Phoenix Custom Rifles pics, reviews, lead times

Keith Johns · Jun 7, 2017

I’ve been posting here for so long, off and on, that I forget not everyone has heard of us. So here’s a little bio..

Phoenix Custom Rifles is owned by me, Keith Johns. The entire company consists of my father and I, who both attended and graduated Yavapai gunsmithing 15 year ago. Bolt action rifles are all we do. These days I do all the machine work at PCR, while my Dad does our beautiful stock work and Cerakote. We’re a small low volume shop that does high quality work with low wait times(usually). Our company phone number is a direct line to me personally 24/7.

We can’t thank all our past and present customers enough, and I hope we get to build some great rifles for those of you who don’t yet know us.

Keith Johns
www.phoenixcustomrifles.com

Keith Johns · Jun 8, 2017

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Keith Johns · Jun 8, 2017

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Keith Johns · Jun 8, 2017

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Keith Johns · Jun 16, 2017

Group just sent to me from a customer after shooting his 6creedmoor...

Keith Johns · Jun 20, 2017

Wait times still under a month for full builds.

1-2 week wait on smaller jobs like cerakote, brake install, bedding, etc.

Check out our thread in the gunsmithing forum for years worth of pics and reviews... from the pre-scout.com days.

2009 to 2012 were the good ol' days on here, for me anyways.

Looks like the site might be returning to that... except for one "thing".

I do love how easy it is now to post pics.

Keith Johns · Jun 20, 2017

As you can see, it's too hot to do anything except work all summer here

Keith Johns · Jul 6, 2017

Here's an M70 6.5saum and a 28Nosler using a Defiance action we just finished up.

craigos · Jul 6, 2017

Guessing your 6.5 SAUM is a .081 freebore?

Keith Johns · Jul 7, 2017

There's the first group shot with the M70 6.5saum. Copper creek 143gr

Yes its the .081" freebore with 1-30 lead angle. No neck turn.

Keith Johns · Jul 8, 2017

Ive decided to agree to use carbon barrels again. We've done about a dozen carbon barrel rifle builds and all have gone very well. What I dislike about working with them, is that with our barrel indication method of using two spiders, one on either side of the headstock, for coaxial bore indication, means that I have to touch down over carbon fiber. It's much better/simpler to touch down on steel with all 8(total) spider screws, but I have a method of protecting the carbon.

So we are again chambering carbon barrels. Call me for details. They are more expensive to chamber and thread than all steel barrels.

Keith Johns · Jul 24, 2017

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Keith Johns · Jul 24, 2017

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Keith Johns · Jul 24, 2017

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dirtking · Jul 30, 2017

Do you do m16 installs?

Keith Johns · Aug 5, 2017

No we don't do M16 extractor installs on 700 bolts.

We're looking at about a 3-4 WEEK turn around on whole builds.
We still have some Mcmillan A5s in stock. Plenty of barrels and components.

Smaller jobs like brake installs, cerakote, bed jobs, etc are about one week.

More pics to come. Should be doing another 50 late this year.

Thanks!

Keith Johns
4804678090

Keith Johns · Aug 6, 2017

Better make it 4-5 weeks on whole builds.

Keith Johns · Aug 6, 2017

Few groups sent to me from a customer recently.

Keith Johns · Aug 6, 2017

Not a rifle, but had to post....
My first archery coues this January. 74&6/8" archery coues(whitetail).

Sorry for the double pics. It's the website.

Keith Johns · Aug 9, 2017

280ackley a customer sent pics in of. Shot a 3.17" group at 436 yards.

Iamero · Aug 9, 2017

You don't need me to tell you this, but Keith does awesome work at his shop. He was even willing to take on an oddball project on an old German K98 Mauser; now chambered in 6.5-284 Norma.

dirtking · Aug 9, 2017

If I wanted to switch from a 6.5 creed moor to the 6.5 gap, I would need to get a whole new bolt?

Keith Johns · Aug 16, 2017

Yes you'd need a new bolt, along with some other work done.

