I suspect the thinking about more shooting bridges on ammo cost - around here, .308's are usually in the $18.00 to $40.00 bracket depending on the bullet, while the 7mag runs $45.00 to around $75.00 for the same range of bullets, standard to premium.

My first 7mm Mag. was a Browning Autoloader. I used it for shooting coots and jackrabbits on my cousin's ranch, South of Moosejaw, Sask. I actually preferred my #4 Enfield .303 for that task - much cheaper plinking with as-good accuracy.

If I was to purchase a new .308 (or other calibre for that matter) and it had to be a lefty, I'd buy a top-end Savage. They are and have been for some time, the most accurate factory rifles you can buy, seemingly in all calibres.

My new 'cheapest in the lineup' Savage Axis .25/06 is a case in point. I scrubbed the bore well before shooting it, then went out and first loads tried, averaged just over 1/2" at 100 meters with 75gr. and 100gr. My buddy's .30/06 does the same, with 165, 180 and 200gr. bullets. My .375H&H Weather Warrior, was a cloverleafing rifle with 270TSX's and 300gr. Sierra, Hornady and Normas. Buddie's .300 Win Mag is also a sub 1/2" shooter, with 180gr. spitzers as well as his favourite Elk bullet, the Hornady 180gr. RN. Pretty cool! Their .204's, .223's, .243's, 7mm/08's, .308's., '06's, and the magnums are all the same - amazingly accurate, right out of the box.