LEFT HANDED Shooters- we Southpaws need your input

Milf Dots

Milf Dots

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Minuteman
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Oct 21, 2019
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#1
LEFT HANDED Shooters- we Southpaws need your input...

I'm looking to buy/order an LH precision bolt rifle, preferably a production rifle over custom, and want to know what models you fellow Southpaws are running.

And, have any of you just settled on a RH rifle due to the availability factor? If so, how annoying is it to reach over the scope and action to operate the bolt?

I've done very little shooting of rifles over 5.56 nato, so in all honesty I'm a newb to bigger calibers, although I've shot probably a hundred rounds through a 7RM with 150-165gr loads and did fairly well, but that was under 300 yds.

Ideally I want an AI AT-X, but I'm looking at Kelbly's newest NYX elite or a custom build with a Black Bear Tac action, Tikka T3x Tac A1, Seekins Havak HIT...

Obviously, if I settle for a RH rifle or action the options open wide, but I'd really like to find an LH model.
 
#4
Just got a reply email from Seekins and they don't currently offer any Havak HIT models in LH, nor do they plan on any LH models in the near future.
 
#9
I am. I would advise against a RH rifle if you plan on shooting competitively or hunting seriously. The inconvenience of the ergonomics alone was enough to push me into building a LH. I have never considered buying another RH since. I have an Impact, Defiance, Stiller, Remington, and soon a CDG in LH. I’ve had quite a few different stocks and chassis in LH. You can put together almost any configuration you want in your living room with pre-fit barrels and you won’t be limited to factory options. My advice is to keep an eye on the LH sale section.
 
#10
I have an American Rifle Company Archimedes in 6.5CM fit for a lefty. It may not be relevant now, but when I ordered it last year, there was *less* of a wait for it vs the RH version.

While it has been sadly under-used, I'm happy with it.
 
#11
I bought a lefty Savage 10 many years ago and built it myself with a Shilen 260 barrel. Its in an MDT chassis that uses AICS mags. Not sure if that is what you're looking for. I also have a lefty Tikka in 6.5x55, all stock.
 
#14
IT just occurred to me that some, maybe all, chassis cheek rests might not be reversible for a Lefty shooting a RHanded rifle... ?!
 
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#16
Here's a handful of lefty bolt guns I've owned, most of which I still own. Impact, Sugeon, and Defiance customs along with factory AI's, Anschutz, and Vudoo. They all feel and work a little different, but all great function wise. IMO, if you are waiting around on AI, don't. Build a custom rifle with an Impact 737R and never look back. You are correct, there aren't *as* many cheaper lefty options, but there are SO many higher end left hand options you really aren't limited. Stocks, actions, triggers, all the good stuff comes in either ambi or left hand options. This isn't 2010 any more, we can build anything we want.








 
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#17
I know that Savage rifles seem to not get much love around here. But I have always had great luck with them. And I can normally find what I want in a left hand version from Savage. I do prefer Savage's medium contour Varmint barrels. I have a Model 12FVL in 308 along with a MkII GVL in 17m2 and a MkII BTVLSS in 22LR. All three fit my needs well.

I use to settle for using right handed bolt actions until I finally broke down and bought a left hand bolt action. I'll never buy or use a right handed bolt action if I don't have to.
 
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#20
If I can't get an AI or similar in a reasonable period of time, I think I'll buy a new Tikka T3x Tact A1 while I wait on AI.
 
#21
My lefty configurations are...

action of choice, bbl of choice, stock/chassis of choice..I have not done/purchased a completed rifle with the exception of cz rimfires.

With that said I have rifles of Surgeon, and Origin actions, Manners and Krg chassis, lefty options have become more readily available than they have in the past which is good to see.
 
#23

This is the way.

Pick up a LH Impact 737 or a Terminus Zeus (along with a action wrench), order a pre-fit from a reputable smith (like SPR or Stuteville) in your favorite SA caliber, attach a TriggerTech, and drop it in a chassis that suits your needs best (MPA/MDT/Foundation for competition centric builds).
 
