Terrible custom build experience

[Linetrash]

It shouldn’t have even left the shop without checking function. It sounds like they didn’t actually do any load dev and just threw something together and hoped it worked. From what I can tell they are at least trying to make it right, but shipping costs should be on them. Hopefully they can get it working for you.

If it comes back and still won’t cycle I’d likely ask for a refund

Shipping is on them, it’s definitely been shot and I would hope they have enough integrity to be honest about load development. But that’s what concerns me about going with the DBM again because of feeding issues that may reoccur.

 

[Trogon]

Does slightly shortening the COAL really make a difference for you? Its in your right to get things the way you want them, and the smith should do so. But if everything else about the rifle is good, it could be a lot of stress for not much, or no, downrange benefit....

 

[Linetrash]

You're doing the right thing by not burning the builder before giving them a chance to make it right. But were I in your shoes, I'd give them precisely 1 chance to make it right - from your contact, to sending the gun, to how they treat you after they get the gun - a single bit of friction or poor-quality experience from here, then demand your money back without hesitation. While what happened to you is absurd, every once in a while a great builder or company can just have a completely random mistake. Once is an accident - twice is everything you need to know.

Thanks for this, that’s exactly how I’ve been feeling about it and you put it into words.

 

[Linetrash]

Does slightly shortening the COAL really make a difference for you? Its in your right to get things the way you want them, and the smith should do so. But if everything else about the rifle is good, it could be a lot of stress for not much, or no, downrange benefit....

It doesn’t make a difference to me as long as it’s still a shooter, this gun should easily outshoot me.

 

[Linetrash]

Will it cycle factory ammo?

Good question, going to pick up a box tonight! Will update.

 

[Article 4]

300 prc and its an h&s DBM sized for that caliber

Sounds like sizing it for the caliber is what was intended but based on the issues, you may need a CIP DBM as part of the fix. My 2 cents

 

[Linetrash]

Sounds like sizing it for the caliber is what was intended but based on the issues, you may need a CIP DBM as part of the fix. My 2 cents

Not familiar with CIP please explain

 

[Article 4]

Not familiar with CIP please explain

It is about length of magazine compared to bullet COAL.
C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) in 1989 with the advent of the 338 Lapua where longer mags are needed to facilitate bigger longer rounds.

Standard LA have a 3.71 mag; and there are DBMs that accept that length. The CIP extended length is 3.85 length to accommodate longer bullets (AICS Mags). Builders should be using this length for a 300 PRC, especially for a DBM

 

[JohnJohnson]

As others have said, for now it's an ammo problem not a rifle problem. So at worst, with the current issues, it'd be reasonable to get a refund on the load development part. If it can't chamber factory ammo that's a whole other worse issue and is a rifle problem.

 

[Linetrash]

Update with factory ammo it will chamber the first 2 but will not chamber the last round.

 

[Linetrash]

As others have said, for now it's an ammo problem not a rifle problem. So at worst, with the current issues, it'd be reasonable to get a refund on the load development part. If it can't chamber factory ammo that's a whole other worse issue and is a rifle problem.

Rifle and ammunition issue

 

[Linetrash]

It is about length of magazine compared to bullet COAL.
C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) in 1989 with the advent of the 338 Lapua where longer mags are needed to facilitate bigger longer rounds.

Standard LA have a 3.71 mag; and there are DBMs that accept that length. The CIP extended length is 3.85 length to accommodate longer bullets (AICS Mags). Builders should be using this length for a 300 PRC, especially for a DBM

Loaded factory ammo into the mag and it’s a perfect fit but no room for movement! I get what you’re saying, thank you!

 

[TaperPin]

Seat the bullets deeper in the ammo provided, or have them do it - if it shoots to whatever the standard was that you and the builder agreed on problem solved move on.

It’s not a perfect world.

 

[SloppyJ]

If they built you a "custom" 300prc and didn't spec out a CIP bottom metal and mag, then that's all you should need to know IMO.

