Any regrets going custom?

[rdinak]

Part of the joy of a custom is finding the parts and then waiting. I have had a Remington short action in the safe waiting for a project. Then Chad came along with the group buy...now i have another six months to wait for my McMillan to show up. So around Christmas all of the pieces will magically come together for cool custom that was a joy to spec out and build just the way I wanted.

 

[woostri]

Your definition of bare bones looks like it has a little meat on it....

Action: hand-me-down
Barrel, Chamber, Crown, Blueprint action, lapping: $795
Trigger: only minor honing by the gunsmith for no charge
Stock: H-S precision $350
Action bedding: $100

TOTAL: $1245

Scope: Nightforce 5.5-22x56 NXS $1630

Grand Total: Whatever that sum is its less than $3k. Add a Harris S model bipod and some redding reloading dies plus all the mounting hardware for the scope, components, and gas to get to the range and it starts nearing $4k.

Shoots 1/4 moa off a rail...more like 1/2 from f-class positions.

 

[RTH1800]

I have been lucky enough to have many rifles built and also own many out of box rifles. I liked many of both.
Below are some of my personal opinions. Please, do not take any offense as none is intended.

Some Remington 700's have shot as well any rifles I have owned. Particularly the Sendaro and VSSF models. Simply beyond belief.

I like Remington actions, but for a custom, they do not make sense. Either building or re sale wise.

Many custom rifles are made too heavy for practical field use in my opinion.

Remington triggers are actually better for field use than many custom triggers. Most triggers are too light for running shots, flying shots, and cold weather use. Do not mistake a light pull for a good pull.

There is a difference between a good tight tolerance target action and a good tactical/field use action.

Integral rails are a blessing.

 

[Bradu]

I don't buy that.

Parts
Action $500.00
Barrel $340.00
Trigger (tuning) $65.00
Bolt Knob (installed) $90.00
Recoil Lug $40.00
Manners Mini-Chassis (non adjustable) $900.00
Rail $110.00
Parts Total $2,045.00

Labor
Blueprinting $125.00
Chamber, cut, crown $275.00
Finishing $175.00
Labor Total $575.00

Total $2,620.00

I would say that this is a bare bones price that doesn't include the cost of assembling all of these parts and shipping them to the builder (easily add another $100). Note that these specs do not include a muzzle brake and have modestly priced labor; many builders charge more. Add a muzzle brake, rings, a nice bipod, and a case to ship this in and you have blown by your $3,000 limit without optics.

Your definition of bare bones looks like it has a little meat on it....

Action: hand-me-down
Barrel, Chamber, Crown, Blueprint action, lapping: $795
Trigger: only minor honing by the gunsmith for no charge
Stock: H-S precision $350
Action bedding: $100

TOTAL: $1245

Scope: Nightforce 5.5-22x56 NXS $1630

Grand Total: Whatever that sum is its less than $3k. Add a Harris S model bipod and some redding reloading dies plus all the mounting hardware for the scope, components, and gas to get to the range and it starts nearing $4k.

Shoots 1/4 moa off a rail...more like 1/2 from f-class positions.

I consider his list to be bare bones when talking about a custom and what you described is basically a Remington 5r. Your list is fine but most people don't have a hand me down action so that should be figured into the price.

 

[B3dlam]

I went with crescent customs in my build and have zero regrets. The rifle looks great shoots great feels great. It's also nice to often have one of the coolest guns on the range.


Sent from my iPad autocorrect at your own risk.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I never regretted any of the custom rifles I had built until I bought an AI. Then I wondered why I didn't do it sooner.

 

[Bradu]

I never regretted any of the custom rifles I had built until I bought an AI. Then I wondered why I didn't do it sooner.

I have been thinking the same about the last custom I bought, it's a great rifle and shoots good but after shooting my AI more i wish I would have just bought another AI with a .243 barrel.

 

[Shotplacement]

I think it all depends on your skill level. Most people cannot out shoot mid-high range gun.

 

[Zepp]

LCDR JGB - Surgeon is the route I am considering and I was referring to in my above post. Since it may help the OP and many of us would you tell us a little about your rifle and experience with Surgeon. Many thanks.

 

[RobertB]

I have several customs and factory rifles. Some things are crazy about my collection to me. First off, I think my most accurate rifle is a savage 308. And also none of my factory rifles have ever gone down where my customs have. A few of em. Now my customs is what I carry with my all the time. My favorite surgeon is down right now (Very Minor) and it has gone down before. It doesn't mean its not a totally badass stick. I have learned my limitations with it though. Currently my carry gun is a GAP 6.5 creedmoor and a 308 as backup. The 6.5 has been perfect at all times so far and hornandy superformance shut down the custom 308 but easily fixed. I have not regretted any of my custom builds but realize that its not and end all fix. Saying this, my sendero, Win M70 Laredo, and M700 Police have proven to be very accurate and dependable. If the shit hit the fan It might be hard not to take the M70.

