Custom Builds - How are You Building Them?

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

We see a lot of members building custom rifles. A question we have is how are you getting your "Custom Builds" BUILT?

Are you purchasing all the components for the build? The stock, barrel, action, trigger, REAMER and then having a Gun Smith Chamber/Machine the barrel and you put together?

Are you having the GunSmith purchase all the components and build to your specifications?
OR a combination of you purchasing some components and the GunSmith have the Reamer and doing the chambering and machining?

Also how long is an acceptable time frame from when you discuss the build with the GunSmith to getting the finished rifle to you and ready to shoot?
This is a loaded question because depending if the GunSmith or you having the components on hand or having to order. Some Reamers can take 4 months and Barrels/Actions can take 6 months and up to a year to get from the manufacture.

If all the components are in stock/on hand, what is your time expectation of the GunSmith chambering/machining your Dream Build?

Some larger GunSmith Shops have Tens of Thousands $$$$ inventory on hand.

Thanks for all your input

EDIT 12:14 05/06/23
Do you ask for or get a comprehensive Written Contract on the work to be preformed, with components used. tolerances on components, finish time and also a warranty what it covers and for how long and most important COST of the finished project and COST over runs due to customer changes or changes in components for Cost Over Runs..
I see less and less contracts between even home owners and work being done on their homes. Contractors/builders do not want to have to be accountable if something that they did goes wrong.
We Coyote Shadow Tracker, LLC has a comprehensive Contract that we enter with each customer when we do any machining or work on their property. It covered both the "Customer" and the Legal Parties of the Business.
Don't get stuck with the rifle only shoots 4-5" MOA.

 

[Mike D Texas]

All of my customs I have bought all of the components including reamers and had the smith do all machine work, bedding and final assembly.

 

[Justice1327]

Same as above. Got tired of waiting for a year. I can usually get a three month turnaround after I source all the parts but lately I'm just doing a prefits.

 

[DoneNOut]

I'm going KISS. Until I can get my lathe.

Rem 700 cloned actions, TriggerTech Special or Diamonds, AICS mag compatible chassis, pre-fit barrels, or sending blanks off with reamers to have made up. Really push the savage small shank & nut style to have freedom setting min headspace. Try to buy reamers in stock, they are usually the odd ball throated type, and if needed throat it out by hand. N stuff. LOL

 

[HARPERC]

I've piece them when younger, these days turn them over to smith,

Time frame depends on how unique the build becomes.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

If purchasing REAMERS for your build, what do you do with the Reamers after one use???

 

[Mike Matteson]

We see a lot of members building custom rifles. A question we have is how are you getting your "Custom Builds" BUILT?

Are you purchasing all the components for the build? The stock, barrel, action, trigger, REAMER and then having a Gun Smith Chamber/Machine the barrel and you put together?

Are you having the GunSmith purchase all the components and build to your specifications?
OR a combination of you purchasing some components and the GunSmith have the Reamer and doing the chambering and machining?

Also how long is an acceptable time frame from when you discuss the build with the GunSmith to getting the finished rifle to you and ready to shoot?
This is a loaded question because depending if the GunSmith or you having the components on hand or having to order. Some Reamers can take 4 months and Barrels/Actions can take 6 months and up to a year to get from the manufacture.

If all the components are in stock/on hand, what is your time expectation of the GunSmith chambering/machining your Dream Build?

Some larger GunSmith Shops have Tens of Thousands $$$$ inventory on hand.

Thanks for all your input

That's load question! I have one rifle for a barrel change now been 3 years. I have 6mm/280AI built in about a year. Different Smith. He doing another one in a 257/280AI for me. The 6mm/280AI I purchase a used 700 Rem Action. Ended up waiting for stock, and the ejector had problem with it. It was sent in to somewhere else to work over. The reamer I had them order out and I have it now. Ended up having a blank seating die and the smith should have it done when I get back to Montana. The smith was moving at the time. I was gone again.
Hopefully the action are in and the barrel is too. Still waiting on the reamer for the 257/280AI. it's been order sometime back. Should be getting close. I figure a year. I won't buy a used action again in 700 rem LA. again.

