Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

[Twisted]

Remington 700, I have a Krieger blank, would like this rifle to transform from .308 to .260 by a competent smith. The only two I know of in my area with the knowledge and skills to do it right are unable to do so currently.

Anyone have any recommendations on who else to contact?

Would love to find someone in the Portland/Oregon City area that I could hand deliver to but willing to ship.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

It's good that your wanting to support your local smiths. I wish more people would do this. I do not know of any smiths in your area, but I'm sure someone does.

If you have to ship it off, don't get sucked into thinking that only the 3-4 big name smiths on this board are the only people capable building a nice rifle. There are some excellent smiths that dont get alot of recognition. Ill give you four that I have used in the past just for starters.

Jon Beanland (Oklahoma)
Russell at Scout Supply Company (Texas)
LA Precision (Louisiana)
Straight Shot Gunsmithing (North Dakota)

Good luck,

 

[Twisted]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

No doubt. One of my local choices doesn't have a website or anything, just a ton of praise and recommendation from friends who I shoot/compete with and from that I've personally seen the results and they are impressive. The other comes highly recommended by some local LEO's who I've done coating work for. After discussing with him turns out he is about 10 minutes from my house which is saying a lot because I live in the middle of nowhere and it takes 20 minutes to get anywhere.

I'm sure there are others out there near me who are plenty skilled enough but no way of knowing for sure without others recommending them. I don't want to hand my rifle and a wad of cash over to someone who can talk the talk, make a nice website, but not know how to walk the walk ya know.

 

[stockdoc]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

Spartan Rifles in nor cal does awesome work

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

I understand what your saying 100%.

I assure you, the 4 I listed above can "walk the walk".

 

[JB02]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

Have you looked into Northwest Action Works?

http://www.nwactionworks.com/#!home/mainPage

 

[drglock]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

Phoenix Custom Rifles is building my rifle their work from everyone I've seen here on the hide is outstanding and they seem to really care that your build gets done right. They are very pleasant to talk with and very friendly.

 

[Twisted]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LCDR JGB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you looked into Northwest Action Works?

http://www.nwactionworks.com/#!home/mainPage </div></div>

I have not but I like what I see on their website and such. Never actually heard of them, are they reputable? Appear to be in Portland which is a plus for me.

 

[MadCountyDep]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

Mike Badlla B&M Gunworks. Madera California. He's on Facebook. Excels at rem 700

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

I don't know much about NW Action Works, but they do advertise on Accurate Shooter forum. They have a ad there where they sell trued up Rem 700 actions. All the feedback I've seen on their actions sales seems to be positive. I don't know if it matters to you, but they do NOT single point cut the threads when they are doing their action work. This is a big deal to some.

 

[JB02]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

Here's a post I've found:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3225478
I though I got an email or saw a post from Lowlight about the good deal they have on their barreled actions, but I can't find it.

If they are local or close to you then there isn't nearly as much risk to you. If you are looking for someone "reputable", then go with what Trevor is recommending.

I might add Chad Dixon from Long Rifles Inc. or Mark Gordon from Short Action Customs.

 

[ranger1183]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Twisted</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington 700, I have a Krieger blank, would like this rifle to transform from .308 to .260 by a competent smith. The only two I know of in my area with the knowledge and skills to do it right are unable to do so currently.

Anyone have any recommendations on who else to contact?

Would love to find someone in the Portland/Oregon City area that I could hand deliver to but willing to ship. </div></div>

Portland, OR is not far from Yakima, WA so I <span style="font-weight: bold">HIGHLY</span> recommend that you contact JD Thomas of High Speed Shooting Systems.

JD is <span style="font-weight: bold">EXCELLENT</span> in his work and my number 1 go-to precision gunsmith. He is straight forward, honest, affordable and a great guy to deal with. JD is also a graduate of the Yavapai College Gunsmithing Program. An intense program with very high standards.

I recommend JD first and foremost.

JD Thomas
Phone: 1-509-945-6623
[email protected]
http://www.highspeedshootingsystems.com/

 

[Young_Engineer_89]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: stockdoc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Spartan Rifles in nor cal does awesome work </div></div>

This, just got my 3rd rifle back from Marc, the man works magic, all three are hammers, very fair prices, and super speedy turn around too. its not far from OR to Cal, I am in Nevada and would not hesitate to use Spartan Rifles again.

As a matter of fact I have another two rifles in the que with him, considering another one. Its an addiction

 

[Twisted]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

Just putting out one more call to see if anyone can recommend a local gunsmith to me, someone in the Portland, Oregon area or within an hour or so drive. I'm not having much luck, may have to send out but would still like to find someone local.

 

[bbcellars]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: stockdoc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Spartan Rifles in nor cal does awesome work </div></div>

+1

Marc is the man!

 

[Oregonmuley]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

I doubt you will find anyone local, I live in Gladstone/ Oregon City area and send all my stuff out of state since nothing local that I know of.

 

[xXlojackXx]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

Make the 3 hour drive from Portland up to Benchmark Barrels here in WA. They do excellent work and hold numerous world records with their builds.

 

[Twisted]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xXlojackXx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Make the 3 hour drive from Portland up to Benchmark Barrels here in WA. They do excellent work and hold numerous world records with their builds. </div></div>

I know they are quality smiths who make quality barrels but I've already contacted them and they are out for a couple reasons. One being that they are at least 8 weeks out and the cost.

Two trips up to them and back = 800 miles = $170 in fuel so I'd just ship anyways, not to mention that is two days I'd have to set aside. They also quoted me about double what other reputable smiths recommended on here have quoted me. Not knocking on them for that, they can charge what they want and I'm sure they get it but to me there are at least equally good options for half the money.

 

[Twisted]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Oregonmuley</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I doubt you will find anyone local, I live in Gladstone/ Oregon City area and send all my stuff out of state since nothing local that I know of. </div></div>

I'm actually out in rural South Clack county, there is a good smith between you and I who I would have do it but he is down and out for a bit due to a medical procedure.

 

[Twisted]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bbcellars</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: stockdoc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Spartan Rifles in nor cal does awesome work </div></div>

+1

Marc is the man! </div></div>

I am dropping him an email right now.

 

[seanh]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

I know you want something closer to you but if you just mail it off to Chad Dixon...you'll have it back in a couple weeks.

I just got mine back...action/bolt(fluted) and trued, barrel threaded, chambered and fluted, all cerakoted-- back in my hands in under two weeks.

Took it to shoot yesterday...sub .5MOA rifle. Simply can't go wrong with Chad Dixon.

 

[Twisted]

Re: Recommendation for gunsmith to true and re-barrel?

I talked to nearly everyone mentioned in this thread plus some. Just wanted to update that I dropped it off with the guys from NW Action Works who are pretty local to me. We talked over the build and they gave great detail in how they do what they do. I will report back once complete and such. Thanks everyone for all the advice.