Lefty bolt action production gun with iron sights? Anyone making them?

[desidog]

Its hard to find a nice bolt gun with irons these days, and even harder to find a left-handed action. The only one i've come across is Ruger's M77 African, in .375 Ruger. It's too powerful and too expensive for my intended (whitetail) use.

What are the (non-custom) options out there? (even without iron sights?) I don't think there are any. Prove me wrong.

I've come across Tikka's T3 Lite - no irons, and only offered in stainless/synthetic(?).
and Ruger's M77 - no iron options except mentioned above.
Winchester M70 featherweights are out of production...
Browning Abolt: no irons
Savage: ditto

I may be in the 7-10% minority of the population who are left handed; but i have to think that a company or two would want to be the only actor in this niche of the market.

 

[azyogi]

I don't know if they still make one mine is a Remington 700BDL Left hand bolt with Iron sights. I bought it [special order] in 78. Don't understand the currant trend to do away with the iron sights, I like having that back up for my scope. Good luck finding what you want.

 

[52grain]

Not sure which version of the tikka you would be interested in, but several of them (including the hunter and the varmint) are available in a left handed model:

http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/datatable.pdf

Edit to add: it would probably be a special order though.

 

[NCsmitty]

Here's a Savage LH model in stock at Ables in Texas.

www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=86891

You can do a search for Savage LH here.

www.ableammo.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=9935_17439_17440&sort=3a&filter_id=115




NCsmitty

 

[desidog]

Thanks NCcmitty, that's my first introduction to Able's. Their Savage Model 11GL Hunter LH in .308 looks like what i'm looking for.

It seems that the left handed Tikka selection is only all-weather, as imported by BerettaUSA. I'm going to find out if i can custom order a wood stock one with iron sights, and for how much.

If it is Tikka T3 vs. Savage 11GL, which wins? I'm thinking that fit and finish and accuracy might all be slightly in the Tikka's favor, with a minor price increase....however, i have never shot either, and would like to hear from anyone with a strong opinion?

 

[Virgil47]

For fit and finish the Tikka most likely will win. However the Savage rifles have an excellent reputation for accuracy. Savage tends to put all of their effort into the fit and finish of the inside of the firearm.

 

[federalfarmer]

There have been several used 700's in BDL Left-hand on here recently. One in laminate/ 30-06 I believe.

I have the same interest in left-hand with irons and search for the BDL's allover.
Picked up a .243 and .270 both in great shape.

Good luck

 

[jmr40]

The Winchester Featherweights are back in production now. If you want iron sights just buy the rifle you want and buy some irons for it. Buying the irons and having a gunsmith install them will still run you about 1/2 what a moderately priced scope and bases would cost you. Of course if you want to scope the rifle as well it will add to the cost of your rifle, but if you want them that is the best way.

 

[Grey Morel]

You have 3, maybe 4 options.

Don't worry, right handers don't have it any easier. Nobody knows how to use irons anymore; they all think they need a scope, so the manufacturers don't even bother making irons.

 

[flipajig]

you could also look at Tompson Center I know that a pro hunter is friendly to eather Left or Right.

 

[desidog]

The Winchester Featherweights are back in production now. If you want iron sights just buy the rifle you want and buy some irons for it. Buying the irons and having a gunsmith install them will still run you about 1/2 what a moderately priced scope and bases would cost you. Of course if you want to scope the rifle as well it will add to the cost of your rifle, but if you want them that is the best way.

That is good news, since i really like the M70 featherweights...i have one in .300WSM (scoped)

How would the thin barrel do with a front sight put on there? drilling and tapping is probably easier than dove-tail, but there really isn't much meat on that barrel contour...might that effect accuracy and/or strength negatively?

 

[greyling22]

in a long action everybody makes a lefty. in a short, well, there's savage. and ruger recently started making them too. there's just not much love for us lefty's. have you tried looking at CZ? I believe they make a lefty with iron sights.