Gunsmithing Rifle builders!: how long to build a rifle?

[ajridgedell]

I've built a handful of rifles for myself and friends. I am wondering how long it usually takes someone who does it day in and day out from start to finish on a precision bolt gun. Say from having action and blank in hand to having barreled action with break installed in stock with trigger and cerekote on barrel. I know custom builders often have different requests as far as paint or bedding and so on so times vary. If I did start doing rifles for more people I know how much money I would want for the amount of time it takes me, but idk if I need to work on being faster or what. This last one took me pretty much a full day with normal business interuptions throughout the day, no bedding and only cerekote on barrel and test fired on another day.

 

[Rubicon Precision]

I won't say in public how long it takes me to precision thread a muzzle and fit/chamber a barrel form the time I pick the parts off the bench to removing from the machine.

I will say it is not efficient to build them one at a time, start to finish in a day unless you only are getting one complete rifle job per month or so. Batch your ops together. Spend one or a few days on the lathe getting metal work done. When enough jobs build up needing finish work, spend a day spraying finish. When you have a few bedding jobs built up, get out your bedding material. This way you are not spending half of every day getting material out and half a day cleaning up after Cerakote.

But yeah, for a one man shop, I wouldn't expect to get more than one complete start to finish (minus bedding) rifle out a day if that's the way you are working it.

 

[Bradu]

I am no help on the topic but understand why Rubicon won't say how long to do barrel work. The CNC machines have really changed things. With that said, I understand why the prices are still about the same. The equipment is a huge investment and has to be paid for somehow.

 

[Ledzep]

Full attention to just one rifle, a complete build to include bedding (accelerated in an oven) and Cerakote I've seen done in 16 hours.

Barrel thread/chamber, muzzle threads, engraved, recevier trued, bolt timed and tigged, scope base holes opened up, stock blank inletted, bedded, cured in oven, DBM inletted, fit/function test, cerakote, final assy and function check.

 

[ajridgedell]

thanks for replies, makes sense how the bigger shops make it work by doing one operation on several different builds at a time. not really a market i want to get into with my normal business taking the time it does. atleast a lathe and tools doesn't take too long to pay for itself if you build a few and rebarrel every now and then.

 

[Clark]

It is taking 6 months from Krieger, Bartlein and McMillan, 3.5 months from S&B in Germany, 10 weeks for a bolt from PTG.....

Things that take ME a day:
Cut chamber, threads, and crown muzzle.
Make pillars and glass bed.
Scope bases, rings, and bore sight.
Sight in at the range

 

[Bender]

LRI will do a barreled action on a Saturday while you watch. Just bring your parts. The whole package takes longer because of stock inlet and paint options... but as far as I know, LRI is one of the fastest/best. Weeks... not months or years...

 

[BCX]

LRI will do a barreled action on a Saturday while you watch. Just bring your parts. The whole package takes longer because of stock inlet and paint options... but as far as I know, LRI is one of the fastest/best. Weeks... not months or years...

Might have to give them a try. Tired of waiting 6-8 months just for a barreled action w/o trigger.

 

[BillyGoatMachine]

Barreled actions are easy. Almost every well known builder can do it in an afternoon if the parts are in hand. CNC even quicker. Backlog is obviously a different story if they are popular. If you want a big name, most of the time you are going to have to wait. Guys like me that don't have a huge reputation and simply a smaller customer base can be a lot quicker. Most people have to ship to me as Im out of the way, but I build the barreled action in 3-5 hrs and usually get them back to the customer in a week, shipping included. Paint and bedding obviously longer.

 

[BCX]

Thats good to know i will keep you in mind as I'm starting to source parts for my next rifle. Thanks

 

[81STFACP]

Full attention to just one rifle, a complete build to include bedding (accelerated in an oven) and Cerakote I've seen done in 16 hours.

Barrel thread/chamber, muzzle threads, engraved, recevier trued, bolt timed and tigged, scope base holes opened up, stock blank inletted, bedded, cured in oven, DBM inletted, fit/function test, cerakote, final assy and function check.

And, at 16 hour labor, what would the effective hourly rate the gunsmith is paying himsel for how much they charge to do a rifle?

