How does Browning know your 'smith is a competent one? The tag "gunsmith" gets hung on many who don't deserve it. Everyone and their dog is a gunsmith, today. No slam against your guy in any of this. He won't get restricted Browning parts unless he's an "Authorized Browning Repair Station",,, and I'm not sure those exist, anymore. Everything might get sent to the factory for warranty work. I don't know if they run a 'custom shop'. Never heard of one, if they do. The bolt/bolt head effects headspace and inproper headpace can be dangerous to life and limb. As for a 'cheap' 700,,,,,, good luck! The price of used rifles has risen with the increase in 'custom builds' (and inflation that our government says doesn't exist!). The last used actions I saw, which was before the beginning of the year on GunBroker, got bid up , too, compared to what they used to go for. I've looked at the Weatherby Vanguards/Howas. They're good 'iron', still priced good, but again, the extra large selection of aftermarket parts just isn't there. Takes some real planning these days to get a rifle together. Everything has lead time. Finding and action or waiting on that Stiller you ordered to arrive, barrels, Jewel triggers. The stuff just isn't sitting on the shelf these days. Those who are just now starting plans for a build for this years hunt should have started months ago. To top it off, good 'smiths are busy and may not have time to fit you in. (That's why anyone who can screw a barrel on wants that tag, these days).
