Left Handed T3 Hunter - Found the gun, not sure of Caliber - Help!

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mdchambe

Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2010
Messages
31
Location
iowa
Gun or Caliber - Help!

Hello everyone,

I am looking to get my first centerfire rifle and have come upon a bit of a hitch. I am left handed and therefore looking for a left handed gun. I prefer wood to synthetic and am looking to spend around 600 for the gun alone. I will use it fun for just a bit of target shooting, maybe some deer hunting, and if possible, would like to have the option of using it to elk hunt with as well.

I really like the T3, but Beretta doesnt import the walnut/blued in left hand to the US. That said, I have found a dealer who has one in .270 WSM for a reasonable price.

My question is, should I go for this T3, given that I like the gun alot, but am not sure about the caliber, or go for a Ruger M77 Hawkeye which has plenty of options caliber wise which might be better for elk hunting (such as 30-06 or 7mm-08).

Your thoughts are much appreciated
 
Last edited:
If you are going to invest in a rifle chambered in the short mags, it might be wise to invest a few hundred in a reloading setup. T3's are nice, but I cant comment on the Hawkeyes as I have no experience. 270 in either standard config or short mag is fine for Elk. Good B/C on the .277's so its flat shooting. Since I reload I most likely be pulled toward the T3. Good luck.

Browning has rifles for lefties, both in synthetic and wood. I own a 300 Stainless Stalker LH, great rifle not the cheap synthetic stocks. My buddy owns a leftie A-Bolt in 7-08, beautiful wood.
 
I would not have a problem hunting Elk with a 270 WSM. I got an Elk back in the 80s with a 270 Win using a 130 grain bullet, worked just fine.

I bought a Tikka T3 in 270 WSM two years ago been very pleased with it. But have not hunted Elk with it yet. But it is your money get what you are comfortable with.
 
Have you tried shooting a right handed bolt? I am left eye dominant and shoot long guns left handed. While I have had a few LH bolt rifles, I have little trouble shooting a right handed one. In fact, it is very convenient on the bench.
 
If the T3 fit's you buy it. I see Left-handed Rugers and Remington 700's often, and they fall somewhere around $450 to $600.

If this is a one time purchase be sure it fits you.

Good luck.
 
mdchambe - .270 WSM is real expensive, if you don't reload; and, the ammo is also hard to find. There are better calibers that are less expensive and more redily available. Go for a Ruger M77 Hawkeye. They are very accurate and Ruger has a great customer service department. They are also made in the USA.
 
+1 on T3

I bought a T3 lite stainless/syn LH in .308 cal about six months ago. The looks grow on you. I have mounted a silver Nikon Monarch 2.5X10X42 scope, and with cheap American Eagle ammo I was able to get it sighted in to a 1.25 in, 4 shot group within 8 shots (using a laserlyte for initial adjustment). Just like most posters say, the action is smooth as glass, the trigger crisp. and it is dead on accurate. I initially ordered a 270 win but got tired of waiting for it to arrive on backorder, so I changed to the 308 since it was in stock. I am glad I ended up with the 308 instead, since this will be my only rifle for a while. It is slighly more powerful up close (<200 yd) and even recoils slightly less, and should be slightly more accurate. I am hand loading so I can get 3300 fps from a 110 gr Vmax, or 2300 fps from a 220 gr Partition for Bear protection up real close. With reduced loads or max loads, it becomes good for anything from small deer to Brownies.
If you find the T3 you want in 270 win, 7mm-08, .308, or 30-06, 270 WSM, I would go for it. The same quality in a US made rifle will cost more (surprise), although the Savages are as accurate for almost the same money. You might even consider a 300 Mag if you hand load (the only way to go!) since you can load some reduced power loads so that you can use it on deer and the like without losing so much meat. I almost wish I had done this, but I didn't think I would be reloading at the time.
You will like the T3. I do.

.308pilot
 
I like the tikka's, very smooth throw, but never liked the caliber choices. for caliber choice in a left hand gun, savage is king. good guns too.

Have you ever shot a rifle before? I ask because a small caliber like 223 or something is cheap and pleasant to shoot, and adequate for smaller deer. As you move up in caliber, ammo get more expensive and the gun kicks much harder. You might regret buying a heavy kicking gun if all you ever end up doing is target shooting. You can always borrow an elk gun if you find you must have the power.

don't forget to factor in the cost of bases and rings (ruger comes with both, tikka comes with integral bases) and a decent optic. your $600 gun can very quickly become an $850+ gun
 
I'm an echo on Big Bill's song on cost. If you reload, it's no big deal.

For target shooting, potent cartridges in general can have recoil taking the fun out of any extended session. Reloading lets you tame 'em down some and still have fun.

As example, a full-power '06 provides a pretty good "Hello, there!" to your shoulder after a box or so. But 25 grains of 2400 behind a 150-grain jacketed bullet or a 169-grain lead gas-check recoils about like a 6mm, at most. Maybe less...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top