Custom Action For Lefty
- Thread starter NDguy
- Start date
mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
- 3,951
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I shoot lefty and know your problem. Back in the early 50's there just were no left handed actions. I tried semi autos, levers and slides and none fit the bill for me.
Savage M110 was available in LH, you might look for one of those to use as a donor, they are a good action. For me, I just adapted and have shot RH bolts. Good luck.
I just googled "left handed bolt actions" and found quite a few.
Savage M110 was available in LH, you might look for one of those to use as a donor, they are a good action. For me, I just adapted and have shot RH bolts. Good luck.
I just googled "left handed bolt actions" and found quite a few.
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I am leaning towards just doing this I have shot right handed rifles my whole life before I bought my Tikka and Ruger American Predator in LH. Suppose I could just go that route. I do have quiet a hankering for one of those Bergara rifles.
280ackimp
Active Member
The rem 700 is a great action and is copied by many and is the foundation for many customs. The nice thing is is that most gunsmith students use these for project rifles because they tend to have more aftermarket parts ad enhancement available than any other action. If your building one yourself its hard to beat them. I agree also that the Savage is a strong contender. As a rifle nut, what will this rifle be used for and what caliber, barrel , stock and trigger will the use dictate your choice ?
This is 100% a hunting rifle. I am leaning towards .300 win but a .280AI I have heard is an amazing round. I currently have a 30-06 and 6.5 CM. I am new to the idea of a custom so not sure on what other parts but I would likely get a nice trigger like a Timney.
280ackimp
Active Member
NDguy,
Now I get to brag a little. I have built several 280AI long before SAMMI standards were established. Several rifles on the 700 actions, I am a big fan of the round and believe that it is one of the most versatile rounds ever developed on a standard action without magnum recoil !
One of my favorite rifles in this caliber is based on a 700 action in a McMillan hunter stock and a reworked Rem trigger. It does have a heavier sport weight barrel. RW Hart did the work.
I would be more than happy to share what I have learned if you are interested.
Now I get to brag a little. I have built several 280AI long before SAMMI standards were established. Several rifles on the 700 actions, I am a big fan of the round and believe that it is one of the most versatile rounds ever developed on a standard action without magnum recoil !
One of my favorite rifles in this caliber is based on a 700 action in a McMillan hunter stock and a reworked Rem trigger. It does have a heavier sport weight barrel. RW Hart did the work.
I would be more than happy to share what I have learned if you are interested.
Micah S
Active Member
You could buy a Surgeon, Stiller or Defiant action for a couple of hundred more. You will have a far nicer rifle with a custom action.
280ackimp
Active Member
Millsworks
New Member
.280 AI is very close to 7mm mag in performance. If you reload I would say a custom left hand action , just as well go with the new hot rod out there and take a .28 Nosler for a drive. It has better performance than the .280 AI or the 7mm and all in a short action.
Lots of Remington 700 SA available out there. Some are likely in left hand as a used item for a building project.
Lots of Remington 700 SA available out there. Some are likely in left hand as a used item for a building project.
Multi-SpeciesHunter
Member
I'm lefty and love the tikka action. Not a true custom at all but I'm slowly working to flute the bolt, barrel, and custom stock. Possibly will try to change trigger but it is very crisp and I like it. Very smooth action. Sako produces Tikka, with Tikka being the more affordable option. I love Sako, but being a broke college kid I opted for the Tikka Lite since I felt the trigger and bolt were high quality, just the stock was cheaper.
If you wanted a more expensive version the Sako 85 is lefty and is considered one of the best.
If you wanted a more expensive version the Sako 85 is lefty and is considered one of the best.
Quite a few options for a lefty out there. I am not a gunsmith so not sure easiest ones to work with. But I think the Remington 700 is most popular, savage second. Tikka,browning,ruger,sako,nosler also have left hand available. Nosler offers a 280AI. I think lone peak makes a left hand ti version also. Gunwerksand fierce also have a left hand option.
