I want to buy a varmint/target single shot rifle  - trick is that it has to be left hand if a bolt action. I want the most accurate gun I can buy. 

I was thinking of a Remington 40 XB left hand, or to have a varminter built on a Martini action. Other suggestions?  What caliber/cartridge would you go for, if aiming to shoot varmints up to coyote size?  The only varmint gun I have is a BSA Martini in 17 HM2, only suitable for groundhogs and such. I am looking for a step up from rimfire to centerfire, and distances up to 300 yards.

JLC

Hello JLC,

Like you I am a left hander, so I appreciate your problem. I must ask why anyone vermin (varmint) hunting needs a 'repeating rifle'? If you miss a sitting target at 2-300 yards with your first shot,  you haven't a cat in hells chance of hitting it when it is running at full throttle for the nearest bolt hole, so a rapid reload isn't really a necessity. 

Only one in ten people are left handed, so there is far less demand for left handed rifles, something to think about if you ever wanted to sell it in the future. Therefore a single shot rifle is probably a far better choice.

If your going for a high pressure cartridge, then select a currently produced single shot rifle (there are quite a few to pick from). Leave the antiques to those enthusiasts who like shooting the older cartridges.

If you really must have 'fire power' then a 5.56mm mini gun will suit your purposes admirably, a five to ten second burst through a Gopher colony will certainly knock one or two over, and you'll have enough empty brass to keep you busy reloading for a month. 

Most rifles can shoot more accurately that their owners hold them, and although you may be able to shoot fantastic groups from a bench rest, it's a lot more difficult to do so in the field, with little, if any, solid support, even shooting prone, your going to have stones and other uncomfortable items under your body. 

The measure of a good hunter is hitting his target every time, not burning a lot of powder for little or no reward. No matter where you hunt, your not going to get multiple targets offering themselves every few seconds. You'll be lucky to get two or three shots off in half an hour and probably less than that. 

A single shot rifle is all you will ever need for vermin. Of course, opinions are like ***holes, everbody has one. 

Harry

   

As a fellow Lefty, I can tell you... if you have the opportunity to buy a nice "Left bolt" rifle; DO NOT pass it up.  Buy it.

At the same time, there would be nothing wrong (at all) with building a varminter on a large frame martini action.  Maybe in something rimmed like a .225 Win. There is also the .222 Rimmed, but brass is a bit spendy. 
Then there is, of course, inventing your OWN cartridge.. take a rimmed case that is plentiful and cheap ( .303 brit, or .30-30 come to mind), saw it off short, neck it down to .22 or .25.. and there you go.  (of course, I'm oversimplifying just a tiny bit...).

The 40XB is a spendy piece of hardware if you're looking at new... but if you've located one used, quit yoru browser, grab your Visa, and go buy it! NOW!  They're VERY uncommon in left hand, and will make you a VERY fine rifle!
Another choice to look at is the Savage bolt action in left hand.  With a bit of tuning, they can keep up with anything from Remington and Winchester.

Also keep looking around for the Low/High Walls... I know the problem of the "roll over" cheek piece all too well... but if you keep looking, you'll find one with a cheeckpiece you can live with. 

Have you considered a Ruger #1?  I know a lot of folks locally have had trouble getting theirs to shoot, but then again, there are a lot of folks HERE that have had no such problems (or at least, they have solved them to their satisfaction..).

My overall plan if I was in the same spot?
Go buy that 40X today... Start shooting it and load developing.
Then pick up a good martini action, and barrel, and slab of wood, and start the process of having a nice custom Martini  (or Low Wall or High Wall!) built while you are shooting your 40X.

Just one Lefty's opinion
Paul F.

Savage does make left-hand bolt action varminters - like the Model 12 low profile, available in 223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, or 204 Ruger.  By all accounts, they are accurate, but I have a hard time warming up to the look of the thing!  I have read too many reports of Ruger #1 not shooting well, some even after considerable tuning,  to consider one. I don't think Ruger makes a left-hand bolt action varminter, not that I could see on their website anyway.

The only two heavy barrelled Remington "left-bolt" action rifles I know for sale used and locally,  are both from the custom shop, but in the wrong caliber: one is a 30-338, the other a 338 Magnum (ouch!)  If I get a "left bolt" 40 XB, I'll order it new, wood stock, single shot.

I might just build a Martini varminter in some 22 or 25 caliber.  Might even build two, each in a different caliber! Probably could do that for little or no more than the price of one 40 XB. I do like Martinis, both with small and large actions.  I have a Douglas match barreled BSA Martini Model 12, in 17 Hornady Mach 2 rimfire, which is a real tack driver ! 

JLC

I say get that slab of wood and go for it!     Just my two .02 cents

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Don G.

Hello

Just some food for thought.  I am 75 years old and started shooting a .22  (Springfield single shot) by myself at about 10 years old.  I started shooting right handed for a year or two and wasn't satisfied with the results and switched over to left hand. Instant good results.  I found out later my left eye was dominent and was darn near blind in the right eye.  Anyway, the Army tried to switch me back but I wouldn't have any part of it.  Been a "Leftie" every since.

Now the food,  I believe the design of a so called "Right Hand" single shot bolt rifle in fact is actually designed for a left hander and the so called "Left Hand" single shot rifle is actually designed for a Right hander.  Try it your self and see if it's not more normal to operate the bolt from the left hand postion with the right hand and vice versa.  The only time it gets a little weird is trying to put a clip in a right hand rifle with your right hand if shooting left handed.  When shooting a single shot left handed working the bolt with your right hand is completely normal and so is working the bolt with your left hand if shooting from the right hand position.

In summary if I switched to shooting "Right Handed", I would then buy a left hand bolt gun.

Of course, I have always been noted for being a little weird!!

Another analogy!  I got my first rod and reel about the same time as the .22.  I started casting right handed and after finding my brother's plug in all the best spots first while I was casting, changing the rod to my left hand and cranking over and over it got me to thinking.  Why am I doing this?  I learned to cast with my left hand and crank with my right, the rod never leaving my left hand.  Why the reel manufacturers designed reels with the crank on the right side when 90% of the fishermen are right handed, one has to wonder?  A true right handed reel should have the crank on the left side.  Anyway I have made my self a little dizzy so I will let the experts figure it out.

Don. G.

I'd go for a custom small-actioned martini rifle, chambered for 5.6 x50R - not 22-250 performance, but getting cclose when you handload...
It should be good out to 300.
The round is rimmed, and is more or less a lengthened .222 rem mag.   Of course, brass, will be a tad more expensive, but should last a while.