Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Guns N Gear Custom Rifle threads

have me wondering if you all are purchasing these custom rifles through the custom rifle shops around the country, using somebody local or doing it yourself? I am in the market and just learning the options. I am motivated by the longer range capability and having something different factor. Amazed at all the options and things to consider. Any insight on who is doing the custom builds for you all is appreciated.

All mine have been built by Harvey King of H&K guns in Valley Grande.

I had an ER Shaw built. It's a shooter. Really happy with it.

Nobody is probably doing all of it at home. I like to build off a Savage action because I can do the barrel myself.

9 times out of 10 for a hunting rig, putting it in a good stock, good barrel, trigger and bedding gives better accuracy than I am capable of out of a shooting house window.

For a target rifle, I'll get it squared.

Some people don't know which end of a hammer to use and I can't help them, but if you are good at working on things get an old rifle to mess around with and learn on. Like all things such as this... you just can't be scared to give it a shot. I think most people nowadays think... "I've never done that before, so I can't do it." Same with fixing your car or a screen door, etc. They spend their whole lives saying that over and over and their wallet is lighter because of it.

The more you work on things the better you become at it. Just jump in. Plenty of videos online and people around to teach/help.

I am about to build something new off an old Savage 110 and I'm thinking about doing a whole thread step by step with pictures, etc.

I agree Goat on the aspect of most people being unwilling or afraid to tackle a project and therefore never really learning. With a Savage, it is easy due to the locking nut system. However, with any other action, it is much more complicated and more importantly takes some very expensive tools to do it and do it right.

That being said if you send it to a smith to get the barrel done might as well have it squared in the process.

Talking about hunting rifles here:

I tend to work on them until I can get them to shoot MOA. To me that is plenty accurate for a hunting rifle. Usually can get that out of the stock barrel. Bed action, trigger, and most importantly Handloads.

Most "custom" rifles I have ever owned, shot or seen. Might shoot 3/4-1 inch. I have seen VERY FEW hunting rigs that would shoot 1/2. Talking about a clover leaf. Consistently. Plenty of target rifles, heavy barrel, etc. But almost never a hunting rig. I am sure one exists somewhere and of course everyone on the internet owns one... . I have never put my hands on but a couple.

Net difference 1/4 inch.

Worth the money?

Custom is worth the money if you demand the exteme accuracy that only about 5% of us do. Goatkiller is just cheap, until it come to buying a S&B scope!

True.

I had JP Precision Firearms in Leeds, AL build mine. Couldn't be any happier with how it turned out....

X2 for Harvey king he builds mine. I'm capable of doing most work myself short of needing major machine work. I have several 6.5lb rifles capable of shooting 3/4in groups with factory ammo a little better with handloads. If you want more accuracy than that you'll end up with a rifle that is 10 plus pounds and not want to lug around. If you already have a rifle to start with, new barrel, machining bbl & action, stock pillars, bedding, the works will run you around 1200 bucks. You'll pay that for most GOOD factory rifles these days. Hope this helps some.

Give Jared at america precision arms a call he did a fantastic job with my rifle

Tooter Meredith at Meredith rifles. Toot is as good as they come and can build you what you want. He is located in Athens.

Allen Rovig at Mcwhorter rifles is also a solid smith. He is a little more $ but works up a custom load for the gun before it leaves his hands. He is a Georgia guy.

I don't know if Jim McCullough is still building or even alive for that matter but he is top notch as well. Jim is from Selma are.

Great insight and much appreciated. Any additional thoughts appreciated as well.

I want to bore a 30-06 up to a 35 Whelen. Any gunsmith in south central AL you guys would recommend?

You would be better off buying a 35 cal barrel and having one of the smiths listed aboce chamber and mount it. I am sure somebody somewhere could re-bore, rifle it, and re-chamber it,, but you would be going around the world to convert your rifle to a whelen.

I had a long range/competition rifle built by JP as well.

I've also used Long Rifles Inc out of South Dakota on a custom hunting rifle.

I'm happy with both.

I got my rifle today. I ended up not having one custom built but am excited about this gun. I went with the Nosler's Model 48 Patriot rifle chambered in 26 Nosler. The gun is more capable than I am but I am looking forward to learning.

Congratulations!
That's a nice rifle!

Go ahead any buy you some reloading equipment, you'll enjoy that awesome rifle more.

Go ahead any buy you some reloading equipment, you'll enjoy that awesome rifle more. [/quote]

I think you are right. I am starting with the Nosler Accubond Long Range 129 grain. Everything I know told me to get the 140 but the 129 velocity(not surprised) and energy(surprised and what sold me) is significantly higher at all distances. All with a flatter trajectory. The chart I was looking at went to 800, not sure what happens after that, but I cant even fathom that distance at this point.