Who’s your preferred custom rifle builder?

[Alpha15]

Now that I’ve got all my components I’m starting the process of finding a reputable smith to do the build (Defiance action, Bartlein bbl, McM A3-5 stock). Will be a 20” 308 Win.

so far I’ve talked to Beanland and SAC. One was disproportionately more expensive but had a great lead time.
Would like maybe two others to contact before I decide. I’m willing to pay a premium to have it completed before next hunting season.

 

[pmclaine]

Mark Williams at Raven Rifles built me two great rifles with great USMC detail.

LRI has a build in process right now that I have great expectations for.

Tac Ops owners have been proven very smart for going that route but Mike has figured the recipe out.......you may want to lose some of what you want to get the awesomeness of what he builds.

 

[Zane1844]

Altus has been great to work with. I’m waiting for a rifle from them right now.

 

[HenryTheAce]

TS Customs! Travis is awesome, does a fantastic job. SAC as well

 

[dirthead1]

GAP

 

[Charger442]

Paul Jaeger

 

[Jrb572]

Dave Tooley does great work

 

[Mrindecisive]

Altus, I have found them to be awesome to deal with.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Call Shaen at Shaen Rifles. Shipped my parts to him and this 308 was back to me in one month. @Shooter71

 

[trob_205]

LRI

 

[mboswell17]

RIP precision here in Leander Texas

 

[smacha538]

LRI just built my rifle. Took 2 weeks

 

[rhsc]

Call Shaen at Shaen Rifles. Shipped my parts to him and this 308 was back to me in one month. @Shooter71

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Just curious, what's the weight of your rifle as it sits there? Sweet build.

 

[Rocketmandb]

I've had Spartan Precision build/rebarrel my last three. Top-notch work, though being a small shop that does such work, lead times can be an issue.

 

[Leland22]

In no particular order
Dave Tooley
LRI
SAC
LRI will likely be your fastest turnaround time. But all three will build a hell of a rifle!

 

[emastrich]

GAP and SAC

 

[LRDD]

Altus builds some fine rifles that strait hammer.

 

[CBDR]

OTM Jacksonville FL. Joe & Jay = Straight up professional run shop.

R/
CBDR

 

[candyx]

Mark at SAC excellent machine work !!!

 

[PWOCengineer70]

West Texas Ordnance build some awesome hunting rigs

 

[charnicus]

TS Customs. Check out some of @orkan ’s videos on Travis’ bedding jobs. Not sure what he’s using for a .308 reamer but I’m having a second .308 barrel done by him based on my happiness thus far.

I think you’re right about keeping SAC in mind too.

 

[JARHEAD1371]

Jim See will be the only smith I use. He's built me 2 rifles, 7 SAUM and 25 SST, and they are exactly what I wanted. Extremely accurate, great lead time, and Jim is one hell of a shooter, trainer, and builder.

 

[OneMoreNoMore]

GCP rifle co
SAC
LRI
Sooo many great smiths, just too little money. Lol

 

[Oregonmuley]

Another vote for Shaen @ Shaen Rifles. He built me these two - the Twins Both finished in record time.

 

[Jigstick]

Dave Bruno in Pennsylvania. Built 7 rifles with him. All are hammers

 

[fdkay]

Bugholes is in Louisiana aka southern precision rifles

 

[tacops1]

Mike R. @ Tactical Operations Inc , California
Great guy, customer service is at the top, rifles are functional art, and attention to detail well he’s a perfectionist to say the least and they shoot 0’s

I just don’t think he will use your components but again you could always ask him

 

[Alpha15]

Bugholes is in Louisiana aka southern precision rifles

Pretty sure they are in Tennessee. I ordered my Defiance action from them.

 

[tuckybill]

Bugholes is in Louisiana aka southern precision

They are in Cookville Tenn I think....?

 

[Needaheart]

Mark Soulie at Spartan Precision Rifles. Top notch rifle builder. I've had two built by them and waiting on parts to send them for a third (300PRC). They just moved from CA to ID.