Good luck and don't let the bug get you. Buy the best you can and buy what you think you will need and like. I recommend looking at the lighter weight guns.

 

[Night Eagle]

I've been slowly customizing my remmy 5r over the last yr. new trigger, newish stock, bolt knob, newish scope,bedding...it's a fantastic gun and am very fond of her. My plan though is to shoot the barrel out, then piece togethre a custom w surgeon action. I prob could have gone custom from the start but I wouldn't have known what I needed or what the parts could do for me any way.
Good thread

Night eagle

 

[tylerw02]

I regret it. Ordered a rifle November 16, 2011. Was quoted worst case scenario 10 months, best case 6 months. 18 months later I still have no rifle and no evidence that it will be here soon.

TacOps?



@lcdr

Yes, like a surgeon or gap. They know what they are doing.

 

[Masked]

I've actually had experiences on BOTH ends of the spectrum -- My gunsmith calls me the walking curse.

I've had a factory rifle where the barrel didn't actually fit the action due to tolerances -- Sent it back and was told that nothing was wrong...Even though you could literally wobble the barrel with the nut tightened down...That was a Savage...Actually just finished re-building that on Friday. NOW it shoots hole in hole...My other custom Savage shoots like a shotgun...

I've had "custom" Remington 700's -- Didn't shoot like they're worth a damned. Had a Tactical 700 that was AMAZING but, rifle ADD struck again.

Just sold a "custom" 408 that was a shit-show...That was at a loss...However, the "stock" 408 I turned around and bought shoots like a dream...

...My custom Sig shoots like shit...My Navy 226 could take the wings off a fly...

My suggestion to you, OP...Would be to buy stock parts but, do it yourself. -- Just find a good smith...

Ordering everything yourself saves him time, gives you a learning experience and at the end of the day, it'll feel more "yours" - If that makes sense.

At this point, if I had it to do over...I'd still be dumb enough to do it all over again...Not going to lie -- Except maybe the "custom" 408...I'd save myself the heartburn from that horror show.

 

[JB02]

LCDR JGB - Surgeon is the route I am considering and I was referring to in my above post. Since it may help the OP and many of us would you tell us a little about your rifle and experience with Surgeon. Many thanks.

It isn't too much different than the rifle listed in the "rifles for sale section" on their website. Specs as follows:

591/R w/ tactical bolt knob
308 Win
Jewell
24" bartlein, MTU
Badger FTE installed
MCM A5 in Sand Cammo (I was able to choose between that and an AICS 2.0, but it would have been nice to get the A1-3 ... it's just more my style)
FDE Cerakote

Fit an finish of the barreled action and bottom metal to the stock is first rate. I think they micro slick the bolt because it glides in the receiver raceway as if it's sliding over ice when I cycle it. It is a bughole gun at 100 yds, and I can fit 10 shots in a circle about the size of a coke can top at 400 yds. I would take pictures of it to post, but I'm taking advantage of APA's barrel install deal and having 6.5 CM and 223 barrels fit onto it for a switch hitter system. Also, I decided to have Jared circumcise that 308 24" barrel down to 16.5".

From when I gave Stephen at Surgeon my build specs to having the rifle in-hand was about 2 months. After you get it, they will call about 2-3 weeks later you to make sure that you are happy with it. I heard they have an IDIQ contract, which is making it difficult to get actions. But, I would be happy with any of their SA offerings they have at the moment (6XC, 6.5 CM, 260, and 308). If you want a magnum, you'd probably need to call and ask. Nothing wrong with talking with Stephen or Wade and asking if what they can do for you. Not too long ago, I pleaded for a 223 bolt assembly so I could make a switch barrel setup and they were able to scrounge one up for me in about a month. I would love to call them again and order a 300 NM, but I can't really justify such a rifle while I'm living in the NE.

I also want to put a plug in for Mark Gordon (SAC) and Jared Joplin (APA). Both are fine gentlemen that will go through all the aspects of the build with you to make sure you are getting what you want and that will perform to your expectations. A good friend of mine has a badass 260 Rem rig built with Mark's Alpha 11 action in a KRG W-3 chassis; barreled action melonited. It's a laser beam. Took him about 10 weeks to get it after placing the order. I almost went with him too, but the combination of Jared's barrel install deal and his absolutely first class customer service was too tempting to pass up.

