What does a custom build rig really get you???

Building my own rifles costs about $1350 without tooling costs.
$350 Rem action or tikka
$400 fluted Krieger
$600 manners
$7 trigger spring :)
$30 for cerakote
 
codyadams said:
If you don't feel like reading a book, skip to the bold print.

I think it depends on the level of confidence you want to have going in to it that you are going to have an excellent rifle. I have put together factory rifles in premier stocks, triggers, ect., Semi custom's where the action was trued and had a premium barrel installed, premium stock, bottom metal, trigger, and so on, and then full on customs.

MOST factory rifles in fancy dresses (premium stocks, bedding, and trigger) I have worked on, after a better stock and bedding and trigger work, .5-1 MOA @100 yds usually consistently achievable, in some rare cases a little better. I have had a couple that simply would not do better than 1.5 MOA consistently, that is the headache you gamble on with a factory rifle. Is it the crown? Is it the Bore? Chamber? Action? Have you just not found the right combo of components? As stated, it is a headache to deal with at times, and generally ends up with a new barrel and trueing job, moving it into the next catagory.

With both semi customs and full customs, I have not had one that I couldn't get sub half MOA groups out of, that includes extended ranges in good conditions. They have all been relatively easy to find good loads for, with poor loads still generally hanging around MOA or just over, and with proper tuning and good shooting form can get into the .2's or less quite often. Now, from a factory action with a good trueing job, and maybe a couple other odds and ends done, in the accuracy department I have not seen a ton of difference from full customs. If I was into BR type stuff, that is where I think full customs with long barrel tenons and overly robust actions would hold value over a worked over factory action. But with guns in the 7-10 lb range shooting chamberings in the 6.5x284 class and bigger and used for hunting, I am generally happy with groups in the .2's-.3's, which if you have a experienced smith do your work, that is achievable with factory actions.

The difference in my opinion between the worked over factory action and full custom action, is more of an overall feeling and performance in the finer levels. The actions generally run smoother, feels tighter in the raceway, and cuts down on overall slop. It's like comparing a 1970 Chevelle with a hot rebuilt 454, tight rebuilt track suspension and sexy paint job, to a 2019 Camero. They both have fantastic performance, may run the quarter at the same speed, but when the road gets really twisty, that Camero just hugs the corners a little better. Also, the Camero may cost a lot, but you put nearly the same amount of money into that sweet looking Chevelle that was once just a rust bucket in someones pasture to get it up to nearly the same performance. But on the other hand, that Chevelle is yours, and built to your spec, so there is some pride in that.

Overall, I think a factory gun with some bolt on's can perform alright, sometimes surprisingly well. But other times, they can be a total flop. A semi custom built by a reputable qualified smith will pretty much always guarantee stellar performance, and will generally be cheaper than a full custom, but not by a huge margin. A full custom doesn't really gain much in the accuracy division for the majority of users needs, however it adds an overall feel of quality, and if absolute top tier performance is a requirement, it's the way to go. Just this guys thoughts.
Click to expand...
I think you're right. I've owned/shot/designed/built several customs, and the impetus for me has always been to get exactly the configuration and/or cartridge I want. If, for instance, I want a 26" beanfield rifle to serve as both a predator and deer slayer and decide 6mm Remington (AI or not) is the way to go, but I want fast twist to handle over-100 grain deer bullets with high BC, my ONLY option is a full custom. I mean I could take a stock Rem 700 or 7 and rebarrel everything like it is, but whose really going to JUST rebarrel a stock Rem 700 unless it's a custom shop piece of wood? I mean you HAVE to upgrade the stock and may as well have a decent trigger too. VOILA! A full custom! Might a Savage 110 Desert in 6 Creed with 1:8 twist do almost the same? In fact it DOES. (I know for a fact.) But it's still not the 6mm Rem, and for sure not the Improved version. But yes it is very close and a H*LL of alot cheaper! (Capable of groups in the .3s at worst!) That's one example. As a full custom, I can get it with the stock, LOP, action (aftermarket if I want...may be worth 1/8" on group size?), and balance point. That does mean alot, but I agree, factory guns are much better today than they were just a handful of years ago, and caliber selection is becoming much better. So unless you want an obsolete round, you can find a factory gun to perform plenty good to get you to 500yds...and beyond in many instances.
 
yorke-1 said:
A custom rifle gets you exactly what you want, no matter how ridiculous it is. If I were content with shooting standard chamberings I'd just buy factory rifles and be done.

The price attached to a lot of custom guns is just a "brand" mark up. I've seen some first rate trash come from big name smiths. My most accurate "custom" guns have all been either built by local guys who nobody's heard of, or assembled in my garage from a pile of parts.
Click to expand...

And, that is what makes customs cool as hell...A dude with some basic skill, knowledge and a fist full of decent parts can put together a lazer that is crazy accurate.

Then sometimes you buy a build from a reputable named Smith and it's an anchor.
 
codyadams said:
If you don't feel like reading a book, skip to the bold print.

