my 1st budget bolt rifle, lefty shooter, 7.62x39 or .308 advice welcomed

super_sharp_shooter

super_sharp_shooter

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Hey,

Lefty shooter, looking for 1st bolt gun under $1000, ideally can both hunt (s. ont) and plink with same rifle within 100-200 yards max = get my experience. I've been drawn towards mini mauser actions..I'm torn on what route to go, especially being a lefty.I'm mostly looking at light weight scout models around 5-7lbs. in ammo i can afford to plink with. .308/7.62x51 seems like a real winner but i'd prob have to get into reloading to be able to afford it and for how often i shoot it may not be a good investment. From what i see online some bolt guns have really short handles and without mods being a lefty with right bolt and 2-4x scope could equal problems if not supported on a rest.

I don't think i will be prone often, no bench or tripod shooting, i'll use this with a monopod if i get into big game..so that has me looking at left handed bolts that may be easier to cycle on the move. If i was trying to do long distance precision from bench obviously id run out and get a right handed action.


All that being said... Is 7.62x39 accuracy issues (2+ MOA or so) going to be a bad idea if hunting in southern ontario? i mean anytime i find deer it's always within 50-100m anyways. There's just no long shots here especially on small public land plots.

looking heavily at a Zastava M85 since it comes with left in 7.62x39 and both gun and ammo is affordable. Another option is from a company i am a big fan of, CZ527 in 7.62 but more $$ and no left hand operation. I'd prob have to be supported if i want to cycle it with a scope installed...last but not least maybe i should get less shots down range or try to get into reloading...I was looking at the Remington 700 or Ruger Ranch in left for .308 but ammo is like $30 for 20 rounds and i don't feel i shoot enough to warrant reloading equipment. Ruger M77 Gunsite Scout in .308 looks fun but no lefty model and expensive ammo. getting one in .223 sounds kinda stupid Moss MVP bolt looks pretty bad and didn't make the short list.

Whadda ya think, Something like the Zastava M85 7.62 in left, Ruger Ranch .308 in left. or CZ527 7.62 in right, Ruger Gunsite M77 .308 Right ??
 
super_sharp_shooter said:
Hey,

Lefty shooter, looking for 1st bolt gun under $1000, ideally can both hunt (s. ont) and plink with same rifle within 100-200 yards max = get my experience. I've been drawn towards mini mauser actions..I'm torn on what route to go, especially being a lefty.I'm mostly looking at light weight scout models around 5-7lbs. in ammo i can afford to plink with. .308/7.62x51 seems like a real winner but i'd prob have to get into reloading to be able to afford it and for how often i shoot it may not be a good investment. From what i see online some bolt guns have really short handles and without mods being a lefty with right bolt and 2-4x scope could equal problems if not supported on a rest.

I don't think i will be prone often, no bench or tripod shooting, i'll use this with a monopod if i get into big game..so that has me looking at left handed bolts that may be easier to cycle on the move. If i was trying to do long distance precision from bench obviously id run out and get a right handed action.


All that being said... Is 7.62x39 accuracy issues (2+ MOA or so) going to be a bad idea if hunting in southern ontario? i mean anytime i find deer it's always within 50-100m anyways. There's just no long shots here especially on small public land plots.

looking heavily at a Zastava M85 since it comes with left in 7.62x39 and both gun and ammo is affordable. Another option is from a company i am a big fan of, CZ527 in 7.62 but more $$ and no left hand operation. I'd prob have to be supported if i want to cycle it with a scope installed...last but not least maybe i should get less shots down range or try to get into reloading...I was looking at the Remington 700 or Ruger Ranch in left for .308 but ammo is like $30 for 20 rounds and i don't feel i shoot enough to warrant reloading equipment. Ruger M77 Gunsite Scout in .308 looks fun but no lefty model and expensive ammo. getting one in .223 sounds kinda stupid Moss MVP bolt looks pretty bad and didn't make the short list.

