LH bolt-action choices

[Kairo]

I'm researching bolt action rifles. I'm left-handed and I want it in 30-06. I am looking at the ruger m77 blackhawk 30-06. Tikka t3 is also nice. I could always go cheaper and get the Savage Axis...

I'm leaning hard towards the Ruger blackhawk because of the walnut stock...

[CRTguns]

tikka and be done with it.

I'm a professional gunsmith and manufacturer... the only out-of-the-box gun I own is my tikka hunting rifle. Why? I've never had to fix one. Ever. 16 years in the biz... only time I ever see them is for muzzle brakes or scope mounting.

This week alone, we have a ruger M77 safari with a cracked stock and crushed magazine box (poor bedding at factory), 2 remingtons getting sako extractors (cause oem does not work) 3 Remington getting triggers (safety recall) and a Win and a Savage getting bedded, and an A-bolt that still cant figure out what's wrong with it- just makes 6 moa accuracy.

need more reason?

TIKKA!

[deckhandmike]

Being lh I stick to the rem 700 platform. Seems to be the mods available if you wish to upgrade and tinker.

[cooper669]

My wife and I are both leftys. She has a browning micro hunter in 7mm-08 and it is a sweet shooter(-1/2 moa). She also has a Sako 75 in 30-06 and it is a really nice rifle. I have a few custom rifles built on left hand actions, (McMillan .338 RUM, Montana 7mm STW and even a Mauser 3000 in 300 Win Mag) and I love them all. Don't go cheap, get the best you can afford. I prefer Remington platforms, my old left- handed Remington .270, with 100's of rounds through it, is over 35 years old and still shoots sub-moa groups.

[Fjold]

Kairo,

What do you want to do with it? Hunt, plink, compete, long range?

I'm left handed and own Remington, Ruger, Savage, Montana Rifle Co., CZ, Zastava, Winchester.

Every brand has its own uses.

[Kairo]

Plink, long range, maybe hunt, but not any time soon..

[CRTguns]

tikka is lighter, more accurate and reliable than the other brands. Already has the sako extractor, which is a $200 upgrade to a remington. Tika has MOA guarantee, detacheable box mag is standard, has an adjustable trigger from 2.5-6 lb, and it includes scope rings.

most people use remmy... sure. that should be enough reason not to.

[Fjold]

I don't know what your recoil tolerance is but in the lighter guns many people have trouble shooting the 30.06 well.

The Remingtons and Savages will plink and compete with any of them and offer the most long range options. The Tikka's, Rugers and Winchesters I consider more as hunting guns.

I would recommend going to a big gun shop and actually shouldering a few of them to see which one fits you the best. They all have different dimensions so certain brands may fit you better.