jjt, I read your post and being that I'm lefty also, I went out and got myself one of these too. I paid 210 for it. Your right the trigger is heavy but first 5 round out of it using Remington premium ammo shot 3/8" at 50 yds. About 2 high and 2" left of bull.
A little scope adjustment and moved the target out to 100 yds and proceded to shoot a 3/4" five shot group. To say the least, I was impressed. If I could get a gunsmith to work on the trigger and bring it down to 4 or 5 lbs I think it would even be better. The trigger doesn't pose too much of a problem on the bench, but in hunting situations, it may be too heavy to provide as accurate a shot as the rifle is capable of.
I took the action out of the stock and noticed a set screw in front of the trigger. I loosened the nut and back this out about 3 turns and it seemed to lighten the trigger by about 2 - 3 lbs. but it also put a tiny bit of creep in the trigger.