keclark
Active Member
Hey everyone. First time posting but I've been lurking for awhile now. Love reading all the knowledge you guys share so I thought I'd throw my question out there.
I'm a southpaw that has gotten by most my life with right handed bolts. I have a few left handers in the safe but they're all cheaper light weight or varmint rifles.
I wanted to get into the long range game so while I was working at a local sporting goods store, I took an opportunity and got a smoking deal on a right handed Browning x bolt long range stalker in 6.5 creedmoor (I fell for the peer pressure, but so far am pleased with this cartridge) and a Leupold VX-3i LRP. This rifle immediately shot great groups and I've had a chance to take it out to 500yds a few times with decent results. Since then I've also installed a Timney 1.5lb trigger.
My two complaints with this rifle is that because it is right handed, after every shot I have to undo my steady position behind the rifle to cycle the bolt and then spend the next 30 seconds or longer trying to find that comfy resting position. Having a lefty bolt would make follow up shots much quicker and more consistent I would imagine.
My second complaint with the rifle is the sporter style stock that it came with. It's difficult to get a solid, comfortable grip when shooting prone, or even off the bench. I would love to upgrade the stock to something with a vertical grip but as of now the only company that offers stocks for x bolts (at least that I've found) is McMillan.
So now for my question.. should I continue to upgrade this rifle or would I be better off putting my funds towards something southpaw? And if I were to switch, what rifle would you suggest?
I'm a southpaw that has gotten by most my life with right handed bolts. I have a few left handers in the safe but they're all cheaper light weight or varmint rifles.
I wanted to get into the long range game so while I was working at a local sporting goods store, I took an opportunity and got a smoking deal on a right handed Browning x bolt long range stalker in 6.5 creedmoor (I fell for the peer pressure, but so far am pleased with this cartridge) and a Leupold VX-3i LRP. This rifle immediately shot great groups and I've had a chance to take it out to 500yds a few times with decent results. Since then I've also installed a Timney 1.5lb trigger.
My two complaints with this rifle is that because it is right handed, after every shot I have to undo my steady position behind the rifle to cycle the bolt and then spend the next 30 seconds or longer trying to find that comfy resting position. Having a lefty bolt would make follow up shots much quicker and more consistent I would imagine.
My second complaint with the rifle is the sporter style stock that it came with. It's difficult to get a solid, comfortable grip when shooting prone, or even off the bench. I would love to upgrade the stock to something with a vertical grip but as of now the only company that offers stocks for x bolts (at least that I've found) is McMillan.
So now for my question.. should I continue to upgrade this rifle or would I be better off putting my funds towards something southpaw? And if I were to switch, what rifle would you suggest?
do they offer a heavy barrel from the factory in LH?
