Left Handed Plinker?

[Vermonter]

I'm looking for a rifle to "learn to shoot" with.

I have bad vision in my right eye, so I shoot longarms lefty. I'm also tall, so it'd be nice to have it fit well.

It'd be an extra bonus if it took clips so I could go postal when I felt like burning some cheap ammo. Or maybe it would be better to get a bolt-action so I got used to that action? I want to get a deer rifle in the fall. Already took hunter safety class.

Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[pwrtool45]

If you're talking .22s, be aware that some semi-autos will spit gas all over your face if you shoot left handed. Marlin model 60s are bad about this. Right handed only unless you close your right eye reaaaaaal tight. I haven't shot the 10/22 in some time, but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't.

Other advice (bolt v/s auto, etc) to follow by other members I'm sure, but I thought I'd throw that out there.

 

[tc300mag1]

10/22 doesnt spit stuff in your face im lefty and shoot mine all the time.

 

[VG]

Sir, the most common deer rifle is a .308 or 30.06 scoped bolt action. Left handed models are available from Ruger, Savage, and others. You can find used models on auction arms and the like - they have a left-handed section.

Some manufacturers charge more, some same as standard.

Most people would use a .22 for plinking because the ammo is only 2-3 cents rather than 25 to 50 cents a round. I use a righty bolt action .22, and most semi autos and lever action .22's are no problem.

Milsurp .308 can be purchased in bulk for less than civilian ammo, so that may be a better choice than 30.06. Most folks I know are looking for light and handy in a deer rifle. The range at which they've shot deer in the New England woods has been 25 to 75 yards, so anything works, including 30.30 lever actions and the like.

I'd suggest joining a local rod and gun club, you can often hang out at the range and people will let you try their rifles.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I am left handed and no semiautos have ever given me a problem, including a Marlin Model 60, a couple 10/22s, a Mini-14, an SKS, and a few AKs.

Savage markets some nice left handed .22 bolt guns. I have a 93GL in .22 Mag which is quite nice.

 

[Vermonter]

After some research I'm thinking about getting a lefty bolt-action .308 and skipping the plinker. I can get experience using cheap surplus ammo.

Sound like a good idea?

 

[4v50 Gary]

The only right handed gun that I've found uncomfortable to shoot was the M-12 Beretta SMG. I'd get some sparks every now and then.

Other than that, I've never had trouble or hesitation shooting a right handed gun left handed.

BTW, if you're worried about brass in your face (and if you keep your eyes on the sights, you'll never notice them flying by), go with the AR-15 with that huge brass deflector. BTW, you can also buy a left handed upper & bolt from DPMS. I did and added an ambidextrious safety and magazine release and it was one Cool gun. During one range session, one shooter who knew me asked if I had a left handed 22 for his wife to play with. Well, I reached down and handed him that AR and 60 rounds of ammo. She had a blast!

 

[VG]

After some research I'm thinking about getting a lefty bolt-action .308 and skipping the plinker. I can get experience using cheap surplus ammo.

Sound like a good idea?

Yes, that and spending the money on a good scope will get you closer to your goal. Most of the commercial scoped .308's are impressively accurate.

Remember, practice doesn't make perfect - perfect practice makes perfect.
You don't need to blast a huge number of rounds downrange to become a respectable marksman.

You can also shoot in CMP matches - they'll supply you an M1 Garand and ammo for $20 or so, good practice and a lot of fun.

A lot of lefties buy right handed rifles, for convenience.

 

[Vermonter]

I have a righty 870 (only gun...so far ), and it's cumbersome to operate the safety, other than that it's fine.

With bolt-action I imagine it wouldn't work.......I'd have to take my right hand of the stock to operate the bolt.

Am I correct that bolt action is the best choice for accuracy?

 

[tc300mag1]

Lot of leftys buy right handed guns becuse that all there is and usually there cheeper..

But yes a bolt gun will be one of the most accurate.

 

[1911Fool]

I am a lefty also. I have a Left Handed Remington Model 700 VS in .308 Winchester. This is a bolt action rifle. It is superbly accurate and fun to shoot. The .308 is a fairly mild recoiling round. The rifle is heavy tho, not one you would want to tote around thru the woods. It is best suited for shooting off the bench. I buy my ammo from Georgia Arms in bulk 1000 round ammo cans. It is match quality 168 grain hollow point boat-tail for about half the price of Federal Premium brand (The real stuff).

http://www.remington.com/

Mike



Edited to remove Ga. Arms link. (It didn't work. I think they are still in business. Its been a couple years since I purchased from them.)

 

[cabinetman]

Lefty?

Try a VZ52 (7.62 x 45) or VZ52/57 (7.62 x 39) and both have ten round mags. The only military rifle I know of that ejects to the left! A natural for lefties (like me!)

Rome

 

[CB900F]

Vermonter & all;

I too am a left handed shooter. I've been doing this using both right & left handed guns since the early fifties.

One of the reasons to buy left instead of right is self preservation as it were. In other words, if we don't/wont buy left, they are gonna stop making them. Pure economics. On the other hand, a well-reasoned letter to a maker's marketing director explaining that you are not going to buy their product at all, because they don't make what you want to spend your money on, can produce positive results. But then you have to back it up.

With all that being said, I'd go for the Savage LHB in .22lr, and did. I've had an enjoyable time working on & with the gun. Not that it's bad understand, just that it's built to a price point & can be improved easily. That's not to say, not to get the .308 either. Get both, you'll be glad you did. The Savage will run around $120 - 150 depending upon where you get it. Wally World is cheaper, but you have to find a sympathetic gun counter manager to get it ordered.

I shot NRA indoor smallbore for years & suffered through RHB's in competiton. I refuse to do it anymore. My advice; Go left young man.

900F

 

[Beetle Bailey]

In your shoes I would buy a .22lr bolt-action (your call as to left or right handed) and plenty of different kinds of ammo. Figure out which kind shoots the best and is reasonably priced, then keep buying and shooting. Then, maybe two months before you go hunting, get your centerfire hunting rifle and get familiar with.

Even though surplus ammo is available cheap and there is good surplus ammo out there, match-grade .22lr ammo is about the same price and with a .22lr you won't get shoulder fatigue. That means more shots fired in one range session. And you still have your shotgun for when you just have to make noise, right ?

Bolt-actions are great because they are generally more accurate and lend themselves to the idea that every shot counts. If you are gonna hunt with a bolt-action, training with a bolt-action makes a lot of sense. Good luck!