New Custom Build Cost Analysis

[sawgunner2001]

So...I *had* a bolt gun. Then traded it for a semi-auto. Now I want a bolt gun again. But...I'm back in school and funding is tight. Tell me if I'm missing something below (parts, tools, labor costs, etc.) in my cost analysis. I haven't decided on any specifics yet, just trying to determine which of the following is the best "value." I understand that a custom built Savage is still a Savage at the end of the day, and resale value isn't very good. But if my figures are right, the "value" seems to be there. And if it'll shoot as good (or at least *nearly* as good) as the other two, what's not to like?! Input on that aspect is welcome as well. Also keep in mind the Savage build would be done by me at home with the listed parts, which is why the tools are included in the cost. The Remington and Stiller would be completed by a gunsmith. You'll likely notice that the Savage is missing paint and threaded muzzle. This was left off intentionally. I figure if a gunsmith with the ability to Duracoat/Ceracoat/whatever has the rifle in his possession, I may as well have it professionally coated and threaded. The dollar figures are approximates going by what I could find on the World Wide Web. I'm mainly trying to discern if there are any glaring omissions to any or all of the scenarios listed below (an extreme example, "uh...you forgot to put a barrel on the Savage. No wonder it's so cheap!") I haven't built a Savage before, so I'm not certain I have listed all the parts/tools needed to put one together that'll consistently shoot <1/2 MOA. OR...Do I have unrealistic expectations out of a Savage by comparing it to the Remington and Stiller rifles?

Savage Action $400
Shilen Pre-fit Barrel $450
T2A Stock (w/Chassis) $1,114
Barrel Nut $15
Barrel Nut Wrench $25
Action Wrench $65
Recoil Lug $25
<FONT COLOR="BLUE">Total $2,094</FONT>


Remington Donor Action $500
True Action $200
Chamber, Thread, & Install Barrel $300
Recoil Lug $30
Krieger Barrel $325
Bolt Knob (Installed) $100
<FONT COLOR="RED">Total Action Work $1,455</FONT>
Thread Muzzle $100
Paint $200
T2A Stock (w/Chassis) $1,114
<FONT COLOR="BLUE">Total $2,869</FONT>

Stiller Barrelled Action $1,675
Thread Muzzle $100
Paint $200
Timney Trigger $135
T2A Stock (w/Chassis) $1,114
<FONT COLOR="BLUE">Total $3,224</FONT>

 

[Dirty D]

Stevens 200's (Savage 10 action with the cheapest possible barrel, stock and trigger) can be had for $200 to $250 and the Shilen barrels are fine barrels but you can get a Criterion or Lothar Walther pre fit barrel for $320. You forgot an EGW 20moa scope base for $40ish and a Rifle Basix Sav-1 or Sav-2 trigger.

eta:

Do I have unrealistic expectations out of a Savage by comparing it to the Remington and Stiller rifles?

Accuracy: Not if you build it right.

Resale: Yes, Savage will not hold it's value as well as a Remington or nearly as well as a Stiller.

 

[fdkay]

I would go with a barrel vise before instead of an action wrench.
Also, a high quality Lothar Walther prefit SS barrel is 311.00 which would save you a bit of coin.

You could always start here:
Savage 10FCP LE 308win w/ McMillian Stock $1,215.00 SHIPS FREE

 

[jhr1986]

Manners mini chassis is made for the Rem 700. Granted I haven't really kept up with it but I don't think they've released one for savage actions yet.

 

[sawgunner2001]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far. Please, keep them coming.

You could always start here:
Savage 10FCP LE 308win w/ McMillian Stock $1,215.00 SHIPS FREE

I'm gonna do a rifle in one of the 6mm or 6.5mm cartridges. Not sure which one yet, but not a 308. Thanks for the link, though.

 

[sawgunner2001]

Manners mini chassis is made for the Rem 700. Granted I haven't really kept up with it but I don't think they've released one for savage actions yet.

Interesting. Looks like I've got some research to do. I wanted an aluminum bedding block so I wouldn't *have* to bed the rifle and so that it'd include the cost of a DBM. If it turns out they don't make the Mini-Chassis for the Savage, I guess I'd save the money on the Mini-Chassis and spend a little on bedding compound(s) and do a good bit of research on how to bed a rifle into a stock.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[cjlane]

Also, with the LRI group buy going on, your rem 700 action work would be several hundred less. You are also getting more customization in the build you made for the 700, meaning you really arent that far apart from the cost of the savage and the remmy. I would be leaning pretty heavily on the rem 700 build.

 

[sawgunner2001]

Manners mini chassis is made for the Rem 700. Granted I haven't really kept up with it but I don't think they've released one for savage actions yet.

It looks like you're right. The most recent "news" I was able to find was from a gent who asked in September '13 and was told "not yet." Thanks for the heads up. Gonna have to look at stock and bottom metals now.

