At 50, I'm gettting into hunting a little late in life. I've spent a lot of time at the range in my years, but little in the field since my father and grandfather died while I was quite young.
I have the opportunity to do some elk and moose hunting over the next couple of years, and the only centerfire rifles I own are Marlin 336's in 30-30, a Rossi 92 .357mag, and an old left-bolt Savage in 30-06 that I recently purchased- decent condition, cheap.
What are your recommendations on a good mid-bore rifle larger than a 30cal for a lefty? I would love to have a .358, but they are not available in left-hand bolt anything, and are VERY pricey in a Savage 99 (my dream gun but not affordable at present). A friend at the gun club told me to take that old Savage 110CL and have it converted to 338-06. I know that both the 30-30 and 30-06 would work; I have friends up in Canada that use either for elk/moose, but these hunts may be a once/twice in a lifetime thing for me, and I think I want something bigger/stronger. I've always wanted a medium-bore anyway.
BTW, I have recently got into reloading- I don't have any reservations about getting into a lesser-known/distributed cartidge (like the 338-06). I've even considered .348 or .356 since I like leverguns, but they are a little more range/energy limited?

Yepper the 06 would do you just fine. But, if you really want to go a different route I'd have it retubed to 338/06 and I'm for betting you'll like it.

I really like my 338/06.

Nothing wrong at all with getting into hunting @ mid life!


Dober

If I were you (btw, I am left handed also) and that 06 shoots, I would load it up with some TSX's and use the money you would save on GOOD glass if you don't already have some.

Ryan

Big fan of the 338-06 here as well. Good suggestion taking the Savage and retubing. Another choice maybe the 338 Fed in a Tikka T3 lefty. Good gun for the money and up to the 210's only 150-200 fps behind the 338-06. You can also get a donor lefty short action and rebarrel to a 358 win.

Had to edit to add Ruger's coming out with a Ruger compact mag version in 2010, I believe it will be offered in 338RCM which maybe just the ticket for ya'

Good luck and good shootin'

Any ideas on where to start and what it would cost as far as rebarrelling a Savage to 338, or a short-action left bolt (if one could be found) to .358? I think these would be my first two choices, and probably the least expensive. I think I could top it off with a Nikon scope (love Leupold glass, but once again, $$$). One friend in Canada has a 99 Savage in .358 and claims he has yet to chase a moose into the swamp after shooting one with it. He's kind of a BS'er but I've heard that cartridge is quite good on moose and elk.
On a different note, I did get to shoot a 9.3 at the club, and I found it manageable, even though I'm slightly built; it wasn't a left-bolt, but the owner told me that CZ does offer that caliber in one? My guess is that option would be much more money than taking this nice old Savage and making a .338-06 out of it. I have no problem being different, and the 9.3 has been a curiousity ever since I shot that thing.

You can also look for a Browning BLR in 358 win. Its not my cup of tea for a levergun(big Marlin fan) but it will work and probably cheaper then buying a donor at $3-$400 and anoth $400-$600 for the rebarreling job

+1 on the Tikka (338 Fed or 300 WSM)

You have a 30-06 Savage, which is excellent for elk. But if you're on a budget, get a 338-06, or 35 Whelen barrel for it, and change it yourself. Pretty cheap medium bore.

Unfortunately, the lefthand Tikka is not made in .338 Federal -- or 7mm-08 or 6.5x55.

Find a nice used 30 06 stainless Ruger with a laminate stock and have it rebarreled to either 9,3x62 or 35 Whelen.
Rumor has it Ruger is discontuining all left hand stainless rifles.

Sorry my bad

I have a Sav 111 Lam stock .30-06 that I got new and rebarreled to .338-06. It is an easy conversion. That being said, the .338Fed and the .325WSM were not available at that time. I would look very closely at a BLR in the .325WSM. I've read some very good things about that combination. Good luck.

That's an interesting idea- what further mods need to be done to the action to convert from 30-06 to 9.3 after changing out the barrel?

