Build a fully-custom deer hunting rifle for under $3,000?

[RAG]

Seeking recommendations for a custom-rifle build for under $3,000. Doesn't have to be the best-of-the-best, just high-quality components...6.5x284 cambering in Remington 700 drop-in style action.

My Cousin wants a custom hunting rifle and put me on the task...but looking at all these custom-built hunting rifle packages is killing me...everything looks to me $500-$1,000 more than I was expecting. I really don't get it.

I was just doing some quick math in my head...$1,100 for a stainless repeater action such as a Borden or Stiller, $400 for solid color pre-inletted stock, $310 for Pac Nor barrel, $125 for Timney trigger, $125-$250 for mag box/trigger guard assembly, $50 Tally one-piece (or other) rings. Not sure about need for separate recoil lug, or maybe some actions are available with everything needed for a repeater. Nevertheless, that's "just" $2,110-$2,235. Not sure how much to put in for rifle assembly (chambering and fitting/bedding the action-to-stock), but I would certainly think there are plenty quality smiths that'd do it for around $500. Right? or Wrong? By that math, there should be room for a fluted barrel and even a muzzle break...but all the pre-built guns I'm seeing online with components like this are apparently commanding $4,000

 

[newgun]

Top of the line chamber job should be well under $500.00 A really good bedding job $100.00 to $150.00 If I could tell about were you live I might be able to give you other helpful info. And others could too.

 

[watercam]

Have the action barreled by a good gunsmith and complete the rest yourself:

Buy the stock of choice, install recoil pad of choice (perfectly), paint w/ color of choice
Accurately drill for pillars and install
Glass bed the barreled action (or barreled action and pillars if you want to do it all at once)
Install and time your trigger and make sure you have sufficient sear engagement for the lighter trigger pull weight you are looking for
Install scope bases
Install, align and lap scope rings
Install scope and align
Finish metal in color(s) of choice (perfectly)
Test for proper feeding and function (perfectly)
Optional - develop load with bullet(s) of choice and break in barrel

Easy, isn't it! You can do it yourself if you want to. What you get from your complete custom rifle is letting someone else sweat the details without cutting corners. Someone who does it for a living (and needs to earn enough to keep the doors open).
I am not a gunsmith. I do my own work but I know my efforts are inferior to those professionals who have made reputations doing it right every time.
Best of luck!

 

[Sully2]

a Rem 700 action thats been gone over is right at $825...and that includes the trigger....a SST barrel is $325...chambering, etc is another $150-175. You need bottom metal that will set you back less than $125 from E-bay...and a laminated stock from Stocky's will make ya dig deep for another $175.

Scope and mounts can set you back any amount depending on that your tastes are...

 

[RAG]

I've done all of that myself except for glue & screw the action. I have lapping kit and recoil pad and triggers are easy...and load development is what I do best .

BTW, I'm now down in Southern California...the abyss of quality gunsmiths from what I can tell in my relatively short time here. But I don't mind having parts shipped to a gunsmith.

Are there not a lot of quality gunsmiths that can make a living bedding an action and chambering the barrel for $500? I don't care about "tuning the trigger" or painting the stock. I just don't get where the $1,000-$1,500 mark-up is coming from on most of these custom rifle packages I see online.

 

[potatoe]

I've done all of that myself except for glue & screw the action. I have lapping kit and recoil pad and triggers are easy...and load development is what I do best .

BTW, I'm now down in Southern California...the abyss of quality gunsmiths from what I can tell in my relatively short time here. But I don't mind having parts shipped to a gunsmith.

Are there not a lot of quality gunsmiths that can make a living bedding an action and chambering the barrel for $500? I don't care about "tuning the trigger" or painting the stock. I just don't get where the $1,000-$1,500 mark-up is coming from on most of these custom rifle packages I see online.

The only thing I've come to think is wait time

 

[RAG]

BTW, I don't intend to do it myself, especially since the rifle isn't mine.

I'm mostly looking for advice in regards to the parts and gunsmith other's would recommend based on a $3,000 budget...with a true custom action with Stainless barrel, and ideally a muzzle break and fluted barrel.

P.S., I think some custom repeater actions (Borden maybe) will come in non-reflective colors, but I might need to account for bead blasting the Stainless barrel.

 

[cotntop]

A fluted barrel, Stiller action, Jewell trigger with 20 MOA base ready to go is around 1950 dollars. Buy a good HS stock off this site or SNIPERSHIDE for 200 to 250 and bolt it together and you will have a fine hunting rifle for around 2200 bucks. Forgot bottom metal, add 60 dollars.

 

[K22]

How far do you intend to shoot?

