Gunsmith Recommendation

[choprzrul]

My brother lives in the Williamsport, PA area and is needing recommendations for a local gunsmith to rebarrel his M77, blueprint the action, thread the barrel for a brake, and bed it.

The rifle currently shoots patterns instead of groups :-(

If you know of someone that does good work in an hour radius of Williamsport that you can recommend, please post their info.

.

 

[jghoghunter]

Ulmer's Gunsmithing
Spring Mills Pa 814-364-9230
60 minutes away

 

[itchyTF]

Not sure if Willow Hill is within an hour, but if it is - Bruce Baer.
717-349-4077

Just checked, 2-1/2 hours.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Isn't Dave Bruno in that area? If so, he'd be a good one.

FWIW, (i know, I know), In pretty much every aspect, he'd be better off to sell it and put that money toward a true custom. I've been in this business for a long time now. I've reached the point where I only say this once!

But, if the gun has no sentimental value, you're literally throwing good money after bad, to re-work any factory actioned rifle. You wind up with virtually the same cost in a gun that will be worth half as much as the same custom actioned build when done. Very little, to no difference in how it will shoot but the resale is about double. When a gunsmith tells you this, he's taking money out of his own pocket to say so. It's up to you to listen or not.
That's all. I'll get down from my soapbox now. Carry on.

 

[rwj]

Isn't Dave Bruno in that area? If so, he'd be a good one.

Dave is great! But he hasn’t replied to any inquires I’ve made in nearly a year... Anyone been in contact with him lately? Hope all is well!

 

[choprzrul]

Isn't Dave Bruno in that area? If so, he'd be a good one.

FWIW, (i know, I know), In pretty much every aspect, he'd be better off to sell it and put that money toward a true custom. I've been in this business for a long time now. I've reached the point where I only say this once!

But, if the gun has no sentimental value, you're literally throwing good money after bad, to re-work any factory actioned rifle. You wind up with virtually the same cost in a gun that will be worth half as much as the same custom actioned build when done. Very little, to no difference in how it will shoot but the resale is about double. When a gunsmith tells you this, he's taking money out of his own pocket to say so. It's up to you to listen or not.
That's all. I'll get down from my soapbox now. Carry on.

30 years of sentimental value....but I fully understand what you are saying

I have a M77 in 257 Roberts that was the same way. Too much time and money later.... but a Bartlein is giving me consistent 1/2" groups with 115gr Partitions. I simply reached the point, due to my own stubbornness, that I was not gonna let that rifle get the best of me

.

.

 

[Praeger]

If you're not locked in a local gunsmith, Chad Dixon at LRI (LongRifles Inc) does fantastic work and quick turnaround times.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I don't believe to have an accurate hunting rifle you need an action "trued". A premium barrel threaded and chambered concentric to the bore, with a crisp 2-3# trigger. Will shoot better than a factory rifle.