Entry level bolt action questions

[Bhobbs]

[Ora Serrata]

Left handed bolts are not easy to find.

Both the wife and son are left handed. I got a left handed Savage in 30-06. Funny thing is my son is so used to shooting with right hand bolts and reaching over to cycle the bolt that the lefty bolt feels strange to him.

For caliber I think the 6.5 or .223 is a great idea. 308 and 30-06 are expensive and have more recoil. 223 is the way to go for cost and recoil unless she really wants to reach out to 400+ yards. If she’d be shooting mostly at 300 or less then I’d go with the .223.

[Cowboy T]

You have several good options here for her. The .223 Remington is an obvious choice, and with the heavier, higher-BC bullets (80+ gr), it can reach out there to about 600 yards or even a bit more.

My wife has no trouble shooting the 7mm-08 Savage 11 with a 24" varmint barrel, due to the barrel's weight. The 7mm-08 with the 139gr bullet is a pretty soft shooter anyway, much like the 6.5 Creedmoor.

A Remington 700 Varmint in .308 Win (26" barrel) would also be a very good choice. I've shot one of those and find it to be very comfortable, especially compared to a lighter-weight hunting rifle like the Ruger American in .308 Win.

A .243 Win would be another very good choice. Even rifles with sporter barrels chambered for this cartridge tend to be pretty low recoil.

And, of course, the already-mentioned 6.5 Creedmoor would be a fine choice as well.

As for rifle models, I haven't shot a Bergara, but they've gotten high marks. Any quality rifle is a good choice, and there are several, but for lefties, I would look at Remington and especially Savage.

[RNE228]

If you're bench shooting, one of the affordable 22's would be good way to go(there's a number of nice 224 calibre cartridges). 223 would probably be the most affordable of those.

In regard to the rifle, let her pick it. Take her to a few LGS and let her handle and shoulder some rifles.

I bought my wife a couple of rifles, but only after she had shot the same rifles. Otherwise, she picks her own, that fit her and her likes.

[Calif Hunter]

I would also suggest a Savage in .223. Ammo is more plentiful than about anything else, less expensive and very pleasant to shoot. Left handed Savages may be easier to find.

It is great that she is enjoying this hobby with you.

[baih777]

Take the time and go to sportsman warehouse and bass pro.
They might have some left handed bolt she can try.

[Calisnaps]

.223 would be easier on the wallet and recoil.

[CartridgeCalls]

Tikka's come in left handed models. I have a Savage left handed .308 for my wife and she loves it so far.

[TKM]

Get into reloading and download the 06 to 30-30 levels.

[Bhobbs]

I do load for my .30-06 but it’s not left handed and she feels way more comfortable shooting left handed.

I have some reloading stuff for .223, so I think it would make the most sense. I’ll call around to some local shops and see if they have any lefty .223s.

[1911missed]

For sure a 223 or 5.56 would be nicer to shoot and left-hand models easier to find. Put a 3x9 scope on it and ready to go.

[sghart]

Savage for the win!

https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57247

[RNE228]

My wife likes black powder rifles, especially Hawken types. Those are available righty or lefty

She's a crack-shot with her TC Hawken

[19K]

Can she not shoot those rifles left handed without a left handed bolt?

[Bhobbs]

She can and does ok with it but I want something she feels is hers and not just something of mine she can use.