Help me choose a deer rifle.

[StLGlocker]

I'm planning on hunting for whitetail this fall, and I want my own rifle.

I'm a short guy (5'3") and I shoot left-handed. I'm looking for a good hunting rifle that will fit me.

Caliber isn't important. .270, .308, 30-06, and others I'm forgetting, they all take deer just fine.

Stock length is important, the rifle has to be comfortable. This probably means a youth-sized model.

I like bolt action rifles, but being left-handed I'd want one set up that way. Is there such an animal as a youth-sized, left-handed bolt action hunting rifle? If not, I'd consider a semi-auto or a lever action.

What would you buy if you were me?

 

[pinetree64]

A Remington model 7 in 7mm-08 is a great combo. They use to have a youth model.

 

[Snake Jenkins]

Why not look at a Ruger #1 that way it doesn't matter that you shoot from the wrong shoulder. As far as the LOP you can get a 'smith to cut the stock to your specs.

Snake

 

[Keith]

I'm with Pinetree!

A Model 7 or short action Ruger in 7mm08 or .308 would be the perfect whitetail rifle.
Go to a gun store and handle some short action rifles until you find the one that "fits." Then have them order you a left-handed one.

 

[Selfdfenz]

Yep,
What Pinetree said.
Don't know if it comes in LH, but it is THE deer rifle.


S-

 

[Art Eatman]

And I'll jump in to emphasize cutting the stock shorter so it will fit.

Mount the scope AFTER you get the stock to a righteous length. Prevent bloused eyebrow.

Art

 

[StLGlocker]

I like the Model 7 Youth, but doesn't look like it comes in a left-handed config. I suppose I could get one of the LH 700's and have the stock cut to 12" or so.

 

[Keith]

You'll find the model 7 much handier than the 700. I'm sure they make it in LH configuration.

 

[Sunray]

No LH Model 7 shown on Remington's page. Have a look at the Savage 11FL.

 

[David4516]

How about something like this:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=17844&return=Y

And if it is too big you can cut it down (you can have the barrel shortened a bit too)

.25-06 should be a great deer caliber, and the Laminate stock will work well in hunting situations cause it is more waterproof than regular wood. And it just plain looks cool...

 

[Selfdfenz]

Almost forgot.

Take a look at the NEF single shots. I can't imagine why being right or left handed would make any diff with a ss and they are great rifles for the money. Your could cut down the stock but me thinks they come in a youth model too.

Plus, changing cals is as cheap and as easy as buying another barrel for about 70$.
You could go with a low recoil rig in 30-30 or 223 (if legal in your state for deer) or if you perfer to have the snot kicked out of you, you can go for a 45-70 and handload.
I have a 22 hornet and a 223


and the aforementioned "black and blue special"

which I adore.

S-

 

[DFBonnett]

I'd handle a regular LH model first. You might find the standard stocks are OK. Lots of choices in lots of deer calibers available in LH.

 

[Mannlicher]

Reminds me of an old gf that wanted a new car. All that was important was that it had pop up headlights.

 

[rick_reno]

deer rifle

My daughter hunted with a Remington Mod. 7 in 243. She stopped hunting, and now it's been used by two sets of neighbor kids. It's taken a lot of deer. I hate shooting it, the stock is way too short for me at 6'2" - but perfect for a smaller person.

 

[Sisco]

Savage makes a left hand youth model in short actions (.223,.243 & 308)
http://www.savagearms.com/centerfire/hunter/10gy.htm

rick_reno, I just gotta ask, did you make up that sig line or did ya read it somewhere?

 

[duckfoot]

NFE 270 win

 

[Dr.Rob]

Yeppers, Savage left handed youth model in 243 or 308 would seem to be the ticket.

 

[Jaeger]

I know you said that you would like a bolt gun but I think you would be remiss if you didn't take a look at a lever gun. You can't go wrong with a good Marlin or Winchester 30-30.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Hey STLGlocker, good to see a Missouri boy on here! I'm left handed and prefere lever actions for my deer hunting. I've got a guide gun in 45-70 that is a light and handy woods gun but can still reach out to 200 yds. It of course has enough horsepower to drop the biggest Missouri whitetail.

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

sounds like a lever gun is the way to go but winchester makes a model 70 in a compact version, shorter stock and barrel.... and all the bolt guns come in left hand models

 

[MolonLabe416]

IIRC Ruger, Remington, and Winchester make their respective bolt rifles in left hand models. They may not make a left handed youth model, but it's no problem to shorten the stock and bbl.

The Ruger single shot is an elegant solution. Most require a bit of work with the bbl hanger to get optimum results. A number of good 'smiths offer this work. Again, you'd need to shorten the stock a bit. If you want to spend the bucks, Dakota makes a wonderful single shot. Spendy, but really nice.

Speaking of stocks, why are factory stocks all so darn long? I'm 6' 1" tall and have all my rifles built using a 13" LOP. Most factory rifles have LOPs from 13.5 to 13.75". Works fine for the bench I suppose, but try shooting from improvised field positions. Try snap shooting. Way too long. Hangs up on the presentation.

 

[BusMaster007]

Browning's BLR 81 might be a consideration:
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=003B&cat_id=034&type_id=006

 

[kentucky bucky]

I have a deer hunting buddy that is extremely left handed. He has shot a Browning lever action (BLR) in .308 for 25 years and loves it. It is accurate and comes in a variety of calibers that '94s and Marlin 336s can't shoot because it has a detachable magazine. I believe that the BLR is small enough for you to feel comfortable and It has the smoothest action of any lever action I've shot. (and it's purdy too !!!)

 

[Lennyjoe]

Lefty here too and I have been shopping around for a few weeks for a rifle.

Finally decided on a Ruger 77 MKII in .300 Win Mag. I wanted something that I could use for Elk and black bear as well as deer.

Decided on a bolt action rifle cause I dont like the idea of an open eject port so close to my face on the auto's or pump actions. Of course all of that would be eleviated had they make a left handed semi or pump but they dont that I have seen.

Enjoy.