Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

TNTKO37

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Minuteman
Oct 7, 2010
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I'm looking into purchasing a new Savage rifle and having some work done to it to "fine tune" it. But I have read on the forum where a lot of people just buy each individual components and have a smithy assemble it for them. Right now I'm torn. I don't know enough about everything to confidently build a rifle, but through a place I know I can purchase the rifle I want and they will accurize it guaranteeing sub .5 MOA. What do you all think about this deal?

I want to buy the Savage 111 Long Range Hunter; chambered in 6.5x284 Norma. The smith will sell me one new for $740, and accurize it for an additional $250. This is what the smith told me they would do.

"We will precision machine the front ring of the receiver and locking ring so they are concentric with the threads in the receiver. We replace the stock recoil lug with a Holland or SSS over-sized recoil lug that is ground flat on both sides. We then true the bolt face to be in line with action threads.The recoil lugs on the bolt head and in the receiver are either machined or lapped for maximum contact. The firing pin protrusion is checked and adjusted if necessary.
The action and recoil lug are glass bedded in the stock.
The head-space is set to minimum unless otherwise requested.
The stock/action fit is then checked to insure that there is no contact in the tang area and that the barrel is free floating in the stock with no contact points.


With this we guarantee the rifle will shoot sub MOA of .5" or better"



With the transfer fee to my FFL, I'm looking at just over $1,000 for a sub .5 MOA rifle in my ideal cartridge. Considering everything, is this a worthwhile purchase? Or am I better off starting from scratch and building the rifle?


T
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

Prior to dumping the additional fundage into it... just go shoot it and see how she does from the factory!! Most all of the Savages that I been around have been super good shooters right out of the box...

DK
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

BigDaddyKane

Regardless of the rifle, be it custom or off the shelf, in order to get it shooting its best it generally needs handloads custom tuned for the rifle. A what that rifle shoots best at is generally what it is advertised as capable of shooting.

There are some rifles out there specifically designed to shoot Federal Gold Match ammo, but the majority are built to be safe shooters.

IMO try the savage you have your eye on and down the track if you have money to invest in reloading, give it a try.
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

I agree with this statement. Buy it, shoot it see what it does first.

I reguards to the post which started this thread, for the work he is offering I feel it would be very cost effective, given he is a trusted gunplumber.....
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: z71rat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Prior to dumping the additional fundage into it... just go shoot it and see how she does from the factory!! Most all of the Savages that I been around have been super good shooters right out of the box...

DK </div></div>

I completely agree with Z71 to get the gun (assuming this particular rifle is what you would be happy with vs building a custom from scratch) & test it out first with a couple different loads. Try picking a test day with decent weather for the best possible results & see what it is capable of right out of the box. If it shoots to your satisfaction, save the extra cash & spend it on supplies for reloading or more factory ammo if you are not a reloaded. If you are buying factory ammo you could also invest the leftover cash to start reloading!
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

Never messed with any other Savage but 308s. They were all .5moa without all that smithing. Even the older FPs in their tupperware stocks.

What would be an eye opener for you is to shoot at least 100 rounds through her and see if it is already a .5 kind of girl. Most take a rifle to a smith if there is a problem rather than try and fix something you have no idea is really broken.

Onething I have seen regarding the 6.5x284 is serious competitors change high end custom barrels after a 700 round run.

But they are going for a level of precision most only dream about.

Good Luck
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

Excellent posts guys! FYI I definitely plan on handloading in the near future. A range buddy of mine and I are going in on some equipment so we can load our own rounds. I know this will make a major difference. But I guess what I was really asking is if the smithing was worth the price. I want this to be as completely accurate as possible without touching the barrel, so that when I do eventually change it out I can cut the grouping down even further.

From all the research I've done I've heard getting the accurizing was completely worth it as it helps minimize the variation in muzzle speed, and allows for more consistent firing. So you can more consistently hit the mark. I want to achieve as tight a group, as consistently as possible. Budget allotted for about $1000. So with this smithy hitting that mark I figured it would work. I might just buy it first and then send it out of I so chose, it's definitely sound advice. But I'm wondering if I should just save the time and get the package right away? Not sure still...

Do any of you have any experience with this specific rifle in the 6.5x284 Norma chambering?
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jetmd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I reguards to the post which started this thread, for the work he is offering I feel it would be very cost effective, given he is a trusted gunplumber..... </div></div>


http://www.savagegunsmithing.com/ any knowledge of him/his work?
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

Are you sure the smith you contacted has worked on a savage rifle?

I ask because the bolt face is pinned onto the bolt body. It freefloats and squares itself up to the chamber. Seems to me any squaring your smith does will be a waste of time unless he welds the joint together.

Firing pin protusion just sounds like adding to the list to try and justify the bill for services.

I'd suggest you buy and try before imagining the what ifs you might think needs addressing.

As long as we are thinking on this, why the particular caliber?
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: notquiteright</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are you sure the smith you contacted has worked on a savage rifle?

I ask because the bolt face is pinned onto the bolt body. It freefloats and squares itself up to the chamber. Seems to me any squaring your smith does will be a waste of time unless he welds the joint together.

Firing pin protusion just sounds like adding to the list to try and justify the bill for services.

I'd suggest you buy and try before imagining the what ifs you might think needs addressing.

As long as we are thinking on this, why the particular caliber? </div></div>

He specializes in Savages, but I'm not extremely familiar with all the internal workings, so that's why I origninally put up this post.

