Wrong Handed Rifle Upgrade

[SwampMan19]

Howdy, new guy here.

Im relatively new to western hunting and long range shooting. I grew up white tail hunting in the southeast. Longest shot ever taken at a deer was 75 yards and it was right in front of a feeder.

Recently, I've fallen into the wrong crowd. They've got me hand loading, studying ballistics of all these new cartridges, and taking shots at 700 yards (kind enough to share their guns for that). I'm hooked on getting out to the range and the mountains now.

My problem is, right now I have a RH Savage Axis .270 win with a Gen I Burris Veracity 3-15x. I'm itching to upgrade to something that is LH, and want to be "one and done" (at least until the kids are out of the house and this gun starts to look lonely in the safe).

Looking for advice on the best route to go for an upgrade to make the most of my money. Trying to keep the whole build under $2500 (optic included). I want this to be a do all mountain rifle and a fun long range plinker. I mostly hunt muleys in central Idaho, but also chase black bear and elk, with the occasional trip back down south for a whitetail.

I know Tikka is great and has a lot of support. I'm thinking of buying super lite T3x in 6.5 creedmore or PRC (convince me which way to go), upgrading the stock (is this worth it? What options are worth it?), adding a brake (recommendations?) or suppressor (noise don't really bother me, but convince me it's better than a brake!).

Generally, just looking for opinions of just buying a base tikka and upgrading? Budget custom options? Recommendations for optic (I want exposed turrets with zero stop and FFP, MOA)?

Thanks for any help. Sorry if this is redundant, just have a hard time finding information like this for a lefty.

 

[benconfused]

I'm a lefty, I am living a similar dream. Tikka 65cm will be all you need it to do with the right bullet at the elevations you need. I bumped up to a 65prc last year in prep for an AK hunt, but it was not needed. The deeper I got down the rabbit hole here, the more I realized I was fine with a 65cm.

If you're already doing what you say you're doing, then look at the ballistics for the 147gr ELDM or the next size down in the same product line. Or if reloading, dive into the new Sierra TMK releases everyone is excited about on here.

Optics - FFP. I have the Maven RS 1.2 mil, and have the S@H scope on order however, lowest cost of entry with reliability is probably the SWFA 3-9 in mil out of the box brand new. Just learn quick drop (search it here).

Stock upgrades - your oyster, but I have the Rokstok (from the Tikka factory stock) and it was an immediate game changer. My first kill with it was a caribou in Alaska (which really means nothing honestly). Today I was ringing steel at 500 yards in 15 mph winds with my setup (again doesn't mean anything, just learn your gun).

Hope that helps. We lefties are with you.

 

[SwampMan19]

Thanks for the feedback!

I been digging into the match vs. hunting ammo recently, as I’ve been shooting ELD-X and it shoots lights out of that dang savage axis. It’s been surprising. I’ll take a look at those options though in 6.5 CM.

What’s the S@H scope you mentioned?

 

[CMcCormick1805]

I’m a huge fan of the Tikka platform, I own two and eventually will get a third, but I noticed you said a one and done option. Browning came out with a bunch of Left Hand rifles in the X-Bolt 2 recently. It would be my second recommendation behind a Tikka.

I have had a Browning X-Bolt Hunter LH for the past 4 years and absolutely love it. The issue with a X-Bolt is that you’re severely lacking on aftermarket parts.

My gunsmith also refuses to rechamber an X-Bolt. I suspect most others do as well. Something do with thin threads plus glue that creates a risk of stripping the action. I’m not sure how true that notion is but the dude chambers good rifles so it’s not a breaking point.

I also saw you were interested in the 6.5 CM or PRC. Just a little food for thought why not another .270?

 

[benconfused]

Thanks for the feedback!

I been digging into the match vs. hunting ammo recently, as I’ve been shooting ELD-X and it shoots lights out of that dang savage axis. It’s been surprising. I’ll take a look at those options though in 6.5 CM.

What’s the S@H scope you mentioned?

You can jump in on a pre-order once a month right now: https://www.shoot2hunt.com/product/zerotech-trace-adv-3-18x44-ffp-shoot2hunt/

 

[SwampMan19]

The change in caliber mostly stems from it being realistically a “slight” upgrade in ballistic performance.

It’s marginal, I know. But, if I’m upgrading the rifle, I figured I might as well upgrade the ballistic performance too.

Plus, all my buddies shoot either of those. Results in more experience faster over me just learning all the different load combos on my own with the .270.

 

[Jordan Smith]

I’d probably go T3x SL or Lite 6.5 Creedmoor, swap the grip for the factory vertical grip, grab some SM or UM rings, and a SWFA 3-9x, S2H, or Maven RS1.2 scope. Load the 147 ELD-M over 41-42 gr H4350 in Alpha brass, and you’re done.

 

[CMcCormick1805]

Tha

The change in caliber mostly stems from it being realistically a “slight” upgrade in ballistic performance.

It’s marginal, I know. But, if I’m upgrading the rifle, I figured I might as well upgrade the ballistic performance too.

Plus, all my buddies shoot either of those. Results in more experience faster over me just learning all the different load combos on my own with the .270.

Thats a fair reason! I have found I love loading for the PRC type cartridges. I feel like they seem to hit a good load much quicker, at least for me. I’ve done load development for all three PRC’s now and have been impressed.

 

[SwampMan19]

I’d probably go T3x SL or Lite 6.5 Creedmoor, swap the grip for the factory vertical grip, grab some SM or UM rings, and a SWFA 3-9x, S2H, or Maven RS1.2 scope. Load the 147 ELD-M over 41-42 gr H4350 in Alpha brass, and you’re done.

Man, straight up answer. I appreciate it.

 

[North of 60]

For awareness monos aren't popular here on this forum, and a good reason to consider a 6.5 PRC is if you want to be able to shoot most monos at distance. If not shooting monos, then the CM.

And highly suggest getting a suppressor whatever you choose

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Howdy, new guy here.

Im relatively new to western hunting and long range shooting. I grew up white tail hunting in the southeast. Longest shot ever taken at a deer was 75 yards and it was right in front of a feeder.

Recently, I've fallen into the wrong crowd. They've got me hand loading, studying ballistics of all these new cartridges, and taking shots at 700 yards (kind enough to share their guns for that). I'm hooked on getting out to the range and the mountains now.

My problem is, right now I have a RH Savage Axis .270 win with a Gen I Burris Veracity 3-15x. I'm itching to upgrade to something that is LH, and want to be "one and done" (at least until the kids are out of the house and this gun starts to look lonely in the safe).

Looking for advice on the best route to go for an upgrade to make the most of my money. Trying to keep the whole build under $2500 (optic included). I want this to be a do all mountain rifle and a fun long range plinker. I mostly hunt muleys in central Idaho, but also chase black bear and elk, with the occasional trip back down south for a whitetail.

I know Tikka is great and has a lot of support. I'm thinking of buying super lite T3x in 6.5 creedmore or PRC (convince me which way to go), upgrading the stock (is this worth it? What options are worth it?), adding a brake (recommendations?) or suppressor (noise don't really bother me, but convince me it's better than a brake!).

Generally, just looking for opinions of just buying a base tikka and upgrading? Budget custom options? Recommendations for optic (I want exposed turrets with zero stop and FFP, MOA)?

Thanks for any help. Sorry if this is redundant, just have a hard time finding information like this for a lefty.

Check out my LH Tikka 25-284 for sale in the classifieds.