Spartan Precision Rifles

Bolt action precision rifle maker for the hunter, competition shooter, weekend tack driver, and MIL/LEO.

spartanrifles.com

 

[DisplacedTexan]

Brad Hiskey

Brad's Precision Rifles

Brad's Custom Rifles specializing in custom rifles, BFF Muzzle Brakes, Barrel Fluting, Custom Bolt Knobs and expert gunsmith services.

www.bradsprecisionrifles.com

His website is dogshit, but he's old fashioned. My favorite person in the business.

 

[Aftermath]

3 suggestions, no particular order of preference. All 3 build real accurate rifles.

https://scorehi.com (Charley Robertson)
https://www.hellscanyonarmory.com (Mike "BIG" Johnson)
https://www.ployharprecision.com (Bo Ployhar)

 

[texag0842]

Terry Cross or Moon

 

[anginaprinzmetal]

Dane Miller / Joe Comfort from DMR_LLC, Las Vegas

 

[0724/1030]

Gray Sloan - Swift Creek Rifles
(919) 222-2998
http://swiftcreekrifles.com/
https://www.instagram.com/swiftcreekrifles/

 

[Khlit]

Dave Bruno in Pennsylvania. Built 7 rifles with him. All are hammers

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I'll second Dave he's built some sweet shooting guns for me.

 

[CApighunter]

Another vote for Shaen. He spun up a prefit for my 22 creed in about a week. Top notch machine work and customer service.

 

[gearguywb]

There are some great guys out there to choose from.

My pet peeve at the moment is getting a return call. There are a couple mentioned here that I have called, left VM, and emailed....without ever getting a response.

Make sure it is someone that you are comfortable working with.

 

[NDSU]

Dave Sink out of Clemmons, NC.

 

[Wheres-Waldo]

Buy yourself an action that takes prefit barrels, that way when your build is taking 11 months, you can kick yourself in the dick

 

[gsd1983]

Caleb at Alpha & Omega Rifle & Tool in Mound City, MO has built two for me and I’ve found no fault with either.

@AOGunsmith I think.

 

[Greene]

Joe Walls Exodus Rifles

 

[T-TurtleWang]

I use my viper vice and an action wrench and I'm my own gunsmith lol
Shoots perfect and I'm not sending my parts to wait X amount of time for them to screw it together...

 

[Leland22]

Terry Cross or Moon

Lots of truth here too!!
Take your pick of any of the smith's listed they will all build a nice rig!

 

[fdkay]

Pretty sure they are in Tennessee. I ordered my Defiance action from them.

Interesting. Must have been an old link. The pages did seem wonky. Thanks for the update.

 

[TacT-MecH]

Jeff Hayes at Rivers Bend Gun Company does great work. He's built my last 3 customs and done quite a bit of other work for me as well. He's not only a great 'smith but has become a friend as well. Give him a call, you'll thank me later. 8163864021
7wsm

260ai

300wm

 

[OH58DViper]

As others have said I’d buy a Prefit and call it good. I’ve had full customs from a lot of the companies listed above and the most accurate rifle/barrel I have ever had was a proof Prefit for an AXMC, large tenon. I am done waiting up to 16 months for a Smith to get around to throwing my rifle together. I just order a mini chassis now, so I don’t have to bed the action and send it to CGC for paint when assembled. Full custom accuracy and quality for 2800-3700 depending on paint and options. My $.02.

However, if im going big bore magnum hunting rifle, Dallas Lane of LPR is my #1 choice. He’s spendy, but his rifles are perfect in every way. RBros is my number 2.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Just curious, what's the weight of your rifle as it sits there? Sweet build.

6.5 lbs with a Hawkins 3 round magazine.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

My preferred builder is GAP. Have not had one that’s not a shooter!
Have a 7mm08 hunting rifle by Jon Beanland that bug holes as well.
Gave the parts for the 308 to Shaen to see how he does things, I was very pleased with his work also.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

Never had a custom build but first time I do will be Spartan Precision out of Caldwell, ID. formerly from San Jose he's supported the local clubs and matches and is a nationally known top notch rifle builder.