Whadda ya think, Something like the Zastava M85 7.62 in left, Ruger Ranch .308 in left. or CZ527 7.62 in right, Ruger Gunsite M77 .308 Right ??
Click to expand...

7.62X39 is fine for deer, and should be accurate enough for your purposes. However, if I were you, I'd go with the 308. Ammo prices should be similar, if you buy soft point for the 7.62X39. You can get Remington Managed Recoil which will give you pretty much the same ballistics as the 7.62X39, but you have a much more versatile rifle with the 308, and have the ability to ethically take pretty well any critter in North America. Plus, anywhere that sells ammo will have 308 ammo.

I've used a 7.62X39 to take several bears, my wife took a huge cow moose with one, but if I had a choice to make, I would not hesitate one minute for the 308.
 
Where in southern ON is important, as there is no rifle seasons for deer in parts of it. If you mean north of Barrie (generally speaking), you're fine, and Id go with 308. So make sure there is actually a rifle season for deer where you intend to hunt.

308 has a much larger selection of bullet types and sizes in factory loads, and if someone invites you on a moose hunt you'll be fine. In fact, with exception of military surplus 762x39, 308 is usually cheaper to shoot.
 
Hard to go wrong with the Ruger GSR, and 308. Probably the most practical rifle on the market today, with lots of aftermarket support. They are definitely available in left hand models. However, even used they top out over your budget

Additionally some parts of ON have caliber restrictions under .308 so you may not be able to hunt with either rifle in some jurisdictions.

I would highly recommend .243, plenty of power for anything in Ontario, under the caliber restriction. Easy to find ammo, and often as inexpensive as commercial 308, just not often in bulk like the other 2.

Options:
https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleGoWild/specSheets/26924.html This is the top end, but the AI mags are superior to the Ruger Rotary ones and readily available.

Basic Model
https://ruger.com/products/americanRifle/specSheets/6904.html

There have also been numerous other "variations" made over the years, so you have options on the used market, but I would avoid the first gen rifles, they had issues. I have a second Gen Ranch model in 5.56 and it is excellent.

Oh, and they make them all in Left Hand versions for southpaws.
 
Im gonna say go with the CZ, and go with the 7.62x39 if you plan on lots of target shooting and shooting practice, and other hunting specific arms later...


Or go with it in 308 if you want to do a bit of practice but are purchasing it more as a hunting rifle, its a bit more versatile, but more costly at the range and the 7.62x39 has less recoil and is a bit more fun for targets.

The 7.62x39 is very similar to the 30-30, its like a lever action that can handle all kinds of pointy bullets and totally sufficient for deer at 100 yards... But in modern times, it is a bit anemic compared to other calibers.

I think you will enjoy the CZ, and hold onto it for a longtime, it is a bit of a "but once, cry once" expenditure, but a nice CZ you will always be proud of and may never want to part with.
 
hands down the 308, you would be able to hunt anything in Ont. with it, I did have a M85 left hand in 7.62x39 for about 2 days, it was crap, for under a $1000 budget I would keep an eye on the EE and local gun shops, I would really try for a pre 2004 Remington 700, I am down to 3 firearms and that all in need, remmy 700 30-06, lakefield 22lr and a single shot 16ga
 
You need to decide if this is going to be mostly a shooter or mostly a hunter. If it’s mostly a hunting rifle a 308 makes good sense. If you are planning on shooting lots to become a better marksman with deer hunting at max 200 yards a few days a year the x39 is a far better choice. You can feed the x39 with good quality non corrosive ammo for a third of the price of 308 and a x39 has no problem killing deer sized game.

A good rifle and a case of cheap low recoiling ammo can turn you into a very good marksman
 
I had both, stayed with a 7.62x39. The Hornady SST and Prvi PSP commercial ammo are lights out for deer. Handy lightweight Howa and a Ruger #1. If you are dead set on a heavier calibre, I agree with above, find a 7mm-08.
 
As a southpaw myself I think you need to up your budget a bit, there isn’t a lot of budget left handed actions to really choose from. Savage or Rem would be my sub $1000 choices but if you up it to $1200-1500 more doors open if your buying new, don’t forget to factor in rings and an optic which will easily push you over the $2000 mark after taxes etc.

