Recommendation For Custom Hunting Rifle Builder

[Hoier]

For a huntin rifle if suggest Kevin Weaver at Weaver Rifles. He builds my bench guns but is well known for his hunting rifles.

 

[drover]

"A Cooper or Cooper like semi-custom will get you close but don't hold your breath for 1/4 inch groups. Certainly below 1/2 inch for the most part. That would cost you $2K.

If you hunt coyotes that don't really care if what they are killed with shoots 1/4 or 1/2 inch groups, a good Remington like the VSSF II or a Tikka would probably get you accuracy good enough to do the job"

What he said. Personally I am a Cooper fan and would opt for one of them over the direction you are taking.

One thing to remember on a custom rifle is that they are a lot like a new from the showroom vehicle - the minute you buy it there is a lot of value lost that will not be recovered. A Cooper or the others mentioned will retain a greater percentage of their value and if properly maintained will actually increase in value over time something the custom is unlikely to do.

Also to have a custom built you will be looking at a one to two year wait, perhaps even more. Go to Gunsamerica.com and find a Cooper you like and you can be shooting within a couple of weeks.

drover

 

[MikeMcC]

Thanks Drover, you make a lot of sense. I've read a lot of very complimentary things about the superb build quality and outstanding accuracy of Cooper rifles. Can save $1,000 more or less buying a Cooper, get my hands on a rifle almost immediately and still get better than 1/2 MOA accuracy. Will give this serious consideration.

 

[coonhunter70]

Dakota Predator, I have one in 204R paid about 2300. after tax. shoots little bitty groups, compact, light, probably the best money I've spent on a rifle.
A Cooper would be a fine choice also, whatever you do you shouldn't have to spend four grand to find rifle happiness. But this a website that's all about blowing money! Have fun.

 

[johnmyers]

Kelblys Atlas factory rifle. Will have Kelblys Atlas action, Hart barrel, Jewell trigger, Kelblys varmint stock for around $2500

 

[SS427]

Kelblys Atlas factory rifle. Will have Kelblys Atlas action, Hart barrel, Jewell trigger, Kelblys varmint stock for around $2500

Their website price list is $2800 for a standard Atlas hunting rifle. If you start to customize it the price goes up quickly. I requested a quote for one of these Atlas rifles with a few custom touches and the quote came back $3500-4000. Sure are beautiful rifles!

 

[MikeMcC]

Thanks again guys for more good information.

johnmyers and Otter,
I have spoke with Jim and Ian Kelbly about their Arcas series rifles using the Atlas action. The short-action hunting rifle with #4 24" S.S. Brux barrel, rifle basix trigger, Bell & Carlson T1000 stock, Remington BDL floorplate, picatinny rail, scope rings, all metal black cerakote and hard case is quoted at $3,113 with a 3 to 4 month lead-time. Pretty much on par with the prices from some of the other custom rifle builders and significantly less than many others. I haven't been able to find any reviews writing about how accurate the rifle shoots; however, they seem to be a very reputable builder from what I've read.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The only thing that looses value on a custom is the barrel. Build what you want or you will regret it.

 

[johnmyers]

The only thing that looses value on a custom is the barrel. Build what you want or you will regret it.

This is real good advice and my experience with Kelblys has been great and they will shoot

 

[itchyTF]

Bruce Baer - Willow Hill, PA

You also have a PM.

 

[drover]

The only thing that looses value on a custom is the barrel. Build what you want or you will regret it.

Not trying to start a spitting contest but I believe that you are in error with your statement. Take a look at what some high-dollar customs sell for versus what it cost to build them the loss in value is substantial, usually from 25 to 40 percent of build cost.

If you take Rifle magazine, or perhaps can go to past issues on-line, take a look at an article John Barsness wrote a couple of years ago on having a custom built. There is not only the difficulty in selling it for anywhere near the dollars invested but there is also difficulty selling quite often because it is custom, meaning you had it built to your ideas which means you have to find a buyer who is thinking along the same lines as the builder. This in itself is quite often an issue with customs.

I have had a couple of customs built in the $5000 range and in neither case did I come close to recouping my investment, I have also had friends with customs have the same issue.

