We have to keep in mind this sport is a consumable hobby. I had this conversation with @Boatschool02 just the other day.Bench rest is a niche (shooting) sport at best. ANY of its disciplines, i.e., short range Group, Score, UBR, or long range, 600 & 1000, etc, etc, are "sub-niche," if there's such a word. Anyone involved in one of these activities already has TOO MUCH equipment, so selling something to them is a tough sell. In general, someone just getting started is looking for bargain-basement prices, and not willing (or able) to pony-up a sh*t-load of cash to do so.
I tried several times to sell a late 60's vintage 6 PPC, Hart BR rifle, and finally had to "part it out" to get anywhere near my money back, which I didn't! Not to mention, I got stuck with a barrel that cost over $600 to purchase, chamber, and have fitted to the action.
Another option: contact Bob White at Shooter's Corner. He buys and sells BR rifles and equipment and is a great guy to deal with.
Chris Mitchell
Barrels are like bullets.
A bullets life expectancy is it's time of flight.
And good bullets aren't cheap to bounce them off steal or stuff em in a dirt bank.
Now let's look at barrels. Life expectancy of what 12-15 seconds before it doesn't meet the accuracy requirements of the shooter to send those expensive projectiles down range.
To quote @Dusty Stevens 1 shot on a barrel is a used barrel!! Barrels are worth what their worth as a blank, once chambered to one person's specs may not meet the next person's requirements.
Just yesterday I looked at a custom action, I believe customer paid right at $1500
What I saw was a poor polish job and a soldered bolt handle. REALLY $1500???
You got to be kidding me !
I'm thinking I really like my Remington after seeing that at least I got what I paid for.
So from my perspective a mild custom on a Rem action retale value is better, as cost to produce would be cheaper and suffering less of a loss at sale versus a full blown custom built to one person's tastes and requirements where the loss could be more significant at time of sale.