Which rifle would you recommend?

[teumessian_fox]

I'm a left handed shooter and currently have no big game rifle. I've narrowed my choices to one of three rifles: Browning Stalker stainless in 30-06, Tikka T3 Stainless in 308, and the Remington XCR in 270 Winchester. These are the most likely candidates because they are stainless and because they offer them in left handed action.

It would be for midwestern whitetail deer, boar and black bear, none of which are particularly large game animals.

I've got brass and dies for the 30-06 but that's not a limiting factor. I can easily buy components for the other calibers.

Which would you buy? The XCR comes with a Leupold VX 2 4x12 scope which retails for about $450.

thanx for your input.

 

[Hangingrock]

I’d go with the 308-Win. The selection of LH rifles is better now then when I started out. My experience is with Remington but the other manufactures you mention should provide good value also. As for a scope you can get a Zeiss Conquest 3X9 power for under $400.00.

 

[ricebasher302]

Buy the Tikka. Great gun, great caliber.

 

[Hummer70]

Actually unless you just want one, you don't really need a left hand bolt gun. I have shot LH with RH boltgun (Mod 70 Win) since 73 and have never eaten a round rapid fire.
Gary Anderson shot Mod 70 same way for years. So did Larry Moore though he did build up some Mauser 3000 LH rifles after he hit 70.

LH rifles require LH sights and these are hard to find and tend to work backwards.

The easiest rifle in rapid fire for us is the Mod 70 Winchester. A pre 64 target will feed both 308 and 30.06 as well as other calibers.
They are also easiest to load in rapid fire.
I also have 40XC, 1903s, 98 Mausers and have shot all of them LH but when the competition is there I go with Mod 70.
Have another friend who is also lefty and he went with Mod 70 for years.

 

[Eb1]

out of all of them? .30-06. Of course I like the long action rifles. That and my dad shot a .30-06. He always said a .30-06 is all a man needs. It was good enough in the WWs and it is good now.

Of course I opted for a .25-06, but it is a long action. My .30 calibers are .303 or lever guns. Good luck with your choice.

 

[essayons21]

30-06 wins for caliber, the Tikka for rifle value.

308 will do just about anything the 30-06 will do, but you may want the option of heavier bullets with the 30-06 for boar and bear.