Advice on a left-handed .300 WinMag build...

[Gray_Side_Jedi]

The title kind of says it all. Left-handed shooter, looking into building a hunting/long-range rig in .300 Win Mag. Since I'm handicapped when it comes to bolt-gun options (being left-handed) and distraught at said lack of options, I've taken it upon myself to just build my own. If you want something done right, etc etc. The catch is, this is my first time at this, and I'm offering my idea to the more experienced out there for review.

For the base rifle, I'm looking at using a Remington 700 SPS Synthetic (since that's also one of the only left-handed .300 Win Mag rifles I can find). I'm planning on switching out the stock with an H-S Precision Pro Series. The X-Mark trigger, from what I've experienced, is a little stiffer than I'd like, and I'm planning on dropping in a Jewell HVR to replace that. Optics are TBD.

Now - am I crazy? What am I missing (whether in terms of components, or something I'm not thinking of), what could be changed, what am I doing right? Right now I'm just theorizing, and I am not above asking advice from those who've done this before and have more experience. Any suggestions/advice/discussion is much appreciated.

Cheers...

 

[dubbleA]

You forgot truing the action/bolt and installing a good quality barrel.

 

[Reloadron]

You do not mention what you plan to spend on the project?

Anyway, there is no shortage of left handed bolt actions out there. I shoot left handed and have a Ruger Model 77 in 7mm Rem Mag but have no problem shooting right hand bolt rifles left handed. I would start by looking for an action in left hand someplace like this or anywhere else that you can find a left handed action. Personally I lean towards Remington but only because I am best tooled up to build on their actions. Any action with a .540" bolt face is what you want so any Long actions with a bolt face .Dia of .540 in caliber 257 Weatherby, 264 Win Mag, 270 Weatherby Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm Weatherby Mag, 7 STW, 7mm Rem Ultra Mag, 300 H & H, 300 Win Mag, 300 Weatherby Mag, 300 RUM, 303 Brit, 7mm Rem Mag, 338 Win Mag, 340 Weatherby Mag, 338 RUM, 375 H & H, 375 Weatherby, 375 RUM, 416 Rem Mag, 458 Win Mag, and the 458 Lott is a good start.

I would buy used and then rebarrel in your 300 Win Mag. This way you can true the action or have it trued as mentioned as well as lap the bolt. I would get a good quality barrel from Shilen, Kreiger or quality barrel of your choice. I would then go looking for a quality suitable stock to place it in. Optics are your choice using again, quality mounts and scope. You place a scope on a 300 Win Mag it better be quality and made for a rifle of that caliber. All of this as you mention "build a rifle".

If not just use the link and find a base left handed rifle that trips your trigger and run with it ready to go.

Ron

 

[lefteyedom]

Decide how much money you can spend.
Find a gunsmith you trust who builds target grade rifles
A quality barrel and action truing is going to be the foundation of your rifle.
Then spend some more on....
Trigger work
Stock
rings, mounts
optics
suppressor
Spend till it hurts, then spend a little more.

Or
Spend $975 for a Model: 10 FLCP-K


It is a 308 but it is a heck of a rifle out of the box

 

[Rat Robb]

I too am left-handed and am in the midst of building a left-handed AR, STAG upper, because I can't stand the steady stream of brass in front of my face.

However, when it comes to bolt-actions, I actually prefer shooting right-handed models. It allows you to not have remove you trigger off the finger, nice when you are doing 3-round "burst" on the steel

-Robb

 

[Gray_Side_Jedi]

Excellent advice, all. Definitely given me a lot to think about and a lot to consider, which is exactly what I was looking for. Much obliged.

Cheers...

 

[hardluk1]

savage does have several LH 300win mags that may or may not need the stock upgrade.

 

[Kp321]

+1 on rebarreling with a good barrel and truing the action while you are at it. Used Remington 700 lefties are more plentiful in 30-06 and 7mm RM than 300 Mag. The price of the used rifle determines the route to take. A 7mm already has the correct bolt face, a 30-06 requires the bolt to be opened and a new extractor fitted. That is about a $100 job so if a 30-06 is over$100 cheaper than a magnum, that is the way to go. In addition, the replacement extractor is better then the Remington factory piece. PM me if seriously interested. I have done several.

 

[WardenWolf]

I'd recommend getting a Savage. They're the most accurate out of the box, and they make all their rifles in left-hand versions.

 

[helotaxi]

I too am left-handed and am in the midst of building a left-handed AR, STAG upper, because I can't stand the steady stream of brass in front of my face.

Shoot more you'll get to where you don't even notice it and you can avoid all the silliness of proprietary parts.

However, when it comes to bolt-actions, I actually prefer shooting right-handed models. It allows you to not have remove you trigger off the finger, nice when you are doing 3-round "burst" on the steel

Completely agree for a bench or bipod only rifle. For a hunting rifle, though, where you may have to shoot off-hand, having a left handed rifle is a definite benefit. I have 3 heavy barreled bench rifles built on right handed actions and having all the options available is really nice in that regard. I also have 3 hunting rifles that are all left handed and I wouldn't have them any other way. There aren't as many options out there for aftermarket stocks, but they do exist if you're willing to wait and/or pay.

OP- Unless you want to chew up a lot of money paying a 'smith to do work for you, I suggest getting a Savage action to build from. The design of the Savage makes barrel changes a simple DIY job which will save you hundreds in shop fees. Secondly, the floating bolt head aligns itself to the chamber, unlike most any other rifle, mostly eliminating the need to true up the action and lap the bolt lugs saving you more hundreds in shop fees.

If you're dead set on getting the best results from a Rem 700 style action though, skip finding a donor Rem and having it worked on. By the time you get it satisfactory, for the money, you may as well have bought a proper action that was cut square and had the bolt hand fit from the beginning. Several of the premium actions are available in a left hand configuration.

Most all the rifle companies that make left handed rifles offer them in .300 Win Mag so unless you're looking for something very specific that you can't seem to find in a production rifle there are plenty more options in an off-the-shelf model than a Remington.

Browning X-Bolt

Tikka T3

Savage

There are plenty more, that's just what is currently in stock at Buds.

 

[eastbank]

i have two winchester left hand crf rifles bought from winchester,a SS .270 with wood stock and a blue 7mm mag with walnut and both will shoot 1" 3 shot groups with my reloads. and i paid less than 600.00 when they closed them out several years ago. eastbank.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

Let's not forget, there's a left-handed .300 Win Mag for sale on THR right now, at a great price. I'd buy it myself if I had the dough.

 

[helotaxi]

i have two winchester left hand crf rifles bought from winchester,a SS .270 with wood stock and a blue 7mm mag with walnut and both will shoot 1" 3 shot groups with my reloads. and i paid less than 600.00 when they closed them out several years ago. eastbank.

I would love a Model 70 but Winchester doesn't make one in left hand at this time.

 

[DM~]

I'd order it exactly the way i wanted it from Shaw! It's about the same money by the time you get it "right"...

DM

 

[desidog]

If you want a custom lefty M70, take a look at Montana Rifle Co.

I had them make me a barreled action when no one made a Iefty stainless with fluted barrel.