Suggestions for cheaper "loaner" rifle?

[Jesse Jaymes]

I am a left handed shooter. I don't think I own a right handed rifle, even rimfire at this point. During the courting process....I took my wife shooting. She went 3 for 3 on a 16" plate at 1147 yards and her mind was blown! I did all the math of course and the Monkey just touched the trigger. She was shooting a big heavy custom Lefty 6.5 Creed in a chassis. Bolt side really didn't matter at that time.

She really enjoys the LR shooting. I have some very Newb or non shooting friends visit on occasion. One of my buddies is a big Canadian fella. Never shot a deer yet. I've offered to take him.

Below Tikka level (I have maybe 6-7 Tikkas. All lefty)....are there any "Clear" budget beater rifles worth AF? THis will simply be a loaner set up, so I am NOT inclined to dump a schitt ton of $$$ into it, but then again....it needs to be worth a schitt to 600. So that's a solid rifle and reliable optic.

I know NOTHING of non left handed rifles. I just don't follow it. Will be 6.5 Creed or 308 only I feel. I load for both and have solid dies and brass.

Howa?

CVA ?

New Ruger American Gen 2?

I am in a short n fat phase. A 20" tube pre threaded is kinda the direction I prefer.

 

[DeepMauka]

I have a Howa mini in 6arc and love it. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another. In fact my next rifle will probably be another Howa mini (in 22arc though).

If it has to be 6.5 creed or 308 then I’d say Ruger American. I know you only said 6.5 creed and 308, but just buy a new set of Hornady dies and some Starline brass. It’s relatively inexpensive to load for that cartridge and you probably already have some 308 powders that work awesome for it (varget, 8208, 4895, etc)

 

[Walker6]

Ruger American II in 6.5 Creed seems to fit the bill for you. Adjustable LOP and $650.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Ruger American, gen 1 or 2, I think 2 has the shorter barrels. Would be a good option. Also impressive are @EuroOptic sauer’s I think 22” tube but solid value for 400 bucks

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Sauer 100 in 6.5 CM. Great rifles at a bargain price.

https://www.eurooptic.com/sauer-100-classic-xt-65-creedmoor-22-1-87-1-2-x28-bbl-rifle-s1s65ct

 

[SuperDUECE22]

You won't find a better value than the sauer 100 listed above. Night and day better rifle than the Ruger or Howa.

 

[EastHumboldt]

Savage axis with the Accu trigger. They are kind of rough, but the ones I’ve shot. have been pretty accurate. Super cheap, less than 500 usually with the scope.

 

[Woolley Bugger]

Sounds like you found yourself a keeper. Why not buy her a primo rifle in RH, use it as an inducement to get her out to shoot and hunt with you, and when you want to introduce a right handed newbie, let him use her rifle?

I've been married 23 years, and my wife has no interest in any of my hobbies. If there's a chance yours might, it's well worth heavily investing in nurturing that shared interest.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The only downside to the Sauer 100 is that it might be harder for you to explain why you ever need a more expensive rifle (apart from being left handed).

 

[Hydra6]

Used Tikka CTR in 65CM or 308

 

[Walker6]

Dang, those Sauers can be had for a song. How does that 8.7” twist work with, say 147 ELDM’s? I’ve only ever shot 6.5 Creeds with 8 twist, and I like the heavies.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Sounds like you found yourself a keeper. Why not buy her a primo rifle in RH, use it as an inducement to get her out to shoot and hunt with you, and when you want to introduce a right handed newbie, let him use her rifle?

I've been married 23 years, and my wife has no interest in any of my hobbies. If there's a chance yours might, it's well worth heavily investing in nurturing that shared interest.

Her and I get along VERY well. Took me a lifetime to find her. Not letting go of her....BUT

In her former life....she gave money to PITA, literally. Date #3 at her house (which is now OUR house) I said "Wow...these high, vaulted ceilings....would be AMAZING for deer heads""

"There will never be a deer head in this house"

Let's see....now there's at least 4 deer, 3 bears, waterfowl, bobcat.....

I really don't see her ever pulling the trigger in the field. She's helped me pack out a WT buck in legit Grizzly country at almost midnight in NW Montana with a headlamp. But not a trigger puller on critters.

 

[BLJ]

I like my RA’s, but why not buy another Tikka?

 

[RME]

I suppose I could look it up but does the Sauer 100 have the press fit barrel? Seems like I remember one of the Sauers had press fit barrels instead of threaded. I’m not worried about the quality of their barrels, I just usually end up switching barrels at some point and that’s not a simple procedure with a fitment like that.

 

[tstowater]

Went to an Elk banquet recently and won a 308 in a Weatherby vanguard. Came with a Leupold Freedom 3-9 scope. I don't think it is threaded. No plans to hunt with it but probably going to keep as a loaner gun for the same reason as OP. Very shootable in current configuration but I would upgrade scope if I was going to use myself.

 

[Pookie]

I doubt the mossberg or stevens would be any better quality than the ruger. If you don’t mind going single shot, I’ve seen a lot of good reviews of the CVS scout in that price range.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I suppose I could look it up but does the Sauer 100 have the press fit barrel? Seems like I remember one of the Sauers had press fit barrels instead of threaded. I’m not worried about the quality of their barrels, I just usually end up switching barrels at some point and that’s not a simple procedure with a fitment like that.

They have very fine threads, which can be easily damaged, but can be removed and replaced. Talking about barrel replacement on a loaner rifle in 6.5 CM seems a bit silly to me. The synthetic stock would probably wear out before the barrel.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Did some YT after chores last night. It's probably the FDE cerakote, but the CVA looks rather nice. Had some nice accuracy reviews.

RE: Tikka. If I look at actual prices, you're probably correct.....if I am within $80...a Tikka makes sense.

In factory form the stock isn't very "modular". That Ruger has adjustable LOP which would be handy. Lotta bang for the buck in fitment.

Other than my CTR and RoughTech...none of my Tikka have been pre threaded. Think most of the newer ones are rolling out threaded.

I think any novice or newb will shoot a rifle with a can so much better. Be a huge plus.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

I should probably dig around and find a handful of rifles to trade in on something to offset the cost upgrade.

Being Lefty......I have a pile of mid guns that just sit there. Selling any guns seems to be a huge PITA to me. FFLs, shipping, BS.

F2F seems super rare these days.

 

[mad_angler]

...
Below Tikka level (I have maybe 6-7 Tikkas. All lefty)....are there any "Clear" budget beater rifles worth AF? THis will simply be a loaner set up, so I am NOT inclined to dump a schitt ton of $$$ into it, but then again....it needs to be worth a schitt to 600. So that's a solid rifle and reliable optic.
...

Why not just get a RH Tikka?
Through Eurooptic or even Scheels, they are not that expensive. And you already know the good and bad points of a Tikka.

I also agree with another poster. If your wife is interested, I would spare no expense., Spending time together is priceless....