Also, with the LRI group buy going on, your rem 700 action work would be several hundred less. You are also getting more customization in the build you made for the 700, meaning you really arent that far apart from the cost of the savage and the remmy. I would be leaning pretty heavily on the rem 700 build.

I'm gonna take a look at that thread in the AM. Thanks for bringing it up.

 

[Papa Zero Three]

The first thing that jumps out at me is that your price comparisons are not the same. You have some listed expenses on one build but not the others( truing, painting, etc). If you want an accurate comparison, the listed items/options need to be the same for starters. Also, you forgot scope base and trigger options

 

[MoBoost]

I'd buy a Savage 10FP or Remington SPS, set in the chassis and see if it shoots to your liking. Yeah, it's fun to pull all stops and just buy-buy-buy - but in reality "hits" is the only thing that matters, right?

 

[Raufoss]

If you are on a tight budget then wait to save money to make you custom build right at start without compromising.

 

[Boxcar]

IMO your figures for a factory remington are way off. Also being on a budget, have you considered a used stock?

 

[sawgunner2001]

The first thing that jumps out at me is that your price comparisons are not the same. You have some listed expenses on one build but not the others( truing, painting, etc). If you want an accurate comparison, the listed items/options need to be the same for starters. Also, you forgot scope base and trigger options

Papa,

Thanks for the reply. I understand I'm sort of comparing apples to oranges here. If I were to do the Savage build, it would be done at home, without the aid of machines to true anything. Since I cannot thread, chamber, and install a Remington barrel at home, it must go out. It has been my experience in previous custom builds that builders would not install a barrel unless the action threads were cleaned up (at a minimum). I added paint as a "luxury" item since it (the rifle) would be in the hands of a competent "painter" while other work was being done regardless. Both the Savage and Remington donors come with triggers. To my knowledge the Stiller doesn't, which is why it was added to that build. Lastly, I've got a few scope bases laying around in parts bins here somewhere...

Again, I know I'm comparing apples to oranges here. I figure if the rifle MUST go out to a 'smith, there are a few certain things that deserve to be done. The Savage doesn't *need* to go out to a smith, so some certain luxury items were excluded.

Thanks again.

 

[sawgunner2001]

I'd buy a Savage 10FP or Remington SPS, set in the chassis and see if it shoots to your liking. Yeah, it's fun to pull all stops and just buy-buy-buy - but in reality "hits" is the only thing that matters, right?

I'll take a look and see which caliber options are available. I'm leaning heavily towards 6.5 Creed.

 

[RTH1800]

Best buy will be to pick up a GOOD used custom on this site. Few if any bring build cost. You will end up with a better rifle for less.

 

[sawgunner2001]

IMO your figures for a factory remington are way off. Also being on a budget, have you considered a used stock?

Which figures are off, if you don't mind? I didn't see the LRi GB thread till "cjlane" alerted me to it in this thread. Those prices are certainly attractive.

And once an action is selected, I'll DEFINITELY be on the lookout for a secondhand stock. I had already considered that, but needed a starting price point.

 

[JB02]

I would do the following:

Go with RW Snyder's Basic Custom Rifle build for a Rem 700 barreled action. Get a large bolt knob or thread and cap if you want. Drop it into a manners mini chassis. Or, you can have him go with his basic stock offering and send him a Surgeon DBM or Badger DBM to install instead of a floor plate. You would be at ~ $2500 mark for a fully loaded system and perhaps you won't even need to scrounge up any parts.

 

[ridenrunwv]

Best buy will be to pick up a GOOD used custom on this site. Few if any bring build cost. You will end up with a better rifle for less.

So many people spend a bunch of money building customs and shoot then very little before selling them. Unless you have very specific build requirements, which it seems that you don't, you can take advantage of someone else's loss and save some money.

 

[Captramrod01]

Alright, first off you really need to decide what you want because if you don't you will be like me and build and sell 4 rifles before realizing what you actually like.

Second, if you are truly on a budget then savage is the answer. This is what I did a while back when building a budget match rifle.

Savage hog hunter for $420. As far as I know this is the cheapest model that comes with an accutrigger and also has a barrel people will pay money for as its medium contour and is threaded. Sold barrel and stock so basically got a savage action and accutrigger for $220.
Seekins base: $100, don't skimp on a good base!
Criterion 6.5 creed, nut, lug : $360ish? Can't remember
Manners T2 stock: $540
Accurate Mag DBM: $100, I think these are 200 now but come with a mag? Either way I'd recommend getting the CDI instead.
Smith cost: pillar bedding, barrel install (didn't have a wrench or vise) $200ish?

I did all this for around $1600. Have since sold it to a friend but she's still kickin and shooting great. Something to think about I guess.

 

[athanasios23]

I would agree with checking the for sale section on the hide. There are great deals on here and it seems like you are open to different types of builds. Couple of nice Gap rifles for a little over 2k. You could shot them a bit and then rebarrel to desired caliber.