Custom Rifle for Next Year ? Act now - Almost too late to order...

[Magnum_Willys]

Load development in hunting season is a pain, but I ended up like buddies doing just that as custom builds are running 9 months out typically now.  Custom stocks running 6-7 months, defiance actions as long as 9 months and good hydrodippers are 6 weeks out - after they have your bedded stock in hand.  Exceptions are the rule but plan for 9+ months as that seems to be the norm.   

Worth the wait tho !

[OLYTAX]

Try having Benchmark Barrels build you a custom rifle and barrel.....second to none for a ACCURATE rifle, Ive had five or six rifles made by them.   Custom stocks, paint jobs, etc.   You wont ever be sorry

360.652.2594.....Arlington, wa.   benchmarkbarrels@yahoo.com

[Biggerhammer]

Try having Benchmark Barrels build you a custom rifle and barrel.....second to none for a ACCURATE rifle, Ive had five or six rifles made by them.   Custom stocks, paint jobs, etc.   You wont ever be sorry

360.652.2594.....Arlington, wa.   benchmarkbarrels@yahoo.com

👍👍👍👍

[snowshoes22]

I just buy used customs at a fraction of the price and no wait. 

[bod]

Do yourself a favor
Take my advice
Buy a Tikka
Then go on a guided hunt

[yorketransport]

Try having Benchmark Barrels build you a custom rifle and barrel.....second to none for a ACCURATE rifle, Ive had five or six rifles made by them.   Custom stocks, paint jobs, etc.   You wont ever be sorry

360.652.2594.....Arlington, wa.   benchmarkbarrels@yahoo.com

I’ve had benchmark build 2 guns and 3 more barrels for me over the years and they’re all excellent. I’d budget at least 12 months to get anything done there though.

[Crunchy]

Benchmark doesn't make actions do they?  Barrels, and true up a factory action is what you are calling custom?  I haven't looked at their website in a while but I do not remember them selling fully custom rifles.  maybe my web browsing needs some work.

[yorketransport]

Benchmark doesn't make actions do they?  Barrels, and true up a factory action is what you are calling custom?  I haven't looked at their website in a while but I do not remember them selling fully custom rifles.  maybe my web browsing needs some work.

They aren’t a true one stop shop, but if you send them the components they’ll build the gun for you. There are very few shops who actually build their own actions as well. Even places like Rbros have somebody else making the actions for them.

[b23]

And, you don't have to use a custom action to have an extremely well shooting build.  Custom actions maybe have a higher cool factor and they may even look prettier but I have both and my semi custom builds shoot just as good as my full custom builds.

I think I've seen a few of Yorkes semi custom builds, he built himself on Savage actions and prefit barrels, that shoot pretty well so one doesn't necessarily have to go full custom to get a fine shooter, unless they want to.

[Biggerhammer]

Benchmark doesn't make actions do they?  Barrels, and true up a factory action is what you are calling custom?  I haven't looked at their website in a while but I do not remember them selling fully custom rifles.  maybe my web browsing needs some work.

As of lately BenchMark keeps Defiance actions on hand for custom builds. Defiance actions are as good as it gets.

http://defiancemachine.com/custom-bolt-actions/

They have done builds for me. Supplied everything. Action, stock, barrel, muzzle device, pillar bedding, the works. When Chris worked there, I have sent him a action, stock, muzzle brake and bottom metal and had a finished rifle back on my door step in 10 days!!!

Since then expect a min of 12 months.

[Biggerhammer]

And, you don't have to use a custom action to have an extremely well shooting build.  Custom actions maybe have a higher cool factor and they may even look prettier but I have both and my semi custom builds shoot just as good as my full custom builds.

I think I've seen a few of Yorkes semi custom builds, he built himself on Savage actions and prefit barrels, that shoot pretty well so one doesn't necessarily have to go full custom to get a fine shooter, unless they want to.

While Savage actions are far from rocket science. They do shoot!

Now Yorke's going to poke at me for the length of my bolt handle. Blown primers and stuck bolts aren't out of the norm for me and developing wildcat cartridge loads. A little leverage helps.

6.5-.338 Ultra Magnum Improved(6.5 Badger).

[b23]

Now Yorke's going to poke at me for the length of my bolt handle.

That looks like a Glades bolt handle and they are pretty big.  I put one on my Sav Bmag 17 WSM and being as big as they are it made for a PITA to get my finger on the trigger.  I had it shortened and turned down so it wasn't so big.  On my little HB SS Bmag, that bigazz bolt handle looked goofy as hel1, too.

[Biggerhammer]

Now Yorke's going to poke at me for the length of my bolt handle.

That looks like a Glades bolt handle and they are pretty big.  I put one on my Sav Bmag 17 WSM and being as big as they are it made for a PITA to get my finger on the trigger.  I had it shortened and turned down so it wasn't so big.  On my little HB SS Bmag, that bigazz bolt handle looked goofy as hel1, too.

I was also thinking if I ever had to file the serial number and wear gloves to keep from leaving finger prints the larger bolt handle would be easier to manipulate.

