A friend asked a favor of me while I was at this years NSSF- SHOT Show. This person knows I have a lefty in the family and that I look for products that support ambidextrous use, or are left-hand specific. I was presented the task of inquiring why a company no longer makes a left-handed product in their lineup.
UPDATE: A left-hand rifle is mentioned in the following video!
Winchester Model 70, left-handed, bolt-action rifles
QUESTION: Does Winchester make the Model 70 in a left-handed bolt-action?
Among my appointments and interviews, I found time to stop by the Winchester booth to inquire about a left-handed model 70. I mentioned this rifle in my suggestions On choosing a big-game hunting rifle. We happen to have one in our collection. It is a rifle we are familiar with, but it is right-handed. LG is interested in a left-handed model as well.
I stopped by the booth, and this is what I learned about the Model 70 bolt-action rifles in regards to availability in left-handed profiles.
Long ago Winchester manufactured the M70 in New Haven, Connecticut. That plant was closed down and the tooling relocated to South Carolina. The tooling for the left-handed models was old and outdated. It was not included in the move. Moreover, it is a very expensive process to create the tooling required to build a left-handed platform.
I then inquired as to where lefties might access a rifle with left-handed action. I was directed to Winchester’s sister company, Browning.
Browning’s booth was merely a few steps away from Winchester. We thanked the kind lady for her assistance and made our way over to see what rifles Browning offered to left-handed shooters.
Browning – Left-handed X-Bolt & A-Bolt rifles
Browning indeed offered left-handed bolt-action rifles in multiple product lines.
- T-Bolt – Rim fire (visit Browning’s site for additional details)
- X-Bolt – Center fire (visit Browning’s site for additional details)
Lefties will find Browning rifles with wood or composite stocks and in a variety of calibers. The one option Browning did not have available for the left-handed shooter was the thumb-hole stock. A left-handed shooter can, however, purchase one via after market companies. Browning boasted “The bolt unlock button works with the top-tang safety to offer enhanced safety while unloading. Styling features offer more compact dimensions for a smaller, quicker, sleeker look and feel, and also trims weight.”
ANSWER: No, Winchester does not make the Model 70 in left-handed, and yes, you can find quality left-handed bolt action at their sister company, Browning.
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Mia Anstine is an outdoor writer, licensed outfitter, hunting guide, life coach, keynote speaker, and range safety officer, firearms instructor, and archery instructor. She is the founder of MAC Outdoors and Host of the MAC Outdoors Podcast.
Mia Anstine strives to encourage others to get outside, hunt, fish, shoot, and survive life with others in a positive way.
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Mia Anstine
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