One of the main reasons I have gone to Coopers for my firearms of choice is because the build a nice semi-custom for a reasonable price, it is guraranteed to be 3 shot into 1/2 inch rifle and if there is an issue they stand behind it. Wheras one of my customs had an accuracy issue and there was so much of the blame game that went on that I finally gave up on it. The gunsmith blamed the barrel maker, the barrel maker blamed the gunsmith, they both blamed the action maker - well, you get the idea.

I have never had a Kelbly build but I suspect that since they are doing the total build they would stand behind it. My suggestion is very simple - sort out what you want, what it will be used for, try to handle a similar rifle and get what you want not what someone else is telling you to buy. Just don't overpay for what you are getting, I would prefer a $2000 rifle, a good scope and use the rest of the money for shooting.

drover

 

[searcher]

Everyone has their feelings on what can be recouped on a rifle. I tend to agree with ZFASTMALIBU in that a good build, in a configuration in demand, built by a competent ank known gunsmith, resale is usually priced less the cost of a barrel (everyone assumes the current barrel is either toast or didn't shoot). That is not to say that some folks spend WAY more than they need to when building a nice rifle - and that extra cash did nothing for accuracy. A lot of people don't want to pay for that. It is those rifles that usually will lose a substantial value. I occasionally see folks show up at the range (usually newer shooters not attune with what cost what) sporting a nice new custom build from a local gunsmith here in town. It is very hard to keep a straight face when I hear the price they paid. I have noticed that gunsmithing is very unlike many other trades - in that you can hire one of the best in the world to build something for you for less than what some hack or "overly expensive' gunsmith would have charged for the same work. Knowing the drill, I did go way overboard on building my dream .22 rimfire bench gun. Most expensive gun I own and I KN

 

[drover]

Everyone has their feelings on what can be recouped on a rifle. I tend to agree with ZFASTMALIBU in that a good build, in a configuration in demand, built by a competent ank known gunsmith, resale is usually priced less the cost of a barrel (everyone assumes the current barrel is either toast or didn't shoot). That is not to say that some folks spend WAY more than they need to when building a nice rifle - and that extra cash did nothing for accuracy. A lot of people don't want to pay for that. It is those rifles that usually will lose a substantial value. I occasionally see folks show up at the range (usually newer shooters not attune with what cost what) sporting a nice new custom build from a local gunsmith here in town. It is very hard to keep a straight face when I hear the price they paid. I have noticed that gunsmithing is very unlike many other trades - in that you can hire one of the best in the world to build something for you for less than what some hack or "overly expensive' gunsmith would have charged for the same work. Knowing the drill, I did go way overboard on building my dream .22 rimfire bench gun. Most expensive gun I own and I KN

Yes, I agree with what you are saying as far as bench guns, but the OP was referring to a custom hunting rifle. In reading the OP's post and the amount he is wanting to spend for what is going to essentially be a coyote rifle I am attempting to point out that it is not necessary to spend that much money to get rifle that will do what he wants. A few months ago in the Boise, Idaho Cabelas Gun Library they had two custom hunting guns both of which originally were in the $4000 to $4500 range for the builds, both were in excellent condition and they were asking only $2500 for one and around $3000 for the other. I cannot imagine the hit the owners took on those two.

drover

 

[MikeMcC]

drover,
I appreciate what you are saying and believe I would take a big loss on a custom rifle if I chose to sell it. A lot depends on the buyer, of course. Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
The thing about me is I don't intend to sell any of my "good" rifles so I really don't think much about resale value. Maybe I'll be buried with them! lol
The more I read about the build quality and accuracy of Cooper rifles, combined with there availability off the shelf and modest price (in relative terms); the more I think one would make an outstanding coyote carry rifle.
Thanks for your opinion.
Regards, Mike

 

[effendude]

Mike,
I would also suggest a Cooper as a compromise between factory and a full custom build. Take the money you save, buy good glass and quality reloading equipment. My wife bought me a Cooper Phoenix Model 22 single shot in 6.5-284 about 9 years ago. That was before I found this forum, and before I shot F-class. I had always heard about the round and was intrigued. The rifle is a joy to shoot, puts everything into 1/2 MOA and I can't ask for anything more from a rifle. At the time, it cost around $1500 which was twice what a Remington cost but I believe it was worth it.

