help me choose - lefty bolt guns

**paplinker22** · July 24th, 2014, 03:59 PM

Hello everyone: It has been quite awhile since I've had time for anything related to shooting as I entered active duty back in June. I've been out of the loop and need pointed in the right direction for a bolt gun:

1. Left Handed
2. Heavy barrel ("tactical"/varmint type rifle)
3. Appropriate twist rate for heavy bullets (ie at least 1:8 for .223)
4. Under 1000 bucks. 800 would be nice.
5. .223 is my first caliber choice but .243, and .260 are on the table too.

I was really digging some of the savage rifles but since being bought by ATK they've cut their offerings which is a shame. Seems like they make junk now...

Thanks for the help!
Bill

**sixstrings101** · July 24th, 2014, 04:25 PM

In left hand there isnt much. Leftys go quick and are usually priced a bit higher. You could start with a remington SPS in any short action cal and have it rebarreled to what you want.

**paplinker22** · July 24th, 2014, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by sixstrings101

In left hand there isnt much. Leftys go quick and are usually priced a bit higher. You could start with a remington SPS in any short action cal and have it rebarreled to what you want.

If that is what I have to do then so be it. Id like to avoid custom if possible.

**Hawk** · July 24th, 2014, 09:53 PM

I'm a lefty and decided to buy a right handed varmint rifle instead. I thought it through and couldn't come up with any major disadvantages in buying a right handed rifle and shooting it lefty. I did however come up with several reasons to buy a righty over lefty.
1. Availability
2. Cost
3. Parts and accessories (aftermarket stocks)

I ended up with a Savage 12 FV in .223. I replaced the stock (Bell & Carlson Tactical Medalist) but kept the factory trigger (it was actually a very nice trigger). The real cost is going to be a scope for your rifle. Figure another $500 minimum.

**borekfk** · July 24th, 2014, 10:33 PM

American Rifleman magazine has an article on a left-handed T-Bolt rifle from Browning, so I checked to see if they make other rifles for lefties. They have several offerings for left handed shooters in their X-Bolt line, but none are "tactical". They have them in a variety of calibers including .223, .243, and .308.

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...id=035&tid=255

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...id=035&tid=253

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...id=035&tid=257

Hope it helps.

**PennStateCarry** · July 24th, 2014, 10:39 PM

The Cz 527 is a pretty nice .223 bolt gun that comes lefty. What kind of scope are you planning on throwing on what you get? That thousand bucks may not go far depending on that

**paplinker22** · July 25th, 2014, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by Hawk

I'm a lefty and decided to buy a right handed varmint rifle instead. I thought it through and couldn't come up with any major disadvantages in buying a right handed rifle and shooting it lefty. I did however come up with several reasons to buy a righty over lefty.
1. Availability
2. Cost
3. Parts and accessories (aftermarket stocks)

I ended up with a Savage 12 FV in .223. I replaced the stock (Bell & Carlson Tactical Medalist) but kept the factory trigger (it was actually a very nice trigger). The real cost is going to be a scope for your rifle. Figure another $500 minimum.

Interesting. Why not just buy the flv?

**paplinker22** · July 25th, 2014, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by PennStateCarry

The Cz 527 is a pretty nice .223 bolt gun that comes lefty. What kind of scope are you planning on throwing on what you get? That thousand bucks may not go far depending on that

The CZ .22s are regarded as pretty accurate. I'll have to check it out.

I'm looking to spend no more than 1k on the rifle. I already have my optic.

Bill

**Hawk** · July 25th, 2014, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by paplinker22

Interesting. Why not just buy the flv?

In no particular order:
Availability/price (found a NIB righty at a gun show for really good deal)
Resale (bigger market for a right handed gun)

I found no real advantage in going to a left handed bolt gun. I still work the bolt with my right hand since it's either on a bench or on the ground supported by a bi-pod. If I slung it up and didn't have my right hand free, I could always reach over and work the bolt with my left hand. I got used to doing this with slung surplus service rifles.