Looking to buy a Custom made rifle Need Help

Snicolio

WKR
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Aug 19, 2014
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Hey guys looking to try and get some recommendations for a really good custom made long range hunting rifle. I will be doing mostly backcountry elk/deer hunting. I have been blessed to have a 2,000 to 2,500 budget to purchase a rifle. I am trying to find a company that can make the rifle and also help me make a load for the rifle that will be a nail driver. I already have a good optic of a Swarovski z3 BT 4-12 scope. If you guys could give me some recommendations it would be greatly appreciated.
 
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You are going to have trouble getting a custom built for 2000-2500, most actions are in the 1000-1400$ price range alone. If you already own rem700 you could use you might make that 2500$price point. A barrel is going to be 350-500$+ and because you are wanting a back country rifle you'll want it fluted so it puts it closer to the 500$+, then chambering and mating it to an action is 250-500$ bedding around 180-200$ muzzle break if wanted about 180$+/-, stocks vary from 350-700+$, then trigger, bottom metal, tax. I'd say you are at a minimum of 3000$. Cooper supposedly puts out real nice lighter weight rifles with 1/2" guarantee I think that fall close your price point. Travis at Rbros Rifles is the smith I have the most expierence using. He might not hit your price point but all of his rifles are guaranteed to 1/2" moa at 100 yards or better, come broken in and with full load data. He will also answer any questions you have and will work with you to get the rifle the will meet your expectations and that you will exceed your performance needs. I've taken his heavy longrange hunter over 1900 yards.
 
Joined
Mar 21, 2017
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You could do a great savage build for that. Get a stevens 200 action and you can build it all yourself. You will have a great rifle that shoots awesome and be on budget no problem. Some folks are savage haters, but they work and they are semi cheap and they shoot great.
 

pwsINC

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Kimber mountain ascent. Purchased via BHA lift membership. You get the rifle and a life membership and support BHA. Best of all worlds.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 
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I have thought about one over the years. But seeing many for sale and reading that many are underwhelmed with performance and or handling I decided to get a
Tikka superlite stainlesss for $750. A muzzle break $200. Talley light weight rings $50. And a budget of $250 to $500 for and optic.
That will put the entire package at $1250 to $1500. Pretty sure it will shoot.

If I was going to do the custom thing I would find the right gunsmith to work with.

Good luck.
 

907to406

Lil-Rokslider
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Jun 15, 2016
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BZN,MT
I have thought about one over the years. But seeing many for sale and reading that many are underwhelmed with performance and or handling I decided to get a
Tikka superlite stainlesss for $750. A muzzle break $200. Talley light weight rings $50. And a budget of $250 to $500 for and optic.
That will put the entire package at $1250 to $1500. Pretty sure it will shoot.

If I was going to do the custom thing I would find the right gunsmith to work with.



Good luck.

What he said ^^^^. Do you already have an optic? If so I would take that extra 500.00 put a mountain tactical bottom metal on, their lightweight 20moa rail, and elite action screws. Then there is a company making a titanium/carbon bolt handle (can't remember who but a google search would turn it up). Then have the bolt fluted. Then if there is anything left in the budget throw a manners lightweight stock on and hit the hills. Bare gun should be close to between 5 1/2-6 1/2 lbs. Depending on what glass goes on top you'd have a pretty close to a 7-7.5 lb gun.
Then if you're really wanting the custom look cerakote the rifle in color of your choosing.

Lots of Rem 700 guys switching to the Tikka actions because they don't require trueing or really any work and are already one of the smoothest actions on the market off the shelf with very accurate barrels. I've yet to have one of my Tikkas shoot more than 3/4MOA with factory nosler trophy grade ammunition.
 

ams

WKR
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Feb 26, 2012
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Northern CA
Lumley arms makes a bolt knob like that, titanium recoil lug and steel pillars with SS action screws too. Just finished a tikka 300wm with those upgrades and a muzzle brake.
That being said I did a semi-custom rem 700 300 rum and wouldn't trade it for anything.
.......and I bought a Kimber Ascent...... lol all the recommendations in this thread have been my recent purchases.
 

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907to406

Lil-Rokslider
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Lumley, That's the company I was referring to about the bolt knob! I don't have any experience with them and prefer Mountain Tactical Company because they are local for me. Funny you say that because I had semi custom 300RUM built off a Remington 700 XCR II and got rid of it due to it collecting dust and taking up space after I did up my Tikka 270wsm.
 
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Snicolio

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Hey guys thanks for all the feedback so far, when I say long range I was thinking 800 to 900 yards tops. Yes I have a good optic already. I do have a tikka t3 in 30-06 but was thinking about getting my custom rifle in a 300 rum
E
 

907to406

Lil-Rokslider
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Jun 15, 2016
Messages
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Location
BZN,MT
Hey guys thanks for all the feedback so far, when I say long range I was thinking 800 to 900 yards tops. Yes I have a good optic already. I do have a tikka t3 in 30-06 but was thinking about getting my custom rifle in a 300 rum
E

Not a bad choice, I just think you are really going to have to cut some corners to build a good lightweight custom rifle within the budget you gave at the beginning of the thread. Or unless you already have a donor action. If you can pull it off more power to ya and let us know what you did to make it happen.
 

dotman

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Feb 24, 2012
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Does your budget also include Optics? If $2500 is the total I would buy a tikka and put the best glass you can fit into that budget on it.
 
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Snicolio

WKR
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Not too familiar with building a rifle, but could I use my action of my 30-06 to make a build with a different caliber like a 300 rum
 

dotman

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Not too familiar with building a rifle, but could I use my action of my 30-06 to make a build with a different caliber like a 300 rum

There would be added cost since the 300rum has a diff bolt face then the 30-06. I bet labor would be $1000+ overall then you would have $1500 for components. Also backlog on items can be a decent wait and gunsmith backlogs as well so it may not even be ready for this season.

I would build a 6.5-06ai off that action.
 
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dotman

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Feb 24, 2012
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No budget does not included optics I already have the z3

Take a look at the Christensen Arms Ridgeline, it's as close to a custom you'll find setup for LR in that price range. Also be aware that the Z3 will be a limiting factor since it will only dial one full rotation so you will not really get the advantage of being able to reach the potential of a 300 rum out of it.
 
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jm1607

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For that budget you may be able to get something from NW Action Works.. Christensen Arms is definitely a possibility but not custom.. Maybe a Tikka CTR or wait for the new superlites to come out.. Or if you save another $1k a few more doors will open with custom builders..
 
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