Home Forums Hunting & Shooting The Lefty Forum Which left hand budget rifle?

I'm going to have a $400 budget shortly (already have an extra Leupold on hand so it's all gun) and I want a LH .308. I know the Ruger American and Savage Axis come in LH but is there any I'm forgetting? And which should I get?

I know you probably don't want to here this but my suggestion is put the $400 under your pillow and save another $200-$300 and buy a really nice non-budget rifle. For example a Ruger M77 Hawkeye or a gently used Rem. 700 BDL or CDL. in blued steel and walnut. These are getting harder to find in Left hand but if you're patient and browse the classifieds on Gunbroker.com and Gunsamerica.com you'll find one(probably just about the time you've saved up the extra coin to make the purchase). If you prefer the synthetic stocked rifles, then save towards getting a Tikka T3 in 308(blued synthetic as well as stainless synthetic are available).

In the long run you'll be happier with something that is truly a nice firearm you can be proud owning for the rest of your life.

Good luck,

Leftybolt

leftybolt makes sense,


I have a Ruger American in 7-08mm. Shoots good. I wouldnt be scared of an axis either.

No disrespect intended.

I have heard a lot of good reviews about the Ruger American and Savage Axis; accuracy seems decent with either one.

But, having said that, every time I'm in a gunshop and pick up one of these "budget rifles" to take a look, try as I may to like them, I'm reminded of why I spent the extra money on the higher end guns that I own. There's really just no comparison. They're just not very nice rifles, IMO. It's worth the little extra time, coin, and patience to get something nicer. YMMV,

Leftybolt

Ruger American would be my pick.

Looks like a Savage Trophy Hunter can be had for under $500 & you could probably sell the scope on ebay.

Or a good used 77, 700 etc. might be located.

Axis are just too ugly to my eyes.

no offense taken. You have a valid point





I bought the savage Trophy hunter in creedmoor last year. Creedmoor lefties aren't to common. Buy that and sell the scope will put you in the $400 range, Good gun. Accutrigger, DEtachable mag. Just doesnt have the accustock.

A couple months ago I had an extra $400 and my wife reminded me the car needs tires. Now she's already talking about sofas and futons. I think if I sit on my money and let it grow a little I'll most likely end up with a new sofa to sit on and ponder how much I still want a left hand .308.

That's why you put the $400 under the pillow.......Or, maybe under the mattress would be a better hiding place.

Be strong, and keep that money rat holed! Your wife sounds a lot like mine. Perseverance is the key!

moose mike , buy the ruger. i just bought one in 243..I have gotten to be the opposite of what lefty bolt is saying.....not being disrespectful , but i have a few " nicer rifles and handguns" I am talking ...forbes ultra light.... david gentry....freedom arms....and so on. if you are on some what of a tight budget, buy now. I have pissed away alot of money on guns, you know what , I like that little 399 ruger.

same with scopes....going all back to Leopold straight 6......good luck.......bob

Too bad you missed the $299 Rugers at CDNN a few months ago.

Then you know what I'm up against!

Then go for the RAR. And call it good.

Maybe a 7-08 instead of a 308?

$299 howa 270 at whittakers...

Whoops, just saw the left hand thing...ruger American for the win

From legacysports.com

It's gotta be a .308 Winchester for me. Going forward that's going to be my cartridge.

If you're going to stick solid with the $400 budget, handle the Ruger and Savage side by side, and pick the one that feels best to you. As far as sticking with the .308 Win moving forward, congratulations. Good choice. You have far more discipline than I. Good luck !

I can't get past the flimsy wrist on the Axis stock.

Quote: "I can't get past the flimsy wrist on the Axis stock."


That is precisely why I suggested taking a little more time to save for a better quality rifle. Little things like that start to annoy you when you start to really handle a budget rifle. Wait 'til the piece of crap recoil pad tears on you (or just falls off completely).

As a Lefty(as you probably know already) caliber selection is also very limited.

Any particular reason you are dead set on 308 cal.?

As somebody else suggested 7mm-08 is a great caliber. Was a Tikka T3 Lite SS in 7mm-08 earlier today on Gunbroker.com for $579(buy it now). Somebody got a bargain cause its not there anymore. There are bargains out there on high quality guns if you pay attention and jump on them when you see them.

Leftybolt

I was a huge .30-06 fan. Must have owned 10 of them. I had a severe heart attack in November and as a left hand shooter it really effected me. I sold my Husqvarna S&W .30-06. A couple shots out of one of my 30-30's would cause me chest pain. I've now worked myself up to where I can shoot my .300 Savage several times without discomfort. I'm not ready to go back to the .30-06 (and I may not ever again) but I think I can manage a .308 and if I can't I know I can work my way up to it. That will then be my "big gun".