Left hand or straight pull

[Andy Mauthe]

I have a L H sauer 202 in 30-06 bought it new over 10 years not cheap but no need to buy twice

I’ve got that exact one too. And I agree, one and done with the Sauer 202. Tikka is great too if you’re on a tighter budget but still want a great shooter. Anschutz 1782 is a good one that should be less than Sauer or Blaser. Not too familiar with Steel Action but they do a straight pull and in left hand I believe. Strasser is another straight pull I’ve read good things about and probably easier to come by in Europe than in the USA where I’m at. Just some ideas for you to check out.

 

[Selous]

Malmo guns had a nice left handed Sauer 202 in that was tucked away. Might be worth a look if it’s still there. It was on guntrader but I can’t access that just now. It was on at £995 but they may accept an offer. Can’t remember the calibre but it was a sensible all rounder such as .308, 30-06 or 6.5x55.

 

[Selous]

Malmo guns had a nice left handed Sauer 202 in that was tucked away. Might be worth a look if it’s still there. It was on guntrader but I can’t access that just now. It was on at £995 but they may accept an offer. Can’t remember the calibre but it was a sensible all rounder such as .308, 30-06 or 6.5x55.

I’ve just checked and it was 6.5x55. That one may have gone but there is this one in 308

Sauer .308 202 Classic | GunTrader

Sauer .308 202 Classic for sale. Contact the seller today via the contact form or phone.

www.guntrader.uk

 

[Selous]

Thanks. I'm hoping it being 308 that I'll find one relatively easier than a more niche calibre.
Having said that, 2nd hand ones do seem to be rare as hens teeth and around a similar price to the Beretta, hence why I'm interested.
I'm heading to the stalking show this year so hoping there's at least something I can get in the hand to see how it feels.
I've never used a straight pull before but at the price they're chucking them out at it seems a viable option.

Have you seen the problems with the beretta? Slam firing if I remember correctly….

 

[Dagless]

I got a LH Tikka T3 stainless lite in .308 Winchester. It shoots well and on the whole I'm pleased with it. The only things I don't like are the factory recoil pad (too hard and not deep enough, now replaced with a Limbsaver), and that you have to move the safety catch to 'fire' to unload a live round (so make sure your trigger discipline is good).

 

[LeftHandGuy]

I got a LH Tikka T3 stainless lite in .308 Winchester. It shoots well and on the whole I'm pleased with it. The only things I don't like are the factory recoil pad (too hard and not deep enough, now replaced with a Limbsaver), and that you have to move the safety catch to 'fire' to unload a live round (so make sure your trigger discipline is good).

In other words the safety also locks the bolt? On the whole, I regard that as a positive design feature, having had experiences in the past of dense foliage snagging the bolt-handle on rifles where applying the safety didn't lock it. But I can see it could feel very alien and counter-intuitive, especially if you have previously used rifles with a 3 position safety or 2 position safety where you could apply the safety and still clear the chamber.

In my cynical middle age I have added to the maxim that "the rifle is always loaded" that "the safety doesn't work" and treat every manipulation of the safety as if it were a trigger anyway.

There are lefty's available that allow you to unload with the safety applied though - plenty in fact so I can't criticize anyone who feels safer that way - but all other things being equal I regard locking the bolt as a useful feature rather than a bug.

 

[Andy Mauthe]

In other words the safety also locks the bolt? On the whole, I regard that as a positive design feature, having had experiences in the past of dense foliage snagging the bolt-handle on rifles where applying the safety didn't lock it. But I can see it could feel very alien and counter-intuitive, especially if you have previously used rifles with a 3 position safety or 2 position safety where you could apply the safety and still clear the chamber.

In my cynical middle age I have added to the maxim that "the rifle is always loaded" that "the safety doesn't work" and treat every manipulation of the safety as if it were a trigger anyway.

There are lefty's available that allow you to unload with the safety applied though - plenty in fact so I can't criticize anyone who feels safer that way - but all other things being equal I regard locking the bolt as a useful feature rather than a bug.

Well said. I was always taught that any safety device is a mechanical device, and as such it can fail. So in other words, assume it doesn’t work and follow safe gun handling practices and you’ll be fine. At some point the safety culture will be such that we won’t be allowed to have guns that fire because somebody could get hurt. I do agree that having the bolt locked closed is a nice feature especially when hunting in the thick stuff.

 

[Dagless]

In other words the safety also locks the bolt? On the whole, I regard that as a positive design feature, having had experiences in the past of dense foliage snagging the bolt-handle on rifles where applying the safety didn't lock it. But I can see it could feel very alien and counter-intuitive, especially if you have previously used rifles with a 3 position safety or 2 position safety where you could apply the safety and still clear the chamber.