My suggestion would be to start with a short mag action. Aftermarket actions really are the only way to go. If you do the math it makes no sense to buy a 700 and rework it.
For the money, Stiller can't be beat, and for a couple hundred more one could get a Defiance.

Here are are a few more pics. We painted that stock. And the Stiller action runs smooooth. We've found there's a best way to coat stillers to make them as smooth as possible.

Very fast wait times with us right now. Under one month for full builds!

Keith Johns · Aug 16, 2017

And here's a light weight 6cm hunting rifle.

1/2moa accuracy guarantee on all rifles.
But expect sub 3/8moa with our heavy match rifles.

We've been doing a shit load of brake installs.. about one a day. It's been hard to keep them in stock, but we're still keeping most of them to under one week.
Bed jobs and cerakote jobs are under a week too.

Call me Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm.
Mornings are best.

We have some A5s in stock... short action 700 and Defiance, DBMs, M24 and Rem Var barrel channels. Mcmillan 6 color camo and our General All Purpose camo(both molded in)

Keith Johns · Aug 16, 2017

Iamero said:
You don't need me to tell you this, but Keith does awesome work at his shop. He was even willing to take on an oddball project on an old German K98 Mauser; now chambered in 6.5-284 Norma.

Thanks very much! We really appreciate the kind words.

lancetkenyon · Aug 18, 2017

Here is one of my three PCR rifles. R700, 26" #3 Bartlein fluted, APA Micro turned to match contour, Manners EH2.

Cold bore shot

3 shot group immediately following on a new target @ 100 yards

Shooting at 806 yards

2.75" 5 shot group at 806

dirtking · Aug 20, 2017

K. Johns said:
Yes you'd need a new bolt, along with some other work done.

My suggestion would be to start with a short mag action. Aftermarket actions really are the only way to go. If you do the math it makes no sense to buy a 700 and rework it.
For the money, Stiller can't be beat, and for a couple hundred more one could get a Defiance.

Here are are a few more pics. We painted that stock. And the Stiller action runs smooooth. We've found there's a best way to coat stillers to make them as smooth as possible.

Very fast wait times with us right now. Under one month for full builds!

ok this 6.5 creed is a build you did for me quite awhile ago. The truing is already completed.

Keith Johns · Aug 21, 2017

Thanks a bunch Lance! We really appreciate everything!

dirtking said:
ok this 6.5 creed is a build you did for me quite awhile ago. The truing is already completed.

Still, if you want to turn it into a short mag you'll need a larger bolt face, and I think it's way smarter to get a PTG bolt than it is to modify the factory 700 bolt.

Also, the actions internal feed lips would have to be milled a little wider for the wider cartridge to fit through.

Because of these modifications, I would use a different action. And if a different action has to be bought it only makes sense to buy an aftermarket... like a Stiller, which costs no more than a 700 once all is done.

Anyone out there considering buying a 700, PLEASE compare the price of buying a 700 and truing it, adding a lug and rail, a bolt knob, side bolt stop, 8-40 base hole screws, and a pinned lug.
Then consider the aftermarket will have a one piece bolt, m16 extractor, straight raceway, ...better in every way.

Stiller actions are a grand.

dirtking · Aug 21, 2017

Sounds good. Thanks Keith!

Keith Johns · Aug 22, 2017

Thank you for going with us. If you ever need any help or have any issues with the creedmoor, don't hesitate to contact me.

Short wait wait times at the moment guys. We're waiting on stocks that seem like they'll never come in, and until they do can start on new work almost immediately. I imagine the stocks being waited on will trickle in slowly.

We have a few short action A5s in stock for Defiance and 700 actions using DBMs.

Thanks again!

Keith
4804678090

Keith Johns · Aug 30, 2017

We've dropped some prices. Over the last 6 years of doing the same things over and over we've gotten pretty efficient. We're happy to pass some savings on to you.

We are also trying to broaden the range of rifles we work on.

Wait times still short!

Thanks!
Keith

Keith Johns · Sep 5, 2017

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Keith Johns · Sep 6, 2017

Few more rifles finished up this week.

Keith Johns · Sep 7, 2017

Man it's muzzle brake season! Everybody is getting one on their hunting rifles this year.

