HS Precision or custom build?

[rharfo]

Hello all,
New to the forum but long time shooter, reloader, big game hunter. Looking to buy/build a custom rifle in 300WM for hunting. Thinking about purchasing HS Precision SPL. Or do I go with a custom build via a smith? Looking to spend 3-4 grand and put a Savaroski on top. Thoughts?

 

[MHO]

Tomato .....Tomatto. Either way, your going to be happy. I think I would go with a custom unless the HS is EXACTLY what you want. Both will be great rifles.

 

[B23]

For that kind of money you can have a smith build you a pretty top of the line custom built to your EXACT specs. You can probably get the HS Prec. rifle sooner so if your in a hurry the HS Prec. would maybe suit you better but that would be, IMO, the ONLY reason I would go with the HS Prec. built rifle over a full custom from one of the many EXCELLENT smiths on this forum.

Best of luck to you on your decision.

 

[Thomas B.]

I sort of did both! I had H.S. do a rebuild for me on Rem 700 LH and it turned out fantastic. No worries with H.S. Precision.

 

[rharfo]

Thomas B. I didn't know HS Precision would work on rifles other than theirs. Do you mind posting some info on what you had them do and the cost?
Thanks
Rharfo

 

[Thomas B.]

Thomas B. I didn't know HS Precision would work on rifles other than theirs. Do you mind posting some info on what you had them do and the cost?
Thanks
Rharfo

I had my Rem re-barreled by them with a 1 in 8 twist 22-250. They cut rifle their barrels and provide any twist you want. With that service they coat the action and barrel in Teflon and accuracy test it. Here are some pics.
I previously purchased the stock from them, but that can included in the build. You would need to check with them on which actions they will build from but I know Rem actions are good to go.
It took 13 weeks from when i sent it in, to getting it back. They quoted 12 to 14 weeks.

 

[rharfo]

I had my Rem re-barreled by them with a 1 in 8 twist 22-250. They cut rifle their barrels and provide any twist you want. With that service they coat the action and barrel in Teflon and accuracy test it. Here are some pics.
I previously purchased the stock from them, but that can included in the build. You would need to check with them on which actions they will build from but I know Rem actions are good to go.
It took 13 weeks from when i sent it in, to getting it back. They quoted 12 to 14 weeks.

Thanks! Great looking rifle, just checked out their "services" page and they only work on 700's. If I don't sell the 700 I have on gunbroker this might be the way to go.

 

[rharfo]

Update: walked into Hendershots Hagerstown MD on Friday the 13th looking to find my 300 win mag. Guy walks in behind me and puts his lightly used HS Precision Spl on the counter. He says he's trading for a HS ultra mag. I took this as a sign. Short of the story Lance Hendershots called HS direct got a price quote on lengthening the stock, ordered the Swarovski Z5, gave me the guys custom loads he had with the gun , took 2 of my 3 trade in guns and said he would take care of the stock, mount the scope after he lapped the talley rings. I should have the gun in hand in about two weeks. The months long saga to find my 300 has ended...or has it? Next step...the range.

 

[rharfo]

Update: Walked into Hendershots Hagerstown MD with an open mind for my 300 win mag. Since it was Friday the 13th and I already have bad luck I didnt expect much. Just as I start checking out the bolt guns a guy walks in and places a hard case on the counter. Hmm, wonder what's it there? He opens it up and its a HS Precision SPL in 300wm. I'm thinking theres no way this is gonna work out. The guy trades the year old gun for a similar HS in 300 ultra. Mean while I go out to the truck and get my 3 guns that I want to trade. The guy finishes his deal and Lance the owner checks out my guns. This is starting to come together. Lance tells me he will take 2 of 3 guns on trade. He then gives me a great price on a Swarovski z5 3-18x44 with ballisic turrent. He also calls HS direct and gets a price quote on having the stock lengthened. This is acutally coming together....so when its all said and done I end up with the rifle exactly as I wanted it, Z5, light weight talley rings, custom ammo, extra mag and Lance is going to mount the scope after lapping the rings when the stock comes back from HS! Friday the 13th wasn't so bad afterall,, or was it the credit card bill hasnt arrived yet.

 

[Thomas B.]

Must have been a sign from the gun gods, your gonna like it----------

 

[captacademy]

That sure was a nice looking rifle with an excellent shot target to go with it!

 

[Bughole]

Don't do HS. Many reasons do some research. Build your own custom. A good smith can do it for 4000.00less optics, and you will have a super personal rifle. Last I checked HS was about 6 months out on any new orders unless you pickup one from one of the stocking dealers. I also have personal experience with their rifles before I learned my lesson. If you want a simple dependable hunting rifle I recommend Cooper. They always shoot and will set you back less coin than the HS. Check them out.

 

[Thomas B.]

Rharfo, you ever get that rifle--- how did it turn out?

 

[rharfo]

Thomas B. thanks for asking. Hendershots sent the stock back to HS to have lenghtened and with this it gets repainted. I had them do it in tan/green camo. The stock fits and looks great. Hendershots couldnt get me the Z5 in time so I went elsewhere and got it along with one piece light weight Talley mounts. With the load data provided by Hendershots and HS I sighted in without issue. I have had the second or third round become a flyer. The rifle will put two touching and then the flyer. Cant explain how its sometimes the 2nd shot and others its the third. Not a big deal at 100 yards but it opened the group up to 2 -3 inches at 300 yards. I played with the seating deapth and got three Barnes 168 TTSX to touch at 100. My buddies tell me I'm crazy for asking any more of the light weight gun but after hunt season I am going to look at loading techniques ie, concetricity tool, seating depth, etc... Need to get on the range out to 400 before the mule deer hunt in November. I can say this the Z5 with ballistic turrent works exactly as advertised. Once set at 100 the ballistic progam on their web gave me the correct adjustments . Its nice to have something work like it is supposed to.....
Thanks for asking and good shooting to ya
(now somebody please buy my 7 stw!)