What constitutes a "FULL" custom rifle build? ...

Simply for discussion... although at 4 pages now, it might become a little superfluous.

I think the definitions of your categories have changed over the years and the definitions we're using now are very different from the ones we used just 30 years ago.

Please read the description as it is very detailed regarding the work which was done to create this rifle. Here is a prime example of what we called a 'Full Custom' rifle 30 years ago:

Description

26" tapered round barrel with integral machined-hooded full-band front sight (with

three interchangeable blades), full-band swivel base and quarter rib (with 1

standing and four folding express sights numbered in gold 50, 100, 150, 200,

and 300) all integrally machined from one homogeneous bar of steel by

Reuben Wells. Highly figured Turkish walnut stock by Bob Emmons with

widow's-peaked ebony forend tip, borderless wrap-around ribbon and fleur-

de-lys checkering, double recoil crossbolts, steel pistol grip cap, beaded

cheekpiece, inletted rear swivel stud, and skeleton buttplate---checkered

within. Hand made, left-hand, double squarebridge, magnum Mauser action

by Fred Wells with blind rear action screw, model 70-type safety, hinged

straddle floorplate with release inside triggerguard, jeweled bolt and

follower, 5-panel checkered and gold-inlaid bolt knob. Elaborate scroll

engraving by Claus Willig with embellished gold line borders and scrollwork

on the receiver, scope rings, 12 inch long rear barrel section, quarter rib,

front sight, barrel sling swivel mount, buttstock swivel base, skeletonized

buttplate, bolt handle, floor plate and trigger guard. Gold inlaid bull elk on

floorplate. Gold inlaid bear head on pistol grip cap. The quarter rib inlaid in

gold script Wells & Wells in front of the rear sight and .375 H&H behind.

Leupold VX-3 1.75-6x32mm matte-finish scope with fine duplex reticle on

custom bases. 14 1/8"pull. Weight: 11lbs, 11oz. Huey custom oak &

elephant hide case with brass hardware and leather-trimmed green canvas

overcase, two screw drivers, a brush, three-piece brass cleaning rod, two

brass containers, oiler, an extra pair of scope rings and two keys. Large

custom folding knife with silver frame, 3 3/4" art-damascus blade and ivory

panels by Mike Leach---a few hairlines in the ivory. Nearly new, with 99%+

blue, with only slight handling marks. Featured in Guns Magazine, January

1990; Game Country, March/April 1989; and Rifle, March/April 1988. All 3

publications included, signed by Bob Emmons. Extensive documentation pertaining

to the construction of the rifle. The finest left-hand rifle I have seen. $21,350.

(There is nothing on this rifle except the scope which was not made in a private shop by one of the three makers.)

wells-401l-midover-2500px.jpg


There are several other photographs of this rifle here:

http://www.hallowellco.com/wells__wells left hand 375.html

Here is the extreme example of a 'Full Custom' rifle again made by Fred Wells:

View attachment 142216

This was named the CAP Action by Fred because the action covered the top of the stock and was blended into the stock lines as one surface. This is also a takedown rifle in .375 H&H.

This is the top of the CAP Action:

View attachment 142217

Everything on this rifle was hand made (machine assisted...) in Fred's shop. Action, bolt, safety, trigger, firing pin, springs and all screws. The barrel was made in his shop also, complete with all integral parts, not soldered on, integral. The screws are all hidden so that the lines of the rifle are smooth and continuous. Note the Griffin & Howe interchangeable scope base on the offhand side.
That "CAP" action is absolutely gorgeous. To bad Il never be able to afford something like that!
 
Well, I'm not sure why I don't just roll with this.... I got me an old.... I mean.. custom 788, in 22-250 completely cleaned, glass bedded and refinished stock for sale....:D
Lol u got the pimp the ad out more. Who trued the action, was a new extractor installed? Is it a Krieger barrel, round count of 20 is preferable lol. Refinished stock...kind of meh, everyone wants a5 grips these days lol
 
Please allow me to ask a practical application question. Say you're cruising the classifieds and find a Full Custom rifle for say, $XXXX , because the owner just wantsto get out what he spent. (This is a hypothetical. Of course we're all smart enough to research) you snatch it up and wait til it shows up. The ad says full custom, you pull out an AI'd 260 Savage with a fluted bolt and custom spray painted Boyd's stock. Are you still happy with your purchase?
If you are uninformed enough to buy a gun in that fashion, surely you would be dumb enough to be quite satisfied with your purchase :D
 
Find the right Smith and you won't pay 5000. I don't know why some places mark up their custom rifles so much. I only charge for the work I do. It's the same price no matter what I'm working on. Here is my typical build.
Action 1300
Barrel 350
Stock 500
Trigger 200
Bottom metal 200
Recoil lug 30
Screws 15
2595 in parts at retail price
Labor
Instal barrel 200
Glass bed 200 with pillars
Finishing metal and final fitting of stock and trigger adjustments
100.
I've been doing this for 30 years and I don't see where the other 1500 goes. Except in there pocket. Find someone who only charges you for actual labor. Don't pay for the custom surcharge. I'm not advertising here just advising. Shep
I have kind of wondered the same thing. I chose to buy all my parts separately after at least 2 solid years of research and I bought them at excellent prices then sent them off to a good shop that a friend referred me to and I've got around 2500.00 with everything, rings and shipping and ceracoke included.
 
