"custom" Rifles

[keano44]

Just curious; how many of you are likely, at least once in your lifetime to purchase a custom rifle. Sure there are some great factory rifles available for good prices off-the-shelf. But can you see yourself spending $3-10K for a full custom or some variation of full custom rifle, where you get to specify every detail, and get exactly what you want? Is this something you see in your future?
Have you already done it? Will you do it again?
What do you think about http://www.serengetirifles.com

 

[Eightball]

Yes, I'm seriously debating it. I'm in the market for an action ATM, just haven't run across any deals yet. It's not priority #1, since it's unlike boltguns will get banned in the upcoming election, but it's still on the list. Somewhere spot #4~Spot #7, depends on how I feel that day. But, for my purposes, it's probably not going to be one of those "African customs" as are featured on that site you linked---along those kind of lines, but not an African Special, nor will it be another ho-hum "tacticool" boltie.

 

[Afy]

I am debating between a Keppeler rig that would set me back about 5K USD for a 6.5x47 Lapua versus a T-3 Tikka Tactical in .300 WM that would cost about 2K Euros right now. Or just go buy an AI or Sako TRG 42 in .300 WM

I can get bullets in .300 WM with a BC over .6 so accuracy would theoretically follow..

 

[USSR]

...can you see yourself spending $3-10K for a full custom or some variation of full custom rifle, where you get to specify every detail, and get exactly what you want?

Yes, all except the $3-10K part. I had two custom tactical/target rifles built to my specs for about $2K each, excluding optics. If you pick up some of the components yourself and send them to your smith, you can save some money.

Don

 

[skinewmexico]

I could see myself buying an AI, but never a custom rifle. I get too much satisfaction from doing my own gunsmithing, and swapping barrels around, changing calibers. Writing a check just doesn't compare. YMMV.

Afy, I'd have to go with something else. Lots of calibers beat the ballistics of a 300 WM now, without beating you up. I'm really happy with my 6.5x47 Lapua, for one.

 

[JShirley]

I have a Territorial Gunsmiths' "Dangerous Game package" rifle in .35 Whelen. Only mine has Brockman scope mounts with pop-up peep site.

 

[Magnuumpwr]

Got mine. Wanted a 50 BMG just the way I wanted it. Took 9 months to get it in from State Arms, back before Klaus passed away. It's the one in the green stock.

 

[Buzzbox]

I already did it.

I'll do it again.

 

[Snapping Twig]

In the mid 80's I got a DIY custom, a Remington 700 rebarreled with a Hart competition SS 26" in 6.5-06. I had the barrel, trigger and action worked over by Buzztail in Oregon and hard chromed, then I popped it into a Macmillan glass stock, bedded and pillared.

After that, I took my Ruger 77 in 30-06 and had Buzztail work it over and hard chrome it as well and installed it into a Lee Six stock, glassed and bedded. Shoots good! Another DIY.

I've since bought 2 Colt/Sauer rifles and they are SWEET!

You can't go wrong with a rifle made to your order.

 

[Afy]

I would love to get a 6.5x47 Lapua... unfortunately having spoken to the gunsmiths in Europe who could produce one for me the cheapest rifle without optics is in £4000 range +19.5 VAT +17.5 Import Tax... which is a lot more than I care to spend.

The only off the shelf I have found is Keppeler bench Rest for about 3500 Euros.

So for the time being it looks like a walther barrell on my .222 Remington Magnum and a new barrel for the SHR 970 + a Nightforce scope will have to do.

 

[Conqueror]

Right now? No way. In my lifetime? Hell yes. I want a McMillan-stocked .338 Lapua with a suppressor. Maybe a GA Precision offering or something like it.

 

[Walkalong]

My Benchrest gun. Nothing else.

 

[Zak Smith]

Sure.. however, having been down the "specify everything" road with pistols and rifles, it's often better to give the gunsmith a purpose statement and let him build with the components he knows will satisfy the purpose of the rifle. It also doesn't take very much to get a custom build into the $3k range, when you consider one of the newer actions (maybe $1k), stock, good barrel, etc. Heck, a nice S&B scope runs about $2900 these days alone.

-z

 

[YodaVader]

But can you see yourself spending $3-10K for a full custom or some variation of full custom rifle

Too rich for me. But I do plan on a less expensive route , at first I had considered a re-barrel of one of my 700s. Now I am considering buying a custom action and Jewell trigger then a match barrel install. Not decided on what kind of stock at the moment.

 

[rero360]

already did, cost was 3,400 including optics, would do it again in a heartbeat, infact I have plans for the next one formulating in my mind.

 

[NickEllis]

I'd love to get a classic double rifle. One of these days...