One thing I have done over the last couple years is try a different type of rifle thinking it may be the next donor action for me to use on builds or to play with doing different work. Example is paying a little more money but not custom money for a rifle such as a Tikka then shooting it and realizing you are not going to improve the rifle much by spending a lot of money and spending a lot of time. I hate to pull that type of rifle apart.
If you shoot like I do which I believe you said is hunting and fun bench shooting full custom from someone else is something to try and what you are doing as a treat to yourself or maybe for a big hunt you have in mind. It doesn't mean you are guaranteed a rifle that will shoot twice as good or even much better than some of these others. What it probably will be is a better quality finish, tighter tolerances, built to exactly what you want and a cartridge exactly what you wanted and not just what the OEM is making right now. It doesn't guarantee it will shoot better or you wont have any problems.
If you truly want to buy a rifle as a donor to build on yourself and learn on I have found that Savage, Ruger and I have not had a Howa in a long time but would include those are great. It doesn't bother me to buy and pull it apart before I ever shoot It as that is why I bought it, but I quite often will shoot it just to see how it does. I will go through the entire rifle because I enjoy doing that. The money invested in the entire unit has been $300-500 over the last 2 years If you watch for a used rifle or a new rifle sale. The Tikkas have just shot to good with modest spring change or $15 grip change for me to pull them apart as a primarily hunting rifle.
Lastly I will do an Origin or other maker but similar category of action this year for a complete custom build myself as I would like to try their action. The big difference I believe will be quality of build material, tolerance and smoothness of operation. Basically shouldn't have to do a bunch of mods to the action. The other big difference will be $$$$. $900+ action, $150+ Trigger, $300-900 barrel, $350 bare minimum stock, $200+ bottom metal, and more. Oh yes that's just parts.
Some people sit in a bar every night and spend $50-150 a night, some people gamble and the casino people I've talked with say if anyone tells you they go all the time and win, they are lying. Some people trade vehicles every year, my father-in-law had 6 trucks one year, That was a record year haha but crazy. I would rather spend my money on any of the gun options listed so far! have fun especially as it sounds like your just getting started. This is all just my opinion and you can ask any Libtard, its worth what your paying. Lol
