Looking for a new rifle in 270 WSM

[cbmax]

Hi all,

I am looking for a new hunting rifle in 270 WSM. I don't need a left handed rifle, but the rifle has to be stocked for a left handed shooter. This means no monte Carlo stocks with a right hand cheek piece or a grip with a right handed palm swell.

I am willing to spend in excess of $1k for the rifle. Not looking to spend more than $1,500. I looked at the Sako A7 Tecamante, but I think I am turned off by the plastic trigger guard. Another choice is the Browning X-Bolt with composite stock. I haven't seen this rifle in person, so I am not sure if it has a straight stock suitable for a lefty.

I am looking to find a rifle that won't take months and months to arrive even in this challenging climate.

Please let me know what you would buy that would be a right handed bolt action rifle still suitable for a lefty.

For what it's worth, I am right handed, but left eye dominant.

CB

 

[dvdcrr]

I like the Kimber 8400.

 

[Abel]

The Winchester Featherweight M70.

 

[cbmax]

I can't find a Kimber with a synthetic stock. What does the Winchester have over the Browning X Bolt?

CB

 

[Ranger618]

One of these.http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/model-8400-wsm-calibers

 

[jmr40]

Either the Winchester EW or Kimber. Street price was about $1,000 on the Winchester, around $1,200 on the Kimber last time I looked. Been a while so they may be a bit more now.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=001C&mid=535110

http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/model-8400-wsm-calibers/montana

I have both rifles in 308. My 300 WSM is an older Classic set in the same B&C stock as the EW. It is essentially the same rifle without the fluted barrel.

In that caliber I think I like the Winchester a little better. The Kimber is a fine rifle, but is almost too light. Especially in that chambering.

 

[jmr40]

What does the Winchester have over the Browning X Bolt?

If you're talking about the stainless EW version the stock is far better with an aluminum bedding block. All Winchesters are CRF which is far more reliable in harsh dirty conditions.

Both have reputations as accurate rifles, the trigger is great on both rifles. The Winchester is more old school and solid. The Browning is a more modern approach and more modern looking. The safety on the Browning will be much easier to use as a lefty. Go to a store and handle both if possible.

 

[TexasGlock23]

I loved my Winchester Model 70, I was some sort of "shadow" model, can't remember.

 

[Abel]

The Winchester Extreme Weather has that Monte Carlo stock that you don't want. If you have to have synthetic, go with the Kimber Montana.

I could have sworn that the X-Bolt had a palm swell.

 

[MCMXI]

Another Kimber 8400 Montana vote here too!! I have that rifle in .300 WSM and have been so impressed with everything about it that I bought a Kimber Talkeetna in .375 H&H which is a Montana on steroids. I consider Kimbers to be considerably better than Winchesters with more attention to detail, nicer features and way better machining and definitely worth the additional $250 or so.

 

[Craiger12]

The Kimber's action is CRF correct?

 

[Savage99]

I have 5 Kimber rifles and yes they are all CRF.

They also have a superb M70 type three position safety that operates so well.

Of the WSM Montanas I have one is a .270 WSM and the other a 7mm.

Both are very accurate and reliable. I shot my biggest deer in CT with the Kimber 270 WSM.

 

[Kachok]

270 WSM is a fantastic cartrage if you are looking for speed, I have a Savage 11 270 WSM and I like it alot, my only issue with my Savage is that it would look alot nicer with a quality walnut stock No rifle should have iron sights and a plastic stock, that just looks wrong. It shoots 1" groups with factory 130gr Winchesters and touches three holes with IMR4350/Serria Game King handloads. If I were ever to buy another short mag I would take a good long look at Tikka they are alot of rifle for the money.

 

[urbaneruralite]

Funny how they put a B&C stock on a SAKO and call it special. Might as well just get a T3. If you don't like plastic parts, I'd skip the X-Bolt and get an A-Bolt Stainless Stalker. They're available and you can usually get a deal on one on gunbroker.

 

[texas chase]

Wby vanguard (old series 1).

The only thing I did was bed the action.

 

[Coltdriver]

If you go handle one the Sako A7 Tecomate also has a special barrel that is like a model 85 barrel and noticeably heavier than any Tikka barrel. And the A7 is between the flagship model 85 and the lower end Tikka. Even though a Tikka is a great rifle the A7 is a step up.

The Bell and Carlson stock that is on them is seriously reinforced and does not have the easy give present in most black plastic stocks. It also has a molded in piece of aluminum to which the action is bedded.

I think plastic is here to stay.

The Sako compares pretty well with the Winchester EW but the Sako weighs better than a half pound less.

 

[helotaxi]

Another choice is the Browning X-Bolt with composite stock. I haven't seen this rifle in person, so I am not sure if it has a straight stock suitable for a lefty.

The wood stocked x-bolt at least has a "hand specific" stock, correctly biased to the action including a light palm swell and a bit of cast. Part of what makes it such a nice shooting rifle.

 

[Sav .250]

Opinions by committee seems to leave more questions than answers.