Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply |
One of Us |
i am wanting either a 338 federal or 325 wsm. no one makes either in a lefty action. What would be my options?? Buy a 308 Ruger lefty and have a new barrel put on it?? If so what would that cost and what would be involved??? | ||
|
One of Us |
Probably the most prevalent LH action is the remington...so you could buy a LH remington and re-barell it. You could also look for a LH savage Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
|
One of Us |
How much does a re-barrel job usually cost and what work is involved?? | |||
|
One of Us |
Well I live in CA wher eprices can be pretty high. You can typical get a new barrel for a around $200 and figured another $200 to have it chambered and installed. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
|
one of us |
Unless Ruger has finally woken up they still don't make a short action (308 Win. etc.)for left hand shooters, only standard lengths like 270, 30-06, 7mm mag. Of course it would very easy (and inexpensive) to build one on a short, LH, Savage action. OTOH, a 338 Federal on a long, full length action might not be a bad idea if you plan on shooting heavy bullets. The .338 250g Hornady SP is 1.425" long and is a very tight fit in my 98 Mauser/338-06. | |||
|
One of Us |
If you want push feed go with the Remmy and have it rebarreled or if you want CRF you could have Montana Rifle Company build you a left handed barreled action in either cartridge. Then just find a good stock. I don't know of any production rifle company making either as a standard offering? | |||
|
One of Us |
This gun will be my primary gun for black bear. I have a 300 winnie but this hunt is an excuse to get a new rifle while im at it. I dont think I would get a montana on time so the 700 might be my only option | |||
|
One of Us |
Browning makes a left hand 325 WSM A bolt. | |||
|
one of us |
With the current asking cost of the Montana action being as high as it is I'd opt for a Left handed Ruger Hawkeye instead & put a new barrel on it. True it is a standard action, but big deal For just a bit more than the cost of the Montana you get the ruger action that is very nice along with the excellent new stock that ruger has. I may get one & make a Left hand 9.3x62. | |||
|
One of Us |
But can i take a Ruger and put a short action bullet in a long action??? With a different bolt stop?? I geuss i could just do a 338 but thats a little big for black bear | |||
|
One of Us |
If you might be interested in a left handed Remington M700 in .338 Ultra Mag drop me a PM. Mike | |||
|
one of us |
The 338 federal would work in the standard action without any modifications needed. You would just have some additional room to seat the bullets out further .....not a bad thing at all. | |||
|
One of Us |
Wow, putting a 338 federal in a long action? I wouldn't do it, the slop (excess room) in the mag box alone makes me cringe at the feeding problems....especially for a bear gun. "With the current asking cost of the Montana action being as high as it is.." Yeah a whopping $500, wouldn't it cost more that that to buy a Ruger just to strip it down? I guess you get what you pay for, hell lefties have a hard enough time finding what they need, JMO but you get what you pay for. If Browning makes the LH 325 look into that, may be a cheaper date. | |||
|
one of us |
Charlie, Good advice here but take this topic to the Leftie threads - you'll get even more creative thinking. Gotta agree with MTJ; use a short actioned Remington 700 and get on with it. Couldn't personally think of a better more efficent, price-value option unless you would choose a 10 Series Savage. If I was gonna build a .338 Federal or .358 Winchester I'd select the Remington seconded by a Savage. Cheers, Number 10 | |||
|
One of Us |
Tikka has left hand rifles and I'd bet they either have or will have a T3 in .338 Federal. Email them. Tikka | |||
|
one of us |
Here is the current pricing of tne Montana Action:
The Ruger Hawkeye can be had for $45 more. An entire rifle with stock. Not just an action. So yes..........buy the LH ruger, put a mgazine block in it, change the barrel & you would have a much cheaper finished product than by going with the Montana. The smith I used for my LH mauser told me that he could not stand the Montana action. Stating that the 5 he has done for clients on Montanas have been very rough & very heavy. | |||
|
One of Us |
I am not a lefty but wanted a 338FED in a REM 600 action. I had a spare one on hand so i sent it off to ID&T Custom Guns in OH. For about $375 I got a 21" Douglas #2 barrel, squared receiver, lapped lugs, installed, chambered and the entire barreled action matte blued. I would get a used lefty in 308/243 etc and send it off to them. It shoots really well with 200gr Hornady SPs. They can match the factory contour too if you want to keep the original stock. | |||
|
One of Us |
Iron Buck, that makes no sense! for $50 more than the $553 you get the whole Ruger and then you need to strip it down ( costs $) and rebarrel it ( costs $). When it's all said and done what's the difference? A couple hundred bucks to get the rifle made for you? Again made no sene. plus the MRC 1999's used to leave their facility rough; they fixed that, is it heavy...? A little, I think it was like 4 or 5 ounces more that a Winny. But they completely smooth them out now before leaving the facility. Plus I think if your gunsmith said they were too rough then is he a true gunsmith or more of an assembler who may not know how to "smooth" them up? I have several and they are all as smooth as butter from the gunsmith who put them together. But again Charlie, if costs are an issue find a LH Remmy or Savage ( can usually locate a cheap one somewhere under $400). Like I said before, you get what you pay for. | |||
|
one of us |
