What does a custom build rig really get you???

[Tangent]

Ergonomics can be easily fixed with an after market stock.

Lets be honest guys, you build customs for your ego so you can tell everybody you shoot a custom rifle. There are a few guys who dabble in custom chamberings like @Doublezranch, but I bet 99% would be just as happy with a bergara premier or christensen with your choice of aftermarket stock so it fits right.

It's totally legitimate for you to say that YOU don't find value in a custom rifle. But the numbers being thrown around are a little crazy.

My latest custom build consists of a Titanium LPA Razor action, Proof Research Barrel, Manners Stock (with DBM), and Triggertech Special trigger. With gunsmith fees (well known builder in the Dakotas), I'm all in for a little south of $4k. Now I did get a deal on the barrel, but I also splurged on nitriding the action and cerakoting the exposed steel on the barrel.

Now show me a comparable Ti/Ca factory offering that is substantially cheaper AND allows you to select barrel length, twist, & contour.

To each their own.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Now show me a comparable Ti/Ca factory offering that is substantially cheaper AND allows you to select barrel length, twist, & contour.

How many contours do your really get to choose from when you buy a proof? 2?

 

[Tangent]

How many contours do your really get to choose from when you buy a proof? 2?

Haha, that was your takeaway? But yes, even buying a proof rifle from proof, they dont let you choose between their two profiles let alone their different twist rates or lengths.

The question still stands, what is comparable on the factory market that is cheaper in cost?

 

[robert l]

Lately, I've been having a lot of self talks, about why I continue to have customs built for me versus buying a production rifle, and making minor corrections to it, such as new trigger, bed or float the barrel if needed, and maybe flipping it into a new stock.

These small changes that can make a production line rifle more accurate and comfortable to shoot and is a lot more cost effective than selling blood to fund a full build...In the end, what did we truly gain over a boxed rifle, if both shoot sub groups?

Here's the question...If rubber meeting the road is based on paper, steel, and fur accuracy. Then a box rifle that shoots "even-steven" MOA consistently over 10 rounds and sub MOA on 3 shot groups. What did a guy spending $4k gain, if his rifle does the W

Lately, I've been having a lot of self talks, about why I continue to have customs built for me versus buying a production rifle, and making minor corrections to it, such as new trigger, bed or float the barrel if needed, and maybe flipping it into a new stock.

These small changes that can make a production line rifle more accurate and comfortable to shoot and is a lot more cost effective than selling blood to fund a full build...In the end, what did we truly gain over a boxed rifle, if both shoot sub groups?

Here's the question...If rubber meeting the road is based on paper, steel, and fur accuracy. Then a box rifle that shoots "even-steven" MOA consistently over 10 rounds and sub MOA on 3 shot groups. What did a guy spending $4k gain, if his rifle does the same?

This question is coming from a guy who has over 15 custom builds. Aside, from pride of ownership and a certain level of confidence knowing that the parts pieced together, both internally and externally are some of the best made today...It doesn't change the fact that a guy who bought a production rifle, can hit the daily-lottery, and have an excellent shooting rig that can hang with a custom all day long.

Who's the smarter guy?

same?

This question is coming from a guy who has over 15 custom builds. Aside, from pride of ownership and a certain level of confidence knowing that the parts pieced together, both internally and externally are some of the best made today...It doesn't change the fact that a guy who bought a production rifle, can hit the daily-lottery, and have an excellent shooting rig that can hang with a custom all day long.

Who's the smarter guy?

Well i have custom rifles one long range and one short range. I built the rifles so in doing that i keep the cost some what comparable to lets say a top of the line tikka. And i get as much satafaction in building them and shooting them. Then being able to take some thing that i built with my hands and taking that rig out and dropping my dinner at a 1000 yards. thats why i have customs.

 

[emp1953]

