I might be in the market for a left hand .308 and so far Blaser are looking like a possibility due to how easily you can convert to left hand etc. However, for no good reason other than personal preference i've never been a huge fan of Blaser and so was wondering if anyone has other suggestions for a leftie .308? The rifle will probably spend most of its time on the range but i hope to get the occasional chance at a red stag and the stalking will be the main reason for having the rifle. Despite this i rather fancy something with a wood stock rather than plastic but i'm fairly relaxed on that number.
In terms of budget i'm not looking to spend a fortune with the Blaser at about £1,300 probably coming in at about my limit for the rifle, though I'd like to spend less and would certainly consider 2nd hand.
All thoughts and opinions gratefully received. This will be my first rifle and so is a voyage of discovery.

Sauer 202 - should be readily available in left hand set up.

Remington 700 or Sako 591 either of which you get for under £500 so you can spend another £500 on moderator, scope, mounts, sling ammo etc. and still have £350 to put towards sporting opportunities. Much better sense than blowing a big wad on ill-informed one upmanship!!! imo.

Trans has hit the nail on the head there.

I have a £400 Sako forester and a (more expensive) Sauer 202. The deer don't know the difference. The only thing in the set up that makes a difference is the optics and there it is fair enough to buy the best you can, which usually means more money. However, if you are looking at the odd stag now and then, then you won't depend on the low light gathering qualities so much, so you can get the same functionality without spending fortunes.

And spend the balance on a couple of roe bucks, or that stag to grace the wall.

Rgds,
FB

No substitute for perusing the gun racks and talking to club members.

Everyone has their own opinions which are generaly pretty vehemently held. What is amusing is to see how they tend to change as time goes on.

Buy exactly what you want and enjoy it. Spend as much or as little as you want but do it from knowledge having seen a lot.

Thanks to everyone for their comments so far, they are much appreciated. Sauer was the first name that sprang to my mind as well but my dealer was looking £2,000 for the Elegance model (the only one we discussed a price for) and had some concerns about the resale value of a left hander. Anyone have any opinions on resale problems with left hand rifles? I'm actually right handed but very much left eye dominant and can't imagine shooting of my right side so it has to be left handed no matter what the other factors are. I did mention Sako and, as said above, there were some strong opinions. However, I will be talking to as many people as I can and trying to decide what will be best for me. It might still be Blaser but...

Caorach, £2K is way over the mark for an Elegance grade Sauer - £1400-£1500 is about right. You should able to get an entry grade Sauer, timber or synthetic for around £1000.

You should check the listings online at Guntrader UK. I noticed several left handed Sakos there recently for sensible money.

1894's advice is good, take a good look around and pick a rifle you like and are happy with. If you are not sure on the day you buy it, you will probably never like it.

That's my ill-informed opinion.

Thanks Brian, that sounds like pretty sound advice to me. I will keep looking around and am in no rush but did like the one Sauer I've seen in the flesh. In saying that I liked the handling of the Blaser I've played with but am just not convinced by that bolt. Sako is one that I haven't seen yet except in a .22 so the jury is still out on that one but I will make an effort to get a look at one. In a way I guess the problem is that there is so much choice but if the process progresses, and it might not go anywhere yet, I will keep everyone informed and welcome comments.

I think the Blaser is the best choice for a leftie or a rightie.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I think the Blaser is the best choice for a leftie or a rightie.

...second that...

I have a Tikka T3, not the most expensive rifle,and yet pretty good value for the money.

quote:

Originally posted by mouse93:

That is a darn nice piggie, Mouse!! Were you responsible for the damage?? In any event, "Weidmannsheil" to the fortunate and skillful hunter!

9.3x62??

- mike

P.S. Nice dog too, btw...

quote:

I'm actually right handed but very much left eye dominant and can't imagine shooting of my right side

I am a natural right-hander, and neither eye is particularly dominant. I shoot left handed because it has been more natural for me since childhood (I can shoot righthanded well enough in a pinch, but prefer it from the left). I have always shot a right-handed bolt and find it no disadvantage; in fact it is a distinct advantage to have the loading port on the same side that you're on when shooting from the bench -- many actions are now being made with opposite-handed loading ports expressly for this purpose.

My thirty-two year-old son is a natural left-hander, who shoots left-handed. However, he has never shot anything other than a right-hand bolt and cycles it as quickly as anyone could, from either the right or the left.

Bottom line: Don't necessarily reject a right-hand bolt for left-hand shooting until you've given it a chance.

I have been shooting a few right handers Stonecreek but am finding them a bit of a pain and it is hard for me to control where the rifle points as i cycle the bolt so there seems to be something of a safety issue as well. My very limited experience with a left handed bolt (on a Blaser) leads me to believe that i can keep my eye to the scope and cycle the bolt. As you say, however, there are some advantages in using a right handed rifle if you are left handed.

After seeing the picture of the Mouse piggie it must be said that I'm becoming more convinced that maybe Blaser is indeed the way to go. :-) I could get both a left and right handed bolt for it and have the best of both worlds.

I know it has been a while since I started this discussion and thought to mention that, in the end, the Blaser won and I have one on order in .308

It must be said that after trying a few things and talking to people and reading the advice here I eventually ordered a plastic Blaser with a left hand bolt. Except for the left hand bolt this is almost exactly the opposite to what I set out to buy but I really liked the handling of the Blaser, I liked the idea of the manual cocking safety and I couldn't find anyone who owned one who had a bad word to say about it. The picture posted by Mouse93 was also a major factor :-)

I managed to pick up a 2nd hand S&B 8X56 scope. I know it is a but heavy and a little OTT for deer but it wasn't too costly and came along at the right time and so allows me to put really good glass on top within my budget.

Now starts the long slow process to get the necessary FAC and the variation for deer. I'm sure to have lots more questions but thanks to everyone for your input and patience with a raw beginner.

quote:

Originally posted by caorach:
The picture posted by Mouse93 was also a major factor :-)

yay - you shouldn't - allright give her a go

quote:

Originally posted by mho:

That is a darn nice piggie, Mouse!! Were you responsible for the damage?? In any event, "Weidmannsheil" to the fortunate and skillful hunter!

9.3x62??

- mike

P.S. Nice dog too, btw...

sorry mike, thanks - I missed that one - here is the story.