Custom rifle cost going to the moon , when does it end ?

Almondgrower

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2018
Messages
133
Location
CA
I just saw a new release of a highbred big game rifle from probably THE big boys in the industry . The cost including a 2500.00$ optic is 12500.00$ . I have done my fair share of buying things that I knew were a bit out of the ( practical or common sense range ) because I just wanted it but not to the tune of 12500.00 lol !! To be clear I'm sure it comes with 100 rounds of custom ( tuned ) Ammo for it and we all know the work that goes into that although the load development is the steepest on the first ( set up ) then after that it's probably a little more cookie cutter . I'll be the first to admit these are some of the baddest rifles to ever hit the planet and the detail and designs are AMAZING for sure! I feel a custom build with a premium barrel , stock , trigger , action and optic around 5-6 k is ( fair ) but I also have some factory rifles with a proper tuned load that shot at .250 or better . One in particular I have is a .093 5 shot group at 100 yard and it holds that moa pretty close to 800 so far , I knew they shot well but I'm still on cloud 9 with that one and I promise, that's not the norm for me on factory guns !!
I know these factory rifles most likely will walk significantly more threw a 20 shot string then these premium guns will of course but for most hunting rifles that's not necessarily going to be needed . I have set up several rifles for friends that just want a hunting gun with factory Ammo . I set one rem 700 up with a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14 and found THE factory Ammo that it liked ! On most of these projects I'm able to find Ammo that will shoot .500 or better all for 1800.00$ and it just about holds that all the way to 800. I'm not poking at custom builders ,it is a true art , I'm just asking what your feelings are towards these 10-12000.00$ guns and where the future is headed ( and I'm not talking about 50 bmg or 375 cheytac type guns) With all the modern machining practices, factory rifles have came a long way for sure ! I think we are going to see a swing in the market for gun builders to produce a gun that is a (budget) version . I think these are selling now because of the craze we are in now kinda like in 2008 when desil pickups were grocery getters during that craze that blew up , then desil hit 5.00$ gallon in Comifornia and they were dumped quick ! Is it just me or are these prices crazy ..... but soooo bad a** of a rifle !!
 
You're paying for the name as well as buying into marketing.

My last build was:

LPA Titanium Action (nitrided)
Proof Research Carbon Barrel (cerakoted bare metal)
Manners EH-1 with DBM Mini-Chassis
TriggerTech Special trigger
Gunsmithing by TS Customs
Seekins Rings
AMG 6-24
Atlas Gen 2 CAL

I'm into everything for 1/2 the cost (or less) of a "big boy" setup....but I did have to sight it in all by myself, haha.
 
I think I can buy about any reasonable barrel for $1,500 or less installed. An action shouldn't cost more than $2,000 for normal sized stuff. A trigger might be $700 for really high end. A custom stock with a fancy paint job might be $2,000, maybe more. Then there is that $2,500 scope. Add it up and it's getting close to $9,000.

With a couple pre-order deals, I would be around $6,000 with the same scope for my latest but I'll probably go for a less expensive scope and be around $5,000 but everything is at least **** good.

I'm sure some people will try to justify big prices and value really is what the market will bear but the market consisting of me is way too cheap to buy anything that isn't at least a very good balance of quality, features and price and I do a lot of shopping to make sure.
 
I just saw a new release of a highbred big game rifle from probably THE big boys in the industry . The cost including a 2500.00$ optic is 12500.00$ . I have done my fair share of buying things that I knew were a bit out of the ( practical or common sense range ) because I just wanted it but not to the tune of 12500.00 lol !! To be clear I'm sure it comes with 100 rounds of custom ( tuned ) Ammo for it and we all know the work that goes into that although the load development is the steepest on the first ( set up ) then after that it's probably a little more cookie cutter . I'll be the first to admit these are some of the baddest rifles to ever hit the planet and the detail and designs are AMAZING for sure! I feel a custom build with a premium barrel , stock , trigger , action and optic around 5-6 k is ( fair ) but I also have some factory rifles with a proper tuned load that shot at .250 or better . One in particular I have is a .093 5 shot group at 100 yard and it holds that moa pretty close to 800 so far , I knew they shot well but I'm still on cloud 9 with that one and I promise, that's not the norm for me on factory guns !!
I know these factory rifles most likely will walk significantly more threw a 20 shot string then these premium guns will of course but for most hunting rifles that's not necessarily going to be needed . I have set up several rifles for friends that just want a hunting gun with factory Ammo . I set one rem 700 up with a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14 and found THE factory Ammo that it liked ! On most of these projects I'm able to find Ammo that will shoot .500 or better all for 1800.00$ and it just about holds that all the way to 800. I'm not poking at custom builders ,it is a true art , I'm just asking what your feelings are towards these 10-12000.00$ guns and where the future is headed ( and I'm not talking about 50 bmg or 375 cheytac type guns) With all the modern machining practices, factory rifles have came a long way for sure ! I think we are going to see a swing in the market for gun builders to produce a gun that is a (budget) version . I think these are selling now because of the craze we are in now kinda like in 2008 when desil pickups were grocery getters during that craze that blew up , then desil hit 5.00$ gallon in Comifornia and they were dumped quick ! Is it just me or are these prices crazy ..... but soooo bad a** of a rifle !!

your ordering from the wrong custom rifle builder. My prices have increase less then 15% in the past 15 years...... again, shop around. There are a load of good builders hereon LRH that look out for their customers more then just look to make a one time sale......
 