I often say, the easiest life a rifle has is before I buy or build it. Despite my efforts to pamper my stuff, nicks, dings and scratches occur, even my ridiculously expensive match rifles. The Cooper has seen success in the bushveldt of Africa, deserts of Mexico, the swamps of Northern Minnesota, and the mountains of Alaska and Idaho. It shows some scars from those trips but each scar brings back all the memories. The rifle wasn't so expensive that I was afraid to put it in a scabbard on a horse or ATV, nor ride uncased in the back of a Range Rover.

No matter what, have fun,
Scott

 

[Webster]

Why not a 6BRX for bullets 80-90 grain bullets. I think it's crazy to spend $6000 on a hunting rifle. I have a factory Rem 700 BDL with a glass bedded 6BR Norma Krieger barrel on it. It shoots almost any load I put in it under 1/4" vertical groups at 100 yds. I have confidence in it to shoot varmints out to 500-600 yards. I normally don't shoot past 350 yds. With a 22-250 you might be lucky to get under 1/2" groups. The 6mm. have better ballistic coefficients and less wind drift if your shooting longer distances. You have an unlimited choice of varmint and competition quality bullets available in 6mm. for a reasonable price. You can buy a 4.5 to 14X VR3 leopold scope for about $600. You don't new more scope than that. For what you want to spend you could build an all out 1000 yd. bench rifle.

I'm thinking about a new rifle. Maybe a 6BRX or 30BR. I can get the 6mm bullets much easier and cheaper than the 30 cal 110-120 grain bullets. My plan was to buy the following and see how it works out. A 400 yd. shot would be beyond the distances I normally shoot in hay fields. Very few crop fields are more than 400 yds across where I hunt.

Rem 700 SPS Varmint rifle about $900
Krieger barrel $525
Leopold scope $600
Dies $200
-------------------------------------------------------
$2225 plus tax

The STD Rem 700 SPS is 7.5 lbs. The Varmint model is 8.5 lbs. without the scope. If you can't shoot GH or coyotes with a rig like the above you should quit hunting.

 

[drover]

drover,
I appreciate what you are saying and believe I would take a big loss on a custom rifle if I chose to sell it. A lot depends on the buyer, of course. Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
The thing about me is I don't intend to sell any of my "good" rifles so I really don't think much about resale value. Maybe I'll be buried with them! lol
The more I read about the build quality and accuracy of Cooper rifles, combined with there availability off the shelf and modest price (in relative terms); the more I think one would make an outstanding coyote carry rifle.
Thanks for your opinion.
Regards, Mike

Mike,

This is my Cooper 54 chambered in 22/250 , I ordered it with a slightly larger barrel contour than the standard model, with the fluting it weighs and balances the same as the standard 54 barrel. It took over 6 months before I got it but I could not be happier with any rifle, even though it is only a semi-custom.

I had it done about 3 years ago and at that time it was less than half of your proposed build budget. Although I have some other Coopers this one is my "go to the grave with me" rifle.

It does 5 shots at 1/2" or less consistently. Not much there to be unhappy about. I tried to post some pictures of some targets but I took them with my cell phone and photobucket does not want to upload them and I am not "geeky" enough to figure it out.

drover

 

[drover]

I finally figured out how to post from my cellphone to get the photos to upload to photobucket. - drover


The solid line squares are one inch, the smaller dotted lines within the one inch are 1/4 inch apart. This load has a tendency to string vertically but I have not taken time to try to work it out. With a better shooter I am sure that these groups could be tightened up a bit but I did not cherry pick for great groups these are representative of day in day out groups. Any shot there would have killed a coyote out past 500 yds.

5 SHOT GROUPS



3 SHOT GROUP

 

[Kenster]

Greg Tannel really likes his 20 tactical! that was his choice for 'yotes and he could have built anything! He's internationally recognized as a gunsmith's gunsmith , but you will probably wait a year after getting on his list. He and his wife Debbie live just outside of Rifle, Col. If you look up quality gunsmiths listed on this 6br site, you will find his contact info there. Hope you have loads of fun, ken

 

[SS427]

Drover - beautiful rifle and nice groups.

That looks like mule deer country!