[.455Eley]

So I'm in the market for a new bolt action. Simple right? Wrong. You'd think that it'd be an extremely simple task. There's all kind of configurations in all kinds of calibers from whatever maker you choose, with one glaring exception: iron sights. It seems the only way to get one is either to go "tacti-cool" with something like a Ruger Gunsite or a Safari-type of corresponding caliber and price, neither of which I fancy. The biggest problem is that I'm a lefty. The used gun market around here is nearly non-existant. Even before Obama, the shops around here wanted 10% above retail for something that looks like it was in the ocean for a decade. What do you guys think? Should I buy a rifle and add sights or did I miss one?Thanks, Eley

 

[chaosrob]

Eley,
You should come up to the stl area there are a lot of decently priced alternatives available. We could grab lunch and I could take you to all my haunts. If you give me some more specific criteria of what you are looking for, and a price range I can let you know what I can find for you in the area and put you in touch with them

 

[haggis]

If you're into fast rimfires, the Savage 93R17GLV is the .17HMR left handed version of one of my recent purchases. Fantastic adjustable trigger tack driver at 100 yards. $250 at Cabelas.

Savage® Arms AccuTrigger™ Rimfire Rifles : Cabela's

Buck

 

[.455Eley]

Well, I didn't know it when I made my rant, but Savage has an active custom shop. It's not really advertised on their website. I was able to order exactly what I was looking for and they were very accommodating. I got a left handed action with the sights and bolt handle off their 'scout' model, a synthetic, free-floated stock with aluminum bar bedding that runs the length of the action and, most importantly, a 24", light profile barrel in 7x57 Mauser. They said I should have it in hand in about 6 weeks, give or take.

 

[skwcoltguy]

Sako makes a great left handed bolt gun and you can order with excellent open sites.....or look around for a nice M70 LH and have the sites added. Can't go wrong either way.

 

[azshot]

Great! Glad you're getting a US rifle! But another good, European maker that has some iron site models is CZ. I have their 452 in .17 HMR and it's my most accurate rifle. CZ-USA -> CZ 550 Medium Lux
I hear the Savage's are very accurate too.

 

[Chief Two Cents]

I like open sights, won't consider a rifle without, bolt actions included. Seems nobody wants to put em on standard anymore. All seem to want a stripped barrel with a bore-sighted 3x9. Cheaper, maybe, saves some cuts and drilling and tapping, even by CNC. Scopes can be had cheaper. Don't want any part of it, but, then, I'm an old fool!

 

[mrbb]

well I'm glad you found the savage custom shop, I was going to tell you about it, they do great work, and there guns typically shoot sub 1" groups
if you didn't find that I was also going to recommend a custom gun, as most custom gun makers can get a left handed rem action and build you about anything you want to exactly what you wnat, barrel color finish etc.
and then you would have exactly the gun you want
think the savage will make you very happy too
rifle sights on rilfes anymore are rare, so only special rifles in centerfire calibers will have them,sadly
scopes rule the market now a days

 

[.455Eley]

I guess, or rather know, that I am old fashioned. I don't really like scopes and I get very bored reading rifle reviews when all they can talk about is how the rifle can do 1000th MOA at 600 yards. I like real-world accuracy, 2.5" or so. I think that all rifles should have back up iron sights because scopes are not foolproof. There's only one other thing that I would have liked and that is a cock-on-closing action, a holdover of growing up with Enfields I guess.

 

[mrbb]

well we all have the things in guns we like and dis like
I am maybe the bad seed to you, I like my rifles to be accurate, and never such a thing as too accurate I like shooting tiny little groups up close and far away, my eye's are not what they once were and I appreciate a good scope now more than ever
I actually won't own/keep a rifel that won't shoot well, by my standards(unless its a collectable thing and then I don't honestly shoot them so doesn't matter how good or bad they group LOl)
as for a scope failing, in todays world, its a lower odds deal, and the same goes for iron sight, they can move and fail as well, again a low ods deal
and well , lets face it very few of us are ever in a place that a back up rifle isn't far off or are we ever in a real life or death deal where we need to shoot on a hunting rifle that is
if it comes to that I will point it like a shotgun and hope for the best when its very close! LOl
on all my out of state trips/hunts, I found just bringing a second rifle is a better idea, as many times a failure results in a gun being down
30+ yrs of hunting I have seen a few failures, more from falls and actually plugging a barrel or breaking a stock, than a scope
have seen many scopes fail, but most always it was on a target range and not in the field
but hey well all enjoy what we enjoy, glad you found what your looking for

 

[haggis]

You know, if price is no object, there's a fellow here in my county that builds a pretty accurate rifle exactly to your specifications. His name is Kenny Jarret and his Internet link is below.

Jarrett Rifles - The World's Most Accurate Hunting Rifles - Jackson, SC

Not cheap, but his rifles are amazing.

Buck