I have a couple modified 700s and both shoot well. A 300WSM and a 280AI. I had mine skeletonized and tried. One has a jewel trigger, the other a timney. Both are hunting rifles. 7 3/4# and 8# scoped and ready to hunt.
Just a response to another post, but I am pretty sure the 28 Nosler is a long action
I have a couple modified 700s and both shoot well. A 300WSM and a 280AI. I had mine skeletonized and tried. One has a jewel trigger, the other a timney. Both are hunting rifles. 7 3/4# and 8# scoped and ready to hunt.
Just a response to another post, but I am pretty sure the 28 Nosler is a long action
I got a Browning A-bolt 30.06 lefty new back in 2001 or 2002.
Won two fantasy football leagues, and had $600 burning a hole in my pocket...found a lefty Winchester Model 70, 7mm Rem Mag on Gunbroker. Stainless steel with red-ish wood stock. Beautiful fun...and I finally got it to shoot well by bumping up in bullet weight.
I know Montana Rifle Co. makes lefty X2 in many calibers. Pricey, but worth a look.
Won two fantasy football leagues, and had $600 burning a hole in my pocket...found a lefty Winchester Model 70, 7mm Rem Mag on Gunbroker. Stainless steel with red-ish wood stock. Beautiful fun...and I finally got it to shoot well by bumping up in bullet weight.
I know Montana Rifle Co. makes lefty X2 in many calibers. Pricey, but worth a look.
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
Montana Rifle Company makes and sells just actions if you want to do your own thing, or you can buy their new X3 in many different calibers for about $1300.00 I believe.
Slugz
Veteran member
So what works well for me that can be applied to any model/type/caliber.....left or right handed.
A buddy of mine buys up old Remington 700s from gunbroker......stock condition doesn't matter.....and looks for the older trigger (not sure the number or letter in the serial number that denotes that) . He then sends it off for blueprinting and a rebarrel/fluting. Buys a higher end stock.....synthetic....if you stop there you got a pretty good shooter. When the money and or time is freed up he sends off the bolt to get fluted and handle skeletonized. Lastly when the money and time is freed up he drops in a Jewel Trigger.
Now here comes my opinion part on price vs time vs accuracy (sub moa).
Kimber Mountain Ascent, Christenson Arms Ridgline and Northwest Action Gunworks North West Backpacker......and I'm sure other companies are making pretty high end, light, sub moa rifles for 1800 to 2800 dollars now a days. The price keeps coming down and in some cases due to quantity in ordering parts.....cheaper than the local gunsmith can put together. Add in some custom load development from someone like say 406 Precision ( or make one your self) and you have a lifetime rifle that shoots lights out for say a max of 3500$. Pretty much full custom. I bring this up this way cause the above not long ago used to be a solid 5000$.
Just another perspective is all. Hope that provides some more insight.
A buddy of mine buys up old Remington 700s from gunbroker......stock condition doesn't matter.....and looks for the older trigger (not sure the number or letter in the serial number that denotes that) . He then sends it off for blueprinting and a rebarrel/fluting. Buys a higher end stock.....synthetic....if you stop there you got a pretty good shooter. When the money and or time is freed up he sends off the bolt to get fluted and handle skeletonized. Lastly when the money and time is freed up he drops in a Jewel Trigger.
Now here comes my opinion part on price vs time vs accuracy (sub moa).
Kimber Mountain Ascent, Christenson Arms Ridgline and Northwest Action Gunworks North West Backpacker......and I'm sure other companies are making pretty high end, light, sub moa rifles for 1800 to 2800 dollars now a days. The price keeps coming down and in some cases due to quantity in ordering parts.....cheaper than the local gunsmith can put together. Add in some custom load development from someone like say 406 Precision ( or make one your self) and you have a lifetime rifle that shoots lights out for say a max of 3500$. Pretty much full custom. I bring this up this way cause the above not long ago used to be a solid 5000$.
Just another perspective is all. Hope that provides some more insight.