I think it depends on the level of confidence you want to have going in to it that you are going to have an excellent rifle. I have put together factory rifles in premier stocks, triggers, ect., Semi custom's where the action was trued and had a premium barrel installed, premium stock, bottom metal, trigger, and so on, and then full on customs.

MOST factory rifles in fancy dresses (premium stocks, bedding, and trigger) I have worked on, after a better stock and bedding and trigger work, .5-1 MOA @100 yds usually consistently achievable, in some rare cases a little better. I have had a couple that simply would not do better than 1.5 MOA consistently, that is the headache you gamble on with a factory rifle. Is it the crown? Is it the Bore? Chamber? Action? Have you just not found the right combo of components? As stated, it is a headache to deal with at times, and generally ends up with a new barrel and trueing job, moving it into the next catagory.

With both semi customs and full customs, I have not had one that I couldn't get sub half MOA groups out of, that includes extended ranges in good conditions. They have all been relatively easy to find good loads for, with poor loads still generally hanging around MOA or just over, and with proper tuning and good shooting form can get into the .2's or less quite often. Now, from a factory action with a good trueing job, and maybe a couple other odds and ends done, in the accuracy department I have not seen a ton of difference from full customs. If I was into BR type stuff, that is where I think full customs with long barrel tenons and overly robust actions would hold value over a worked over factory action. But with guns in the 7-10 lb range shooting chamberings in the 6.5x284 class and bigger and used for hunting, I am generally happy with groups in the .2's-.3's, which if you have a experienced smith do your work, that is achievable with factory actions.

The difference in my opinion between the worked over factory action and full custom action, is more of an overall feeling and performance in the finer levels. The actions generally run smoother, feels tighter in the raceway, and cuts down on overall slop. It's like comparing a 1970 Chevelle with a hot rebuilt 454, tight rebuilt track suspension and sexy paint job, to a 2019 Camero. They both have fantastic performance, may run the quarter at the same speed, but when the road gets really twisty, that Camero just hugs the corners a little better. Also, the Camero may cost a lot, but you put nearly the same amount of money into that sweet looking Chevelle that was once just a rust bucket in someones pasture to get it up to nearly the same performance. But on the other hand, that Chevelle is yours, and built to your spec, so there is some pride in that.

Overall, I think a factory gun with some bolt on's can perform alright, sometimes surprisingly well. But other times, they can be a total flop. A semi custom built by a reputable qualified smith will pretty much always guarantee stellar performance, and will generally be cheaper than a full custom, but not by a huge margin. A full custom doesn't really gain much in the accuracy division for the majority of users needs, however it adds an overall feel of quality, and if absolute top tier performance is a requirement, it's the way to go. Just this guys thoughts.
Click to expand...


I think Cody NAILED IT!
 
I think Cody NAILED it. I built one real custom and I have factory rifles that shoot better, but its cool having something different.
 
As others pointed out, there are different levels of factory and custom. I've shot some $6k custom guns. They shoot fine. The cool thing is nowadays you can buy components and easily put them on yourself to make a gun shoot like a custom. 2lb triggers. Aftermarket stocks. Great optics around $1,000. All these things you can do in your garage and they ring you really close to custom feel and grouping. Reloading is where most of your gains in accuracy come from anyway. Or you could get a Tikka and call it good :)
 
bigngreen said:
Wait till you pay for the hospital visit!!
Click to expand...
I am confused by this comment...are you implying there is a risk to build your own rifle? You realize you aren't the only rifle builder on this site right?

Based on his posts, I am pretty sure he is a gunsmith. I could be wrong...
 
KyCarl said:
Against Any custom rifle out there...BULL! I don't see where you have won any big shoots? Where's all the fake wood trophies ribbons and medals?
It might be a fine rifle but it ain't a world class target rifle by a long shot..
I look at rifles like tires on my truck..They get used up and replaced? Shoot it until
the barrel is gone so what? Drop it ..Get it refinished...They are just tools.
Click to expand...

You haven't seen PredatorSlayer in any shooting competitions? Crazy...maybe I go by a different name. Its funny how serious people take the internet and how much they assume. I could be Bob Lee Swagger for all you guys know;)

Maybe thats why I can get a factory rifle to run with a custom:)
 
Anyone going to mammoth at fort Gordon? I'll be there with my kind of custom tikka and my factory Hornady loads. We can put this thread to rest based on how well I place. Top 10, who needs a custom?! Anything less pull out those $4500 GAPs please! ;)
 
My answer to the question is:
CUSTOM
  • Right fit
  • Right balance
  • Desired parts, barrel contour, trigger weight and etc
  • Higher probability to meet my accuracy expectations
 
PredatorSlayer said:
You haven't seen PredatorSlayer in any shooting competitions? Crazy...maybe I go by a different name. Its funny how serious people take the internet and how much they assume. I could be Bob Lee Swagger for all you guys know;)

Maybe thats why I can get a factory rifle to run with a custom:)
Click to expand...

Swagger for the win....Laffin
 
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