Help finding a youth lefty rifle

[Hunter mike]

Any leads on an in stock or used rifle appreciated!

I’ve been struggling to find a rifle for my son.  He is a lefty and I don’t want to settle for a right handed bolt action.  Lefty rifles are hard to find and ordering one was said to  take many weeks per a couple local dealers.  I’m hoping to get something fairly soon so we can get a lot of shooting practice in by October.

He is 12 years old, a bit over 5’ tall.

I was also recommended to look into a single shot which would be ambidextrous.  This could be a good move because my daughter is a righty and will be hunting soon as well.  I haven’t found any of the single shots in stock.

Thinking of a .243 or 7mm-08.

I’d pay more for something that could grow with him but hoping to keep it $5-600 with a basic scope (don’t see him shooting past 200 yards for a while).

[grousetracker]

think semi auto, will work for both kids trim the stock. lever guns win 94 is usually shorter daughter shoots them great 5'2''

[Bill W]

If  you had a Sportsman's Warehouse closer to you I'd recommend ordering one online and having it shipped to your closest store.

[bobcat]

Try Gun Broker. Should be plenty of options. I wouldn't get anything but a bolt action.

Here's one:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/875078353

[bobcat]

More:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/875861917

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/874019809

[Hunter mike]

Thanks for the suggestions!  Looks like Sportsman’s has way more left-handed options than Cabela’s did.

If something there doesn’t work out, I’ll move on to Gun Broker. 

Now just to decide .243 vs 7mm-08.  I don’t want to turn him off of shooting/hunting with the higher recoil, but want something useful and versatile for at least a few years.

[The scout]

I bought a left handed rifle from carpsniper on here and it was cheaper than any store.

[HillHound]

Thanks for the suggestions!  Looks like Sportsman’s has way more left-handed options than Cabela’s did.

If something there doesn’t work out, I’ll move on to Gun Broker. 

Now just to decide .243 vs 7mm-08.  I don’t want to turn him off of shooting/hunting with the higher recoil, but want something useful and versatile for at least a few years.

They do make the reduced recoil rounds that my niece and nephew dropped more than a few deer with out of their 7-08. Now that they are bigger(and when they weren’t looking while elk hunting) use regular loads.

[bobcat]

If you're a reloader, or if you can find reduced recoil loads to buy, the 7/08 is a good option. I got my daughter a Savage youth model in 7/08 and I load 120 grain bullets at at around 2700 feet per second, so it doesn't kick any more than a 243.

However, if it's not going to be used for elk I'd just get a 243.

[stw]

I bought my daughter few years ago a savage 7mm08 elk hunter I think that's what it's called it came with a scope it was like 399 good gun

[jdb]

Cabela’s usually has t/c contender’s in 30/30. Start your son on it and when your daughter ready it’s there for her. With the appropriate billets it’s should do everything they’d need

[Jonathan_S]

I don't want to tell you your business but I'll share some thoughts based on limited experience with young shooters. I wouldn't recommend lots of practice necessarily shooting big game loads. Fundamentals and rimfire, dry fire should be the bulk of the practice especially since you're so close to season. Maybe order a good one and while it's on the way you guys can plink, dry fire etc.

If you reload, I highly recommend TrailBoss in the .243. somewhere around 9-10 grains should give excellent accuracy for kid practice

[highside74]

We bought my sons lefty Savage 7mm08 at Sportsmans last year. Great rifle and you can check their stock online for the different stores. Browning and Tikka have a nice compact lefty option. For the money and great reviews we have been very pleased with the savage  Model 111 Trophy Hunter XP combo. Should be about $549 with a scope. I sold the scope for $125 with the rings and bought a Leupold Freedom with CDS for $250.

[Hunter mike]

Any thoughts on Ruger American Predator?  Could get a lefty in 6.5 Creed or 7mm-08 and it’s threaded for a brake.  What would be a good brake and what’s involved with the setup on that?  It’s kind of the opposite end of the spectrum from where I started, but it’s a setup he could use pretty much forever. 

[carpsniperg2]

I have 2 predators and both shoot very well. Tons of options for a brake, both mine have suppressor mounts on them so no help on picking one from me. The rifles are good to go