South Paw bolt action rifle suggestions

[Erebus]

Looking for suggestions on a left handed bolt action rifle. And a couple questions?

Will do alot of plinking with it but will do some hunting with it.

I have read a little bit and am leaning toward a Savage. Unsure of what caliber. I prefer a wood stock(cosmetically and nostalgically) but I hear that the synthetic hold up better long term. Is it really that much better or should I go with what I like?

Also I don't know squat about scopes. I have always shot open sights. Are the scopes in their package deals any good or should I put the extra $$ toward something better?

 

[aubie515]

I wouldn't waste your money on a Savage scope package. The Simmons scopes they put on those packages are probably purchased for $30.

Savage does offer a variety of LH rifles, so I'd say get a Savage. I prefer SA over LA, so I'd recommend the 243 or 308. In PA 243 is plenty for whitetail, but I've seen some huge deer in other parts of the country that you might want to consider a 308.

I prefer synthetic over wood for durability. Wood looks nice, but if you drop your rifle, you will have a dent or crack on that nice wood stock. I feel that synthetic stocks are more forgiving and they will flex with extreme heat or cold temps.

 

[bearmgc]

Lean toward a Tikka T3, and check into natchez website for some great deals on scopes. Nikon, Bushnell 3200, or even the Trophey. Find a dealer who will do FFL transfers, and look on Gunbroker.com, Auction Arms websites for Left hand rifles. Gunshops charge an arm and a leg for left hand rifles.

 

[Erebus]

I've seen some huge deer in other parts of the country that you might want to consider a 308.

Moose are a real possibility. It's a lottery so probably not every year but if I get my name pulled will .308 do it?

I will check those sites for scopes, thanks.

 

[ryoushi]

Since you mentioned Moose, if it was me I'd keep a sharp eye out for a used left hand model 70 in 30-06. If you want a short action check out the Browning A-Bolt

 

[Erebus]

I was looking at a Savage in 30.06

This one specifically.

 

[<SLV>]

I'm a lefty... almost got a Savage... ended up with a Tikka T3, and Nikon Monarch 4-12x40 AO w/BDC reticle.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I like the Remington 700s in left hand. They work well for me.

Will 308 do for moose? With the correct projectile, absolutely.

I would lean you towards a 308 or 30-06. If for nothing else, the HUGE variety of ammo avalible for those calibers.

 

[Bob R]

I have a remington 700 in LH for varmints and a Savage LH in 243 for a little bigger varmints (coyote thru antelope).

My take is that if it to be a dedicated carry/hunting rifle then LH is ok.

If it going to spend most of its time on the bench or a bipod I would go with a RH bolt gun.

When shooting off the bench or bipod you can work the bolt with your right hand without moving your Left (strong) hand grip from the rifle.

Righties could do the same with LH bolts.

But, this idea hasn't caught on with many. But give it a try, see if it will work for you.

I have not shot the Savage with an accutrigger, but, in my experience, savage can make some very accurate guns. Plus, if you get really comfortable with the rifle, you can change calibers by buying new barrels and a barrel wrench. The barrels aren't that hard to swap out.

bob

 

[cdrt]

I'm a lefty as well.
I have a Savage 110 LH in .243 Winchester. It's the short action (before they started labeling them SA or LA). I've used it on everything up to and including mule deer.
I also have a Remington 700 LH in .280 (their Mountain Rifle), which I consider a pretty good all around cartridge for North America.
My son-in-law has a Savage LA left hand in .270 Winchester which he's used on mule deer and the occasional wild pig. He got the wood stock/scope package, but has since upgraded the scope to something better.

You wouldn't go wrong with either the Savage or Remington, but having used both wood and synthetic stocks, I'm really starting to like the synthetic stock for all-weather use and the fact they absorb some of the recoil better than wood.

I've seen elk taken with .243s (too light really, but it worked), .270s, .280s and the .30-06. A .308 will work on a moose (as someone already mentioned) as long as you pick a good bullet.

For what it's worth, Savage is probably the best value for the money.

 

[.41Dave]

I'm a lefty. I chose the Savage 11FLC in .308 topped with a 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest scope. The synthetic stock is not pretty, but the rifle makes me look really good out on the range and in the woods.

 

[RandyB]

I'm a lefty here too. I have a 30-06, .308 both are savage left handed. I also own a .204 Ruger made by savage and .223 Stevens. They are right handed, but since I shoot them from a bench, no problems. I like the savage brand. They work. I wouldn't opt for the package deals either, invest in a good scope and rings.