build or buy

[Lasiter]

But what fun is that? Most of the rifles for sell in the classifieds on this site are custom or semi-custom, so obviously people aren't just buying rifles they need.

Custom rifle snobs will always downplay the quality of factory rifles. A lot of them are stuck in the past when factory rifles weren't near as accurate as they are now. A lot of factory rifles come with an MOA guarantee. I am not saying customs are bad, but they just offer as much over a factory rifle as they used to. So, I can go spend $3500 on a custom rifle that shoots 1/4-1/2 moa, or I can go spend $600 to $800 on a Tikka or Xbolt or savage, or heaven forbid even less than that and shoot 1/4-1/2 moa. You can even get real wild and buy a factory semi-custom Browning Long Range McMillan for $1800 and it will shoot 1/4-1/2 moa.

Also, its not like a custom rifle is guaranteed to shoot well. I have some buddies who are custom gun snobs and they have had more poor shooters than they care to admit - in fact therein lies the problem, most guys don't have the marbles to admit they spent $3500 or more on a poor shooting custom rifle - and then who do they go to to get that fixed? Is it the smiths fault or the barrel maker's fault?

Also, it isn't hard to turn a factory rifle into a semi-custom with a trigger and a new stock and some cerekote if you want it to look different. And you are still a lot less into the rifle.

I would like to know why no one ever mentions the new Win Model 70s as a factory option. Inexpensive, well made, good trigger, classic safety, and Mauser controlled feed. What say you?

 

[Rick Richard]

Half a dozen or so custom rifles and 0 non shooters. Many many factory out of the box rifles and 2 shooters. Hmmm, do the math...cheaper in the long run and much less frustration. Just my experience and opinion.

 

[Threejs]

I have had some rifles built and have bought a fair share as well. It's really hard to beat an off the shelf Rem 700 ($700 +/-) and put an HS precision or grayboe stock ($350 ish). Most of the time mine shoot sub MOA easily with factory ammo. And no trip to the smith until your ready for a new trigger and bedding. You can be shooting in 3 days.

By the time you put a trigger tech in it and bed it you will have a hard time outshooting the rifle and be in under $1500

 

[highbrow]

Bought a Savage Stevens 270 off a used gun rack for $219. Was going to use the receiver to build a target rifle. Made the mistake of shooting it first. Shot 130gr Accubond and Partitions into 3/4". Had to find a different receiver for the build. That Savage is now my main bad weather gun.

 

[okie man]

I just bought a Christensen Mesa long range and I have a 1/2 moa load after only 25 shots through it! 15 shots actually! Was gonna build a gun but this was a cheaper, faster and easier

 

[gjk5]

If I was going to do a true factory and upgrade it I'd just buy a Fierce or maybe Christiansen and already have a CF stock, trigger and some other upgrades for $1100 to $2K. Those can both be had for well under their MSRP, I think I paid less than Cabela's sale price on a Hell's Canyon LR for my CA Mesa.

I definitely want something more than a 700 with an upgraded stock and trigger regardless. Fluted or CF barrel, like to be under 8lbs MAX for rifle, looks like there is no option for an adjustable stock without blowing weight or budget, but a good stock with high comb and vert grip is doable.

 

[gjk5]

I just bought a Christensen Mesa long range and I have a 1/2 moa load after only 25 shots through it! 15 shots actually! Was gonna build a gun but this was a cheaper, faster and easier

Yes, I bought the regular Mesa in 6.5 and it was shooting factory ammo @ .625" on the first time out just trying to zero scope, got it down to .5 and have not even finished break in. The ELR can be had for just a hair over $2K and I have seriously considered that.

 

[Deleted member 103481]

I would like to know why no one ever mentions the new Win Model 70s as a factory option. Inexpensive, well made, good trigger, classic safety, and Mauser controlled feed. What say you?

I agree, nice rifles. I have almost bought one quite a few times.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

IF your not, spending $3,500.00+ on Parts and having, a big name Gunsmith build it for you, you're,.. a "nobody" !
Everybody, hates, the .270's, 30.06's, 7mm-08, 7 Rem Mag's, etc. as, NOT enough gun! You best get "Trendy", follow, the crowd and SPEND lots of, $$$'s ! Elk and Moose, seem to KNOW if, your shooting a "cheap" Rifle with, a "standard",.. Cartridge!
A little "Pun" and some reality !

 

[Deleted member 103481]

IF your not, spending $3,500.00+ on Parts and having, a big name Gunsmith build it for you, you're,.. a "nobody" !
Everybody, hates, the .270's, 30.06's, 7mm-08, 7 Rem Mag's, etc. as, NOT enough gun! You best get "Trendy", follow, the crowd and SPEND lots of, $$$'s ! Elk and Moose, seem to KNOW if, your shooting a "cheap" Rifle with, a "standard",.. Cartridge!

That is so not true, you almost never see people with customs acting like someone is a nobody if you use a factory rifle AND this forum is literally full of people suggesting the good old 300 win mag constantly.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

I go back and forth on this exact same question everytime I want a new rifle. The determining factor for me in the end is resell value. In my opinion, you will never be able to sell a custom rifle for anywhere close to what you have invested. Just go to the classified section - they will say I have X amount of dollars into this, with an asking price substantially lower. I tend to go through rifles, if I don't absolutely love them, I kick them down the road. With a factory, even a high end, I might take a slight loss, maybe a couple hundo... if I got a good deal on it I might break even or even make a little money.

Also, it isn't as hard as it once was to find a 1/2 moa or better factory rifle.

To the OP,..
You might want to re-read THIS ^^^ post about, resale value and especially, the bottom line about,.. accuracy. PS; you couldn't pay me, to shoot anything bigger than, a 7mmRM if UN braked ! And I don't like Brakes for HUNTING at "reasonable" ranges.

 

[Michigander1]

I own 2 hs precision rifles and 2 fierce rifles. One is the edge the other is the fury. My hs are great rifles but for half the money I will take the fierce fury. It's light and extremely accurate with almost every load I try. A custom would be fun to build but Im not sure it could be better than my fierce for $2000

 

[Lasiter]

IF your not, spending $3,500.00+ on Parts and having, a big name Gunsmith build it for you, you're,.. a "nobody" !
Everybody, hates, the .270's, 30.06's, 7mm-08, 7 Rem Mag's, etc. as, NOT enough gun! You best get "Trendy", follow, the crowd and SPEND lots of, $$$'s ! Elk and Moose, seem to KNOW if, your shooting a "cheap" Rifle with, a "standard",.. Cartridge!

I have a custom 30-40 KRAG I bought used a few decades ago. The stock and barrel were shortened with a Mannlicher cap, checkered, Pachmayr pad, & Lyman peep sight.
It shot a sub-two inch group at 100 yards with factory ammo the first time I tried it.
I bought it because it was and is a beautiful thing to look at and has a smooth action and great balance. Some unknown great gunsmith (1920s-1950s) built this rifle. But I'll bet it was responsible for a lot of deer and larger in its time.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

IMO,.. LOTS of practice, "Field shooting positions" and learning Wind reading skills, will go a lot further than,.. owning an, expensive Custom Rifle.
Then learn how to Track, blood spots,.. just in "case",.. not DRT