Lol u got the pimp the ad out more. Who trued the action, was a new extractor installed? Is it a Krieger barrel, round count of 20 is preferable lol. Refinished stock...kind of meh, everyone wants a5 grips these days lol

Well it truly is an action.... sometimes I have to extract the shells with my fingers, the guy I bought it from used the barrel to stir some Kroeger brand microwave dinners and i redid the stock myself only saying A,5 swear words.... so..... yeah almost everything a guy could want.
 
I disagree Ive built few over the years and and the only nut I have ever used is the one on my shoulders
That's the one that makes a rifle complete from building to loading and shooting

I was just joking about the barrel nut. I'm only 31 and have never built a rifle, minus puzzle piecing ARs together lol.
 
Simply for discussion... although at 4 pages now, it might become a little superfluous.

I think the definitions of your categories have changed over the years and the definitions we're using now are very different from the ones we used just 30 years ago.

Please read the description as it is very detailed regarding the work which was done to create this rifle. Here is a prime example of what we called a 'Full Custom' rifle 30 years ago:

Description

26" tapered round barrel with integral machined-hooded full-band front sight (with

three interchangeable blades), full-band swivel base and quarter rib (with 1

standing and four folding express sights numbered in gold 50, 100, 150, 200,

and 300) all integrally machined from one homogeneous bar of steel by

Reuben Wells. Highly figured Turkish walnut stock by Bob Emmons with

widow's-peaked ebony forend tip, borderless wrap-around ribbon and fleur-

de-lys checkering, double recoil crossbolts, steel pistol grip cap, beaded

cheekpiece, inletted rear swivel stud, and skeleton buttplate---checkered

within. Hand made, left-hand, double squarebridge, magnum Mauser action

by Fred Wells with blind rear action screw, model 70-type safety, hinged

straddle floorplate with release inside triggerguard, jeweled bolt and

follower, 5-panel checkered and gold-inlaid bolt knob. Elaborate scroll

engraving by Claus Willig with embellished gold line borders and scrollwork

on the receiver, scope rings, 12 inch long rear barrel section, quarter rib,

front sight, barrel sling swivel mount, buttstock swivel base, skeletonized

buttplate, bolt handle, floor plate and trigger guard. Gold inlaid bull elk on

floorplate. Gold inlaid bear head on pistol grip cap. The quarter rib inlaid in

gold script Wells & Wells in front of the rear sight and .375 H&H behind.

Leupold VX-3 1.75-6x32mm matte-finish scope with fine duplex reticle on

custom bases. 14 1/8"pull. Weight: 11lbs, 11oz. Huey custom oak &

elephant hide case with brass hardware and leather-trimmed green canvas

overcase, two screw drivers, a brush, three-piece brass cleaning rod, two

brass containers, oiler, an extra pair of scope rings and two keys. Large

custom folding knife with silver frame, 3 3/4" art-damascus blade and ivory

panels by Mike Leach---a few hairlines in the ivory. Nearly new, with 99%+

blue, with only slight handling marks. Featured in Guns Magazine, January

1990; Game Country, March/April 1989; and Rifle, March/April 1988. All 3

publications included, signed by Bob Emmons. Extensive documentation pertaining

to the construction of the rifle. The finest left-hand rifle I have seen. $21,350.

(There is nothing on this rifle except the scope which was not made in a private shop by one of the three makers.)

wells-401l-midover-2500px.jpg


There are several other photographs of this rifle here:

http://www.hallowellco.com/wells__wells left hand 375.html

Here is the extreme example of a 'Full Custom' rifle again made by Fred Wells:

View attachment 142216

This was named the CAP Action by Fred because the action covered the top of the stock and was blended into the stock lines as one surface. This is also a takedown rifle in .375 H&H.

This is the top of the CAP Action:

View attachment 142217

Everything on this rifle was hand made (machine assisted...) in Fred's shop. Action, bolt, safety, trigger, firing pin, springs and all screws. The barrel was made in his shop also, complete with all integral parts, not soldered on, integral. The screws are all hidden so that the lines of the rifle are smooth and continuous. Note the Griffin & Howe interchangeable scope base on the offhand side.

That's not just custom it's a work of art WOW !!!!
I want one
Does anyone know the cost of this beauty????
 
It says in the post $21,350

Strewth wonder how much over here with our customs and the other taxes we get hit with that would end up around $30.000.00

My new toy in my avatar cost me over $12.000.00 here it's all American I imported it piece by piece, over the pond in the states probably around $7.000.00
Our taxes suck
I should reread before I post lol
 
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