Our range has sighting in days a couple of weeks before buck season. I help out on those busy days. So many guys come in right from the chain store and start shooting, with all kinds of issues with the way scopes were mounted. I'd get a guy all straightened out and he'd proceed to shoot a 5" group at 100yds. I hand him my off the shelf .270 with handloads, which is capable in my hands of .5" at 100yds. and he proceeds to reel off a 5" group. I picked up his rifle and shot a 1.25" group with my ammo and a 2.75" group with his factory ammo. I always bring an old Henry single shot .22LR. Hand the guy that and at 50 yds he's shooting groups that I'd be proud of. Some just can't shoot bigger calibers. I'd say more than half the shooters during those sighting in days were clones of each other. Bad technique, poorly prepped optics. Given that there is so much quality factory ammo available, these guys should be doing better. I still say, put virtually any rifle in the hands of a bonafide shooter and it will perform. If you put a $10,000 rifle in the hands of a shooter whose only skill is having $10,000 then well, they might as well of had the Tikka. I have one by the way and it is lights out. I've bought some good off the shelf rifles on those sighting in days. Frustrated guys spout out, "I'd sell this piece of c!@p for $500 on the spot". half of them are good to their word. I'd see them back in a few days they used my $500 to buy another rifle that they couldn't shoot. To someone who shooting comes naturally to, I could not for the life of me figure out how so many people could not develop the skill. Now I've seen it for so long that I just accept it as fact, help who I can and advise the rest to take up fishing. Look at a race horse with two different Jockeys, same horse different results. Or a NASCAR race car with two different drivers, Me or Kyle Busch. I ain't winnin squat.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Haha, that was your takeaway? But yes, even buying a proof rifle from proof, they dont let you choose between their two profiles let alone their different twist rates or lengths.

The question still stands, what is comparable on the factory market that is cheaper in cost?

Christensen Ridgeline Titanium?

 

[Tangent]

Christensen Ridgeline Titanium?

That's an option, although I'm not sure I'd say comparable, plus it's not even to market yet so it was not even an option last fall. But let's run the numbers:

Ridgeline Ti is listed to retail at $2,495. To have a stock with proper comb, vertical grip for consistent finger placement, & dbm (which would compare to what I had built), you're adding another +/- $1,000. So you'll pay $3,495 and not have a choice in twist rate, length....OR profile, haha. AND you're rolling the dice with CA's historical accuracy issues. I'm sure they are squared away now...but man you're saving a few hundred dollars to roll the dice on a factory offering.

Some folks go custom for a wildcat (like you mentioned). Some folks want to go custom to throat for a specific bullet. And sometimes the market is lacking and a custom configuration is the only thing that fits the bill.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

you're rolling the dice with CA's historical accuracy issues.

I have their BA Tactical in 6.5 PRC, I paid $2100 for it - I would put it up against any custom rifle out there as far as accuracy goes. Also, they have an accuracy guarantee - so there wasn't a lot of risk involved in my opinion.

Also, you are all hung up on twist rate, barrel length and contour (which is a bigger deal when we are talking steel barrels, not so much when we are talking Carbon Fiber). Most rifle manufacturers are producing rifles with twists fast enough to shoot heavy bullets 1:8 or 1:7 etc.

Barrel length? Sure, maybe, although more and more are coming out with 20" threaded to run a can. So if you want longer than 26" or shorter than 20" it probably makes sense to build.

 

[KyCarl]

Against Any custom rifle out there...BULL! I don't see where you have won any big shoots? Where's all the fake wood trophies ribbons and medals?
It might be a fine rifle but it ain't a world class target rifle by a long shot..
I look at rifles like tires on my truck..They get used up and replaced? Shoot it until
the barrel is gone so what? Drop it ..Get it refinished...They are just tools.

 

[J E Custom]

I see $4,000.00 dollars thrown around a lot and just thought I would clear the air about this price.

Here is a list of top choices for components needed to do a custom build.

350.00 to 450.00 for the premium barrel without all the frills.
250.00 to 350 for a good stock that has all the necessary things to shoot as well as the 1,000.00 ones.
350.00 to 450.00 Brand new action
200.00 to 250.00 for a Jewell trigger
200.00 for precision recoil lug and floor metal.
Average of these components is 1,525.00

600.00 to 800.00 Gunsmiths labor
Total average cost is $2,225.00

Total if you pay for all the top items/cost
$2,300.00 for labor and materials.

Of coarse if you chose to buy higher priced components the price will go up. but there is no accuracy gain just because you pay more. price only matters if it is something you want.

These components can and will produce accuracy that is beyond most peoples ability so any more cost is just that "More cost". With extras like fluting, muzzle brake installations, stocks made of expensive wood or materials, adjustable components for the stock, special treatments for the metal and stock all add to the price of any rifle be it custom or factory and become the owners choice.

Normally a custom build with the necessary extras cost between $2,500.00 and $2,700.00 and there are many factory rifles that will exceed this.

A person with a practical need can build a custom rifle for less than 2,500.00 and spend the rest of that $4,000.00 on a fine scope and rings and bases.(Or not and save even more)

Buy the quality components that you want/need as you can afford them and then get a good gunsmith to assemble them and you will have a rifle that will amaze you.

