Thinking about ordering one of the SPS Varmints...not many choices for a left handed shooter for a bolt action in .22-250. Savage Model 11, X-bolt, Tikka T3. I was wanting a 26" barrel, most of the .22-250's are 22".

Thought about the Remington SPS Varmint with the 26" barrel. I used to have a Savage Model 12 that I really liked in .223 (laminate/heavy fluted barrel)...but I see that Savage quit making these for Lefties. Should have kept it.

Sold my last .22-250 that was a Browning A-bolt composite stalker because it was right handed and I was flushing them from the safe. Kind of wish I would have kept it if I knew that a replacement would be this limited.

Last one I bought was as rough an action as I have opened and closed. The finish sucked as did the stock. That said it shot really well with certain loads but that rifle turned me into a Savage fan.

I have not owned one of that specific gun, but I have some older Rem 700 varmint guns and they are excellent.
The SPS that I handled had a crappy stock. If I bough one, I would replace the stock.

Great choice for a custom build.

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
Great choice for a custom build.

That's what I was considering. I would replace the stock and trigger when I get the rifle...and eventually have a few options for rebarrel

Doesn't Tikka make a left handed? Not sure about barrel lenght.

God Bless,Louis

Tikka does still make their rifles in lh. I wasn't sure what the velocity drop was between their 22" barrel vs 26". I've heard people complain about the Tikka not being a short action (even the smaller cartridges are on their long action), and the plastic mags break.

I do really like how smooth the Tikka action is when compared to a Remington or Ruger.

For Tikka:

1. Best factory tunable trigger
2. Great barrel probably as good as Savage or Steyr-Mannlicher for barrel quality
3. Smoothest action, may or may not be concentric. Heavy action and makes things a bit stiffer.
4. Trigger can be upgraded, but Bix and Andy are the only ones that make them and they are $450.

Against:
1. Stock sucks, but is easily swappable for a ton of aftermarket options
2. least number of aftermarket stuff compared to Savage and Remington
3. Recoil lug sucks
4. Most expensive, and requires a gunsmith who isn't lazy enough want to deal with metric.

Savage 11/12
1. easily the most changeable and upgradeable with hand tools.
2. Top end factory barrel
3. Accu-trigger is ok, and can be upgraded. Though not as many options as a Remington.
4. More
Against Savage
1. Stock sucks, but all three do.
2. The "it's a Savage" stigma.


Personally for me, I'd buy the cheapest 2nd hand m700 left hand I could find. Yank the barrel off, and use a Remage-barrel from McGowan to upgrade it.

I'd be happy with all three.

In my Opinion ( I own 3 M700SPS) the "SPS" stands for "Shitty Plastic Stock" My .223 is an older rifle and well finished my LA and SA Short Mag actions both had very little primary (none) extraction right from out of the box

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
Tikka does still make their rifles in lh. I wasn't sure what the velocity drop was between their 22" barrel vs 26". I've heard people complain about the Tikka not being a short action (even the smaller cartridges are on their long action), and the plastic mags break.

I do really like how smooth the Tikka action is when compared to a Remington or Ruger.

I am NOT a fan of plastic. Just about anything made of plastic has issues. There is one thing that I can think of that is plastic and works just about perfect..... the Tikka T-3 clips. I have quite a few T-3s from 223 through to the 9.3x62 including the WSM's. Not a single issue with the plastic clips. They all feed, I've hunted in minus 30 deg weather and dropped the clip...no problem. They are quite interchangeable ie/ a clip for a 270/30-06 also works in the 7mm Rem / 300 Mag guns and they all feed. I wish everything in my life worked as well as the Tikka clips !

Thank you for all of these responses, decisions decisions!

I would opt for a Tikka and not bother with the Remington. I have a LH Tikka T3 in 6.5x55. Out of the box and using factory Federal ammo, it is the most accurate factory rifle I have ever owned. I honestly don't know if I can do better with handloads. Trigger was great so I haven't bothered to adjust it. The stock is uglier than homemade sin but it fits me well. I wish they still made the T3 in 9.3x62 because I would be buying one. Great rifles for the money if you ask me. But then so are Savages!