#24

i tried LH options & couldnt stand them..... shrug
i didnt settle on RH, i learned to shoot it ;) they feel comfortable
&
there is no need to reach over scope. i generally shoot using bipod. so my right hand is used to adjust my rear bag & operate the bolt.


see if there is a range close by that rents LH & RH rifles... try both & see which works better for you
or find a couple of locals that you can tag along with (buy them lunch or something ;) ) to try each option.
 
#26

And that does work just fine when shooting from a stationary position like from a bench all of the time. For those that hunt or compete where the shooter has to shoot from a number of different positions, then that will not work well like having the correct handed rifle will.
 
#28
I didn't find a factory lefty I liked so I went custom. Now some of the custom makers like ARC an GAP offer factory lefty rifles.


I've owned TL3 , Rimx, ARCs in lefty actions and they have all been good. New action I'm waiting on is a impact 737.


I honestly think custom is the way to go.

You can use an ARC CDG or a Zermatt Origin will run you around $900, a barrel $600-900, trigger of your choice $200-400, and stock or chassis of your choice , $300-2000

For around 2250 you can build a hell of a rifle that will be exactly what you want , and much better built then the mainstream factory rifles
 
#29
Little hard to give advice without better understanding your needs. If you are left eye dominant than don't go with a right bolt for sure.
If you are looking at PRS or shooting less than 1000 yards than I vote impact action on a foundation stock with a diamond tech trigger. If you can reload go 6mmBRA and run alpha brass. If not go 6 or 6.5 creedmoor and buy berger or hornady. Get a 28" barrel and go with a heavy contour. Hawkins bottom metal and mdt aics mags and your GTG.
 
#30
I’m lefty and used to use right handed guns because of convenience of purchase. In the past 4 years I have been converting to left-handed and currently have my parts ordered for a new build in all south paw. It’s worth it to go left-handed and just wait for the parts to come in or for a model you like off the shelf. No more right handed for me
 
#31
Do you have a specific use for this build? Hunting? General LR Shooting? PRS type matchs?
I have three of their actions-I am impressed.
Give Tim or Andy Kauger a call and they can set you up easily. 912-375-5214
They make left-hand actions-They make great actions. They have complete builds
 
#33
Years ago....the only real thing available was Remington and Savage for us lefties.

If you can't find a AI I'd get a Impact precision. Got a couple of those myself.

Barnard made left handed actions but just last year Barnard closed up. Covid and NZ restrictions killed them.

Badger Ordnance also made the M2008 action in left hand. Got a couple of those as well.
 
#39
The last time AI ran LH rifles was about 7 years ago. I got one off of that run. No I'm not selling it.

My top 3 choices off the tip of my head....

AI, Impact precision and Defiance.

Badger Ordnance back when they made the M2008 action made it in left hand. I got two of them.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
 
#41
I really enjoy my SRSA1 left hand for ELR style shooting. Can mag feed 300 Norma 250Atips loaded to the lans. Very compact. Desert tech will still build you one if you call them although its not available on the website. on there website
 
#43
Any updates or ideas when AI is going to release a Lefty AT-X or maybe a rem700 footprint AT-X chassis? I had an AIAX lefty loaner for a while but had to return it to its rightful owner.
 
#44
I was looking for a LH 22LR bolt action. Not many choices, but CZ and Tikka had them. I went with the Tikka T1x since it was available in LR. I am now trying to find a 20 gauge, semiautomatic shotgun. Very few out there but Escort (?) makes one but no one has them in stock.
 
#48
It'd be great to keep this thread going when we see new offerings in LH configuration- rifles, stocks/chassis, Actions, etc.
 
#50
Here's my take: Tikka is the easy option, smooth actions, safer trigger than Rem 700 platforms, and supported by most good stock and chassis makers. Factory barrels are more consistent that some custom barrels.

KRGs can easily be milled out to take a LH bolt.

Tac A1s are probably only the best bet if you keep them in their supplied chassis - unless you really want it for the two-stage trigger.

Otherwise, a CTR gets you a thick barrel, or CTRs or straight T3X can be dropped in a chassis to take AI mags.

And, if you're wanting a field/hunting stock, the new Rokstok has a lot of design elements that will help reduce muzzle rise: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/rokstok-why-what-how.341147/#post-3428039
 
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