The very bottom listing might fit your needs. The RH version can be found for about 6 1/2 bills.

http://www.ruger.com/products/m77RugerCompactMagnum/models.html

Tikka does make the left-hand in all the same calibers as the right hand, ie 7-08/338 Federal/6.5x55, etc. It is just that Beretta will not import them into the US for us. Maybe if enough of us lefties(me included) contact Beretta and complain, maybe we can get them to at least import some, even if it is only on special order.

Far be it for me to try to really talk you out of a new rifle, but you keep mentioning budget this and budget that. Just my opinion, but I would put a nicer scope on you Savage and then use the rest of the money for tags/trips! That way you may be able to make those one/twice in a lifetime trips a thrice or more type of trip. Though I'm far from old, I can't help but think that the memories of the trips would be memorable and more fun to share than a rifle.

point well taken. Thank you all for your input.

I'm not going to recommend a specific rifle, especially since you're a lefty. I'm not certain what's available in left hand but...
I would strongly recommend that you look at a .30-06 chambering. Interesting from me since I'm a .270 Win. fan but a 180 gr. premium bullet out of an '06 definitely does moose in. I've been there & seen it several times. This even better since you have the capability to reload for it. It's an easy cartridge to load for and very versitile. I've been with guys who put moose down at about 300 or so yards with one with no problems. Later on you could go to a larger caliber such as a .338.
Just my thoughts & good luck.
Bear in Fairbanks

The cheapest option would definitely be to rebarrel the Savage 30-06. With a barrel nut wrench and a set of go-no go gauges, the switch should be easy and reversible. Might get someone who has done it before to help the first time or two. You could run the 338-06, 35 Whelen or the 9.3x62 without any modification. (I think so on the 9.3 but not 100% sure).

If your Savage bolt gun in '06 shoots straight , your done .

If you want to rebarrel it check MidwayUSA,gunparts, they have had 338.06 and 35Whelan barrels as cheap as $120. I am impressed with both of mine.
If you want a better tube check Shilen for Savage replacement barrels.
Also glance at Sharp Shooter Supply,McGowan Barrels,E.R.Shaw and others.
Barrel $120+,wrench $35,headspace gauge15+, dies.
Do a web search for Savage rebarreling ,you needed a small project anyhow!

You might look around the net for a new 338 RUM in left hand. Some dealers couldn't hardly give them away.
You said you hand load and could load it down for most things or all the up for the bigger game you mentioned.

On mine it didnt require any additional work at all. Just rebarrel and inlet the stock, thats it. The conversion works perfectly and the rounds feed as smooth as butter. Lots of power in a small package. Privi brass and bullets are pretty cheap, Grafs sell both. Dies are easy to find as well. I also own a 35 Whelen but the 9,3 just seems to have cooler ring to it:)

If 9,3x64 brass was more easily found I would go for it instead.

Got to throw my vote in for re-chambering or re-barrelling to 35 Whelen as it is effective & factory brass & ammo is easily available. It is about the minimum to enable you to jump to a significantly bigger bullet, caliber & weight wise. The 338 is only a half step.:) Yes, I am biased!
Further, I have some experience with the Whelen & it has been easy to get along with and never disappointed me.
Practical side of me needs to comment that your '06, with any 165-180 gr bullet, including plain old Core Lokts, has proven itself to be seriously effective on everything up through, and including moose.

I'll give the same response I always give on lefty questions like this - remember there are rifles out there that work just fine without a bolt handle. My choice is the Ruger #1. My first "bigger than an '06" rifle was a #1B in .338 Win. Mag. A friend wanted it bad so I sold it. If was a little bulky for me in the hand anyway. My latest is a #1 Tropical in .375 H&H. Either work perfectly for lefties and I love that tang safety.

Another lefty option that looks interesting is the .338 Marlin lever action. My elk experience is limited, but even here in AZ most of the shots I've encountered have been less than 100 yards. The printed ballistics of that Marlin round should work just fine at 3 times that distance. I only wonder if the cartridge will have longevity...