The cost to build a new rifle

[PoachersPet]

My smith for the last 15 years has become ill and is not taking on any more. He gave me a few guys names to work with. After looking at the gunsmith link here I started making a few calls and taking some notes. I guess I have been spoiled, having 3-4 guns built a year they were always when promised with unreal work. My guy has built many winner circle guns including some super shoot winners.

But after making a few calls I was alomost in tears. Not giving a date drove me nuts, playing dumb found out what some smiths think they can get by with. One told me he could get a 700 trigger break and feel like a 4oz Jewel. An XP action wasn't a good foundation for a live Varmint rifle. Lilja barrels are no good. Price another joke there was a 2K difference with some of smiths with me supplying all the parts. How does one guy have the balls to chage 3 grand to assemble a gun with supplied parts. Mcmillan stock, Lilja barrel, Bat Action, Jewel trigger. All they have to so is chamber, crown, bed, mount and lap rings.

Makes ya think

 

[Dans40X]

PoachersPet,
Did you forget to include the free baby $hit brown paint job that comes with your $2500 blueprinted Rem 700 action?!?!?!?!

 

[CatShooter]

Welcome to the world of "Custom" parts fitters...


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[EdwinD]

From time to timt there are some GREAT used guns for sale on this forum.

 

[lukehalee]

PP,

Don't let it ruin your spirit for what you want to do. I was out of the sport for almost 20 years and had several similar, dissapointing phone calls. I knew I was fed a lot of crap at the time, but as I have come up to speed, I know I was served with a huge shovel.

I actually got restarted with Savage's just so I wouldn't have to deal with smiths at all. It was that sad, but I did learn alot. As I have met more ppl I feel much different. There are many really good ppl in the sport.

 

[Forum Boss]

I think the ecomical way to go is buy your own action, reamer, and barrel. Then hand those over to a quality smith who does a lot of short-range stuff. He should be able to cut a good chamber and fit the barrel for a couple hundred. These guys are used to high-precision barrel work and most aren't trying to sell you a $4500 rifle.

Then hang the Jewell trigger yourself.

Get a good stock from a quality company such as McMillan, Shehane, Robertson. Ideally get it 90% inletted. Then find someone to finish the job,final inlet and bedding), and glue it or add pillars. Again he gets fair money for his services.

I'm amazed at the prices for complete Tactical rifles--often built with rather ordinary components,except the optics).

Re rings--Burris Sig Zees will work for just about any application except a 10.5 lb Light Varmint that's right at the weight limit. No need to lap the Sig Zees.

 

[Rustystud]

Gunsmith cost

There are parts changers and there are Gunsmith/Machinist. There cost are much different. All have many expenses before they open their doors, ie: license,s), permits, utilities, buildings, hand tools and insurance.

The gunsmith/machinist have major expendatures in machinery, tooling, jigs, specific to each make and model firearm.

You are paying for years of training and experience. Today most gunsmiths have a specialty nitche that they have expertise.

I will say you pay for what you get. You go cheap you get cheap work. Doing your home work can make your experience much more pleasurable and get the results you are looking for. All reputable gunsmiths will have a list of proven and known shooters who use their services. Most target shooters will disclose who is doing their work. Good gunsmiths will have more work than they can do so be prepared to wait.
Rustystud

 

[FBecigneul]

The cost of a poor performing competition rifle is higher than the cost of building a great one.

 

[PoachersPet]

Siminson did all my work for years. As stated I was spoiled, before him Dan Lilja did it all.

I don't mind paying for quality work but I certainly am not going to let someone take advantage of me either. I got a few PM's with some names. Made a few calls and going to send out 3 projects next week.
Thanks