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Author Topic: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?  (Read 897 times)

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Offline GoodOlBoy

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H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« on: July 07, 2008, 08:15:39 AM »
Hello, new to the forum, been using a H&R modell 88 20 gauge with a modified choke since I was 6 years old (that was about 27 of them birthdays ago).

I have run into problems with my eyesight in that my right eye is getting to the point that it is no longer correctable by lenses.  I was born left eye dominant and a lefty, however I went to a parochial school in my early years so that didn't last long.  Now I am faced with getting a left handed setup, and to be honest I don't want to re-buy a bunch of expensive gear (IE check the price of a left handed remmy model 700) but I want a good solid accurate rifle.  A buddy of mine called last night and is selling off his H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 (Scoped model no iron sights) and I was wondering if any lefties had had problems with theirs.  IE did you have to change stocks, etc to make it work well for you?  I have just enough time to get it in and shoot a new cars worth of practice down the barrel before deer season comes this year.

Thanks in advance

GoodOlBoy
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Offline Tencubed

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2008, 09:57:46 AM »
I'm not a lefty but my Dad was mostly left handed.  Shot a rifle and shotgun lefty, pistol either hand and could drive a nail with either hand.  Shot a bow right handed.

Dad shot a little 410 single shot quite a lot when cleaning the sparrows out of the barns and he never seemed to have a problem with it.  Wasn't a H&R but very similar.  Don't think you would have a problem as long as you get used to where the barrel release is.

Dad shot lever guns for the most part when shooting a heavy rifle.  He preferred the '95 Winchester a clone of which is still available and a good option for the left handed rifleman.

Mike
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Offline gstewart44

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2008, 10:48:50 AM »
Hello GoodOlBoy,

I was born left handed and left eye dominant in a world that tried to make me right handed.   As a result I call myself "mixed up ambidextrous".   The left eye dominance never started to make a big difference until the 1970's when I was on the firing line at Camp Blanding.   The DI realized I was left eye dominant and told me to switch to shooting left handed.   What a difference!  When I finished  they told me they wanted me to think about sniper training.   

That was a long time ago, but I carried the lesson with me until after college.  I inherited a bolt rifle but always felt more comfortable shooting left handed.   When I saved enough money I went out and bought a Remington pump and NEF single shot so I could easily shoulder and shoot left handed.  That was 20 years ago and I still have these two rifles as my go to guns on any hunt.   

The NEF/HR setup is perfect for lefties.  All you have to do is set your thumb stud on the hammer.   If you prefer a thumbhole stock of course you will most likely need a left handed stock but if you use a standard pistol grip you are already set. 

Good luck with your HR if you decide to get it.   Mine is in 243 and has served me well.    Let us know.
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Offline petemi

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2008, 11:38:07 AM »
If the new rifle has a thumb hole stock, it may give you trouble, but I don't see a problem with shooting a standard Handi right or left handed.  My wife, who is left eye dominant, shoots all my and her rifles with either hand, and shoots bolt guns left handed too and just reaches over for the bolt.  It shouldn't be a problem reaching the latch release left handed.  Of course, a hammer spur can be put on either side. 

Don't be turned off if it is a right hand thumbhole stock, you can sell or trade it right here for a wood or synthetic stock and more than likely make money on the deal.

Welcome, and I hope you enjoy your Handi with many more to come. 

You'll love the .308, I've got to believe it is my favorite "do it all" caliber.

 Pete
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Offline hunterwinco

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2008, 11:50:51 AM »
GoodOlBoy,
you are in the right place.  I am right handed, but left eye dominant.  I have shot left handed since I was like 7-8 (or basically 40 years-omg!).  I think the handi's are great for a left hander.  The fact that the barrel release is on the right hand side of the trigger is really handier for a LH shooter than a RH shooter, as you just press it with your thumb as it wraps around the pistol grip.  Like previously stated unless you get one of the thumbhole stocks you are good to go!  I have other firearms that are LH like my 270 MkII and my AR which is a LH Stag.  But one of the main reasons the "I" like handis are that they work really well for us LH people. 
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Offline kenbev

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2008, 12:33:30 PM »
I am right handed but shoot lefty. I have had no problem with my Handis. I can shoot from either side. I will shoot off the bench from both sides with the same rifle and shoot the same pattern.....
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Offline krod47nw

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #6 on: July 07, 2008, 01:17:22 PM »
I'm left handed, and left eye dominant.  I have no problem with my handi rifles.   I too learned to shoot right handed, but my right eye is much weaker, so I changed to left handed.  The only left handed rifle I've owned was a side lock muzzle loader.  I bought it left handed, because I didn't like the percussion cap right in front of my face. 