When I was starting out, a friend of mine told me to get a 5R before going for a full custom rig. I did that, but I regret it. I should have gone with a full custom rig from the get go. I told a friend of mine (the one with the Alpha 11 260 in the KRG W-3) to start off with the 5R. He bought the 5R, but a short time later he regretted doing that and bought a full custom gun and sold his 5R (sinking several hundred dollars in the process). The 5R I bought now belongs to my wife, and I've put enough money in it (cerakote, mini-chassis, bolt knob, muzzle threading, new trigger, ect) that it is effectively a custom gun. In the 5R's defense, however, once you find a good handload for it, it can hold its own (well, at least with the one I was able to score).

 

[hk401]

I don't have a custom rifle, but I ordered the TacOps xray51 and still waiting.... No regret it, but "My ONLY regret is that I didn't do it sooner" quote from Bohem.

 

[WhiskeyBravo]

I don't reply very often in threads,
you seem earnest with your inquiry....
After 45 years of shooting everything from hand-me-downs, rack rifles to specialized 'stock issue' M70's and R700's,
I don't think that many gunsmiths that can match out the door quality of my 2 Surgeons (.223 & 6.5 Creedmore), AIAW-.308 or AI-PSR. All four are factory guns...
I would guess that it all depends on the factory.
The only gun I have waited on was the PSR.
The silly wait times are what kept me from diddling around with the 'custom guys'-- I don't really care about who they are.
For me, the real 'value' was the jump made about 5 years ago going from good glass (Leupy & NF) to great glass (S&B).

My suggestion, buy the stock gun -- thence add good or great glass and shoot it.
Make changes as you go-- and if you need to-- like better bedding or trigger which are changes you can make by yourself.
A standard R700XCR is a good starting point with NF glass.
(I've had great luck with this combo as it is what I gave my two boys as 'starters.')

Just an old dog's thoughts...

 

[woostri]

I suppose I misunderstand the meaning of a custom gun. I specified the barrel weight and taper (#7 straight taper), the caliber 6mm AI, the chamber neck diameter, 0.271",and the throat sizing to be based off the 115 DTAC. The only thing factory on that gun is the original action which was from the early 70's but once blueprinted became like new.

Regardless, I throw those numbers out there so someone getting into the sport can realize that you can in fact build a custom (ish?) Rifle for a lot less than a TRG that may shoot better groups. The key factors that I used to keep the cost down were: local gunsmith (but with excellent reputatio), and starting with a used rem700 for the action.

So I suppose my answer then would be go custom for most of the gun but I see no reason to spend extra money on custom actions when rem700's blueprinted work just fine.

 

[Zepp]

LCDR JCB - Many thanks for the feedback on Surgeon and the other high end shops. I certainly appreciate the information you passed on to all of us. I am going to give Stephen at Surgeon a call as soon as things calm down a bit in my home state of NJ, much like CT everything is in flux and I am hoping things let up soon.

Any Many Thanks! to all the others for adding to this important thread. It is good to hear repeated positive comments regarding other high end shops several of which I am going to call as well.

Of note one name which has not come up here is Cooper. Maybe it is not so much a Snipers' Hide style rifle but I will say one thing, for the money they build a quality rifle. I ordered a 223 early last year, it took 9 months to build but for me it was worth the wait. It is not a bench rifle and they make that clear in the owners manual but it does shoot just like we all hear they can. I would have to look at my notes but load development was very quick, less than 25 rounds to start putting them in the same hole. I bought this rifle for eastern woodchucks and I am very happy with it, I carry it on a sling as I walk fields, I use bales of hay or homemade sticks to shoot off of.

I am glad I found SH. Lots of great information here and some great people as well.

 

[Rockfish Dave]

Going with a custom action is a must. Went with truing up a stock action and it was a nightmare (What the gunsmith did is the equivalent of stealing from me; since he didn't do what was agreed to in the specs, and what he did do was a train wreck. Plus very costly to get corrected). If I had gone with a custom action I would have avoided those headaches.

You can have any of a number of smiths and barrel manufacturers chamber a barrel.

Then it is the stock or chassis. There are many chassis options out there that are great, and eliminate the need for bedding. If you want a more traditional stock look at the manners mini-chassis.

All in I built my short action 591R, Bartlien Barrel, McRee Chassis and Jewel trigger for $2,600. Prices have gone up some since then but still you can save around 25% by being your own project manager rather than buying an off the shelf custom.

Currently I'm running a 591R and 1086R Surgeon actions. The new defiance and bighorns look very nice and might be in my near future. The Bighorn is a shoe in if they come out with a long action version. I do not care for actions without built in recoil lugs because it just adds more to go wrong when swapping barrels.

 

[EventHorizon]

You will be very happy with the rifle. I've had an example of Mark's work and it's flawless. I sent him a barreled action simply to bed into a stock. He checked my chamber, decided it was too tight and opened it up, and didn't like how the Big Horn Tactical action sat proud of the stock so after discussing with me he re-templated the stock. The finished work and performance of the rifle rival anything I've seen or had.