Custom Rifle Builder?

[deadwolf]

I’d say use the Google machine & support a local Smith.

That’s a great idea and I’m sure most would prefer to keep it local. But that’s assuming you have someone close that’s going to give you the quality product and service that you want. After dealing with three different local smiths in my area with very poor results, I searched elsewhere and found I got better quality, reasonably priced service, with faster turnaround times (even when including shipping) than if I were to try to use a local guy.

For the money it costs to have a custom built, I have chosen to pick exactly who I want to build it regardless of their proximity to me.


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[Trogon]

I cant imagine how much this dude spent customizing a 700 but its awesome:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/13176572/1

 

[Trogon]

For the money it costs to have a custom built, I have chosen to pick exactly who I want to build it regardless of their proximity to me.

Smart man. A local smith is always better, but there are a lot of hacks out there. Best to go with a proven name. Case in point, call jon bealand or kevin weaver., probably our sponsors here as well. Really no need to stay local with that kind of gentlemanly service.

 

[deadwolf]

Totally get it, you’re fortunate to have good people local!



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[gbflyer]

They charge 800 because they inlet a flat top stock to your barreled action. So the fit is perfect. The "bedding" cost is more, but the stock is less because its an unpainted flat top. Also have to add in the cost of painting. LRI will not build a complete rifle for you unless they do it this way. Its expensive. They dont care about being the cheapest.

The route I went with them was to have them assemble and cerakote a barreled action. Then I had a local smith bed it into a stock. They have off-the-shelf 700 actions blueprinted and ready to go. You could get a barreled action from them in a week.

So with their “perfect fit” are they able to get away from epoxy bedding? Are they using CMM to measure the action loading that into a CNC mill? Just curious. If so, it’s a bargain.

There are several professional stockers who cut inlets on flat tops on manual or CNC equipment and then bed. It’s the easiest way to do it. They win lots of fake wood at the various benchrest gatherings. It’s nothing new, I first saw it 30 years ago.

The Remington action truing is interesting also. With the invent of the Manson or PTG accurizing tooling, it’s a 15 minute job in a vise with a $500 hand tool. Dave Tooley who has decades of machining and rifle building experience with impeccable credentials says he cannot improve on mandrel tap/truing process on the old lathe or CNC. Then when it’s all done the bolt is still too small for the raceway and needs replaced with one that fits. At best action truing without the bolt work will yield .050 in group reduction. Ducking for cover now

No doubt those guys do some good work and I’m not knocking them. They’re obviously not afraid to charge what it’s worth to keep a high overhead operation profitable. A person can save a bundle and get similar results just like you did, probably won’t find the smith with a fancy website though. And it’s always good to credit the barrel builder, they are the ones that really drive the accuracy bus.

 

[Trogon]

GB,

So with their “perfect fit” are they able to get away from epoxy bedding? Are they using CMM to measure the action loading that into a CNC mill? Just curious. If so, it’s a bargain.

They've done it both ways I believe. Its a level of luxury finishing that Ive never needed, so havent looked into it beyond being aware that it exists.