is a lefthanded 357 bolt action too much to ask for?

Husqvarna · December 28, 2013, 06:29 PM

is a lefthanded 357 bolt action too much to ask for?

the ruger 77/357 seems very popular but isn't offered in a LH version

and no other maker has "copied" the formula?

In todays world with sub moa promising hunting calibres rifles costing less than 500bucks why has noone else done this?

Or 9mm rifles (although I would like the oomph from a 357 for hunting purposes)

In todays world where restrictions might even come into play in the US and/or when prepping is getting popular shouldn't this kind of rifle be just the kind of rifle people would by just to stick in the closet? or plink for fun?

jmr40 · December 28, 2013, 07:31 PM

Quote:

is a lefthanded 357 bolt action too much to ask for?

Probably.

Those guns are not at all common except in isolated places. Very few left handed bolt rifles are offered even in far more common chamberings so I doubt Ruger could show a profit to make any.

It isn't that hard to shoot right handed bolt rifles from the left side. I know a few leftys that prefer them to left handed rifles.

steveNChunter · December 28, 2013, 08:45 PM

I shoot lefty and I don't own a single left handed rifle. I learned at a young age to shoot that way and I now prefer right handed rifles. I've shot lefty rifles and it just feels weird to me. If you can get used to shooting a right handed rifle it will make it a lot easier to find what you want when you go rifle shopping.

tdoyka · December 28, 2013, 08:57 PM

Today 07:45 PM
steveNChunter I shoot lefty and I don't own a single left handed rifle. I learned at a young age to shoot that way and I now prefer right handed rifles. I've shot lefty rifles and it just feels weird to me. If you can get used to shooting a right handed rifle it will make it a lot easier to find what you want when you go rifle shopping.

me too!!! for the past 7 or 8 years i've been on single shots, ruger #1 in 270win and in t/c encore in 20 vartarg and 6.5 creedmoor. i would like to try in encore a 357 maximum in 18" mgm barrel.

TimSr · December 28, 2013, 09:14 PM

This thread caught my eye because I'd never heard of an offering of any bolt action in .357. I can't imagine much demand. How well do lever guns work for lefties shooting left handed?

jersurf101 · December 29, 2013, 12:01 AM

Probably. A lot of lefties are militarily trained to shoot right handed

tdoyka · December 29, 2013, 12:08 AM

in 1991 i did not train right handed. army never trained that way.

Husqvarna · December 29, 2013, 08:04 AM

I grew up shootin rh rifles but it was like a revolation when i started shootin lh ones, just more natural

Husqvarna · December 29, 2013, 08:08 AM

Jmr 40 Every big Gun maker now offer lh rifles, we are 10-20% of the population afterall, IF one maker would be first they'd corner the market

NoSecondBest · December 29, 2013, 10:29 AM

Gun companies are in business to make money. Tooling costs and demand are the drivers for decisions on adding new models to the lineup. If they could make more money by offering left handed guns, you'd see them on the shelves. It doesn't do any good to "corner the market" if you're losing money doing it. It's all about the money. Nothing wrong with that. If they don't make money they don't stay in business.

std7mag · December 29, 2013, 11:05 AM

As was already pointed out, it's all about the cost of doing business.

Timsr,
The .357 in a rifle is not all that common, but it does indeed have it's place(hopefully one in my gun cabinet).
I have been looking at the Ruger 77/357 also. With the 18" barrel it increases velocity almost 400 fps. With the corresponding increase in energy. For deer sized critters should be good out to about 150 yrds. In a package that weighs about 5.5 pounds. You can get a lever gun in .357 but the cost is about the same ($700=800) and the weight goes up to at least 7 pounds.

The thing with shooting lever action lefty is that most are like shooting a r/h bolt. The ejection port is on the r/h side. Same with most .22 semi auto's.

Husqvarna,
Good luck in your search, and if I run across anything, I'll let you know...

Husqvarna · December 29, 2013, 01:27 PM

Ruger already got lh 77 models and the rh 77/357s

What more can they need?

eastbank · December 30, 2013, 11:48 AM

being left handed and shooting that way, i was left alone on the firing line in the service and had no trouble shooting any thing,but the m-60 would hit me with cases on the side of the face when fired prone.in vn shooting the m-60 while walking would put cases all over my right side,but i never noticed untill later as the cases would cause red marks.i now own two .22 remington 581 lefty,s and two remington model 700,s lefty,s and three winchester model 70 lefty,s and a remington model 870 lefty. if you want a left handed rifle today it easy to get one,however in the 50,s your choice was very limited. eastbank.