As far as this caliber... I've done a TON of research on this cartridge and I love it. Between the low recoil and extremely high BC's, it's sort of a match made in heaven. I originaly was looking into a .338LapMag, but honestly I hate cost of ammo. The vast majority of my shooting is done at the range, with my range having a max target at 600 yds. Everything shows that this caliber is capable of 1,000yds+ with no problem. Most Palma and long-range competitors are using the 6.5's now. But, in the event I take it hunting, the sectional density of the 6.5x284 is better than even a .308, with it being capable of taking down Elk with no issue. Considering I don't do any major hunting larger than White Tail I don't need anything larger. The cost of ammo, the low recoil, high SD & BC just speak to me that this is one hell of a cartridge that gets overlooked.

T
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

Follow up: Am I better off buying the Savage 111 package that I originally posted... or should I piece one together, because I'm thinking about buying a McMillan A-5 stock, and a Bartlein 30" bull barrel anyway. So All I would be using is the action/trigger set up. Thoughts?
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

you gotta do the math. add everything up and see whats best pricewise. you can do most everything to the savage. but if you buy something and start swapping this and that out, it may very well be cheaper to build. also if you are close in money on building -vs- buying you may as well buy it since you arent saving a bunch (depending on the numbers) and like i said, mcmillan has A5s for $475 and $625 right now. thats half of your gun budget. figure $300 for a barrel. now your closer to that $1k number. so you gotta check the numbers. $100ish for a good trigger.

one last thing, call savage and see if they can build you what you want from the start
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AXEMAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">one last thing, call savage and see if they can build you what you want from the start </div></div>

Do they have a custom shop?
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

not so much a custom shop, but people say to talk to "Effie" and she will get you taken care of. now, it will be a savage barrel, i dont think they will use any other brand. im not sure that they have long action A5s in their lineup either. you have to make a list with the options and price them all out to see which is cheapest if thats your goal. or see which is closest to your ideal build, if that is your goal. and then see what a stevens donor with a good aftermarket trigger and stock and barrel will run you. its all about choices and you have to decide since its gonna come down to how much work/money that you will have to put in this rifle. i really wanted an A4 stock. but priced for my options, it would cost $800-$900 for only the stock. i paid $900 for my whole rifle. sold the stock barrel for $180, paid $280 for a shilen SS select match. i added a SSS recoil lug. me, i had a time & tune done then bedded my own rifle. you may not want to do any of the work when for others we like doing all the work ourselves.
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Neoshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">From what I hear the 6.5X284 is hard on barrels you might want to check out the 260 Rem. Savage is coming out with a few rifles in this chambering. </div></div>

Yeah I hear they are brutal. I might buy stock and once it's shot out upgrade to match barrel. My other option is to go with my original choice of the Savage 11 .300WSM
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

UPDATE 2: Talked to Kevin at stockadegunstocks.com regarding a custom build. This is what he quoted me:

Benchrest 28" Blued Bull Barrel - $380, $440 if threaded & fit
Aftermarket Lug $30
Muzzle Brake $200
True the action $200
Epoxy Metal Bedding $125
Unfinished Tactical Fiberglass/Carbon Fiber Stock - $235
RB Trigger $ 200, or SS $130
Additional ammo capacity AI style mag - $200 (5rd)
Range/Sighting Fee $80

Guarantee sub .5MOA

This sounds like a headache of bills... any merit in his suggestions?
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

Bigdaddy

all the guys here gave good advice and I would like to second the notion that you take a few minutes just to call Savage and talk to Effie Sullivan and see if she can make it from the factory exactly how you like it, that's how we got all these nice new .260 models this year. I did it and it was cheaper than building
grin.gif
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hank440</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bigdaddy

all the guys here gave good advice and I would like to second the notion that you take a few minutes just to call Savage and talk to Effie Sullivan and see if she can make it from the factory exactly how you like it, that's how we got all these nice new .260 models this year. I did it and it was cheaper than building
grin.gif
</div></div>

Actually I called her this morning, she's working on a few things; just waiting to hear back from her
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

i think that barrel is a little high considering what prefits usually go for. i dont see a price for an action in your build. $200 for truing the action is higher than SSS at $125, but you dont have to deal with SSS. but getting the action trued is easily done at any point since its not like a remington. id have to see that additional capacity mag system for $200. $125 for bedding is something you can easily do yourself for the cost of some JB Weld honestly. i dont think either of those triggers are that much at midway, but i may only be off by just a bit. honestly it all seems to be over priced, but im a tight ass and i do what i can myself and scrounge for parts.

here is a tip. spend $12 and join savageshooters.com and you will have access to their classifieds. if i was building a new rifle, i would spend the $12 and see what they had for sale. also try riverofguns.com its a gun site specific search engine. it will search all gun related sites for whatever your looking for.
 
Re: Custom Build vs. Pre-Setup Rifles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AXEMAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i think that barrel is a little high considering what prefits usually go for. i dont see a price for an action in your build. $200 for truing the action is higher than SSS at $125, but you dont have to deal with SSS. but getting the action trued is easily done at any point since its not like a remington. id have to see that additional capacity mag system for $200. $125 for bedding is something you can easily do yourself for the cost of some JB Weld honestly. i dont think either of those triggers are that much at midway, but i may only be off by just a bit. honestly it all seems to be over priced, but im a tight ass and i do what i can myself and scrounge for parts.

here is a tip. spend $12 and join savageshooters.com and you will have access to their classifieds. if i was building a new rifle, i would spend the $12 and see what they had for sale. also try riverofguns.com its a gun site specific search engine. it will search all gun related sites for whatever your looking for. </div></div>

yeah that's what I was thinking. totaling it all up came out to close to $2000. Hell for that money I'd just buy the Savage 110 BA and kick ass with a .338 Lap Mag that I wouldn't change a thing on