The Search for a Left Handed Hunting Rifle

1

I have been looking to purchase my son a hunting rifle for his birthday. The challenge is that he is left handed which limits the rifle manufacturers and caliber choices. I have eliminated the Savage 110, Ruger American Gen II and Mossberg. I watched Jim’s channel on these and believe that spending the extra will be worth the cost.
I then began looking at what would be the mainstream rifles. I am looking at the 270 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC. The barrel needs to be threaded. Most of the hunting will be White Tail Deer, Hogs and coyotes at less than 250 yards. The below aren’t in any particular order and if anyone can add comments to their experiences I would really appreciate it.

  1. Weatherby – Left hand model only offered in Mark 5 and is out of price range,

  2. Bergara B-14 Sierra Wilderness Left Hand 6.5 PRC, 20" 1:8" #5 Fluted barrel, Fluted Bolt, 5/8x24.threaded barrel.
    a. My concern is that the barrel is only 20” for the 6.5 Creedmoor and the PRC. I would choose the PRC since I understand that with a 20” barrel the performance will match a 6.5 CR with 22” bbl. I do like that with a 7”suppressor total length would only be 27”. The PRC ammo is considerably more costly.

  3. Tikka T3x Lite Veil Wideland left hand in either 6.5 PRC or 6.5 Creedmoor, has a 24.3" barrel and a 5/8x24 threaded barrel.
    a. My concern is that with 24.3” barrel total length with suppressor is 31” which I find very long to carry. I could have 2” cut off but that adds cost.

  4. Browning X-Bolt Hunter Left handed comings in 6.5 Creedmoor, 270 win, 7mm-08 but not in 6.5prc and not threaded. It does have a 22 in barrel but I don’t know the diameter to know suitable to be threaded. This would add cost. I would really consider the 7mm-08 or 270 Win if this barrel was threaded. May be my best option and pay for the barrel to be threaded.

  5. Christensen Mesa FFT Left hand 6.5 PRC has a 20” barrel with a 1/2x28 threaded muzzle.

a. Same concern as with the Bergara for performance.

  1. Remington 700- I do not finding that Remington any longer has a production left handed rifle. I do find left hand actions are available for custom work.
    So, this is where I am at with the searching for left hand bolt action rifle offerings. I really like the Tikka T3X (daughter has one in 270 Win) but the length is an issue.
    I am kind of left with the Bergara wishing that the barrel was 22”. I am open to experiences and thoughts. What do lefties this and what’s been the experience of those with the 6.5 PRC in a 20” barrel. I know it is giving up performance, but our hunting distance is pretty short.
    Finally, the Browning X-Bolt would be a strong contender if the barrel was threaded.
    I know there are a lot of opinions and experiences. Thanks for sharing.

Ron

Jim would really like you to chime in…

2

Speaking as someone that is cross dominant and has been shooting left handed for 35 years, just train him on RH guns. You have all the makes, models, and calibers available without the added cost. Plus, there is actually a resell market for RH guns.
When I shoot I keep my left and on the gun and cycle the bolt with my right hand. I would argue that, once trained, it is more efficient than shooting a RH gun left handed rather than right handed.

3

For cartridge, I’d probably go 6.5 Creedmoor. Based on your description of how it’ll be used, a Creed would be perfect in my opinion.

I’d eliminate Christensen. I just hear ssooooo many bad experiences with Christensen that it drown out the good ones.

Browning is good, but plan on the price for an upgraded trigger. Some people change out the spring but I don’t love the safety of that.

I’m reviewing a Bergara Wilderness Sierra this week so I’ll get back on that one with my review.

Tikka is absolutely fantastic. Is there a Roughtech in lefty?

4

Jim, Thanks for the reply. Tikka does not make a lefty in the Rougtech, only the Lite and Sporter. I’ll look forward to what you think of the Bergara Wilderness Sierra.
Ron

5 
Jim, I stand corrected.I found today; Tikka T3x Lite Roughtech Tan 6.5 Creedmoor 24.3" so they are available.
Ron