Hill Country Rifles

[Riplip]

Anyone here have experience (good or bad) with Hill Country Rifles? I know they have reputation for quality rifles and work, but I have sent two emails and tried to call regarding one of their custom rifles (which is not cheap) with no response. I know everyone's busy, but it is crazy to me that someone takes the time and effort to establish a business in which they advertise, list and market items for sale and then don't respond to potential customers.

 

[JohnJohnson]

Their lack of response probably saved you a lot of money. I'm looking at their ready-to-ship rifles and I'm seeing $7,338 for a gun that would cost you maybe $4,500 from a much more reputable builder. And they even have a meaningless 3 round 1/2MOA group with it. If you're looking to spend that amount of cash I'd strongly encourage you to use another builder. I'll list a few below but there are a bunch.

R Bros (check this one out especially, they even do load development like HCR does but better)
TS Customs
GA Precision (lead times are probably crazy so probably not worth it)
Longrifles Inc
Short Action Customs
Southern Precision Rifles (also known as Bugholes)

I think R Bros is the closest match to what HCR seems to offer but any of those builders will build an absolute lazer of a rifle and give you advice on how to build it. I personally placed a barreled action order with TS Customs today but for a non-hunting purpose. And I've used LRI before as well.

 

[wind gypsy]

Their lack of response probably saved you a lot of money. I'm looking at their ready-to-ship rifles and I'm seeing $7,338 for a gun that would cost you maybe $4,500 from a much more reputable builder. And they even have a meaningless 3 round 1/2MOA group with it. If you're looking to spend that amount of cash I'd strongly encourage you to use another builder. I'll list a few below but there are a bunch.

R Bros (check this one out especially, they even do load development like HCR does but better)
TS Customs
GA Precision
Longrifles Inc
Short Action Customs
Southern Precision Rifles (also known as Bugholes)

I think R Bros is the closest match to what HCR seems to offer but any of those builders will build an absolute lazer of a rifle and give you advice on how to build it. I personally placed a barreled action order with TS Customs today but for a non-hunting purpose. And I've used LRI before as well.

Years ago one of the listed 'smiths was going to build my first custom. A friend of mine worked/works there. I knew what I wanted but they couldn't find the time to take the order after over a month since my initial inquiry.

Eventually I emailed Jon Beanland and he called me back that Friday night to talk through my build and it was finalized after a short discussion.

Ever since, I've tried (and sometimes failed) to not pester gunsmiths and let them get the work done rather than spend time on the phone. Some are great at com and some are awful. But there are good smiths that are responsive so I don't bother with the ones that seemingly need reservations for 2 weeks in the future just to place an order.

 

[JohnJohnson]

Years ago one of the listed 'smiths was going to build my first custom. A friend of mine worked/works there. I knew what I wanted but they couldn't find the time to take the order after over a month since my initial inquiry.

Eventually I emailed Jon Beanland and he called me back that Friday night to talk through my build and it was finalized after a short discussion.

Ever since, I've tried (and sometimes failed) to not pester gunsmiths and let them get the work done rather than spend time on the phone. Some are great at com and some are awful. But there are good smiths that are responsive so I don't bother with the ones that seemingly need reservations for 2 weeks in the future just to place an order.

That's unfortunate. The only two of those I have actual experience contacting are LRI and TS Customs. LRI picks up every time I call and Kalli is very helpful. Also I emailed TS Customs on Sunday and got a same-day reply and then arranged a call for today which I did this morning. So both of those (at least for me) have been solid communicators so far.

 

[BjornF16]

Their lack of response probably saved you a lot of money. I'm looking at their ready-to-ship rifles and I'm seeing $7,338 for a gun that would cost you maybe $4,500 from a much more reputable builder. And they even have a meaningless 3 round 1/2MOA group with it. If you're looking to spend that amount of cash I'd strongly encourage you to use another builder. I'll list a few below but there are a bunch.

R Bros (check this one out especially, they even do load development like HCR does but better)
TS Customs
GA Precision (lead times are probably crazy so probably not worth it)
Longrifles Inc
Short Action Customs
Southern Precision Rifles (also known as Bugholes)

I think R Bros is the closest match to what HCR seems to offer but any of those builders will build an absolute lazer of a rifle and give you advice on how to build it. I personally placed a barreled action order with TS Customs today but for a non-hunting purpose. And I've used LRI before as well.

Add Unknown Munitions and Alamo Precision

 

[@fulldraw]

Anyone here have experience (good or bad) with Hill Country Rifles? I know they have reputation for quality rifles and work, but I have sent two emails and tried to call regarding one of their custom rifles (which is not cheap) with no response. I know everyone's busy, but it is crazy to me that someone takes the time and effort to establish a business in which they advertise, list and market items for sale and then don't respond to potential customers.

I have a .308 from HCR that I couldn’t be happier with, though it is not a full custom. I’ve had no issues with responsiveness when calling though they are very slow to respond to email inquiry. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another rifle from them.

 

[SloppyJ]

Years ago one of the listed 'smiths was going to build my first custom. A friend of mine worked/works there. I knew what I wanted but they couldn't find the time to take the order after over a month since my initial inquiry.

Eventually I emailed Jon Beanland and he called me back that Friday night to talk through my build and it was finalized after a short discussion.

Ever since, I've tried (and sometimes failed) to not pester gunsmiths and let them get the work done rather than spend time on the phone. Some are great at com and some are awful. But there are good smiths that are responsive so I don't bother with the ones that seemingly need reservations for 2 weeks in the future just to place an order.

What was your experience with Beanland? Not too awfully far from me and he mentions a lot of model 70 work on his site. I have a cool idea that I'd like to materialize.

 

[RWT]

They accurized 3 rifles for me. This was back when the price was $475 for a bedding, action true up, recrown and trigger job. I know one of the Smith’s there and he did the work. All 3 rifles were shooters. They have since scaled out and prices grew with them. I can’t speak for them today as it has been 20 years since that work was done.

 

[gearguywb]

Their lack of response probably saved you a lot of money. I'm looking at their ready-to-ship rifles and I'm seeing $7,338 for a gun that would cost you maybe $4,500 from a much more reputable builder. And they even have a meaningless 3 round 1/2MOA group with it. If you're looking to spend that amount of cash I'd strongly encourage you to use another builder. I'll list a few below but there are a bunch.

R Bros (check this one out especially, they even do load development like HCR does but better)
TS Customs
GA Precision (lead times are probably crazy so probably not worth it)
Longrifles Inc
Short Action Customs
Southern Precision Rifles (also known as Bugholes)

I think R Bros is the closest match to what HCR seems to offer but any of those builders will build an absolute lazer of a rifle and give you advice on how to build it. I personally placed a barreled action order with TS Customs today but for a non-hunting purpose. And I've used LRI before as well.

This is a great list. I have had rifles from a couple of these guys and currently lusting after another Rbros. There are a couple of "named" gunsmiths/companies that are charging north of 7K for a rifle that a great quality shop will build for 1500-2500 less....and you actually get to speak to someone!

 

[ATX_Longrange]

Old thread here but wanted to add- if you are in central Texas and looking for a good gunsmith- Wes Ripley with Rip Precision Rifles is a fantastic option, extremely good attention to details.

Also, since the names are similar - Hill Country Rifles is not part of or related at all to Hill Country Precision Matches - www.hcprecisionmatches.com - even though they have similar names.