After seemingly endless waffling and internal debate I have decided that a 7-08 is the logical step down from the 300WinMag (30-06 not mine). I reached this decision after 10 shots with a CZ527 in 270Win (130gr at 3060fps). That was pleasant enough from the bench, the 7-08 jumped to the top of the heap as the winner.

On the table during this debate were 250Savage, 257 Roberts, 260Rem, 6.5x55, 270Win and some I can't even remember.

I want:
LEFTY bolt action rifle in 7-08
Stainless/Synthetic
24" medium-contour barrel (don't like pencil thin)
about 8lbs all up (3-9x40 scope)

I love the A-Bolt Stainless Stalker, but it's not sold in 7-08. Is the Savage 16FLSS my only option? Even that's a compromise because of the 22" barrel and very light weight. I do a lot of range shooting and would like to take more than 3 shots before the barrel starts wandering.

So is there any other way I can get what I want? Ruger and Remington appear to be out of this. Winchester has a $2500 custom option, not realistic. Maybe I'm answering my own questions here.

How much would it cost to have a 24" barrel put on the Savage? And what about the stock? Is that a decent piece of plastic?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Lefthand short-actions in stainless steel are rare, indeed. AFAIK, only Savage currently produces one. You might find a Tikka lefty short-action somewhere, but I don't think they are importing them at this time.

Montana Rifleman may have a LH short-action sitting around, but you'd have to build it from the ground up.

George

I own the Savage Model 16flss, but in .300 WSM.

Barrel is finished at 24" and weighs 6.5 pounds.

Great rifle, super accurate (Sub-MOA), feeds well. The plastic stock looks somewhat cheap, but it works great. I had a Pachmyer recoild pad installed as the one from the factory is a joke. Get one with the Accutrigger and you will be happy!

I have shot the same modle in 7mm-08 and it is a super rifle too. Weighs 1/4 pound less and has 22"barrel. Should get fine velocity from that barrel.

All in all, a good choice (the only $value SS for a lefty).

I will be replacing my rifle with Win. Md. 70 actions (older SS, Walnut model or custom shop)but the Savage does everything that I demand of it!

Thanks to both of you for responding. I guess I was just looking for validation in my choice. I think I'll be very happy with it. I'll be on the lookout for all the ancillary supplies shortly.

The CZ model 3 is offered left handed, stainless steel on a wood stock, 23.2" barrel and 7mm WSM caliber.
For us lefty's I would think this is a close second and not really settling for second best.

CZ lefthanded model 3

Edited to move my reply, which I erroneously inserted into foxfire's post - GeorgeS

Sorry, gang. I hit the wrong tab, and ended up editing foxfire's post, instead of replying to it.

I am removing my verbiage from his post, and including it here.

foxfire,
The CZ Model 3 uses a Montana Rifleman action, and is not available in 7mm-08.

George
George

George,
I didn't realize you were a lefty also until I looked at your rifle in the picture.
By the way what is the rifle in your picture?
The CZ-USA site said the CZ3 was available in 7mm WSM not the 7mm-08.
I just figured it was a good close second.

foxfire,

Yes, that is my rifle. It's a LH M-70 in .470 Capstick.

Georger

Montana Rifle offers SS left handed actions that will fit 7mm-08. They will also barrel the action for you with the lenght you want. Then if you want a wood or syn. stock you can get one from McMillan or a few other wood stock producers. Montana can give you their names.
I had them make me a left handed 358 and I love it. I also have a second left hand SS action waiting to be made into a 300WSM.
Oh ya, Browning did make a left handed stainless stalker in 7-08 for only one year and then only made about 10 of them. I happen to have one of those 10
I think you can get into your LH SS 7-08 for a whole lot less then you can from the custom shops of Rem. or Win.
Chech them out at:
http://www.montanarifleman.com/index.html