If it's what I'm thinking of it's a dangerous game rifle(or attempt). There is something to be said for fine African style rifles, and one day I will own one. I will probably pay that or more for it but it will be a true safari rifle made by a company of history. That one does not appeal to me in the slightest.

12k is not anything special for that genre of rifle, but it's more than I would pay for that rifle.
 
If it's what I'm thinking of it's a dangerous game rifle(or attempt). There is something to be said for fine African style rifles, and one day I will own one. I will probably pay that or more for it but it will be a true safari rifle made by a company of history. That one does not appeal to me in the slightest.

12k is not anything special for that genre of rifle, but it's more than I would pay for that rifle.


Sure but what's wrong with a .416 weatherby to shoot dangerous game inside 150 yds for 1800$ . I get it , some of those double barrel rifles are works of art too and the guys that can go on African hunts 6 times a year won't think twice about cost of one ! You are rite too that there are a bunch of Smith's that will build a fantastic rifle for their customers for sure for a reasonable price and I'm thankful they are in our industry !
 
I just saw a new release of a highbred big game rifle from probably THE big boys in the industry . The cost including a 2500.00$ optic is 12500.00$ . I have done my fair share of buying things that I knew were a bit out of the ( practical or common sense range ) because I just wanted it but not to the tune of 12500.00 lol !! To be clear I'm sure it comes with 100 rounds of custom ( tuned ) Ammo for it and we all know the work that goes into that although the load development is the steepest on the first ( set up ) then after that it's probably a little more cookie cutter . I'll be the first to admit these are some of the baddest rifles to ever hit the planet and the detail and designs are AMAZING for sure! I feel a custom build with a premium barrel , stock , trigger , action and optic around 5-6 k is ( fair ) but I also have some factory rifles with a proper tuned load that shot at .250 or better . One in particular I have is a .093 5 shot group at 100 yard and it holds that moa pretty close to 800 so far , I knew they shot well but I'm still on cloud 9 with that one and I promise, that's not the norm for me on factory guns !!
I know these factory rifles most likely will walk significantly more threw a 20 shot string then these premium guns will of course but for most hunting rifles that's not necessarily going to be needed . I have set up several rifles for friends that just want a hunting gun with factory Ammo . I set one rem 700 up with a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14 and found THE factory Ammo that it liked ! On most of these projects I'm able to find Ammo that will shoot .500 or better all for 1800.00$ and it just about holds that all the way to 800. I'm not poking at custom builders ,it is a true art , I'm just asking what your feelings are towards these 10-12000.00$ guns and where the future is headed ( and I'm not talking about 50 bmg or 375 cheytac type guns) With all the modern machining practices, factory rifles have came a long way for sure ! I think we are going to see a swing in the market for gun builders to produce a gun that is a (budget) version . I think these are selling now because of the craze we are in now kinda like in 2008 when desil pickups were grocery getters during that craze that blew up , then desil hit 5.00$ gallon in Comifornia and they were dumped quick ! Is it just me or are these prices crazy ..... but soooo bad a** of a rifle !!
you are paying for tv ads and to sponsor the tv shows for them and so on You can get an equal rifle built for 2/3 to 3/4 of the money depending how much bling you want that's with the optics also
 
A Bartlein barrel for 350.00-475.00 depending on if you want it fluted. Proof carbon add another 250.00
A nice custom action like a Defiance is 1500.00 with Bottom Metal.
For 200.00 you can buy a really nice trigger. A McMillan stock 750.00 AP Muzzle Brake 200.00
Gunsmith charges to chamber install barrel and thread for Muzzle brake , crown and bed action in stock.
600.00 or so. Cerakote action and barrel/brake 250.00
I'm not going to include a scope but the rest of the components above are as good as it gets.
3950.00 dollars not counting the scope if you did everything above.

I can't see spending upwards of 10K when you can build a rifle that's every bit the equal for much less money.
You're close on your price.



I think I can buy about any reasonable barrel for $1,500 or less installed. An action shouldn't cost more than $2,000 for normal sized stuff. A trigger might be $700 for really high end. A custom stock with a fancy paint job might be $2,000, maybe more. Then there is that $2,500 scope. Add it up and it's getting close to $9,000.

With a couple pre-order deals, I would be around $6,000 with the same scope for my latest but I'll probably go for a less expensive scope and be around $5,000 but everything is at least **** good.

I'm sure some people will try to justify big prices and value really is what the market will bear but the market consisting of me is way too cheap to buy anything that isn't at least a very good balance of quality, features and price and I do a lot of shopping to make sure.
 
My opinion is that as long as these ultra premium rifles stay in a class of their own, and they don't drive the market up on the 'average' and 'economy' stuff, I am fine with people getting whatever they want. I have noticed that most of the time, when I run across one of these guys/gals at the range with a rifle and the 'Rest of the Shooting System' in a 40 lb case with wheels, I take notice. Not of just how pretty their rifle is, but of how their bipod is on backwards, or their zero stop isn't set, or other signs of them not having a clue how to properly operate their high-dollar rig. Again it's their money, but it makes you wonder why they don't include a multi-day course with the purchase of a rig like that. Besides when my wife sees me watching those TV shows (I do enjoy them) and they advertise the high dollar rig, I just tell her that I am suffering through on my low dollar ($2-3000) rigs!!
 
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