I think I would rather shoot opposite hand vs missing a season! Glad you still have the 6.5 and like the results. I kept my other 6.5 and rebarreled with schneider in 28.5". I took my old barrel and put it on another action and it still shoots decent with 1700 rounds.
I am just the opposite with a bow regarding range. The closer the better is always my goal. I really just enjoy hunting and being active with the process. Last week one of the bulls I was filming charged in and went by me less than 10 feet. At first I thought he was going to kill us. It was crazy.