Just saying

J E CUSTOM

 

[Nomad8961]

So I own a few factory rifles, sporterized a Swede, built a couple ARs, in the process of reviving a M1 Garand and finally built what I'm calling a moderate custom. LAW M704 action and a Krieger barrel in 6.5x284. An old friend and gun smith always talked of the Kriegers as his favorites and it's hard to find a lot of 6.5x284s other than savage. Those are a few reasons I wanted something different than a factory rifle. I think a custom, wether that is a full on 8,000$ rig or a 2400$ rig like mine or just slapping a good trigger and a bedding job on a new stock is all in how much time you've got to wait, or how much you can afford. Either way it's a pride of ownership and that happiness you get every time you gently squeeze that trigger and it goes boom. Something about how they feel when you hold them as opposed to a run of the mill rifle.

 

[Nomad8961]

ya I could not agree more. I did almost exactly what you described and have a really nice rifle exactly how I wanted. And the prices your quoting are almost spot on from what I paid! You don't need the absolute best best components to be a full "custom"

 

[Mram10us]

I see $4,000.00 dollars thrown around a lot and just thought I would clear the air about this price.

Here is a list of top choices for components needed to do a custom build.

350.00 to 450.00 for the premium barrel without all the frills.
250.00 to 350 for a good stock that has all the necessary things to shoot as well as the 1,000.00 ones.
350.00 to 450.00 Brand new action
200.00 to 250.00 for a Jewell trigger
200.00 for precision recoil lug and floor metal.
Average of these components is 1,525.00

600.00 to 800.00 Gunsmiths labor
Total average cost is $2,225.00

Total if you pay for all the top items/cost
$2,300.00 for labor and materials.

Of coarse if you chose to buy higher priced components the price will go up. but there is no accuracy gain just because you pay more. price only matters if it is something you want.

These components can and will produce accuracy that is beyond most peoples ability so any more cost is just that "More cost". With extras like fluting, muzzle brake installations, stocks made of expensive wood or materials, adjustable components for the stock, special treatments for the metal and stock all add to the price of any rifle be it custom or factory and become the owners choice.

Normally a custom build with the necessary extras cost between $2,500.00 and $2,700.00 and there are many factory rifles that will exceed this.

A person with a practical need can build a custom rifle for less than 2,500.00 and spend the rest of that $4,000.00 on a fine scope and rings and bases.(Or not and save even more)

Buy the quality components that you want/need as you can afford them and then get a good gunsmith to assemble them and you will have a rifle that will amaze you.

Just saying

J E CUSTOM

For a lighter hunting rifle, it is hard to find a quality stock for under $500 and what actions are the around $350, other than Remington? I am comparing my needs where I hunt though. Heavy isn't fun here.

 

[Tangent]

I have their BA Tactical in 6.5 PRC, I paid $2100 for it - I would put it up against any custom rifle out there as far as accuracy goes. Also, they have an accuracy guarantee - so there wasn't a lot of risk involved in my opinion.

View attachment 167293

Also, you are all hung up on twist rate, barrel length and contour (which is a bigger deal when we are talking steel barrels, not so much when we are talking Carbon Fiber). Most rifle manufacturers are producing rifles with twists fast enough to shoot heavy bullets 1:8 or 1:7 etc.

Barrel length? Sure, maybe, although more and more are coming out with 20" threaded to run a can. So if you want longer than 26" or shorter than 20" it probably makes sense to build.

That's awesome that you have a winner from CA. However a simple google search shows the sorted history that CA has experienced. Good point regarding accuracy guarantee. However, how much time, money, & patience will you spend determining if you have a problem with your mount, scope, ammo, shooter error, etc? How much time will it take the mfg to correct the issue? I've had good luck with factory rifles, but got a lemon once, and that was a pretty big time & money suck comparatively speaking. Finally trued & re-barreled and now that semi-custom shoots awesome.

Back to my example, my rifle was chambered in 7RM, which is not even available in the Christensen Ti Ridgeline (one more reason to build). The next closest option is the Summit Ti, which is actually more expensive than my custom build (another reason to build) AND I would need to swap that stock so the factory rifle would be substantially more expensive. The Summit comes with a 26" barrel, and I prefer a 24" to run a suppressor (another reason to build). I also went with Proof's Sendero (not Light) since I run a can - I don't know what CA's contour looks like, but if it's lighter than the 'full' Sendero that's another reason to build. I went with a faster twist rate than what CA offers (another reason to build), etc., etc.

Different needs is all, man.