Trying to Decide on a new LR hunting gun

I've looked at Karl Kampfeld website and it appears his Rem 700 hunting rifle builds to spec will be in the order of $3200. Looking at the Borden Custom website it appears his proprietary Borden action rifle builds will be in the order of $5000. Anyone with experience with either that will help a decision on spending $1800 more is worth the $'s for a hunting rifle? Thanks.

Do you know exactly what you want for main components (action/barrel/trigger/stock)? Or are you looking to just spec the caliber and have all the rest recommended?

I'm not familiar with the range of builders out there. As to whether it's worth it, I think it really is a personal decision. What some people may value in person x may not be that valuable to you. Without more details I don't think anyone can say if its worth $1800 more.

Another thing to consider is that these days you can get a great 'custom' action for under $1k that will likely be a lot better platform than even a trued Rem 700 action and cost about the same. Something to consider...

For a hunting rifle I would most likely go with the K.K. and put the savings on good glass. I bet you will be happy.

Curious on what yardage/distance you are looking to be shooting at. If under 1k yards, a rig could be put together for we'll under half of $5k.

I'm using it to hunt antelope and mule deer, but an occasion elk when I draw a tag. Plan on shooting in the 700 yard or less most of the time. Have Zeiss Hd5 3-15x50 with Kenton Ballistic Turrets.

As to main components, want a gun with scope at 8 pounds max, 24" barrel, 6.5mm type rifle and composite stock.

Montana73 said:

I'm using it to hunt antelope and mule deer, but an occasion elk when I draw a tag. Plan on shooting in the 700 yard or less most of the time. Have Zeiss Hd5 3-15x50 with Kenton Ballistic Turrets.

As to main components, want a gun with scope at 8 pounds max, 24" barrel, 6.5mm type rifle and composite stock.

Click to expand...

Call Seekins and have them build you a 6.5 SST.

I put together a Tikka T3X Superlite this year (6.5cm with a 8-32x56 Sightron) for about $1800. Like mentioned previously, save some money on the gun and put into the glass. 8-900 yards sub moa has been easily attained in this combo. If you want a custom, Seekins is definitely a great builder...

Also check out Alamo Precision Rifles. I have a semi custom from them and really like it. I had them add a custom trigger and the cost came in at half of the 5K you mentioned but that was a couple of years ago.

I personally wouldnt build a custom gun off a Rem700 again. They aren't significantly cheaper. I dont think they operate as well as any of the customs I've touched (though I've only played with a few) The resale isnt as good as a custom action.

There are alot of builders out there. Pick a budget and try and find a build for that budget.

8lbs is easy enough to accomplish if you make a plan and stick to it. But its really easy to blow the weight quickly, especially with a scope that can dial reliably.

You also need to decide what you want out of the gun, probably one of the best inexpensive options right now is building something off the Tika T3.

Listen it's a buyers market out there in good used rifles! Decide what you are looking for and throw out some low end offers. All they can do is say no they can't bite you!
You might be surprised!

I have owned a couple of rifles built by Jim Borden and they are second to none. Jim does excellent work and is a great guy too.

It is definitely worth the extra money on a custom action over a trued 700. Little things like tolerances on the location of the scope threads, the firing pin mechanism, etc. 700 just can't touch a custom no matter how much you try.

I have a Karl Kampfeld custom Rem 700 in 300 RUM that is INCREDIBLE !!! Honest 3/4" ( not moa) and under groups at 500 yards....This was built years ago, but I would go to him again in a heartbeat....this gun exceeded all my hopes of how accurate a custom gun would be...and it's in the original laminate thumbhole stock that I bedded....Jewell trigger, 210 Bergers @ 3050....Zeiss Conquest with Kenton industries custom dial......have dialed between 100-600 yards , every shot hits within 2" of where I aim....would sell all my other guns to buy a Kampfeld if I was younger...rsbhunter. (Will post a pic of group later...sorry for the pic quality, it's my screen saver, obviously..)

If you are somewhat mechanically inclined it is possible to source all the parts and build one yourself using a prefit barrel. I just finished building a rifle on a Mausingfield action with a carbon fiber barrel, TriggerTech Special and AG Composites stock. I did some searching for sales and my cost came in at roughly $3500. If you went with a bighorn origin, no Barloc and steel prefit barrel you could probably get it under $2500. If your not concerned about weight you could knock another $500 off and go with a stocky's or Boyd's laminate stock.

Montana73 said:

I've looked at Karl Kampfeld website and it appears his Rem 700 hunting rifle builds to spec will be in the order of $3200. Looking at the Borden Custom website it appears his proprietary Borden action rifle builds will be in the order of $5000. Anyone with experience with either that will help a decision on spending $1800 more is worth the $'s for a hunting rifle? Thanks.

Click to expand...

I have shot most every big name custom and semi-custom rifle out there. some out there might not be worth the high ticket price. To be honest I have not shot either of the rifles you have stated you are looking at. I think Cooper's are very worth the money, McWhorter is definitely worth the price, Montana Rifle Company is, Dakota is, My friend Tom (now retired) was well worth the money, McMillan is, Hill Country is well worth the money, Blue Mountain is for the most part, GunWerks very well worth it.
Sako is always worth the price, Tikka is always worth the price. Mauser Sporting Werks are always worth the price. Nosler I hear is well worth the price but this is one gun I have yet to shoot.
I will admit that until last week I had never felt a Trigger Tech trigger. I was impressed.
as for your quandary with the two makers..

I just looked up both of those websites.. I am impressed with the Borden rifles. what Kampfeld website said it would do is very good, but I do not see any proof of accuracy when they do their work.
as a simple test of pride in your work.. if you show the rifle, and a target you shot with it. this is something to be proud of if you can put a 5 shot group of 30 caliber under a nickel.
as a suggestion.. I think that Borden can back up their price with results. Kampfeld should show what they can do repeatedly.