I’d go with .308 over x39 just on bullet weight options alone, although both Hornady sst’s and PPU sp are really good shooting x39 hunting ammo. It’s too bad Remington doesn’t offer a LH 783, it would be a great first hunting/target rifle. Or a Howa 1500 if they offered a LH version, out of your listed options I’d pony up and buy the Ruger Scout in .308. In the long run it’s the smart choice, will likely hold some resale value if you decide to sell it down the road.

After handling some LH bolt guns I also liked the Tikka T3’s and Browning Xbolt’s but the Ruger checked all my requirement boxes.
 
A Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308 with the synthetic stock is a very versatile choice. You can run a scout scope, or a conventionally mounted scope....and the irons are honestly better than 95% of the current rifles in production today.

The laminate stock is gorgeous - but it's almost a pound heavier. Since you will actually be carrying the rifle and shooting from positions that aren't on the bench, the lighter weight is probably the better choice. I've had my RGSR since 2012, and it's put more meat in the freezer than anything else in my safe today. It started with a laminate stock, and I switched out to a synthetic stock when they became available. I also used that rifle (With a Leupold VX-r 1.5-5X33 IER scope) to do my Rifle 270 course at Gunsite in Arizona.
 
jparent said:
Hard to go wrong with the Ruger GSR, and 308. Probably the most practical rifle on the market today, with lots of aftermarket support. They are definitely available in left hand models. However, even used they top out over your budget

Additionally some parts of ON have caliber restrictions under .308 so you may not be able to hunt with either rifle in some jurisdictions.

I would highly recommend .243, plenty of power for anything in Ontario, under the caliber restriction. Easy to find ammo, and often as inexpensive as commercial 308, just not often in bulk like the other 2.

Options:
https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleGoWild/specSheets/26924.html This is the top end, but the AI mags are superior to the Ruger Rotary ones and readily available.

Basic Model
https://ruger.com/products/americanRifle/specSheets/6904.html

There have also been numerous other "variations" made over the years, so you have options on the used market, but I would avoid the first gen rifles, they had issues. I have a second Gen Ranch model in 5.56 and it is excellent.

Oh, and they make them all in Left Hand versions for southpaws.
Click to expand...

I live in one of those areas; most of southern Ontario, and even in regions with rifle seasons for deer, the restriction still applies; nothing greater than .270.
 
super_sharp_shooter said:
<Snip>

Whadda ya think, Something like the Zastava M85 7.62 in left, Ruger Ranch .308 in left. or CZ527 7.62 in right, Ruger Gunsite M77 .308 Right ??
Click to expand...

Of these three, my choice would be the Zastava. Why? Tradex has them in stock, they are extremely well made and a classic design, and the price is OK. Instead of the 7.62/308, I would go with the 6.5 x 55. Noted for accuracy, flat shooting, low recoil; and can be loaded light for ground hogs or heavy for moose and black bear. Legal anywhere you can hunt with a rifle in Ontario. Yes, commercial ammo is sometimes hard to find, but with a versatile rifle, one needs to hand-load to realize a versitile rifle's full capabilities. We all hear about the 6.5 CM; fact is that the 6.5 x 55 will outperform it with heavy bullets due to it's larger case capacity.

The other rifles are fine. A bit more money, but unless you can get them in .243, .260, 6mm, 6.5, you will find a lot of our province off limits for varmint and deer.
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I’d lean towards the 308 myself if only considering those two chamberings. 308 is available everywhere, and with a better selection of bullets.
 
Your budget’s fair and I’m glad to see it get you above the junk entry level plastic stuff. The CZ527 is the highest quality rifle in your consideration there and the Ruger likely the best fit seeing as you’re a lefty, and they’re tough and well made. I’d opt for the left handed Ruger in your case.

The CZ527 is a heck of a lot of rifle for the price, and the detachable mags are excellent. Just too bad there’s no lefty option.

aZ0mUyG.jpg
 
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