 

[Trapshooter12]

A guy that lives up the street from me just put one togethet for me. I got the Action a couple months ago and was hanging onto it until i got the rest of the parts.
I was waiting to order a stock from a well known manufactuerer and got the run around. I told my builder about it and we agreed on another stock manufactuer with bottom metal. He texted me an hour later and said he found a Bartelein barrel on sale he asked me if i wanted it and said yes. That was thursday last week.
He texted me Tuesday everything was in and wanted the action. I gave it to him Wednesday at 4:30 pm.
He texted Friday morning and told me to come and get it.

Skim bedded stock
Set trigger to 2 pounds
Chambered and threaded for muzzel brake
Put it all together

Just a little over a day.

Another guy dropped an action off for a new barrel at around 8am on a Saturday and was called at 11:30 am and told it was done.

 

[powdahound76]

Depends how my Dremel is working that day........

 

[BCX]

And, at 16 hour labor, what would the effective hourly rate the gunsmith is paying himsel for how much they charge to do a rifle?

Am i understanding this correctly? Your saying a gunsmith is only making $16hr?

 

[b6graham]

Am i understanding this correctly? Your saying a gunsmith is only making $16hr?

16 hours of labor to do a full build

his rate isnt the only thing to consider. markup on parts, machine costs, electricity, and other materials necessary

 

[BCX]

I never worry about cost. A mans time is worth $$$. I even offered extra for a express turn around. Still waiting.

 

[81STFACP]

16 hours of labor to do a full build

his rate isnt the only thing to consider. markup on parts, machine costs, electricity, and other materials necessary

I think they are not making enough per hour

 

[Hundo]

LRI will do a barreled action on a Saturday while you watch. Just bring your parts. The whole package takes longer because of stock inlet and paint options... but as far as I know, LRI is one of the fastest/best. Weeks... not months or years...

I agree. They have invested heavily in tooling and really nice machinery. They have a huge CNC library. They get it done.

 

[Bugholes]

You guys are missing a massive part of the equation, "interacting with the customer"
-talking to and emailing
-make estimate
-change
-revised estimate
-invoice, collect deposit
-gather parts
-change, put some parts back, get other parts
-"I know you said 4 months, and I know it's only been a month, but how are things coming?"
-discuss possible change to new 6.5 whizbang cartridge
(Do the actual work somewhere in here)
-get FFL to ship to
-final invoice, collect and deposit
-please send pictures of my new baby
-30 min to pack properly
-ship/insure
-please email me the tracking number
-"how come I can't chamber the brass from my last rifle" etc, etc

If you think that 5 minute emails and 15 minute phone calls don't add up, then come on by my shop for a day or two

Not trying to be inflammatory, but you guys need to understand the other side of the story. The above can easily be 25% (or more) of the total time required for the job

 

[coast2coast]

-"I know you said 4 months, and I know it's only been a month, but how are things coming?"

I love that part. I'm in a completely different line of work and I still get that question.

 

[Danley]

Bugholes hit the nail on the head!

 

[jducos]

Bugholes for the WIN!!!

 

[Alabama556]

You guys are missing a massive part of the equation, "interacting with the customer"
-talking to and emailing
-make estimate
-change
-revised estimate
-invoice, collect deposit
-gather parts
-change, put some parts back, get other parts
-"I know you said 4 months, and I know it's only been a month, but how are things coming?"
-discuss possible change to new 6.5 whizbang cartridge
(Do the actual work somewhere in here)
-get FFL to ship to
-final invoice, collect and deposit
-please send pictures of my new baby
-30 min to pack properly
-ship/insure
-please email me the tracking number
-"how come I can't chamber the brass from my last rifle" etc, etc

If you think that 5 minute emails and 15 minute phone calls don't add up, then come on by my shop for a day or two

Not trying to be inflammatory, but you guys need to understand the other side of the story. The above can easily be 25% (or more) of the total time required for the job

I have 2 guns with bugholes now and I am one of the customers he spent a lot of time on the phone with on the front end.

I have learned that people that are good at what they do are busy and things come up. There is no point in getting in a hurry.

I emailed him once to check in and won't call or email him again until he tells me they are ready.

I am just thankful he is working with me on my 2 projects.

 

[Skimafia]

I do not think there is a better person in this industry than Greg at SPR/Bugholes. He is about the only gunsmith and part retailer that doesnt blow smoke in your ass all day long. There needs to be more precision rifle makers like him.
I recently purchased a TBAC Ultra 9 from him. His prices were better than any place I found. He was quick to respond to questions, called back when he said he would, and even took care of me with an extra gesture.

Like his post above shows, he is not one to dance around the details. He lets you know how it is and that should be appreciated.