 

[matt_3479]

I purchase every minus the reamer. My smith just purchased the reamer and holds on to it for future customers.

My turn around time once parts are collected is generally a few weeks. As little as 1 as long as 4-5 depending on season.

 

[HARPERC]

If purchasing REAMERS for your build, what do you do with the Reamers after one use???

Only purchased what would likely be a one of. Just part of the expense. Loaned to friends, and left with smith in the past.

 

[bsnyder]

Same as most of the above. I purchase reamers I plan to use again. I shot enough that barrels don't last much longer than a year. They are left at my smith if he has another customer than wants to use it he credits me. I get components have him do the machine work. Now I do the bedding.

 

[bamban]

We see a lot of members building custom rifles. A question we have is how are you getting your "Custom Builds" BUILT?

Are you purchasing all the components for the build? The stock, barrel, action, trigger, REAMER and then having a Gun Smith Chamber/Machine the barrel and you put together?

Are you having the GunSmith purchase all the components and build to your specifications?
OR a combination of you purchasing some components and the GunSmith have the Reamer and doing the chambering and machining?

Also how long is an acceptable time frame from when you discuss the build with the GunSmith to getting the finished rifle to you and ready to shoot?
This is a loaded question because depending if the GunSmith or you having the components on hand or having to order. Some Reamers can take 4 months and Barrels/Actions can take 6 months and up to a year to get from the manufacture.

If all the components are in stock/on hand, what is your time expectation of the GunSmith chambering/machining your Dream Build?

Some larger GunSmith Shops have Tens of Thousands $$$$ inventory on hand.

Thanks for all your input

EDIT 12:14 05/06/23
Do you ask for or get a comprehensive Written Contract on the work to be preformed, with components used. tolerances on components, finish time and also a warranty what it covers and for how long and most important COST of the finished project and COST over runs due to customer changes or changes in components for Cost Over Runs..
I see less and less contracts between even home owners and work being done on their homes. Contractors/builders do not want to have to be accountable if something that they did goes wrong.
We Coyote Shadow Tracker, LLC has a comprehensive Contract that we enter with each customer when we do any machining or work on their property. It covered both the "Customer" and the Legal Parties of the Business.
Don't get stuck with the rifle only shoots 4-5" MOA.

You do not guarantee precision, do you?

 

[std7mag]

I purchase everything myself including Reamer & headspace gauges.
Then I take everything to the basement and build it.
For one off chambering I give 4D Reamer Rental a call.

 

[Mark37082]

Only limited experience for me, but mine was a team effort with the GS during the supply chain crises. The action was ordered from the GS. I sourced the barrel and stock. Triggers, bottom metal, reamer, etc., was sourced by GS. The GS was in a better position to secure the special order action and some of the other components during the crises. I wanted the GS to be invested in as much of the build as possible and a valuable consultant due to my limited experience. This was a near 9 month process due to delays in some components. My next one may be the more of a specialized build with custom reamer, but I will definitely rely on the GS's expertise in the process.

 

[Rum Man]

So far in all my Rifles I get the parts and the drop them off . I dont do any Special reamers ...the Critters dont care one bit ..so far !
I guess it might be cool to brag about the one Special caliber that you had to wait 6 months to the tooling, but that's up to you.
It dont tickle my fancy to do that !

But hey who can argue with the Rum's ! I guess I like them way to much !

It's funny this post came up ..I'm almost ready to start on my last Rum project and been thinking about the chamber . I'm not a fancy guy but my Rifles better shoot .

In the end its personal preference to the hun owner , no right or wrong here . I like to just get the barreled action and brake work dont buy the Smith and then I finnish it up .

I'm not going to lie to you guys ...my mouth has been watering a few times when I was offered a brand new custom built Rum ...Holy Smokes it was very tempting. I would surely be Proud to have one of his Rifles !! On a scale of 1 to 10 it was a 12 in my book !
No names will me discussed but if he reads this he will know !!

Great Post Len !!

Rum Man