Southpaw Tactical Rifle - missing market?

[HeavyBarrel_Eddie]

Okay - yes I am a new poster, but I have been reading this board for about a year. I felt I finally needed to just ask the question I can never get answered from the local gunshops or altering search leywords on THR. I am seeking a left handed 'tactical' rifle in the sub $1k range. Hours of searching and hours of conversations have led to my decision to purchase Rem 700 SPS Varmint with a heavy barrel .308 and cutting the 26" bl to 20" to achieve my needs. I am currently shooting a right handed 700P but am tired of the reach over with scope. I have handled several LH rifles and find them to be much more of a natural movement when it comes to cycling the weapon - thus my desire to move forward with the LH purchase.

I plan on moving the bi-pod over but buying new glass (giving my weird right-handed brother the 700P as a b-day gift), not sure on glass but thinking about Nikon.

Am I making the right decision or is there an option out there that I am not aware of?

 

[Bobson]

STAG Arms makes AR15 rifles for left-handed shooters, if that's something you're interested in. Also, this rifle is available in a left-handed configuration.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

you can always have a rifle built.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Yes, they are, but not because of left handed shooters; As a righty, I find it more desireable to shoot from the bench or prone position with a southpaw rifle. I don't have to rebuild my position at all after each round.

 

[mongo356]

I feel you pain. I'm a lefty as well.

I recently found the greatness of Lever action rifles...the Marlin 336BL it short and compact also they have a 336Y which is shorter yet.

The Ruger Scout is tempting, in Left handed configuration. There are a few Savage rifles made in Lefty. Some AR15 types as well. The Ruger mini-14 and Springfield Socom are suppose to be a bit ambi friendly to operate.

One thing to remember though, if you try and sell a left handed gun, like anything else left handed it can be more difficult to sell.

 

[HeavyBarrel_Eddie]

For some reason I am stuck on BA. I am looking to find a rifle that is sub 2 MOA @400 yrds *capable* - with full respect for the shooter needing to be capable of placing a round on target. I am realistic with not expecting sub moa @400 from the price range I am looking at. besides, the best grouping I have shot has been 1.41 @400. I will have to find the target and post a pic - that was a good day (with the 700P - dont recall the ammo but it's on the target).

Back to the options above - That ruger is very tempting, as is the Stag. I have a southpaw buddy out in East TX that just ordered the Stag (waiting on his to arrive to help 'test' fire). If I like the feel, I will trade in the Bushy for the Stag.

Building a rifle: now why has my 'smith not recommended this? probably because I don't trust him to give me a fair price!! does anyone have any recommendations for a good gunsmith willing to do a build?

 

[taliv]

what's your budget? $3k+?

 

[Boanerges57]

If you are after a tactical style bolt action rifle this is the final list ive come up with. They are all available in left handed.
TIKKA t3
Reminton 700
Ruger gunsite scout
all in either .308 or in .30-06 (mainly so if i want more range i can rebarrel to either .260 or 6.5-284 respectively) except the scout only comes in .308
The TIKKA is a very very smooth feeling rifle and comes from the factory with a free floated barrel.
The Tikka and the remington can both be fitted with a tactical stock. They can both have the bottom metal swapped out to use detachable magazines (the tikka uses magazines but they are small, you can get a system to use AIWS magazines or DPMS magazines.), the ruger uses magazines but i cant find them on their website and dont know if they are compatible with anything else.
Manners stocks makes tactical style stocks in left handed configurations and he is very affordable. right now the non adjustable cheekrest models are the only ones with an ambidextrous palm swell, all the adjustable ones are righty.
If you are looking for a semi auto im not sure what the issue would be, Im assuming since you are shooting a bolt that you are looking for a new one.

 

[HeavyBarrel_Eddie]

Budget - just the rifle, not including any add ons (rings, scope, etc), is ~1,000.

Over time I may go for AI stock, but initially, a more general stock will do. again, the budget is limiting here.

It's hard to decide on one. I am used to the 700 - but this would be the perfect time to switch brands as it is like shooting for the first time........ I appreciate the options presented - the same path I have traveled. I will definitely post the results once a decision/purchase is made. Thanks all.

 

[Txhillbilly]

Eddie,Have you looked at Savage?
I have 2 model 110 LH Tactical rifles-25/06 & 300WM,and 2 model 12 LH Varmint rifles-223 & 308.I also have a RH model 10FCP-308,It doesn't come in LH or it would be also.

As for accuracy,the Savage will do anything just as good,if not better than the other brands,right out of the box.


Note! Tikka does make a LH Tactical rifle.Good luck in getting Baretta USA to import one for you.I tried for months to get them to get me a 25/06 LH Varmint from Tikka.At first they said they didn't make one,then I emailed them a picture from Tikka's catalog showing it.Then they just refused to import it for me.
I have since boycotted any of Baretta USA's products!

 

[Zak Smith]

Try leaving your strong hand in the firing grip and moving your support hand. A bolt gun can often be run faster this way than the conventional way.

 

[helotaxi]

Try leaving your strong hand in the firing grip and moving your support hand. A bolt gun can often be run faster this way than the conventional way.

Yep. Which is why all my rifles except my hunting rifle are right handed evne though I'm not. My 2 hunting rifles are a left handed Savage and a Marlin 336. Cycling the bolt with the support hand is pretty difficult when you are shooting off-hand.

 

[BHillman]

Bobson...

You stated: "STAG Arms makes AR15 rifles for left-handed shooters, if that's something you're interested in. Also, this rifle is available in a left-handed configuration."

Where do you get the info on Ruger making a LH scout? I emailed them today and am waiting for a reply, but the link you provide only shows RH. Did you mean other Ruger models are available in LH?

Bruce

 

[Quoheleth]

I'll +1 the Savage and also +1 staying with a RH gun and use the support hand to run the bolt. I do that with my .22s (don't have a centerfire BA anymore) and I can shoot almost as fast and just as accurately as my RH friends.

Q