rifle decision

[Gloctopus78]

Hey everyone. First time posting. I'm in a bit of a quandary. I own an AK, and am kind of a nut above using the same ammo over different platforms. I'd like a more accurate, hunting style rifle (for medium to large game, say coyotes and turkeys to hogs and white tail: nothing like bear or elk) chambered in 7.62x39 as well. I'm aware that round isn't the best beyond 200 yards, but I'm not quite Annie Oakley in that right. Here's the rub. I'm a southpaw. I've found trying to find a ruger m77 or savage 10 chambered that way at my budget, much less a lefty, is not likely. I've been looking at SKSs, due to the fact that having the charging handle on the right standard (something I love about my AK) is far more comfortable than a righty- standard bolt action. My other option is to drop the chambering obsession and order a lefty savage axis in 308. Thoughts?

[jmax]

Get the 308 as it is very common hunting round with many options.

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[Reverenddel]

Keep in mind, The CZ USA company has 7.62x39 bolt actions. I would send them an email, and quiz them about Left hand options. I know they make a lefty .22 LR.

Plus, their rifles are fairly well built.

[Snakester]

I have a shooting buddy that has a Ruger American.308 LH . I have a RA 30.06 RH ...Both rifles have a $200 scope and both shoot great! They shoot pretty much equal and the ammo for each is very available. We both also shoot SKS's and both are RH . Mike has no problem shooting his. He also has several other bolt rifles Savage Axis and loves them all.

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[MarcSpaz]

Hey man! Welcome to the forum!

I think you are going to have a hard time getting recommendations. The 7.62x39 is grossly under powered for a .30 cal projectile, at much less than 1/3rd the power of a .308. Using it for hunting or long range doesn't seem practical to me. There just isn't enough energy to sustain a good flight path or lethality down range. Even a 300 Blackout out of a 9 inch barrel out performs the 7.62x39 from 3 to 770 yards (700 meters) and the 300 Blackout was engineered for CQB. So not many companies put time or money into development of precision rifles for the 7.62x39.

It will be a fun novelty if you can find one... keep us posted! Looking forward to seeing what you find.

[grumpyMSG]

I am a left handed shooter myself, but I never have owned a left handed rifle. It seems there are two ways we use a right handed rifle. Lots of folks reach across the top of the scope/ rifle and work the bolt that way. The way I learned to work the bolt was to maintain my grip with the left hand and work the bolt with the right. I never have had a lick of trouble that way and some folks never have noticed that I was left handed to this day. As for rifles, I don't own one, but I have known enough who would argue you can't beat the bang for the buck you can get out of a Savage bolt gun.

[MarcSpaz]

I agree! I have a Savage bolt gun. For the price, the value is outstanding. Do you know if they still do manufacturing in VA?

[Viper21]

Get the 308 as it is very common hunting round with many options.

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x2

I know nothing about leftys but, especially if one is willing to buy used, there are lots of good hunting rifles out there, especially this time of year & shortly after Christmas. I bought a nice .270 with scope last year at a gun show for $150.

[Gloctopus78]

Thanks for the Input everyone. I'm beginning to lean towards the 308.

[jdonovan]

the selection of good hunting projectiles in 7.62x39 is quite limited, and the power level makes it questionable much above deer sized game.

Ruger makes much of the American Rifle series in LH models, and other than the .223/22-250 I don't see a bad deer sized game cartridge in the lineup. If you want things bigger than deer, then .270 and up.

308 is a fine choice, and a wide selection of ammo from many manufacturers.

[Swampman]

Thanks for the Input everyone. I'm beginning to lean towards the 308.

Okay, let me relate something an avid hunting friend of mine told me once. I was asking him about bolt guns for deer. First thing he started talking about was caliber. He said think about the terrain you will be hunting. Virginia ain't Wyoming. He suggested that typically I wouldn't be taking a shot of more than 200 yards or so. His recommendation was to find a good solid bolt gun and put a decent - good scope on it and I'd be set. I found a Savage Model 110 in .270 Win at a gun show a few years back. Really solid gun, and shoots like a dream. The range I get out of it with round-nose bullets is more than sufficient for the average hunter round these parts. Good luck with your search!