In my cynical middle age I have added to the maxim that "the rifle is always loaded" that "the safety doesn't work" and treat every manipulation of the safety as if it were a trigger anyway.

There are lefty's available that allow you to unload with the safety applied though - plenty in fact so I can't criticize anyone who feels safer that way - but all other things being equal I regard locking the bolt as a useful feature rather than a bug.

I also very much value the fact that the safety locks the bolt, but I think the gold standard is a 3-position safety. The thing is, the Tikka is made to a price point where the extra cost of fitting one would probably make it uncompetitive, so they're not aiming for gold with that particular model of rifle. I knew that when I bought it, and it was a compromise that I was prepared to make in order to buy a sub-MOA rifle for well under a grand.

I agree that there's no substitute for proper firearms handling and that any ND is down to the operator and not the rifle. I'm just not sure I'd trust a novice with my T3.

 

[Rafter]

I also very much value the fact that the safety locks the bolt, but I think the gold standard is a 3-position safety. The thing is, the Tikka is made to a price point where the extra cost of fitting one would probably make it uncompetitive, so they're not aiming for gold with that particular model of rifle. I knew that when I bought it, and it was a compromise that I was prepared to make in order to buy a sub-MOA rifle for well under a grand.

I agree that there's no substitute for proper firearms handling and that any ND is down to the operator and not the rifle. I'm just not sure I'd trust a novice with my T3.

Don't point the loud end at anything you aren't ok with putting a hole in and it will all be fine.

Try hunting with a flintlock - talk about muzzle awareness!

 

[Mr. Gain]

Have you seen the problems with the beretta? Slam firing if I remember correctly….

That was an initial design defect that let numpties put the rifle back together with the handle back-to-front... which left the firing pin protruding... producing slam fires on closing.
Rifles were recalled. Beretta fixed the issue. All good now.
Unless you buy an early rifle that wasn't returned for updating, don't check, and reassemble it incorrectly.

 

[Mr B]

Plenty of LH Blasers available for sensible money these days

 

[Selous]

That was an initial design defect that let numpties put the rifle back together with the handle back-to-front... which left the firing pin protruding... producing slam fires on closing.
Rifles were recalled. Beretta fixed the issue. All good now.
Unless you buy an early rifle that wasn't returned for updating, don't check, and reassemble it incorrectly.

Thanks for the clarification

 

[geordiemacatac]

Straight pulls not as straightforward to reload for...hot rounds...stretched cases can ruin your day....Opening the bolt is sometimes it'll open of it won't...

 

[Heym SR20]

As I said earlier, just get a proper left handed bolt action. I have tried straight pulls. Don’t like them.

And best thing with a LH bolt action is handing it to a right handed shooter. They are completely discombobulated.

 

[Siggy]

Tikka, tikka tikka, so many after market options
Loved mine until I got my blaser

 

[bullet chucker]

Before I retired I bought Two Tikka left hand rifles not at the same time but over a year or so, 6.5 stainless lite, then a stainless 223 Hvy barrel varmint. In recent years I fancied a proper boar trip so a 308/30.06 choice was required. The Sportsman Gun Centre came to the rescue with a new left handed Remington 700 3006. A really nice rifle to shoot, disregarding the flack that was thrown about the model of millions manufactured over the years, I have to say, it is so comfortable shooting 150g. I flinched' first time with 180g especially after the sweet shooting Swede. Would never buy a right handed rifle although I have competed in a Bisley local club shoot with a military 303 rifle and with a modicum of success.

BC.

 

[M@tt]

I have a new Ruger Gunsight Scout in 308. Left handed, threaded and with a barrel mounted Pic rail and it has detachable mags that I understand are AICS compatible.
PM me if you're interested.

I bought it to replace a rifle but never got round to putting it on my FAC, I'm never going to use it as my hunting days are mostly behind me now (lack of time and inclination, mostly) and I have an AI for that .308 range experience.

 

[grauerjager]

Have you seen the problems with the beretta? Slam firing if I remember correctly….

Thanks. Yes I did read about it. Apparently only early models and it appears it's been rectified. I don't know anyone that uses one so I'm still unsure on it. Hopefully I can swing one around at the stalking show

 

[grauerjager]

Plenty of LH Blasers available for sensible money these days

I've found 2 online that are around 1k. Straight pull lefty's. Nice bits of kit. Just never used a straight pull of any sort so unsure if its nice to use. Hopefully something I can get behind at the stalking show

 

[Jh1986]

I'm right handed, left eye dominant. I switched to shooting purely left handed. It's second nature now.

I only buy left handed rifles, and I chose my calibres specifically to cater for this.

I definitely don't regret it