I just finished up my first one. It's also a PRC and I used a UM bottom metal and mag for a 3.880" COAL maximum. I'm around 3.76 with 215s. I will say that if I pussyfoot around with the bolt it's not very smooth feeding due to the length of the cartridge but that has gotten much better as I've started to break it in and have made some adjustments to everything. If you run the bolt hard does it still bind up?

The real question is how much your bullet is jumping when seated at mag length. I honestly can't believe they would build that. Do you know that measurement? Did you spec out the parts or was this all on them?

I'm very interested in who built this. They should have advised you much better than that. Only way I would change my mind about this is if they were hamstrung by the action you chose.

If it's a hunting rifle, just go BDL and be happy. There's a lot of good things to say about a BDL setup in my experience as I actually prefer them.

 

[SDHNTR]

This exact same scenario happened to me. Same deal. Paid for rifle and the load development. When it got to me, it would not cycle at all. They had almost 100 documented shots through it. Evidently, everyone single loaded. Took a video of it not cycling and sent to them. They were embarrassed. They sent me a shipping label, it went back, they fixed it immediately, and it was back in my hands inside of a week. It is one of my best rifles.

 

[JohnJohnson]

Whenever there's a conclusion to this thing, let us know who the builder was. I'm curious since you said it was a well known one.

 

[rkcdvm]

They could and probably did develop a load by single feeding it only. I think this is WAY more common than we think.
Not filling the mag and running it hard, from owners to builders. Been guilty of it myself and then discovering a problem later. Now I mag feed and generally use the rifle harder.

Touchè good sir

 

[100percent]

Looking for opinions on how to handle a situation I’m currently in. I had my first custom rifle built by a well known shop and I also had them work up a load for the gun. The whole experience has been poor up to this point. But I carried on with the build. My fault probably. But I finally received the rifle! I went to put the hand loads into the mag and I couldn’t load more than 1. They were too long for the mags… I was shocked. I then went to chamber the round from the mag and the bolt couldn’t chamber the round. The oal was just too long and the angle of the dangle was too sharp. I can’t believe that this high dollar build left the shop like this. I now have to box up my rifle and send it back to them. I have two options. Go to a bdl system and keep the same rounds or keep the dbm system and they’ll work up a new load.. I’m on my last bit of patience. What would you do in this situation? I’ve been in contact with a gunsmith and a middle man but been avoided by the owner. I’m giving them a chance to make it right, but what’s right?!

Take it from a guy who has experienced a few lemons through the years…. STOP!!! It just gets mostly worse with these types! Custom rifles are precision business that require the foremost in QC. Stuff like this doesn’t happen with a good builder!
Lots of terrible advice so far… This is your first build—a new experience that you have likely waited to enjoy for a long time! If this is truly a custom builder from a well known shop, they need a gut check to get them back on track (with someone else)!. Great builders don’t get notoreity by screwing up an experience this bad! If they didn’t take the time to measure coal in load development, how did they handle other precision work? How would you know? How will you ever have full confidence in the rifle?

Get your money back and go elsewhere!

 

[Ucsdryder]

I’ve had my bad experience with a gunsmith. Documented on here. It’s not fun.

I found a gunsnith that does custom rifles and he’s the antithesis of the stereotypical gunsmith. He’s honest, on time, follows up on promises, responds quickly, etc.

 

[JohnJohnson]

My first custom build (R700 custom in 2015 with RW Snyder) he did weird ass muzzle threads that were not exactly class 3A 5/8-24 threads and I had to have them redone. Plus he undertorqued the barrel onto the action and I didn't find out until I had the action nitrided years later. They put the barrel back on at a proper torque and all of a sudden it had headspace issues. I got that corrected too by WAR Rifles just because it shoots lights out and I've kept it to this day as a sort of backup rifle. It shoots anything well and to this point is the best shooting rifle I've owned (hopefully next build will beat it).

My second custom was with Longrifles Inc and there was no headache at all. Wait time was exactly what they said and work was great which is to be expected from them. My third custom is on order with TS Customs right now and I imagine it'll be great too. In the interim time I tried an Accuracy International AT rifle among other things but even that had some annoyances so going factory wasn't the escape from issues I thought it would be.