Build a rifle or buy a rifle? Left Handed

[K_pem]

This is the route I took. LH Hunter 243 with 1:8 twist. Took off the nice wood stock and got a Stocky's VG on sale for $400. Might have stuck a lighter trigger spring in there just because I had a few. Sent to Kampfeld to chop to 20" and thread w a collar. SWFA 10x in a DNZ mount. Nothing overly fancy or expensive. Easy button filled my buck and doe tags this year and i let a buddy borrow it and he took his mulie at 450 yards. Pretty sure my buddy's gonna sell his 300 WM T3x and ask me to set him up a 243....View attachment 802116

For sure. I know I’ll tinker more down the road with lesser expensive/fancy shit. But I’m really wanting to build up that badass custom esk gun that I’m super proud of. Even if it takes me a little longer to get it done, I mean I’ve waited this long already and killed lots of stuff with my old Savage 110 Hunter .308 hah

 

[Dunky]

I’m a lefty and have done both. Expensive custom type on tikka actions and factory tikkas that I have modified a bit ( shortened barrel for suppressor, trigger springs, bottom metal, magazines, etc ). I’m back to factory shortened barrel for suppressor, factory bottom metal and magazines, and factory trigger springs backed out til they hit the trigger assembly screw. I have seen no improvement in performance and in a couple cases factory shoots better than custom. I do typically replace the bolt shroud and really like the um short bolt handle, but the rest to me just adds weight and didn’t increase accuracy. My factory barreled Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor groups better than either of my customs.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Since you live in Post Falls, make it easy on yourself and go swing by Unknown Munitions and take a look at the rifles they offer and the services they provide. I’m confident you’ll be impressed and find a one stop shop solution!

 

[rifletuner]

I am left handed and have been shooting left bolt rifles since the mid 1990s. I have rifles built to my specs since that is about the only way I can get what I want. I use primarily Tikka or Rem 700 (original and clones) for a lot of my builds.

I can usually find a way to make it work for what I want. For example, as soon as MDT brought out the HNT26, I bought some of the first ones available and had the chassis milled out to accommodate the left bolt and safety - then my LH Rem 700 dropped straight in.

The below are photos of my 308 Win and my 300 Norma, both on modified RH HNT26 chassis.

 

[SloppyJ]

I think you're on the right track OP. I was in the same boat and spent the money on two left handed "customs". Worth every cent. If you're gonna spend the money, get what you want.

 

[K_pem]

I am left handed and have been shooting left bolt rifles since the mid 1990s. I have rifles built to my specs since that is about the only way I can get what I want. I use primarily Tikka or Rem 700 (original and clones) for a lot of my builds.

I can usually find a way to make it work for what I want. For example, as soon as MDT brought out the HNT26, I bought some of the first ones available and had the chassis milled out to accommodate the left bolt and safety - then my LH Rem 700 dropped straight in.

The below are photos of my 308 Win and my 300 Norma, both on modified RH HNT26 chassis.

I wonder if you could do that on a folder though?

 

[K_pem]

Since you live in Post Falls, make it easy on yourself and go swing by Unknown Munitions and take a look at the rifles they offer and the services they provide. I’m confident you’ll be impressed and find a one stop shop solution!

Probably so but I don’t want to pay the cost of a 100% custom build. I think just getting the Tikka loaner, a stock and a barrel I should be pretty set.

I do plan on going in there though just to chat and see what they have laying around for us lefty’s.

 

[K_pem]

I did recently find a LH Defiance Classic action with the Nitrided bolt and a rail for $800… now my head is spinning that option lol. But I’d still have to buy a trigger to be in the same boat as if I found a used Tikka loaner for $600-800.

 

[K_pem]

Since you live in Post Falls, make it easy on yourself and go swing by Unknown Munitions and take a look at the rifles they offer and the services they provide. I’m confident you’ll be impressed and find a one stop shop solution!

I ended up going in there today and boy you weren’t wrong; walked out with a little education, some real life hand on experience with different options and a game plan. Good guys.

 

[SwiftShot]

I ended up going in there today and boy you weren’t wrong; walked out with a little education, some real life hand on experience with different options and a game plan. Good guys.

That statement is key. Education on what is out there and what you can do is huge. Informed buyer.

 

[K_pem]

Anyone have experience with the Oregon Mountain Rifles barrels?