Wow...this thread's getting large an` in charge.. By the time we're done, we'll all be getting custom rigs.
What the heck, right? Money grows on trees--problem is, there's damned few trees left.
About the left-handed action, as this is something that should be addressed [shooting without your dominant eye CAN be compromising; I know, I'm right handed and left eye dominant.] You can train your right eye to compare with the left, but it takes effort and PATIENCE. For those who are more comfortable shooting southpaw-style, there are actions out there in lefthand fashion. Think WELL on this BEFORE you build your ultimate gun. Weatherby has some in their Ultralights, and in their Accumark lineup. I have seen them for sale at sporting goods stores. Odds of finding one cheap...are not that good, obviously, but if you did, there is no reason a Mark V action, rebarrelled and `smithed by someone who knows what they are doing, can't be made to shoot accurately. Hell, my favorite design of all is a three or four lug design, with my sniffer telling me three lugs being optimum, but that is a fairly uneducated opinion, and MOST benchguns today are built off actions that use two lugs. So, Mr. Browning, no need to fret, left-handed actions on a commercial basis are available. Do some wed-browsing, see what other dealers offer. I could swear Sako makes some lefthanders as well, but not 100% sure on that.
With regards to after-market stocks, let me say this; like everything, you get what you pay for. As far as structural soundness, a lot of folks like McMillan {I own one; I'm currently getting another from Alex Sitman, so I'll let you know when that comes about.} Sheshane's stocks seem to have a good rep. Hell, there's a smathering of good ones out there today. The factor that will get you is bedding it; a lousy job there will turn the best action/barrel/stock into an embarrssment that will cost more money and time to fix, so don't bang yourself there. If a person is looking for an order of importance...I would have to say going custom on the barrel is probably the area to yield the most freedom. Then the gunsmithing and stock-work, tied with optics <if your optics won't repeat, you'll go insane before long>, then the action. This assumes a reasonable action/trigger assembly to begin with. I put scopes second because you can get a different scope much faster than you can a barrel! Rest assured, once you get started down the dark path, forever will it dominate your <fanancial> destiny. I think one thing people overlook a lot anymore is practice; components cost a lot these days. How much QUALITY practice could a person dish themselves if they bought a $300 action versus a $1250 action? Then again, rather than skimp on the action, why not go on a diet for a year. I did <and boy...did it suck!!!> Rangefinders, actions, barrles, triggers, stocks, Bigeyes, Chronos, brass, bullets, high-end measuring tools, ballistics software, cleaning supplies; hell...I'll never get to college.
Dave
PS that would make for another good thread; ask the boys what THEIR ultimate idea for a stock would be. A great way to get a list of leads, for certain; it's very important to pick a stock that is just right for you, if you're going to pick a stock. For what they cost, you might as well get something that's going to fit you like your favorite T. A good stock becomes critical, I'd say, when shooting something either heavy, or..FFFIERCE.
Stock chioces will obviously depend on your tasks, the action/barrel you chose, and what colors you like.
What's wrong with these guys? Why can't I get what I want? WAH WAH!!