You could obtain a really excellent deer rifle from the factory offerings at far less cost. A Remington 700 or Winchester Model 70 in a 270 would be hard to beat. The Remington may need a little work, bedding the stock and adjusting the trigger pull but it should be not any problem at all shooting well under 1 moa with a 270 especially with handloads.

The Winchester Model 70's shoot very well also.

 

[newgun]

If he is open to a smi- custom and a rem action isn't a must, take a look at cooper rifles. He could get a very nice rig for well under $3000.00. And boy do they shoot nice! For what they are.

 

[Jim See]

there is 3 things a customer is looking for in a custom rifle, Fast delivery, quality, and a good price. seems you only ever get 2 of the 3.

So if you want quality and fast delivery, plan on paying a premium, hence the packaged rifles that are ready to go.

You want quality and a fair price? find a most reputable gunsmith that is 8-12 months out and wait.

 

[jonbearman]

You could also trick out a savage action with all the bolt on parts and do it for less than 1200.00 and do the work yourself. PM me for details. I can direct you to the right people to deal with.I have built 5 rifles and they are all shooters and way exceed a out of the box gun.

 

[RAG]

Jim, I think u nailed it. I suppose if a smith is going to extend himself on parts and guns in advance...a premium can and should be charged for fast delivery.

 

[RAG]

Practically speaking, I understand what u are saying. I have a $300 Savage .243 (with $800 scope) that shoots well under 1/2" which has not let me down on CA game yet. But there's something abou smooth and accurate custom rifles. He already has a safe full of factory rifles and is now ready to focus on quality rather than quantity.

How far do you intend to shoot?

You could obtain a really excellent deer rifle from the factory offerings at far less cost. A Remington 700 or Winchester Model 70 in a 270 would be hard to beat. The Remington may need a little work, bedding the stock and adjusting the trigger pull but it should be not any problem at all shooting well under 1 moa with a 270 especially with handloads.

The Winchester Model 70's shoot very well also.

 

[ReedG]

Custom is as custom costs ... a good look at Jim Borden's web site (http://www.bordenrifles.com/) will show the costs and levels he offers. A check around some other sites indicates that Jim's prices are quite reasonable. I have one of his benchrest rifles and they don't come any better. Few of us have the skills or equipment to do the job at the level of a custom gunsmith. That comes at a price. Just buying a custom action with necessary hardware at $1,500-$2,000, a barrel at $350, a custom stock blank, then the cost of chambering, fitting the barrel, inletting/bedding/finishing the stock will quickly take you over the $3,000 level.

The Cooper is a viable alternative. Extremely well-made, well-fitted, smooth action and beautiful stock.

If one has "an itch" for a custom rifle, there is little else that will fill the bill. But it comes at a price and that's part of what makes them special and above-average. What sells a lot of Mustang GT's is that they can quench the desire for a full-custom that is outside the bounds of the checkbook. I think the Cooper is the equal of a "trued" Remington action with a custom barrel and good-looking stock ... a nice package. The Cooper is second only to a full-custom and has an excellent trigger system. The next step is the skills and reputation of guys like Jim Borden.

 

[Rustystud]

Most of the Custom Hunting rifles I build cost between $3,200.00 and $3,600.00 depending on vendor cost, and labor involved. Now there are exception to this.
Nat Lambeth

 

[normmatzen]

I think JOHNBEARMAN nailed it!

I would buy a Savage repeater Precision Target Action, a good pre-fit barrel in your choice of caliber, a Boyd stock of your choice and still have more than enough for a premium scope. This would be around $1000 plus scope! And, with a Savage, you can assemble it yourself including bedding (Not rocket science!).

 

[newgun]

Rag-- I hear you now If he has a safe full of out of the box rifle and a true custom is what he wants then tell him to sell one or two get the extra $1000 to do it right and go for it. You only live once!!!

 

[jonbearman]

You build a savage and have money left over for a nice hunt somewhere. I built a 22-250ai that shoots lights out and it cost me around850.00,and the only thing that is savage is the reciever and bolt. Others I have built cost around 1000.oo plus glass. I realize it isnt a bat,but the animal doesnt know any different.

 

[RAG]

This may be what I do for myself, actually. I already have a couple fully cutom rigs (BAT and Nesika) but I no longer have the disposable income I once did and I need to build a heavy-hitter. Thanks.

I think JOHNBEARMAN nailed it!

I would buy a Savage repeater Precision Target Action, a good pre-fit barrel in your choice of caliber, a Boyd stock of your choice and still have more than enough for a premium scope. This would be around $1000 plus scope! And, with a Savage, you can assemble it yourself including bedding (Not rocket science!).