Thanks for the “9 Best Hunting Rifles in 2025: I tested 60 rifles to find the best” article.
Glaring omission and request for inclusion in an update: which of these rifles are available in left hand configurations?
I know the Sako S20 is only available in right hand configurations, so while appealing I have to scratch that off my wish list.
My expectation is that most of the rifles listed are only available in right hand configurations.
While a number of the manufacturers listed do produce left hand configurations, they are typically limited to less than 10% of their advertised models and in limited calibers.
It seems to me that Bergara, Browing, and Tikka offer the best options for lefties at a reasonable price point. Your thoughts?
UPDATE:
After watching Jim’’s video and doing some additional research, I am zeroing in on a Beretta BRX1. Ambidextrous action that takes less than a minute to change from right to left or visa-versa, and easy to swap barrels for different calibers. Tried cycling the short action on one at a retailer without any relief issues for my length of pull. Not certain about relief when cycling a long action caliber but don’t see this as an issue for my length of pull as there was plenty of relief on the short action. I can use as a lefty and quickly change to right-hand if needed. Fantastic!
Jim, I just joined the community today. Huge fan of your content and your family. I’ve read this blog post about 50 times as I’ve researched my next rifle. I’ve looked through your ballistics tables and your elk/deer rifle tables. Also, just watched your latest video showing the top 10 cartridges you love to hunt with. I could use your help narrowing down my next hunting rifle setup.
A few items to consider:
I currently have a Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT in .308 with a Leupold Vx-6hd 3-18x. I know, I know on Christensen…but it’s a good one and I love it. I just want something with a little more than a .308 for my next rifle.
I live in IL and hunt whitetail in IL and Iowa, so I am stuck to 350 Legend/450 Bushmaster there. I get to TX to hunt hogs and deer…my .308 is more than enough for that.
I have plans for western elk hunts. Would love to attempt the 10 major big game species in my lifetime. I want something I can use for all of those hunts.
Can you help me narrow down the caliber, rifle and scope?
I think if I had to narrow things down I would choose:
Caliber - 300 Win Mag or 300WSM
Rifle - Sig Sauer Cross Sawtooth in 300 Win Mag or Sako 90 Quest
Scope - Leupold Mark 4HD 4.5-18x or Leupold vx-6hd 3-18x
I share all of that so you have a general idea of what I am thinking budget wise. But, I’d love your unfiltered thoughts…if you had a blank canvas to choose the ultimate rifle set up, what do you choose? One gun to do it all. At least for now… I’m sure I will buy other guns too!
This is why I joined the community…to ask you this! Thank you!!
The Sako 90 Quest in 300 win mag is an extremely fine rifle. One of the best I’ve ever reviewed. It seems to match everything you’re saying.
However, if you’re looking in that $3k - $4k price range like the Sako 90 and Sawtooth, then I’d like to also throw a custom rifle into the mix. For that, I’d pick:
300wsm if handloading or 300 win if factory
Bartlein prefit steel barrel in a medium varmint contour
20” if 300wsm, 22” if 300 win mag
175gr bullet will probably get 2900fps
Action: Aero solus is great and not too expensive
Stock: Backfire’s upcoming Backlight chassis
Trigger: REM 700 Triggertech
Cost would be around $2800 and you’d have an absolute monster of a rifle with everything exactly how you like it. Once you get all the pieces, it can be put together in your garage with some basic tools in one hour.
I started digging into the Solus action a few weeks ago and I am sold. Its so simple to change the Bolt face, so you can multi barrel a rifle with non complimentary calibers, like the 6.5CM and 300WSM. I went with Proof barrels just because I know them better and I happen to really like the BixN Andy triggers. Since I am in TX and so far we can use the Burris Technology - that’s the scope I want to use next.
But, if I went with your choice I would am sure I would be extremely happy as well.
The Aero Solus action is not too expensive and has some nice features. Tikka actions are great too. If you already have a tikka, go for it. If you’re buying one to build, I’d get the Aero.
For cartridges, 280AI is phenomenal and you can get a CF prefit from Oregon mountain rifles . Mine is so accurate that it could beat most precision rifles.
6.5 PRC is a little light on elk (but I’ve hunted elk with them a few times with no issues). It’s probably the cartridge that is the best for a general rifle for shooting on the range and hunting most animals.
FYI if you like the Burris Veracity PH, (I have (4) 4-20x50) and I was wanting a 3-15x44. They are pretty much $1200 everywhere. I got on Amazon and found it for $879.00. So I went to Cabela’s and asked if they match price, which they do. If you are a club member you get an extra 5% off, and I am retired LEO so I got another 10% off so it wound up costing me $750.00. If it is that special club member one day sale you could get another 10% off.
I shoot 3 of those 4 rifles frequently. I don’t own a 280 AI. I never see the ammo here in Alaska so never bought one. I prefer 300 WSM over 300 WinMag or 7mm Mag. Felt recoil is less for me with 300 WSM using 165 TSX. But all 3 of those will do the work you set out to do. Short action can also be a bit lighter rifle but I do have a Tikka 7 Mag that is pretty light so that can be mitigated as well. My other 7mm Mag is a Sako S20 and its got the stock for precision shooting and its heavier but still recoil feels more than my 300 WSM. 300 WinMag in a variety of models and still keep one in Texas to kill axis/hogs/ white-tail. I would not hesitate to use any of them for elk or other similar sized animals. I am a WSM fanboy though. I own several 300 WSM, a 270 WSM, 325 WSM. Even used my 325 WSM for my 9 ft. brown bear with 200 gr TSX handload at 2900 FPS. I think bullet choice is often more important than what the head stamp is on the gun you point. Options are good though. Have fun with the search.
If you wanted to save a bit of coin over the Sig and Sako, you might look at the new Tikka Ace Game. They show having it in 300WM, 7 RemMag and 7 PRC. As you probably know Sako makes them.