Kevin
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Offline carbineman

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #7 on: July 07, 2008, 02:56:05 PM »
Being left handed is the reason I use the Handi/Topper line of rifles. The perfect rifle for a lefty.
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Offline silver surfer

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2008, 05:30:35 PM »
`OlBoy,
  I'm Left handed, Right Eyed!  Man I used to give my Dad fits trying to shoot.  I finally settled on shooting right armed, it was a compramise.  Such is life.
  Then I found this new fangled two armed rifle called a "Handy", I guess the "Y" is what made it plural, meaning either or, well it works for me. ;D  Yes I think you'll be doublely happy with your new Handy.  Just dont forget to switch your hammer extention over.  Other wise your friends will start calling you "Hair Lip" :D.
  Seriously, I think your going to be very pleased.  Enjoy.
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2008, 09:11:08 PM »
I shoot right handed, but have a left handed brother that is always borrowing a gun to go hunting with me.  I have him use either a Marlin 336, Remington 760 Pump gun, a Contender Carbine, or one of my NEF/H&Rs.  He can not use my TCR since the cheek rise is on the left side of the stock.  He does not like shooting a right handed bolt gun so he usually wants the Remington pump.
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Offline GoodOlBoy

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2008, 03:27:53 AM »
Thanks folks, and thanks for the welcome.  I figured as much but thought I should do a little askin just ta be sure.  I actually have a decent firearms collection, and do a little gunsmith work for folks around here on the side (Basic stuff, spring replacement, broken extractors, etc)  But this is my first venture into what to do left handed.  When I asked the doc what to do about the old right eyeball he shrugged, told me to buy some eyecaps vitamins (I dunno if they help but I do take em) and learn to shoot lefty.  Good thing I was born thataway.  Shame really.  Spent 6 years getting my model 700 BDL 270 the way I wanted it, then figured out right quick that something was up with the eyeball.  My Leupold Varix-II was fuzzy even with the new glasses.  I took one peek through it with the left eyeball and almost cried.  Well at least I have a good sling, scope, and bipod to go on the H&R when my buddy gets back to town and I can buy it off of him.  BTW I talked to him last night, I coulda sworn it was the ultra hunter, but apparently it is the plain jane old Handi Rifle.  Still looking forward to it.

GoodOlBoy
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Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2008, 06:43:19 AM »
Not to worry these things are like my Barbies or I mean my Kens you can dress them up however you want.  ;) Kurt
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Offline Wolfgang

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2008, 10:32:19 AM »
GoodOlBoy,

First off welcome, and then secondly, I am a lefty and have a 223 Ultra and it works out great for me.  I used to have a Remington 700 that shot really well and the H&R shot circles around it so the Remmy went down the road.  Go ahead and buy it (Go On, you know you want to anyway! ;D) I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Wolfgang
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Offline stimpylu32

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2008, 11:48:49 AM »
GoodOlBoy

Welcome to the crazy world of Handi's , check this link and you will see just how good these rifles can be made to look .

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums//index.php/topic,97911.msg1098249435.html

And most shoot better than  they look .  ;)

stimpy
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Offline handirifle

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2008, 12:00:44 PM »
goodolboy
Welcome, always glad to see another lefty.  I, too, am LH and right eye dominant.  the result for me is I can shoot either way.  Comes in handy sometimes.  I prefer left hand shooting though, dominant eye, not withstanding.

As was mentioned none of the Handi's except thumbhole stocks will be an issue.  The monte carlo stocks do not have cheek rests so it's an ambidexterious setup.  besides, stock are completely interchangable with all other NEF stocks.

As for bolt gun, in lefties (since you mentioned the remmy) I'd look at Savage.  I have four of them, three centerfire (338WM, 308 Win, and 223) and one 22 WMR.  I love all of them.  The 308 is right handed too.

If it's not a thumbhole, get it and enjoy.
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Offline db22

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #15 on: July 09, 2008, 01:40:07 AM »
Welcome, GoodOlBoy! As many others have stated, I shoot Handis to a great extent because I'm a southpaw. The barrel latch button falls right under your left thumb, and the stock, hammer and trigger don't give a dang what handed you are! You can have three Handis for the price of a Rem 700 LH. 'Nuff said!
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Offline kody

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Re: H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 for lefties?
« Reply #16 on: July 11, 2008, 07:23:43 PM »
I posted an FLVSS ,22-250 LH SAvage in " Miscellaneous Issues " , under  General Classifieds, if you're at all interested in Savages. It's interesting ,all the "eye" issues amongst these NEFers. It's probably because it is so LH friendly. Funny thing, I got the Savage when I had to shift to shooting LH and found I was happier cranking a RH bolt with my left hand than using a Lh bolt so it has sat for 5 years. I've muzzle -loaded for 34 years for deer and used auto-load Benellis for birds and I still don't like LH bolt guns! It will be converted into a bunch of NEFs!! KODY
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