How to Order a Left-Handed Remington 700 for Your Shooting Style
A left-handed Remington 700 can make a significant difference when the rifle’s controls, bolt throw and stock geometry suit the way you naturally shoot. The platform is widely respected for its strong action and broad aftermarket support, but choosing the right configuration matters more than simply selecting “left hand” in an online catalogue.
For Australian buyers, the process also involves state or territory firearms rules, a genuine reason, licensing and an approved dealer. A rifle listed for sale in the United States cannot usually be sent directly to an Australian residence. Treat the online order as the beginning of a compliance process, then work with a licensed local firearms dealer before committing funds.
Match The Action To Your Shooting Style
The main advantage of a left-hand rifle is practical: the bolt handle and ejection port are positioned for the shooter’s dominant side. A left-handed bolt-action rifle can make cycling faster and more comfortable, especially when you keep the rifle mounted on your shoulder between shots. It may also prevent you from reaching across the action or breaking your cheek weld.
Think about your usual use before choosing a model. A hunting rifle carried through the bush around Dubbo, regional Victoria or the High Country may benefit from a lighter stock and manageable barrel. A target rifle used at a club range near Brisbane or Perth can justify a heavier contour, adjustable cheekpiece and a more rigid chassis.
Stock fit deserves close attention. Check the length of pull, cheekpiece position, pistol grip angle and butt-pad design. A left-hand action in a right-hand stock may technically function, yet still feel awkward. Look for a genuinely left-hand configuration rather than assuming that a reversible or ambidextrous stock provides the same result.
Confirm The Exact Remington 700 Configuration
Remington 700 rifles are available in configurations suited to hunting, varmint shooting and precision competition. Barrel length affects balance, muzzle velocity and transport, while contour influences heat management and overall weight. A shorter, lighter barrel can be convenient in dense scrub, whereas a heavier barrel may be preferable for repeated shots from a bench.
Before ordering, compare the chambering, barrel twist, magazine system, thread pattern and optic mounting arrangement. The cartridge should suit your lawful purpose and intended game. For readers comparing medium-game options, these 270 Winchester hunting notes provide useful background, although Australian hunting conditions and regulations still need to guide the final choice.
A rifle’s barrel length should be considered alongside ammunition and the distances you realistically shoot. The barrel-length accuracy guide can help explain the trade-offs between handling and performance. Ask a dealer whether the listed model is factory left-hand, whether replacement parts are readily available and whether the rifle can accept the optic mounts you intend to use.
Check Australian Licensing Before Payment
In Australia, firearm ownership is administered by the state or territory where you live. A buyer in New South Wales may deal with requirements that differ from those in Queensland, South Australia or Western Australia. You generally need the correct firearms licence, an approved genuine reason and any required permit to acquire before a dealer can transfer the rifle.
A Remington 700 centre-fire bolt-action rifle will commonly fall within Category B arrangements, but classification and conditions can depend on the exact firearm and local law. Confirm the details with your state firearms registry and a licensed firearms dealer. Do not rely on an overseas product page to determine whether a specific model, magazine or accessory is lawful in your location.
Your dealer can also explain safe storage obligations, registration, waiting periods and transport rules. In many parts of Australia, the rifle must be stored unloaded in an approved locked receptacle, with ammunition stored according to applicable requirements. These details matter before the rifle arrives, rather than after the purchase has been made.
Understand Importing And Dealer Transfer
The retailer’s advertised shipping process may refer to delivery to a United States FFL, meaning a federally licensed US firearms dealer. That arrangement is different from Australia’s dealer network. An Australian customer should first ask a local licensed firearms dealer whether they can import or receive the specific Remington 700 and whether an import permit is required.
The dealer can identify the correct paperwork, customs pathway and fees, including freight, duty, GST, brokerage and compliance charges. They may also tell you whether a local distributor already has a similar left-hand model. In some cases, buying through an Australian dealer is simpler than arranging a private import, even if the overseas catalogue price initially looks attractive.
Do not assume that ammunition or magazines can be added to the same shipment. Magazine capacity restrictions and ammunition purchase rules vary across jurisdictions, and direct-to-consumer shipping claims on an overseas website do not override Australian law. A written quote from the dealer should separate the rifle price, import costs, transfer fee and any required permit charges.
Compare The Rifle With Your Field Equipment
A rifle that feels excellent from a bench may be inconvenient on a ute, in a scabbard or while moving through thick country. Consider the total weight with scope, rings, sling, bipod and loaded magazine. For a hunter walking steep ground in Tasmania or the Victorian Alps, a compact setup can reduce fatigue. For a property-based varmint role, additional weight may be acceptable.
Your optic should also suit the left-handed setup. Confirm that the bolt handle clears the scope, that the eye relief works from a consistent position and that the safety can be operated without shifting your grip. A quality gunsmith can check mounting torque, action screw tension and alignment after the rifle reaches Australia.
If waterfowl or mixed-field use is part of your broader shooting interest, this waterfowl shotgun guide offers a useful reminder that a rifle is not the right tool for every hunting environment. Match the firearm to the species, terrain and legal season rather than trying to make one platform cover every job.
Use A Careful Ordering Checklist
Once your licence and dealer arrangements are clear, compare the exact product number rather than relying on photographs. Confirm that “left hand” refers to the action, not merely a stock option. Check availability, warranty coverage, return conditions and whether the seller will cancel an order if the firearm cannot be exported or imported lawfully.
Keep copies of invoices, correspondence and product specifications. Payment methods such as cryptocurrency may be promoted with discounts, but a lower price does not remove regulatory risk or guarantee a refund if an import fails. Use a payment route that gives you a clear record of the transaction and read the retailer’s cancellation and refund policy before proceeding.
- Obtain written advice from an Australian licensed firearms dealer before ordering.
- Confirm your state or territory licence, genuine reason and permit requirements.
- Verify the exact left-hand action, chambering, barrel length and magazine specification.
- Price freight, import permits, GST, customs charges and dealer transfer fees.
- Confirm optic compatibility, stock fit and safe-storage requirements.
- Keep all invoices, emails, serial-number records and shipping documents.
- Arrange collection through the authorised dealer rather than private delivery.
A well-chosen left-hand Remington 700 should fit both your shooting technique and the legal framework that applies where you live. Start with a local dealer, provide the exact overseas product details, and obtain written confirmation that the rifle can be imported, transferred and stored lawfully. That approach gives you a clearer route from online selection to responsible use on an Australian range or in the field.