Entry level bolt action questions

[RNE228]

Depends on the rifle. Not all stocks are ambidextrous. The Monte Carlo style stocks would not be comfortable to shoot left handed; while possible the cheek weld would be uncomfortable.

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

[jimmykan]

Ruger American Predator Left-Handed in 6.5 Creedmoor

RUGER AMERICAN RIFLE PREDATOR LH 6.5CM MODEL 16977

Put it in a chassis if you want to use AICS magazines.

Brownells, MDT and Indian Creek make chassis for the Ruger American. And I know at least Indian Creek offers a left hand version.

[MongooseV8]

Id buy a 223, 243, 6.5 Grendel. A Creedmoor might be too much unnecessary recoil for a new shooter at short distances. A decent 223 can grow with just about anyone.

[Imageview]

[Bhobbs]

She’s cross dominant but she feels much more comfortable shooting left handed. She hasn’t been shooting very long, so maybe we can try to get her to shoot right handed. I’ll work with her next time we go out.

[DolphinFan]

One of my favorite rifles is a Marlin 891T. A bolt Action Tube Fed rifle that will shoot .22 anything, .22LR, .22long, .22short, .22CB's. And it holds more than 10 rounds in the tube, it holds 25 rounds Short, 19 rounds Long, or 17 Long Rifle.
It has Ramp front and adjustable open rear sights.
It should cost under $300.

The other option would be a Savage Axis XP in .223

[Preston-CLB]

I have a Savage M10 in .223: 22" barrel, 4-round box mag, nice wood stock. It's a very accurate rifle. Not sure if Savage still makes it though--haven't looked recently. Savage is certainly worth the money.

I agree with others regarding .223. Yu can get a variety of bullet weights, and ammo is easy to get. My Savage eats everything I feed it.

Occasionally, Savage has rifles that come with a scope, which is ideal for new shooters. Also, Savage may have a rebate that can save you some money.

My LGS had a very nice Bergara .243. The action was buttery smooth and the cost wasn't horrendous for such a nice rifle. Bergara is certainly worth a look.
-P

[CSACANNONEER]

As a lefty, I have been shooting right handed bolts so long (45 years) that LH bolts are really weird to shoot. I only have two LH bolt guns (AR50 and 700BDL in .270) and don't shoot them often. I suggest having her shoot a couple LH rifles before deciding that she wants one. In my opinion, it's better for lefties to learn to shoot RH rifles because, they are more common. I'll also suggest a good bolt action .22lr like a Mossberg 44US or similar. If she wants a centerfire rifle, 223 is a good choice out to 500 yards or so or a .243 if she wants the to shoot out to 1000 or so. The .243 would also be a better deer rifle should she decide to take up hunting.

[Imageview]

[Cowboy T]

I am also cross-dominant, right-handed but left-eye dominant. Turns out I shoot a rifle better right-handed, so I trained my right eye to behave. :-) However, if she shoots more comfortably left-handed, then yes, she should try seriously shooting left-handed. Lefty rifles are out there, rest assured. Whatever works best for her is what she should do. But you know that already.

Yes, you can download the .30-06 to .30-30 levels or even lower, safely. There's "The Load", which is 16 grains of 2400 underneath a 150gr bullet. This works pretty well as a a reduced load for full-power military cartridges like the .30-06, .308 Win, 7.62x54R, .303 British, 7.5x55 Swiss, and so on.

With that said, I'm thinking that the .223 Rem will be the best choice for her, for her first rifle, or a .22 LR (I like .22LR rifles, too). This way she gets her proper rifle-shooting technique which will carry over if she wants to shoot a more powerful cartridge later on.

[Bhobbs]

Yeah, I’m leaning towards .223. Seems like the best way forward.

[MyOdessa]

I'd recommend Tikka T3x in 243 of 7-08. Great quality, accuracy and trigger.

[sigstroker]

But not entry level.

[LynnJr]

Get her a left handed sps varmint 700 in 223 and put a heavy scope on it. Sportsman's has them.
They weigh 8.5 pounds already so adding a heavy scope will further aid in recoil reduction.
Also chop the stock if needed so it fits her. A poorly fitting gun is no fun to shoot for anyone and worse for a beginner.
The advantage with the 700 is you can change barrels bolts stocks and triggers as needed and they retain there value.

[RNE228]

That's why I brought up earlier, to let her go to the LGS and handle some rifle to find one she feels comfortable with.

Good point that you can chop/modify stocks to fit. Take-off stocks are easily available if ever need to go back to original configuration.

Also chop the stock if needed so it fits her. A poorly fitting gun is no fun to shoot for anyone and worse for a beginner.