Welcome! I'm originally from Austin, too. Is this rifle for Texas hunting?
Personally, I wouldn't plan on going all out on your first build; build it to do well what you like hunting most of the time. I threw a lot of money at my first build, and in the end it's not an all purpose rifle or really outstanding at any particular thing either, but I learned a lot from that build...and the next few as I got into building my own.
All of the advice already given is good. I would highly recommend the gunsmiths that sponsor this site, as they have all seemed to be really good folks in my observations over the years. The only one on the forum I've done business with was Nathan Dagley at Straight Shot Gunsmithing, who helped me out with a step in one of my early class builds that I wasn't skilled enough to do on my own or going to be covered in class. Pick your gunsmith based on who does reputable work (not just the gunsmithing, but has a good reputation for customer service; it's the business side that kills most gunsmiths).
While not going "all out" on spending on the first, don't try to skimp on quality work, either. Find one gunsmith to do the job, even if it looks a bit pricier than piecemealing gunsmithing services. I found I didn't come up with as good of a rifle by trying to be my own "general contractor." I sent a receiver to a barrel maker, paid the small fee to have them true the receiver and lugs during the barrel install, then had it shipped to the stock maker for bedding, while sending small parts out for finishing before deciding on the overall finish for the barreled action. I didn't understand how much goes into truing up the action and bolt back then, and only got part of it done by the barrel maker. Lesson learned. Definitely, don't buy one of those pre-trued 700 receivers to try to save some money. No reputable gunsmith is going to stake their reputation on someone else's work, so you're probably going to have to pay for the shop time to set up to confirm it is true, anyway. Picking a single gunsmith to do the work also ensures you are using components they have found to be of quality, rather than just what is trending on forums.
You might also try reaching Bobby Bueltel in Cedar Park to see if he is still taking on work. He does great work, and did a .22 for me when we worked together over 20 years ago. I saw a .50 BMG he built, too, and it was amazing. I've not heard good things from a friend that did business a few times with Hill Country Rifles in New Braunfels; but that could have been him.
