Closest Factory Rifles to Custom?

[slas]

I blew through this BS thread, although I did notice a few good choices, scratch the Tikka, waste of time but that's just me.

what is your budget?
what is intended use for this rifle?
Heavy or light?
optics?

I posted above on my use, mainly hunting. I'm tired of heavy rifles and moving towards lighter. Looking at around 2k and will probably go with a lightweight Leupold. I have a couple Nightforces and a US Optics that I love but weight wise.....no.

 

[Chamberman]

Check out the Nosler line of rifles.
Especially the new Long Range.
I am a gunsmith/ machinist and build many customs, many configurations.
I have purchased many semi- custom, off the shelf rifles out of curiosity over the years, and to me Nosler takes the cake. Many cartridges to choose from.
With a nice Leupold..... Wow!

 

[Buzzsaw]

you are a wise man. Buy a Barrett 21" Fieldcraft in 6.5 Creedmoor and a Leupold or Swarovski scope then don't look back. Of course, everyone likes what they have. I have had a bunch of customs, and weeded them out to 1. Its heavy F class type gun.

I hunted this year with the Barrett 6.5 greed, with a Swaro Z-3 2-10X40. What a dream to hunt with. Look at Europtics.com. if you are nice they may give you a deal, or Whittakers if they have in stock.

My Barrett is a .5-.75 with 42.2gr H4350 140gr Elite Hunter. Or there are tons for great factory loads.

 

[RoyB]

Is it just me, but I read reviews on multi thousand dollar "custom" rifles like Nosler and see accuracy in the 1.5" area. Always an excuse from the reviewer..... windy, cold, etc. I'm a range officer and I see folks spend tons of money on rifles that can't out shoot a Savage, Browning or CZ.... in the last 15 or so years I've not seen a new accurate Remington. I run 300 yd egg shoots and a Remington or Ruger has not won the stock class in over 15 years . The CZ, Savage, Mossberg cheap as all get our rifles are beating much more expensive rifles by a mile. Not speculation, pure fact..... interesting

 

[slas]

Check out the Nosler line of rifles.
Especially the new Long Range.
I am a gunsmith/ machinist and build many customs, many configurations.
I have purchased many semi- custom, off the shelf rifles out of curiosity over the years, and to me Nosler takes the cake. Many cartridges to choose from.
With a nice Leupold..... Wow!

Did you buy one of the new ones or just work on some? Haven't heard much on them but I know they're still pretty new. Didn't see one in 280 AI but I'm not completely set on caliber just yet.

 

[Chamberman]

I have purchased a few of the newer Liberty's and also the newest Long Range Model-M48.
Shot em all, 28 Nosler, 30 Nosler, 33 Nosler, 7mm-08, 30-06, 270, 308... etc.... They have all been 3/4 or better.
Need to follow their break in procedure from the manual.
Have had a few of the older models as well, did load development on many. Great shooters.
Nosler has been building rifles for about 10 years now, even longer.... Considering all of the bullet and load development they do... They needed to start testing on practical rifles rather than just test barrels.
You can have Nosler chamber in pretty much whatever cartridge you want.
Just sayin they are worth a look.
Check out the website.

 

[Elkhunter1983]

I appreciate all the input and will research the Mountain Eagle. Another question: Is it feasible to want a custom, or semi-custom build that would weigh less than 10 lbs?

This is attainable even without a carbon wrapped barrel. I have a 300 NM with a 27.5in Rem Varm contour with an A3 edge and it barely tips the scales over 10lbs. without a bipod.

 

[OLI62]

I have purchased a few of the newer Liberty's and also the newest Long Range Model-M48.
Shot em all, 28 Nosler, 30 Nosler, 33 Nosler, 7mm-08, 30-06, 270, 308... etc.... They have all been 3/4 or better.
Need to follow their break in procedure from the manual.
Have had a few of the older models as well, did load development on many. Great shooters.
Nosler has been building rifles for about 10 years now, even longer.... Considering all of the bullet and load development they do... They needed to start testing on practical rifles rather than just test barrels.
You can have Nosler chamber in pretty much whatever cartridge you want.
Just sayin they are worth a look.
Check out the website.

Pallen can you tell me what the Long Range M-48's weigh? Particularly the long action models. Been looking at these in 28 or 30 Nosler. Thank you.

 

[Chamberman]

Right around 7 1/2 lbs or so without scope.

 

[ajstew32]

I have went through a few rifles it the past 4 years trying to get one that I absolutely trust. Finally there now. I had a 300 wm in a fierce that my cousin has now(shouldn't have sold it). I had a cooper 7mm stw but with no muzzle break it was not enjoyable to shoot so I sold it. Both shot under .5. I also have a 22-250 in a fierce and a 240 weatherby in a cooper that both shoot .5-.8 @200 yards. I think they are great guns for the price they are. I know cooper will build you pretty well anything you want. Might cost a little more for twist rate and cerekote. They are also right around the 10# mark unless you get the backcountry which is light. They both have awesome triggers and actions. Those are just my suggestions. Never had a Remington. Tried a TC, weatherby, and savage and was not happy with them at all.

 

[ssineden]

Fierce Firearms, 2 Grand for the Fury model at Cabelas. The best I know of in a factory rifle. Browning has a video out ( on their website demoing the x-Bolt compared to a fully customized rifle. pretty interesting. Custom - not interested in, the diminishing returns for every dollar spent chasing perfection is a trip never completed.

A second contender might be a Weatherby in an Accumark and even the Vanguard model in a standard Caliber, not the Weatherby Calibers. Free bore in chambers is dicey when ringing out accuracy. But all Weatherby's now have a 1 minute accuracy guarantee. Pay another 500 bucks for an RC (range certified) and you get a shot target and load data.

Personally I love the Thompson Center Venture, 5R rifling, three lugs, pillar bedding, throw in a Boyds thumbhole stock, and you have a inexpensive custom. One minute guarantee for four hundred bucks. The factory stock is fine. Street price 400 bucks with a 75 dollar rebate. Now your down to 325. Such a deal! I have owned several and all are shooters, better than my skill level.

Competition rifles are a hole other game.

 

[CHAD517]

I seen a lot of people mentioning Fierce

 

[Chamberman]

Best of luck.
All I'm going to say.

 

[slas]

Lots of things I hadn't considered so thanks to all. Fierce, Christensen, Nosler, Barrett....Lots of research and considerations....then there's caliber choice.....

I agree, chasing the perfect rifle is a never ending journey.