Rangefinder · December 30, 2013, 09:13 PM

Solution is simple. NEF makes rifle barrels chambered in .357. It's break-action. No RH or LH fuss, and is less expensive to boot. Both my NEF's are serious tack-drivers.

AdamsT · February 27, 2025, 10:44 PM

old thread I know but I was just asking the same question. I own and shoot a Rossi R92 (top eject) lever action. I bought it to share ammo with my SW Model 10 38spl. The Rossi can shoot both 38 and 357. If you reload, there's lots of options for lefty bolt actions that you could tailor a cartridge of your choice down to lower velocities and recoil. I'm particularly interested in 350 Legend which is a straight wall case...think jumbo 357, that can be reloaded down to similar performance as 357 Magnum, and Winchester and Savage makes left handed bolt actions in 350 Legend. Reloading straight wall rifle cases for bolt action is nearly as easy as reloading pistol brass, and if you reuse brass from a single rifle and reload for the same rifle over and over, it's even easier as fire-formed brass may not have to be resized each time it's reloaded if it's used in the same rifle exclusively. That will also extend the life of your brass.

Brian Pfleuger · March 2, 2025, 02:37 PM

In the spirit of “other 9mm”, Savage and Winchester both make several LH rifles in .350 Legend, most of which are well under $500

I’ve got quite a few in stock.

https://ecommercearms.com/?s=+.350+L...&_pagination=2

flyer898 · March 4, 2025, 11:26 PM

A bolt action .357 has never been on my wish list. However, I am firmly in the left-hand rifle camp. Of the very many long guns I have in my gun library, almost all are left-hand, ambidextrous, or nearly so.
A hallmark of sentient creatures is that they conform their environment to their needs.

bamaranger · March 5, 2025, 07:48 PM

Pretty sure the only commercial .357 bolt rifle is the Ruger version. As noted, it is not offered in LH. I had thought the 77/357 was discontinued, but apparently it is not. The 77/44 appears as though it might be available on a limited basis as well. Not too many years ago I thought they dropped both rifles. They were available at some discount for a period of time. I suspect the increased interest in suppressors has prompted their continued (limited?) production. A bolt .357/.44 leaves me a bit cold, but a lever carbine so chambered seems a practical gun to me.

If a lever carbine is top eject, like the Win 92 and its clones, or a top eject M94, it makes little difference if you shoot L or R, the spent case comes out top side. On R side eject firearms, those shooting off the left shoulder may or may not be disturbed by the spent case exiting starboard. If it hits you, yeah that's no good, but if the case simply crosses your line of sight, I'd think you can get use to it. Bamaboy shoots off the left shoulder, shoots a ton of ammo through AR platforms, and R ejection bothers him not at all.

NEF went defunct in 2015 and I'm not sure how many of their single shots were made in the years leading up to that, or how many were in .357. Used NEF/HR single shot rifles bring a premium in my area, far beyond what they sold for new. While the single shot is a viable option, finding a .357 H&R might be a bit of a challenge. Rossi sells their tiny, affordable carbine and I believe it is available in .357.......no iron sights regrettably.

Lets not forget the issue of eye dominance when talking about L and R shooting. Ideally one shoots from the same shoulder as ones master eye, but there are folks who are "cross dominant". Shooting off the R shoulder with a left master eye can be done. It is taught tactically, is a good trick for the sportsman under the right circumstances and some folks have shot that way all their lives........my Dad being one, bamaboy being another. I would suggest that one shoots best with the master eye and the corresponding shoulder. My observation of my Dad and son is that shooting crossed up (dominant shoulder/off eye) can be done, especially with a rifle and deliberate fire, like off a bench or well supported. But with a moving target or a shot requiring quick reaction, like a running deer, flushed pheasant or jumped bunny, one sacrifices efficiency. Yes, I know it's done, Dad did it his whole life (and missed a lot of game). I switched bamaboy to his off shoulder to match his L master eye very early and the dang kid (well, now nearly 30) is a heck of a shot. I never bought any L rifles for him, and he has not bought any for himself.