The gun smith I use is a memeber of the American Custom gunmakers guild. He is much more than a street corner assembly tech. He can do mor ewith actions than the majority of smiths out there. Gary Stiles-American Custom Gun Makers Guild I have no horse in this race with what ever manufacturer or action is chosen. As a lefty the choices we have are minimal. When GAry tells me his opinion on the Montana Actions, I listen. I had him build me a Left hand mauser in 35 whelen that he did lots of custom work on. My action cost half of what the Montanas do & ended up being of higher quality. I have looked at the montana action & have been turned off because of a few things they have that I just do not like. First off is the design & appearance of the bolt release. Mostly personal preferance here....but I just plain like the Ruger better. The weight, for a short action is just to much. Kind o defeats the purpose of having a short action to begin with. No matter how you cut it, you will have to spend several hundred dollars mor eto finish off the Montana as opposed to the Ruger. The Ruger wil not need to be reblued. The Ruger barrel can be sold to counter the cost of the project gun. The Ruger Hawkeye stock profile is just plain nice....so you will not have to have one made like you would with the Montana. a HUGE savings if wood is being used. A big savings if composite is being used. You have mentioned that the MONTANA actions are now finished properly. That is a good thing, but Gary Stiles pointed out teh lines of the Montana action & why he does not like them. It has to do with proportions & how they finish up. Truee...another cosmetic issue but it weighs into my preference. | |||
|
One of Us |
Great...we're getting into a pissing match here. I said your claims as far as costs didn't make sense, and still believe that. And as far as Gary is concerned, I agree he makes beautiful stuff.....great....we ok there? I really don't care which action the guy uses, I just felt the need to correct your statements about costs. But then again if I am building a rifle because nobody makes it factory I personally would spend the extra to get a custom. I like rugers...I like MRC, I like mausers, I like Remmy..well ok that's not true...just anything CRF. You have an opinion I have an opinion. By the way what "lines" are you refering to? Casting lines? They can be polished out too, Ruger does the casting for MRC the same way they do all of their own don't they? | |||
|
one of us |
MTJ We will just have to agree to disagree on the cost issue. There is just NO WAY an action that costs as much as the Montana can be made into a cheaper rifle than rebarreling a stock gun that is virtually the same cost...stock & all. You are just to far ahead of the game by having a finished & blued action to start with. The Lines Gary was talking about were the actual finished shape of the receiver. He did not like the way it is just "polished over" with no distinct transition line...or shadow line...when compared to the mauser 98. To be fair.....Gary is a mauser man & prefers them to all other actions to begin with. I know that Ruger does the casting for Montana. To Montanas Specs & design. If they still cost around $300 I would think differently ....but they do not anymore. If a full custom rifle is being done, I agree that the cost difference is a mute point. But when cost is an issue....the stock rifle as a baseline just beats building form the ground up anyday. When we are talking left handed especially. Just getting a LH stock aftermarket is a pure pain. That is how my mauser ended up with Gary. Originally it was going to be a cheap, laminated stocked, hunter. I just could not find a stock, laminated or synthetic that was not going to cost me $600 & north! So I opted for the full custom. I will be making a 9.3x62. This one will be an economical hunter. I will use a Ruger Hawkeye & get a barrel done by a buddy of mine for $250. Finished & out the door. So my entire gun will run $850. Stil not CHEAP. But for a lefty that is as cheap as it gets with CRF & the caliber I want. | |||
|
One of Us |
I agree....to disagree...and I 'll take that beer..cheers! However, just so you know I have two MRC's that run the complete spectrum of pricing. I got one of the left over CZ's they had made for CZ after their contract with them went south. They sold them for $499 (complete barreled action. Did all the polishing work on the receiver myself, and bought the same stock CZ used on the Model 3's from American walnut for $100 (nice walnut stocks too!). And had my gunsmith lap the lugs, check headspace and glass bed the barreled action in the stock for $150 so my completed rifle cost me $749 and the damn thing shoots 1/2" groups all day long. But to agree with you that it can be expensive I had them make one from scratch, SS Octagon barrel, etc and had an Accurate innovations stock put on and the completed project was well over $2K (the stock was $700). But I also own a custom M98 that is in that same price range and I won't even use it anymore because I love the function the MRC better. However I have a Ruger M77 that I still use because the damn thing has treated me so well over the years. I even bought a Kimber 84M just to see the difference. | |||
|
one of us |
There are more LH choices out there than ever before (my wife is a lefty, so I pay attention). You could buy an appropriate Savage rifle, and then screw on a chambered .338 Federal barrel. This is a user installation with a barrel wrench and something to set headspace. You could go to the Remington Custom Shop and have one built on a LH Remington action (M7 or M700). Ruger has a custom shop, but I don't know how much work they are doing. Tikka and Sako will be sources of completed rifles, if they are not out there already (I know the Sako is). Finally get Melvin Forbes at NULA to build one. jim if you're too busy to hunt,you're too busy. | |||
|
One of Us |
Several folks asked about the .338 Ultra Mag, here are some pics: Mike | |||
|
Powered by Social Strata |
Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia