Go Semi Custom or Go It Alone?

[TORCHRIDER]

OK, I want to build a long range hunting/target rifle on a Stevens 200 action I have.

Would I be happy with the accuracy if I build the rifle myself using off the shelf parts (e.g. trigger, barrel, stock, etc.) or should I go the route of a semi-custom gun (e.g. blueprint, open action, trigger, barrel, brake, stock, etc) ?

I figure I could build one for under $1000 myself or go with a semi-custom for $1500 - $2000.

Undoubtedly the custom gun would shoot better, but would I be disappointed in one I built myself, assuming I have the mechanical apptitude to do it?

 

[Tyler Kemp]

I wouldn't say it is undoubtable the full custom would be better...screw on a nice pre-fit barrel, a good stock and bedding if the stock can utilize that, a good trigger, and you could have a heck of a shooter.

 

[winmagman]

I have 3 semi- custom Savages I put together myself and one that I had profesionally built on a Savage Target action. They all shoot equally well in my hands, .3s to .6s @ 100 if I'm on my game. I have shot some low.2s with all of them, but not regularly. If the profesionally built one outshoots the others it will take a better shot than me to prove it.

Chris

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

You can do it and bed it yourself and have a very nice shooting rifle.

 

[chase]

i had a sendero 7mm ultra mag that i couldn't seem to get to shoot,after giving up I order a 7mm blank from brunos i had the reciever trued and chambered in 7mm rem mag. I should have done this 35yrs ago.I couldn't be happier now it shoots anything great,at least everything that I have tried so far.my personel best shot was today there was no wind dead calm I decided to shoot my steel trg 828yds there was a crow at 810 i dialed 1click of left for spin drift and 11.50moa up held dead on from cold bore dead crow wish i would have done this a long time ago. you won't be disapointed if done right. please don''''''''''t wait untill your as old as me to do it.have fun wichever way you decide to go,

 

[TORCHRIDER]

Thanks Chase, but I may already be as old as you.

i had a sendero 7mm ultra mag that i couldn't seem to get to shoot,after giving up I order a 7mm blank from brunos i had the reciever trued and chambered in 7mm rem mag. I should have done this 35yrs ago.I couldn't be happier now it shoots anything great,at least everything that I have tried so far.my personel best shot was today there was no wind dead calm I decided to shoot my steel trg 828yds there was a crow at 810 i dialed 1click of left for spin drift and 11.50moa up held dead on from cold bore dead crow wish i would have done this a long time ago. you won't be disapointed if done right. please don''''''''''t wait untill your as old as me to do it.have fun wichever way you decide to go,

 

[bigngreen]

If you have some mechanical ability I think building a shooter is not that hard of a thing to do with the Savage, you need a couple simple tools and just assemble the components as instructed. Really the only thing that would maybe need to see a gun smith is putting a brake on if it had to be timed but that is about it. If you like to tinker doing it yourself is the way to go and I would not sell it short in comparison to a custom rig.

 

[liltank]

I say build it, shoot it, then smile big smiles at your accomplishment!

Tank