March 2, 2025, 02:37 PM	#16
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,694	In the spirit of “other 9mm”, Savage and Winchester both make several LH rifles in .350 Legend, most of which are well under $500 I’ve got quite a few in stock. https://ecommercearms.com/?s=+.350+L...&_pagination=2 __________________ https://ecommercearms.com I am the owner/operator! Ask me for custom prices! No sales tax outside CO!

March 5, 2025, 07:48 PM	#18
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,799	eye dominance Pretty sure the only commercial .357 bolt rifle is the Ruger version. As noted, it is not offered in LH. I had thought the 77/357 was discontinued, but apparently it is not. The 77/44 appears as though it might be available on a limited basis as well. Not too many years ago I thought they dropped both rifles. They were available at some discount for a period of time. I suspect the increased interest in suppressors has prompted their continued (limited?) production. A bolt .357/.44 leaves me a bit cold, but a lever carbine so chambered seems a practical gun to me. If a lever carbine is top eject, like the Win 92 and its clones, or a top eject M94, it makes little difference if you shoot L or R, the spent case comes out top side. On R side eject firearms, those shooting off the left shoulder may or may not be disturbed by the spent case exiting starboard. If it hits you, yeah that's no good, but if the case simply crosses your line of sight, I'd think you can get use to it. Bamaboy shoots off the left shoulder, shoots a ton of ammo through AR platforms, and R ejection bothers him not at all. NEF went defunct in 2015 and I'm not sure how many of their single shots were made in the years leading up to that, or how many were in .357. Used NEF/HR single shot rifles bring a premium in my area, far beyond what they sold for new. While the single shot is a viable option, finding a .357 H&R might be a bit of a challenge. Rossi sells their tiny, affordable carbine and I believe it is available in .357.......no iron sights regrettably. Lets not forget the issue of eye dominance when talking about L and R shooting. Ideally one shoots from the same shoulder as ones master eye, but there are folks who are "cross dominant". Shooting off the R shoulder with a left master eye can be done. It is taught tactically, is a good trick for the sportsman under the right circumstances and some folks have shot that way all their lives........my Dad being one, bamaboy being another. I would suggest that one shoots best with the master eye and the corresponding shoulder. My observation of my Dad and son is that shooting crossed up (dominant shoulder/off eye) can be done, especially with a rifle and deliberate fire, like off a bench or well supported. But with a moving target or a shot requiring quick reaction, like a running deer, flushed pheasant or jumped bunny, one sacrifices efficiency. Yes, I know it's done, Dad did it his whole life (and missed a lot of game). I switched bamaboy to his off shoulder to match his L master eye very early and the dang kid (well, now nearly 30) is a heck of a shot. I never bought any L rifles for him, and he has not bought any for himself.

December 28, 2013, 06:29 PM	#1
Husqvarna Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,000	is a lefthanded 357 bolt action too much to ask for? is a lefthanded 357 bolt action too much to ask for? the ruger 77/357 seems very popular but isn't offered in a LH version and no other maker has "copied" the formula? In todays world with sub moa promising hunting calibres rifles costing less than 500bucks why has noone else done this? Or 9mm rifles (although I would like the oomph from a 357 for hunting purposes) In todays world where restrictions might even come into play in the US and/or when prepping is getting popular shouldn't this kind of rifle be just the kind of rifle people would by just to stick in the closet? or plink for fun?

December 28, 2013, 08:45 PM	#3
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	I shoot lefty and I don't own a single left handed rifle. I learned at a young age to shoot that way and I now prefer right handed rifles. I've shot lefty rifles and it just feels weird to me. If you can get used to shooting a right handed rifle it will make it a lot easier to find what you want when you go rifle shopping.

December 28, 2013, 08:57 PM	#4
tdoyka Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2013 Location: windber, pa Posts: 300	Today 07:45 PM steveNChunter I shoot lefty and I don't own a single left handed rifle. I learned at a young age to shoot that way and I now prefer right handed rifles. I've shot lefty rifles and it just feels weird to me. If you can get used to shooting a right handed rifle it will make it a lot easier to find what you want when you go rifle shopping. me too!!! for the past 7 or 8 years i've been on single shots, ruger #1 in 270win and in t/c encore in 20 vartarg and 6.5 creedmoor. i would like to try in encore a 357 maximum in 18" mgm barrel.

