Budget Deer Rifle

[Elkins45]

With any luck you can find a used Savage lefty at a local gun store or at a decent-sized gun show in your area. I would Google gun shows in the closest major cities and see if any are coming up soon.

I'm a lefty who didn't own a left-handed bolt gun until 2000. Now I am gradually selling/trading all my right handed guns except for the ones that have sentimental value or historical value.

I had a defective case let go in my 270 a few months ago and now I'm more convinced than ever that left handed shooters need left handed bolt guns. It's a 1000 to 1 chance it will ever matter, but I'm convinced this incident would have ended MUCH worse for me if it had happened in a right handed gun: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=619628

 

[kludge]

Savage Axis and Stevens 200 can be had left-handed.

Have your gun shop oder one for you.

 

[JSNAPS]

336 (pre cross bolt safety) with skinner sights is a lean mean deer killing machine!

 

[Elkins45]

Savage Axis and Stevens 200 can be had left-handed.

That's news to me. Are you sure?

 

[atlanticfire]

I saw a used Ruger M77 in a local shop that was a left handed bolt. Not sure what the price was. Maybe 700s new could be had for a little over your budget maybe....?

 

[Legionnaire]

I'll second the recommendation of a Remington 760 or 7600. Here in PA, it's not at all unusual to find good second hand pump action rifles in your price range. I'm not dissin' the .30-30; had one for several years and took deer with it. I just like the added range that comes from a .308 or .30-06.

 

[Cob]

Marlin 336, (my first deer rifle, is a lever action... i believe the operation would be ambidextrous, although empty shell and reloading is on the right side. I like the 30-30). The winchester's are a good gun as well, and shell ejects straight up in the air, though mounting a scope requires offset mounting due to shell ejection. I would also look at the Rossi lever actions... nice looking, though i don't know much about them

Savage 110,(30-06, .270, .243, or 7mm mag,). the Savage Model 110 is economical, & was the very first production rifle manufactured for lefties, with the bolt handle on the port side of the gun.

You might find a good deal on a left handed gun with a used rifle, if you keep your radar on. I have passed up left handed guns at prices cheaper than right handed guns. Use this fact to your advantage when shopping.

 

[Eb1]

Modern Winchester Lever Rifles do not have to have offset scope mounts. They have changed to eject at an angle towards the right.
I know the OP wants a left handed rifle. In that case you are correct. He will need an older Winny.

 

[TnBigBore]

If you are not going to be taking long shots (over 200 yds) it is really hard to beat a levergun for handiness. An older Marlin 30-30, 35 or similar fitted with a Williams or Lyman aperture sight or low powered compact scope is what I would recommend. No bolt gun, pump, or autoloader is as handy as a levergun.

 

[kludge]

That's news to me. Are you sure?

Hmmm... Could'a swore I saw it... maybe not...