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Rifle builder question

1lessdog

I have a question about rifle builders. A lot of times shooter post rifles for sale. They explain the rifle and what has been done to action and type of barrel used. They post pictures of targets and explain how well they shoot out to the distance that they shoot.

One of the first post that pops up is who built the rifle or put the barrel on. Does it really matter if the seller explains on how the rifle shoots.
I have never seen someone post a rifle and explain what it is. Then say by the way it shoots like crap. Can't get it to shoot smaller than a 2 inch group at 100 yds.

So what are your thoughts after the rifle is built. Does it matter that much as long as it shoots good?
 
This ^^^^
People putting down that kind of money want to know, who built it
what are the components and usually why they are selling it.
If it's got good components and is built by a known smith then
chances are it will shoot better than your ave rifle. If it doesn't probably the shooter....
Better built rifles will hold their value better also.
If you have 2 different rifles for sale, 1 from a known smith and 1 from Joe Blow and
they are the same price, who would you buy from? Bet I can guess.
 
Ranger188 said:
This ^^^^
People putting down that kind of money want to know, who built it
what are the components and usually why they are selling it.
If it's got good components and is built by a known smith then
chances are it will shoot better than your ave rifle. If it doesn't probably the shooter....
Better built rifles will hold their value better also.
If you have 2 different rifles for sale, 1 from a known smith and 1 from Joe Blow and
they are the same price, who would you buy from? Bet I can guess.
Click to expand...
If they both shoot really good, to me it wouldn't matter as I would likely only use it for sporting purposes.
 
1lessdog said:
If they both shoot really good, to me it wouldn't matter as I would likely only use it for sporting purposes.
Click to expand...
Gotta get what makes you happy.

Most want that name of gunsmith for confidence in purchase and resale value also.

Also the asking how does it shoot or saying it shoots great sets one up for providing targets of small groups for proof...

Everything cost so much now days might as well validate it much as possible..
 
Two points I would make are:

First: personally, I would not buy a used rifle for precision shooting from someone I didn't know really well.

Second: the high-quality work done by the barrel maker and smith can be undone by the shooter through neglect, abuse, and lack of knowledge. That's why the first point is important, at least to me.
 
1lessdog said:
I have a question about rifle builders. A lot of times shooter post rifles for sale. They explain the rifle and what has been done to action and type of barrel used. They post pictures of targets and explain how well they shoot out to the distance that they shoot.

One of the first post that pops up is who built the rifle or put the barrel on. Does it really matter if the seller explains on how the rifle shoots.
I have never seen someone post a rifle and explain what it is. Then say by the way it shoots like crap. Can't get it to shoot smaller than a 2 inch group at 100 yds.

So what are your thoughts after the rifle is built. Does it matter that much as long as it shoots good?
Click to expand...
It should not matter who built the gun as long as it shoots
Yet some Smiths have a long history and reputation so people will pay for
"Brand Name/ reputation so to speak"
Some guys are kind of famous
For instance if your 1911 was built and hand fitted by 1911 Guru Bob Chow of San Francisco...
That would command your asking price over
"Joe Blow from Kokomo 1911's R Us"
or even a Wilson Combat
------------
I once bought a 243 Rem 700 the guy claimed was bedded and all this stuff done to it by
Wrot Woodside, a master machinist of Mare Island (Local Naval base in Vallejo, CA)
And at that time I was a young machinist and did not see many signs of custom work done on the rifle.
So I thought, yeah big deal, never heard of him, so what?
But I did know many guys who worked at Mare Island and everyone of them was more than a Journeyman in their field.
My dad has also worked at Mare Island so I asked him if he ever heard of this guy and he was like
"Nope, but it was a big base so didn't know everybody there"
I Wanted the rifle anyway and all that crap didn't matter to me and thought he was just blowing wind to try and make a sale
I mean cmon, the name itself
Rot / Wood...side
Just sounded made up
Well, that rifle was full length barrel bedded and done quite well too.
Smooth action, both lugs contacted etc
and shot 1/2" groups with the right load
So some guys just know all these little tricks to... shall I say "Make a gun accurate and work right"
Wish I could have found out more about who this Wrot Woodside was, because I likely would have bought more of his guns.

1751850900544.png
 
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1 Lessdog think about it like this. You could buy all the parts and pieces to build a rifle and send the pieces to me. Or you could buy all the parts and pieces and send them to Alex Wheeler. Who's rifle would you want? I know which one I would want. I have one of my Mauser creations that is able to make a 9/16 s 100yd group, and just slightly over 1 inch at 200yds. Does that make me a gunsmith, NO it just makes me lucky.
 
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precision1 said:
Gotta get what makes you happy.

Most want that name of gunsmith for confidence in purchase and resale value also.

Also the asking how does it shoot or saying it shoots great sets one up for providing targets of small groups for proof...

Everything cost so much now days might as well validate it much as possible..
Click to expand...
In the end how many find out the new rifle didn't gain them a thing ?
 
I usually buy used rifles with the intent of rebarreling it. That way don't have to get an action, trigger and stock , having to get the stock worked and action fitted to it. So, that work has already been done ,all I have to do is replace the barrel if needed.
 
It's a sell push. Kinda like posting rest. Who built it normally is about quality, stock bedding, balance and all the good stuff done for competition rifles.
Most competition shooters change their own barrels. Barrels are a "humm" thinking kind thing. The Smith & the reamer tells me stuff i need to know if he's known by my friends.
I'm talking top of the line rifles.
Any other than that it's a bit of a confidence thing in a budget friendly rifle. Maybe even a call to the Smith about the rifle would be a good thing to do.
I'd get the Smith that built it to spin up the barrels for it for me.
 
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std7mag said:
Personally, when I build a rifle, it's for me and not intended for sale.

After spending the money to build it, there is little chance that you get offered what you have into it.
Click to expand...
I have on a few occasions after a guy shot rifles I built
Been offered full price including for the scope that was on it.
I "Could" be a rifle builder, if I wanted to, just not my interest to do that as the main course of business
I didn't make a profit selling any rifle I've built mind you, but to me if I can just build another one and a friend gets an accurate rifle.
That's helping fellow shooters upgrade much better than anything stock/factory
---------------
Trust your skills and Let some people shoot the guns you build is all it takes
 
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