Keith Johns · Oct 14, 2017

Lead times are as follows:

1 month on whole rifle builds

1-2 weeks(at most) on bed jobs, cerakote, brake installs, etc. (one or two service jobs with no parts being waited on).

Obviosuly wait times on stocks are a killer right now, and we only have a couple A5s left. So deciding which stock you want, and getting it ordered asap is always first priority for a new build.
Most other parts we either have in stock, or can get within a couple weeks.

Visit our website and/or give me a call to start your build.
[email protected]

Thanks very much
Keith Johns, 4804678090

Heres a lightweight 308 folder finished up recently....

Keith Johns · Oct 14, 2017

Here's a Tikka T3 in 223AI finished up last week. My dad did a great bed job after removing the old bedding and making a new recoil lug out of 304SS. The lug is bedded securely into the stock and is a snug slip fit into the receivers lug slot.

Maybe I can get the owner of the Tikka T3 to post a review here once he gets it shooting clover leaf groups

Thanks very much everyone!

Keith Johns · Oct 14, 2017

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Keith Johns · Oct 14, 2017

Here's my first Arizona Mountain Lion. Took it with my bow, and NO dogs.

I glassed up two lions stalking some deer at about 250 yards, so I quickly set up to call, and when they blew their stalk within about 15 seconds, I called for only about 8 seconds. I ranged a bottle neck the brush made in front of me that I hoped/figured it would come in through, and set my pin. Blew the call about 15 seconds more and it(she) was running in without a second thought by this point. I could hear her coming in through the canyon. I heard her getting close, so I got ready to draw and squared up my shoulders, then as soon as I saw her I drew, she stopped, I aimed and released. 31 yards. 125gr Swhacker.

This is something I've always wanted and is a big accomplishment for me. To do it with a bow and no dogs is pretty special. I know it's not a rifle but I had to post it here.

Thanks for looking.

sgtsmmiii · Oct 14, 2017

Very nice. Congrats.

Keith Johns · Oct 26, 2017

Very nice 270win hunting rifle.

Keith Johns · Oct 26, 2017

Swwet 6.5 Creedmoor just finished.

We're still under a month on whole builds if you have all your parts, or if we have the remaining parts you need.

Stocks are a long wait right now and have been the real time killer.

Brake installs are 1-2 weeks depending on whether I have the brake in stock or not.
Bed jobs and cerakote are still about a week.

Thanks!
Keith Johns
4804678090

Keith Johns · Nov 21, 2017

Here's an awesome 338 Lapua Ackley on the XL Surgeon.

dirthead1 · Nov 21, 2017

Keith, what's your current turnaround on cerakoting? I have a barreled action I need to drop off in a week or two.

Keith Johns · Dec 18, 2017

Guys, call me. I don't get online all the time anymore. Busy trying to keep wait times this low

Cerakote were always taking in. It takes us about one week.

Keith Johns · Dec 18, 2017

7mag wrapped up about two weeks ago. Shooting dimes.

Elite_KG · Dec 30, 2017

PCR 7 mag 5 shot group at 100 yards after load development. The Berger 168 shooting tight when loaded on the lands.

Keith Johns · Jan 14, 2018

Bump to top.

Wait times are still short. And yes we're accepting all work right now.

Thanks for posting the group pic!

I have more pics I'll post soon.

Thanks again

Keith Johns · May 10, 2018

We got real busy for a couple months since I last posted, but wait times are getting back down to a month or so.

More and more quality parts are hitting the market all the time now. Finding a top of the line stock or barrel for your rifle doesn’t have to take 6 months anymore.

Some pics from the Battle Royal NRL match a week ago, and a sweet 338 Lapua we built recently

Keith Johns · May 10, 2018

Sweet

Keith Johns · May 25, 2018

Just replaced our cerakote air-line filter system. Same multi-stage filter system as before, just brand new.
We plan to also add an additional multi-stage filter system just outside the compressor, so ALL the air in the shop is very clean and dry.
We also use a large carbon filter and 440cfm duct fan to remove everything from the shop air that we breathe and that touches your rifles.

Always trying to improve, even when it’s overkill.

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