[yorketransport]

Now Yorke's going to poke at me for the length of my bolt handle. Blown primers and stuck bolts aren't out of the norm for me and developing wildcat cartridge loads. A little leverage helps.

That doesn’t sound like something I’d do.... Completely unrelated though, NASA would really appreciate it if you’d give back that exterior fuel tank off of the space shuttle that you’re using as a bolt handle. 

[Jolten]

I'm still waiting for York to sell me his badger. 

[yorketransport]

I'm still waiting for York to sell me his badger. 

There are a couple of things in life that you should avoid buying used: chewing gum, air bags, fire extinguishers, toothbrushes, underwear and 6.5 badger barrels. All of these things are best purchased new to avoid unexpected side effects and dissapointing results. 

[pianoman9701]

A thread about custom rifles and only one picture, and none from the OP? This is a permanent ban offense! Let's see some custom rifle pictures before I have to report this thread to the internet gun porn police!!! 

[pianoman9701]

What is the range in price for these custom rifles? Can someone do a nice 7mm build for under $2K?

[Jolten]

I'm still waiting for York to sell me his badger. 

There are a couple of things in life that you should avoid buying used: chewing gum, air bags, fire extinguishers, toothbrushes, underwear and 6.5 badger barrels. All of these things are best purchased new to avoid unexpected side effects and dissapointing results. 

Ok guess I'll need to build my own  :tung:Wonder how my axis action would do...

[b23]

What is the range in price for these custom rifles? Can someone do a nice 7mm build for under $2K?

Not a full custom but a semi custom 7mm Blaser mag.  Sorry pianoman, it was the best that I could do.

[pianoman9701]

Pretty rifle, b23. What would I pay for a gun like that, all said and done?

[b23]

Pretty rifle, b23. What would I pay for a gun like that, all said and done?

If you provided the donor gun and stayed with just the basics you'll spend about a grand.  I bought that donor rifle from a member here for $400 so if I wanted to keep the cost to a minimum I only would have had about $1400 in this build.  It's when you start adding or changing things in the build that your costs go up.  Some of the things that I added/changed to that 7mm Blaser mag build, that aren't necessarily needed, were Jewel trigger, HS Prec. detachable mag system, muzzle brake, cerakote finish, M16 style extractor, and you can even save another $125 or so by going with a non fluted barrel.  If you have a good donor rifle with a usable stock to build off of and you stick to only what's needed, the price can be very reasonable, it's when you start adding or changing things to the build, your end price can be substantially more.

[b23]

A thread about custom rifles and only one picture, and none from the OP? This is a permanent ban offense! Let's see some custom rifle pictures before I have to report this thread to the internet gun porn police!!! 

Custom 338 Lapua Improved

[BULLBLASTER]

Here’s a custom 300 win mag I had made. Not a budget build by any means but I got exactly what I wanted.
Shooting 215 bergers at 3030 fps

[pianoman9701]

Those are some pretty rifles. I would love to own a Lapua, especially.

[BULLBLASTER]

I thought hard about a 338 when planning mine but the added expense and blast and the fact I won’t be hunting at extreme long range steered me back toward 30 cal. I just didn’t need the extra power. The big 338s are very satisfying to shoot and will definitely knock critters down tho!

[Magnum_Willys]

I was hiking above Rattlesnake creek naches area yesterday and thought I should get a pic of this new carbon 338 lapua here with the nice background - then had my lunch and totally forgot !  At right at 10# with a 7-42 scope its not bad to shoulder carry but strapped it on pack for 4 mile hike back. 

[b23]

I thought hard about a 338 when planning mine but the added expense and blast and the fact I won’t be hunting at extreme long range steered me back toward 30 cal. I just didn’t need the extra power. The big 338s are very satisfying to shoot and will definitely knock critters down tho!

I think that's a pretty fair and accurate assessment.  I have a 300AX (30-338 Lap Imp.) that gets shot A LOT more than my 338 Lap Imp.  The big 30's, for a do all, one gun, especially with the newer high BC bullets, are hard to beat.

BULLBLASTER, that's a very nice looking 300 Win you've got.

[pianoman9701]

I thought hard about a 338 when planning mine but the added expense and blast and the fact I won’t be hunting at extreme long range steered me back toward 30 cal. I just didn’t need the extra power. The big 338s are very satisfying to shoot and will definitely knock critters down tho!

And that's a really good point as I get older and my eyes follow suit. I put a Grendel together but my effective range is less than half of what it can really do. Some of that is due to getting the wrong scope magnification but a lot of it is my old eyes. And practically speaking, because I hunt big game with a bow and already have a great .30-06, I'd probably be looking at more of a varmint gun with a smaller caliber, even a .223 or slightly bigger.

[Biggerhammer]

Benchmark built .338 Edge, 30" barrel. The bolt fluting and "Hunter" bolt knob were done by Kampfeld Custom.



Half inch (1/2") group at 300 yards off a bench, bipod and rear bag. Benchmark .338 barrels have a increadable reputation for accuracy.





