magnum if I will be hunting large open areas. (or my custom LH Sako AV in 7MM STW which also weighs in fully outfitted at just over 8 lbs with a laminated stock)
 
TBH... LH Brownings.... or Savages, stainless.... Not a great deal of options.. an None in Ultralight spec...

i went Browning LH Abolt 30-06 finally, found one second hand for $600 aud..... cheeers!
 
BlackRam said:
For a light weight lefty, look at the Christensen Arms Mesa or Ridgeline models. Currently waiting to see if they will make the 6.5PRC in the left handed Ridgeline.
You can also look at the LH Sako 85 Finnlight II.
The Browning X-Bolts are nice, just not as light.
Used to have an A-Bolt Composite Stalker in 280 Rem (rh) back in the day, and have the LH All Weather rebarreled to 6.5 CM now. Haven't weighed it, but it isn't overly heavy.

My latest rifle build was to rebarrel the aforementioned Sako to 338 Federal with a Wilson carbon fibre barrel finished at 22". Mounted a Leupold VX5HD 2-10x42 in Optiloc rings and bases (8 oz). Weighs just over 8 lbs (8 lbs 3 oz with medium rings...just replaced with xtra low rings to bring the scope down closer to the barrel a little more...should shave a bit of weight, just not sure how much yet). The balance of the rifle feels lighter than it is, and is very handy. Should be a joy to carry in the field! (and on the mountain!)

I love the 338 Win Mag and have taken a variety of large game with it, and agree with Boddington that it is the elk cartridge.
Have a LH Sako AV in 338 Win Mag now. Also have a custom LH Rem 700 in 338-06, and both of these bare rifles are definitely heavier than my new 338 federal with the scope.
Since most of my elk have been taken at shorter distances, I do not feel that I will be hindered with the Federal instead of the Magnum in many circumstances.
I have used my BLR in 358 Win on a few elk and it has worked very well.
And I can always carry the magnum if I will be hunting large open areas. (or my custom LH Sako AV in 7MM STW which also weighs in fully outfitted at just over 8 lbs with a laminated stock)
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Wow! Looks like we have similar taste! I have mulled around the idea at building both a 338-06 AI and a 7mm STW now. Both seem like very well performing cartridges for what they are!
 
gobigorgohome said:
Wow! Looks like we have similar taste! I have mulled around the idea at building both a 338-06 AI and a 7mm STW now. Both seem like very well performing cartridges for what they are!
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Have compared notes with guys who have 338-06AI's; not enough difference between their performance and what I am getting in my rifle to warrant the improving the case. But this just how my rifle is performing. Shoots the 215 gr SGK's and 210 gr Partitions both into 1/2" groups @ 2750 fps.
Never was interested in the STW after having great performance from the 7mm Rem Mag. Couldn't pass up this rifle when I found it, at the price it was being sold for.
Have to say that it has performed very well over the past 20+ years! Will shoot the original Federal Premium ammo loaded with the 160 gr SGK's into 1" groups @ 100 yards and 3" groups @ 400 yards (seems to settle down over the distance). The newer Federal Premium ammo with the 160 gr AccuBond will produce 1/2" groups @ 100 yards and 1" groups @ 300 yards! This is proving to be a very accurate and consistent performing rifle and I have harvested a lot of game with it over the years; antelope to elk, from 15 to 475 yards. Haven't shot it on paper at 500 yards as the local ranges do not go out there that far...but shooting boulders on distant hillsides has proven that it shoots flatter than my B&C reticle indicates that it should at that range. And it gets 3222 fps out of the MacLellan stainless fluted 24" barrel. Great elk cartridge!

Back to the 338 Federal...
Became intrigued in the cartridge years ago when I came across the story about the gentleman that rebarreled a Winchester Model 88 to 338-08 and how well it worked for him on grizzlies and other big game. Was even more intrigued when Federal introduced the SAAMI approved cartridge and Sako introduced the rifle.
Now have 2 (Sako and a Model 88) and am really liking the performance of this cartridge so far. Just a lot of fun to shoot and has worked well on game to date.
Setting up my stepfather with the 3rd rifle (LH Tikka T3). It produces 1/2" groups with the 180 gr AccuBonds, but does not care as much for the 210 gr Partition ammo (1 1/2" groups). This is still acceptable for moose and bear out to 300 yards, which will work just fine for him.
The Ruger Hawkeye I had for awhile was a 1/2" rifle with factory ammo too. Sold it back to the gentleman that sold it to me, when I couldn't locate a lh Ruger short action rifle to do a barrel swap with.
Then I was able to find the LH Sako 85 Finnlight II in 308 and swapped the barrel out as mentioned in the previous post. Received the call that the new xtra low rings have been Cerakoted and installed and that the spare magazine has arrived and its bottom plate has also been Cerakoted to match, and is all now ready to pick up. Can't wait to get it home and shoot it!
 
I've used a Savage weather warrior in 300 WSM with 180 Nosler Partitions. Excellent performance at 300 yards. It's not light - and I would rather use a rifle with a bit more heft then a lighter rifle that will recoil more. I would also use a 7RM with heavier bullets. Another caliber would be a 35 Whelen - probably with a 225 accubond or partition. However there are lots of choices - if one is willing to search and pay.
 
Highwind said:
I've used a Savage weather warrior in 300 WSM with 180 Nosler Partitions. Excellent performance at 300 yards. It's not light - and I would rather use a rifle with a bit more heft then a lighter rifle that will recoil more. I would also use a 7RM with heavier bullets. Another caliber would be a 35 Whelen - probably with a 225 accubond or partition. However there are lots of choices - if one is willing to search and pay.
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Yep, same goes with the A bolt i rekon too, it isnt 'light', but its not Heavy as some come... a Whelen in the A bolt would be sweet with a decent recoil pad not the factory one. happy days
 
You can get a LH Weatherby Backcountry chambered in .300 Weatherby, that weighs 6.1 pounds. That would seem to check off all the boxes if its within your budget, light weight, more power, and left hand action.
 
The abolt micro was made in lh. In 7-08 with a loaded Mag and sling plus leupold vx2 3-9x33 and mounts it weighs pretty much exactly 7 lbs.
 
Another lefty in the same quest here. Most manufacturers don't offer much LH if you ask for a light stainless rifle.

Depending on budget here are my top picks:
T3X Lite
T3X fluted Lite or fluted Hunter if you can import it or find a special edition
Sako Finnlight II
Fierce Edge twist

Calibers. You will probably lack practice or fun if you pick a magnum caliber in a light rifle. Choose the proven .308win or .30-06.

To keep it light and rugged on the top: Talley low one piece rings and Leupold VX-R 2-7 or VX5HD 2-10.
 
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