December 28, 2013, 09:14 PM	#5
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	This thread caught my eye because I'd never heard of an offering of any bolt action in .357. I can't imagine much demand. How well do lever guns work for lefties shooting left handed?

December 29, 2013, 12:01 AM	#6
jersurf101 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 553	Probably. A lot of lefties are militarily trained to shoot right handed

December 29, 2013, 12:08 AM	#7
tdoyka Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2013 Location: windber, pa Posts: 300	in 1991 i did not train right handed. army never trained that way.

December 29, 2013, 08:04 AM	#8
Husqvarna Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,000	I grew up shootin rh rifles but it was like a revolation when i started shootin lh ones, just more natural

December 29, 2013, 08:08 AM	#9
Husqvarna Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,000	Jmr 40 Every big Gun maker now offer lh rifles, we are 10-20% of the population afterall, IF one maker would be first they'd corner the market

December 29, 2013, 10:29 AM	#10
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	Gun companies are in business to make money. Tooling costs and demand are the drivers for decisions on adding new models to the lineup. If they could make more money by offering left handed guns, you'd see them on the shelves. It doesn't do any good to "corner the market" if you're losing money doing it. It's all about the money. Nothing wrong with that. If they don't make money they don't stay in business.

December 29, 2013, 11:05 AM	#11
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,611	As was already pointed out, it's all about the cost of doing business. Timsr, The .357 in a rifle is not all that common, but it does indeed have it's place(hopefully one in my gun cabinet). I have been looking at the Ruger 77/357 also. With the 18" barrel it increases velocity almost 400 fps. With the corresponding increase in energy. For deer sized critters should be good out to about 150 yrds. In a package that weighs about 5.5 pounds. You can get a lever gun in .357 but the cost is about the same ($700=800) and the weight goes up to at least 7 pounds. The thing with shooting lever action lefty is that most are like shooting a r/h bolt. The ejection port is on the r/h side. Same with most .22 semi auto's. Husqvarna, Good luck in your search, and if I run across anything, I'll let you know...

December 29, 2013, 01:27 PM	#12
Husqvarna Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,000	Ruger already got lh 77 models and the rh 77/357s What more can they need?

December 30, 2013, 11:48 AM	#13
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,512	being left handed and shooting that way, i was left alone on the firing line in the service and had no trouble shooting any thing,but the m-60 would hit me with cases on the side of the face when fired prone.in vn shooting the m-60 while walking would put cases all over my right side,but i never noticed untill later as the cases would cause red marks.i now own two .22 remington 581 lefty,s and two remington model 700,s lefty,s and three winchester model 70 lefty,s and a remington model 870 lefty. if you want a left handed rifle today it easy to get one,however in the 50,s your choice was very limited. eastbank.

December 30, 2013, 09:13 PM	#14
Rangefinder Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 2,017	Solution is simple. NEF makes rifle barrels chambered in .357. It's break-action. No RH or LH fuss, and is less expensive to boot. Both my NEF's are serious tack-drivers.

February 27, 2025, 10:44 PM	#15
AdamsT Junior Member Join Date: February 14, 2025 Posts: 6	old thread I know but I was just asking the same question. I own and shoot a Rossi R92 (top eject) lever action. I bought it to share ammo with my SW Model 10 38spl. The Rossi can shoot both 38 and 357. If you reload, there's lots of options for lefty bolt actions that you could tailor a cartridge of your choice down to lower velocities and recoil. I'm particularly interested in 350 Legend which is a straight wall case...think jumbo 357, that can be reloaded down to similar performance as 357 Magnum, and Winchester and Savage makes left handed bolt actions in 350 Legend. Reloading straight wall rifle cases for bolt action is nearly as easy as reloading pistol brass, and if you reuse brass from a single rifle and reload for the same rifle over and over, it's even easier as fire-formed brass may not have to be resized each time it's reloaded if it's used in the same rifle exclusively. That will also extend the life of your brass.

March 4, 2025, 11:26 PM	#17
flyer898 Member Join Date: May 15, 2013 Posts: 59	A bolt action .357 has never been on my wish list. However, I am firmly in the left-hand rifle camp. Of the very many long guns I have in my gun library, almost all are left-hand, ambidextrous, or nearly so. A hallmark of sentient creatures is that they conform their environment to their needs.