Hits on Mule deer are devastating, some serious Bang! Flops!





Kampfeld Customs bolt handle work and TI bolt fluting are second to none, he has it dialed in and does perfect metal work.

[pianoman9701]

  That looks like an amazing rifle.

[Crunchy]

McMillan stock on that beast?

[b23]

Benchmark built .338 Edge, 30" barrel. The bolt fluting and "Hunter" bolt knob were done by Kampfeld Custom.

BH, very nice looking setup and Karl sure does beautiful work.  I'm not sure you can ever go wrong with a 338 Edge either.

[b23]

This is sorta custom-ish. 

I was messing around with my 338 suppressor on my 17 WSM out in my shop earlier.  Yeah, it's a little overkill and that big ole 338 can dwarfed the gun and looks a little goofy but it sure is quiet.

[yorketransport]

What is the range in price for these custom rifles? Can someone do a nice 7mm build for under $2K?

Depending on the action you want to use, $2K is a very realistic price point. Heck, I'll sell you my 338 SnipeTac rifle for $2K if you're ready to step up to a real cartridge.

Since this thread has just turned into a shameless photo post I'll add a few.

Alex Wheeler built this one for me in 10 days. 3 days of that was working on the stock. His rates are a bargain when you look at the quality of his work.


Jim Borden is always a good choice; this one is a switch barrel gun with 270 RUM, 7mm RUM and 338 Edge barrels. I sold this one a while back but still miss it.


Grizz Precision (no longer in business) built two nice ones for me with fast turn arounds and a very fair prices. The little CZ 527 264 LBC is one of my favorite go-to rifles these days.



A little love for the classic smiths too. Someday the owner of this gun is going to try and get it back, I don't think that's going to happen though.


There's a couple more, but I don't have really good pics of them. Then there's a pile of Savages that I've slapped together on the tailgate of a pickup or the floor of my garage. They were all built for a fraction of the cost of most of these full custom builds, but shoot every bit as well (or better in some cases). Custom guns are great if you're looking for a spared no expense package. For my utilitarian guns I typically slap them together myself.

[b23]

Yorke, your little CZ 527 build looks like a sweetheart.  The stocks on both of my CZ 527's are, meh, at best but that one on yours looks very nice and I'm not really even a big fan of wood stocks.

[Biggerhammer]

Yorke,

That 35 Whelen is a VERY nice piece.

[huntandjeep]

Nice rifles Yorke. I've got a rifle built by Don in the safe.

[yorketransport]

Yorke,

That 35 Whelen is a VERY nice piece.

It's a classy gun, but I hate shooting it! The way the stock fits me, I get socked in the cheek bone every time I shoot it! I love the fact that out of all the big guns I've had over the years it's a 35 Whelen that beats me to the point of flinching.

[Biggerhammer]

I thought hard about a 338 when planning mine but the added expense and blast and the fact I won’t be hunting at extreme long range steered me back toward 30 cal. I just didn’t need the extra power. The big 338s are very satisfying to shoot and will definitely knock critters down tho!

I think that's a pretty fair and accurate assessment.  I have a 300AX (30-338 Lap Imp.) that gets shot A LOT more than my 338 Lap Imp.  The big 30's, for a do all, one gun, especially with the newer high BC bullets, are hard to beat.

BULLBLASTER, that's a very nice looking 300 Win you've got.

That's because a .338 Lapua is over rated. A . 338 Ultra Magnum out performs it just shy of a 300gr bullet, most don't hunt with a 300gr bullet and the .338 Edge flat out performs the Lapua. Both do it with out having to have the specialty larger Lapua bolt face.

[pianoman9701]

I'm jealous, you guys. Those are some awesome firearms. Yorke, I've been waiting for the right adoptive parents for some time now. I think I've finally found them!

[BULLBLASTER]

Yorke,

That 35 Whelen is a VERY nice piece.

It's a classy gun, but I hate shooting it! The way the stock fits me, I get socked in the cheek bone every time I shoot it! I love the fact that out of all the big guns I've had over the years it's a 35 Whelen that beats me to the point of flinching.

I’ll take it off your hands and smile every time it abuses me. Knowing I have such a purrrrty Classic!

[rbros]

Load development in hunting season is a pain, but I ended up like buddies doing just that as custom builds are running 9 months out typically now.  Custom stocks running 6-7 months, defiance actions as long as 9 months and good hydrodippers are 6 weeks out - after they have your bedded stock in hand.  Exceptions are the rule but plan for 9+ months as that seems to be the norm.   

Worth the wait tho !

Most of my builds leave the shop within 4 months typically but I inventory a huge amount of components 

[W_Ellison2011]

If you get the barrel you want, action you want, and stock you want i know somebody who would throw it all together and blueprint the action for a decent price. That way would be much cheaper than having a company fully build it from scratch and it would be much quicker. He will also do a muzzle break for $125-$150. The only thing you might also have to supply would be the reamer for whatever you want. He doesnt do meteic threads though but can work with pretty much any remington or savage action. He is a good friend of mine living in the graham/spanaway area.