My story mimics Rick H. I'm also LH and also from Michigan. LH bolts were rare in the gun stores of Michigan, as stated. I came across a LH Ruger Mark II when stopping in at Jay's Sporting Goods, in central Michigan. Just started leasing hunting property in Mid-Michigan. Was there looking for a new Hoyt compound bow. They were an authorized dealer for Hoyt. Ordered the LH bow and the blue steel & walnut LH Ruger bolt came home with me, along with a blue 4.5 x 14 Leupold Gold Ring VarX-III scope. This was in the early 90's before Cabela's or Bass Pro came to Michigan. Up till that time, I was hunting in the shotgun-only zone. Really, had no need for a centerfire rifle, before then. Was chambered in .270 Winchester, my second choice, after 308 Winchester. Not a big deal, because I had designs on relocating out west, back then............which didn't materialize. That rifle was my first centerfire. Up till then, shotguns, muzzleloaders, and then pistols (after they became legal for hunting deer) in Michigan's shotgun-only zone.
Since then we have accumulated two 308W rifles. Cindy's right-handed Winchester Model 70 Classic and my Armalite AR-10 carbine, with the ambidextrous safety option. IMO, you can't go wrong with a 308W, for most big-game, and being a NATO cartridge doesn't hurt!