I just bought a Left handed SPS varmint in 308 before Thanksgiving. After pulling it from the box and cleaning it I tried to mount a scope on it. Two of the scope mount holes were stripped from the factory. The other issue I had was the trigger. It was 7.5#s and for me to adjust it down to the lowest it would adjust 4.5#s the adjustment screw was all the way out and impeding my trigger pull.
I sent the rifle back for warranty work and they fixed the scope mounts but said the trigger was acceptable.
So with it's return I had to order a Timney trigger to have a decent trigger.
While the gun was being worked on I found a left handed Ruger American all weather compact for $300.00 and bought it. That rifle shoots half inch groups with factory federal match and will shoot .75" groups with surplus ammo.

I would go with the Tikka if the only choice is this or the 700 SPS

I have an SPS in 223 with the sporter weight barrel. I like it quite a bit just as it came out of the box. It will hit 3/4 inch groups with just about anything I feed it. The action is smooth enough and the stock feels more solid than a lot of other plastic stocks. Maybe I'm not picky enough, but I am pleased with it. That said if you are buying for the donor action, just get the $349 Wal-Mart special Remington 700. The premium you'll pay for the SPS isn't worth it.

I have an SPS tactical in 223 and I'm quite happy with it. (I wanted the faster twist... the SPS has a 1:9 while the varminter has something slower))

No new gun is perfect out of the box these days, everything needs some tweaking here and there, but for the money, I think it is certainly worth it.
And I am LEFT HANDED, also but I prefer a right handed action(depending on the stock) From the bench or varmint bench, I find a right handed action much more convenient.. the only time I really want or need a left handed action, is hunting in the field where a second follow up shot may be necessary. (deer, elk, bear, DG, etc)

I have a Rem 700 Varmint special too in 243 the newer one with the 26" barrel... and I prefer teh SPS over it.
Of course I prefer the original Varmint Special with the 24" barrels and pressed checkering, but they are bringing premium money these days.

I liked the SPS I bought about four years ago. Accurate.

Tikkas are also accurate.

Had a bad Tikka magazine though. Was expensive to replace it (about 20% of the rifle cost).

Roger, roger, on just about all posts...Finally the "SAVAGE STIGMA" is turning into "SAVAGE FOREVER"...maybe not quite that, but close.

I've been building Savages since they first came out back in the late 50's and now a whole lot of other rifle brands are using the "barrel nut" system, but with slightly prettier nuts.

The guys in the NEF club have also joined the "I like my nuts" making stub barrels in all kinds of calibers, and as quick change as the Savages...made a few myself. Too bad NEF didn't see fit to use something similar commercially...it would have made fitting an NEF barrel MUCH easier and even cheaper.

We've only ourselves to blame for Remington and Winchester going downhill like a snowball headed for **** because we, the shooting public, wanted cheep, cheep, cheep, and more pay, more pay, more pay.

No flame or diss intended...just sadness after the fact.

Luck

I went through this very decision process last year, and after actually handling and looking at a new LH SPS, I bought an old CDL. Seemed like really subpar build quality, plastic parts everywhere, and bargain-basement metal finishing.

If you're after a 700 varmint in 22-250, there are quite a few of the old LSS LH models on Guns International right now. Go old or go with a Savage. Way better value for money.

I've had a few SPSs. In the end I'd rather spend a
few more bucks and let them finish building it.

If I were shopping for an affordable ready-to-go left hand bolt action, I'd get a new ruger or a slightly older winchester. The sps I've handled in the stores the past several years were ALL pretty junky. About half had no primary extraction. They might be good for a cheap donor to rebuild, but I wouldn't buy one to actually use. If you want a remington, I'd look for an old one in a pawn shop.

Here's a pretty good recent article on lefty long guns:

https://www.americanrifleman.o...or-left-out-lefties/

I don't have an SPS, but do have several Savages. They are easy to work with and accurate..They are like Jeeps. You buy one cheep and add stuff till they are expensive.

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
Great choice for a custom build.

That's what I was considering. I would replace the stock and trigger when I get the rifle...and eventually have a few options for rebarrel

in that case why not start off with a custom action as well?

I have a Remington LVSF and I wish it was accurate as my sakos and tikkas...