I'm getting a rifle for hunting deer, but want to have fun at the range too. My problem is that I'm left handed and left eye dominant. Is this gonna suck having a bolt action? I really want an AR-10 but can't afford it right now. Should I just wait until I can?
>Is this gonna suck having a bolt action?
> I really want an AR-10 but can't afford it right now
Bruh, same.
>Should I just wait until I can?
Just buy the bolt action now. AR-15's are fun and all but bolt actions are great when you want to get tight groups and start learning how to shoot at longer ranges. I find I learn better on a bolt action, it slows you down.
Thank you! That's exactly what I'm looking for because I found an awesome place to shoot here in PA outdoors. I know the sharpshooter in saving private Ryan was a lefty who stayed on target while reloading. What about the 243 win chambering?
.243 is fine and there are many bolt options. As a left hander and left eye dominant myself, I have no issue whatsoever using a right hand bolt gun. Buy a left hander if you want or just deal with it.
>243 win
Exceptional. It's tiny, so if you're hunting with it know it's a zippy thing and avoid hitting bone or using soft bullets.
I would recommend something like a 270win instead so you can put a little heavier bullet in there like the 130 grains. I'm partial to the 284 win. the 7 mil caliber is considered to be a sweet spot and many 7mm cartridges are a dandy to shoot. the 280AI is also pretty popular now with the reloader crowd now that it's SAAMI spec'd by Nosler.
If it were myself, i'd pick the .284 win if you're gonna be using a standard action rifle, and the 7mm-08 for a short action if you're particular on that sort of thing.
Just looked into it, and that's an awesome recommendation. I'm leaning towards the 270 now but will continue looking into it. Would it be a big recoil upgrade? I'm no b***h, but my wife will be using it on occasion. She's able to handle my 1911 if that's any reference.
>Would it be a big recoil upgrade?
That would be subjective, I think for a child or a person sensitive to muzzle blast, yea it could be.
Here's a quick article that gives a brief rundown. obviously rifle weight and bullet weight will have an effect on recoil as well.
https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/firearm-hunting/caliber-battle-270-win-vs-243-win
Nathan Foster has also some indepth articles on these two aswell. It's a bit of a read but I find it fascinating.
https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.243+Winchester.html
https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.270+Winchester.html
Thank you for this information, really appreciated. Leaning back towards the 243 now haha
If your wife might use it, there is another calibre thats comparable. 6.5prc.
I have one (and ammo, 6.5prc ammo is frickin rare up here in canada) and i rmember running number between a sako 140 sierra game king vs...a 150gr 270 nosler...something? Anyways, the drop and energy were within single digits of each other and the 6.5prc had a very noticeable reduction in recoil compaired to the 270.
Either way the 7mm-08 and 270 are still fantastic hunting rounds. Nice and flat shooting with great penetration. Cant go wrong with any suggestion.
>What about the 243 win chambering?
Light recoil, short action, huge variety of factory ammo, vast selection of rifles available; extremely available and extremely efficient for deer and smaller critters, marginal at best for anything bigger or heavier - including hogs and black bear. If you want to step up to more of an all-purpose cartridge then I highly recommend something in the neighborhood of .280 rem. Less recoil than '-06 and outstanding ballistics.
Since no one bothered to help you, either just save up and get an AR-10, though some søybois will say it's too heavy and you won't hunt with it, that's up to you.
Otherwise, you just buy a lefty version or learn to be a righty like the Gods intended and use anything you want.
Agreed, I never understood why a man holding a rifle would complain about weight or fatigue...It's less than 15 pounds. Frick you righties though. We are the dominant minority but you never listen haha. The left handed model is always $200+ more. I'd rather not shoot righty because my instinct will always be to raise my weapon left handed
You should be able to work the bolt with your right hand if you use your left to tuck it into your shoulder with enough force.
>I never understood why a man holding a rifle would complain about weight or fatigue...It's less than 15 pounds.
Because when you do it day in and day out if you have a longer rifle that's front heavy and the handle is way far from the center of gravity it puts a strain on to carry it all the time after a few weeks.
Just get right handed, youre not going to be chambering that often while hunting.
Is a Fuddmatic lever gun an option?
I'm left handed and my first rifle was a mosin I got for 160$. In my experience shooting left handed basically means you either A: have to shoot with the barrel resting when you work the bolt or B: lean the rifle back so the weight is balanced on your shoulder while your right hand works the bolt.
A scope like in your picture will definitely get in the way and while I think Mosin Nagants are shitty rifles, the way the bolt sticks straight out is easier for a lefty than one angled down like in your picture. This is because the correct technique is to come up over the rifle with your trigger hand and rack the bolt that way while keep it pressed against your shoulder with the support hand, your right hand.
You can do it easy enough but the scope will have to be mounted farther forward meaning you'll need scout gun type set up with long eye relief.
Why do you want a bolt action? I'm assuming you've already checked your state laws. Only straight wall cartridges are legal for hunting in my state, so it's all 12gauge and 45-70.
Have you considered a lever action? The Marlin Guide gun is pretty sweet.
They make left handed rifles like that.
Get a lever action in 30-30. It will be fun
Get a .270 Winchester bolt action. You won't regret it.
270 is peak boomer fudd
270 is genuinely a great cartridge.
what about an ak? perfectly left handed! and they make em in 308. veprs anyway.
For the amount of money he's going to have to put down for a vepr in current year he could get an AR10, a bunch of boolits/accessories, and a handy from the store owner.
Buy a Ruger SFAR. They are only 1k and only 6.8 pounds so it's light enough to carry into the woods.
Why not get one of those modern, light weight lever action carbines?
You can just get a nice lefty bolt gun. X-bolts come in left and are even cheaper than the right hand version. Delightful guns.
Ruger and Savage have plenty of left-handed bolt actions.
Save up and buy a lefty Stag 10