LF Left handed -Dilemma

[targa88]

The premise is target shooting up to 1,000 yds without bankrupting the participant.
25 years ago I shot 30.06 with my Dad - and I am not looking to go down that route. In those days there were no LH rifles.
LF 308 caliber with a 26" barrel. So far my quest has landed squarely on Remington 700 VS/VSF or SPS. Seems like a good platform that can be upgraded over time and access to plenty of accessories.
There is a school of thought that it is easier to load rounds into the magazine and chamber of the right handed bolt gun than the left - especially if you have a one piece scope base.
Without the benefit of a "pod" or rest - the RH does not seem to make any sense for a lefty. Especially in a prone position- you would have to change positions.
The local dealer tells me that I will end up selling it to upgrade and there is virtually no resale market for LH rifles. Also I am told that Remington is phasing out the LH models?

 

[jlmurphy]

LH Savage, also a one piece mount doesn't have to block the loading port, my Savage with a Ferrell steel one piece gives me plenty of room, or just use a two piece.

 

[Jim Watson]

Do you plan to shoot 1000 yards conventional - prone with sling, coat, and glove, F-class - prone with bipod or sandbag rest, or benchrest?

If you are shooting from artificial support, it is probably easier to load with the bolt on your weak side, a RH action for you. If you shoot with sling, you would likely be better off with a LH action although I have seen target shooters reaching across the gun.

The magazine is irrelevant, you don't shoot Long range from the magazine, at least not under NRA rules.

Your dealer is nuts. You would not have to sell a LH Remington at a loss to "upgrade." There are a lot of very nice target rifles built on Remington actions and you could keep putting stuff on one to your heart's content. Might run the price of a stock up, to special order LH, though.

 

[Bob R]

I will second the LH savage. Pick whether you want a short or long action. Then pick the caliber you want to shoot. If it were me, I would take a serious look at the 6.5 swede, which can then be replaced with a 6.5x284 barrel. You can change the savage barrels yourself, with a minimum of fuss.

If you are going to accessorice down the road, you may as well start with a rifle that you can do that with fairly easy. Once you decide on the configuration (barrel, etc) you want the barrel can be put on without the nut.

bob

 

[CB900F]

Targa;

Well, sell the 1988 Porsche Targa & then the budget should not be a concern.

But seriously folks: Check out Nesika Bay & Stolle for the action you want if you're going to get serious about this 1000 yard project. Otherwise pick the donor action & have it barreled in the caliber of choice by a smith who has documented experience building long-range rigs. The 6.5 & 6mm/284's are wildcats & the 6.5X55 Swede is not. Again, depending on how serious you want to be, that desire will drive your choices.

If minute of maybe is good enough, there are several off the shelf guns that'll fill the bill. The tighter you want the groups, the more money yer gonna spend.

900F