Well never thought I'd be here !!!!!!

 My newest hunting and shooting and best buddy in the world is a lefty. Right now she shoots her A-Bolt in .243 and does well with it but man it looks like a pain in the arse working the bolt. I have a new look at what you all go through. I'm thinking about sanding the roll over off one of mine.

 You guys have it rough. I'm looking for a 7mm-08 would be my first choice but maybe a .243,.308 or a 25 caliber. Where do we go ?

Tikka;

Whether or not this'll work depends on how old/strong she is.  But, speaking from bitter experience, the way for a lefty to operate a right hand action is this:  Shoot.  Drop the gun off the shoulder, maintaining a grip with the left hand on the wrist of the stock.  As the butt of the gun drops, the right hand comes back & contacts the bolt.  Using the gun's weight & momentum to help, the right hand levers the bolt up.  What happens next depends on whether or not the left thumb is cleared by the bolt or not.  If it  does, all's good & the left hand pushes the gun up & the right maintains a hold on the bolt handle, cycling the bolt, pushing it back forward.  Then the left hand has stopped the drop of the gun & brings it back to the left shoulder, which rotates the muzzle back towards horizontal.  That rotation helps the right hand push the bolt handle back down into battery.  Then the right hand slides forward & grips the forestock.

If the bolt doesn't clear the left thumb, then the thumb comes down to the junction of the stock/action on the left & the grip is accomplished from the left fingers the the bone between the second & third knuckles of the left thumb.

I know that's a complicated description, but that's what happens.  When it's learned, it's a lot easier to do than reaching across the gun to operate the bolt with the left hand.

900F

  Right now she shoots then moves her left hand to the forarm of the stock and works the bolt with her right hand and then shoulders it again. She shoots my pumps pretty well but the roll over hits her cheek and that ain't to good.

 I been watching G.Broker , lots of Savages (she don't even like them). One Tikka T-3 in .243 couple of Rugers and Brownings but not many in a good all around cal. for a small lady.

For about 2 years I shot my righthaded guns lefty.  Never tried to be fast operating, because hunting I'm use to hunting with a single shot rifle and don't think of fast follow-ups.  Shooting of the bench, barrel cooling means slow cycles also.

But when shooting around the stock lefty, it occurred that the cock on opening was the difficult part.  Would a sporterized 303 SMLE be an easy right action ( and cheap) for left operation or am I full of pudding?

BEAR

Tikka;

There are Remington 788's with a left bolt.  I know, I've got one.  They were available in .308 and 6mm Remington.  Think of the 6mm as a .243 on steroids.  It's a .243" diameter bullet, with a bigger case and a longer neck, very reloader friendly.

The 788's tend to be outstanding shooters, but they are also not a lightweight gun. 

There are also Weatherby LHB's in .240 and .257 Roy.  But they are both hard to find and expensive to boot.

900F 

  Been doing alot of looking and I know I can get her a Tikka in a lefty and I've seen a few Rugers.Her brithday is in June so I still got a little while. She's pretty good about taking her time she shoots once and thats pretty much it,she won't rush at all.

  Here's somthing she had mentioned,I have a Remington .22 Speedmaster that she has a ball shooting,she said why can't we just get one like it in a deer caliber. Thats another thought,but on the .22 they have a little cover deal that stops the emptys from hitting you in the face the 7400's don't.

Tikka;

The 7400's aren't known as outstanding shooters, in fact, just the opposite I think.

Another possibility came to mind.  Browning has revamped the BAR lineup & now has lefties, syn stocks, and an expanded caliber selection.  You might try poking around that website & see if something strikes your fancy.

900F

The 7600s are tack drivers.  I've shot about ten and all were sub moa.  Most were 308, '06, and 270s.  But they make them in lots of cartridges including some in 257 Roberts and 35 Whelen.

 Hey Bear

  Yep I have one in 7mm-08 and just sold two ,one in .257 and .308. And ya they are tack drivers,but she don't even come close to liking them. I think what she likes about the A-Bolt is the gun is a really good fit for her,she's not very big at all.