Better Option

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jbgunz

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Hey everyone, curious as to what the better option would be. I'm looking into starting a custom rifle build on a long action 700. My question is should I buy just a factory Remington action/rifle and have it trued or cut out the middle man and go custom? Money is somewhat of an issue. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Justin.
 
I don't know what your end goal Is, but if you're just punching paper I'd buy a single shot custom action with a Remington 700 footprint. It's somewhat the heart of your rifle. You can spin a new barrel on, change triggers, stocks and optics, but you're not likely going to change the action. If you're looking for a repeater then the 700 might not be a bad idea. Out of all of the money you'll spend on a custom rifle the last thing you should cheap out on is the action.
 
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If money is somewhat of an issue..............possibly a custom gun isn't the best avenue for you right now...........Take what you think it should cost and what it looks like it should cost.......and double or triple it !!
 
Always begin with a clear plan on what you are trying to accomplish.. goals, objectives, features, BUDGET.

Then work backwards to the parts.... parts are rarely good or bad but used in the wrong way, can cause alot of grief.

Once you know what you are trying to do and how much you want to spend, the parts are easy.

Jerry
 
You can 'manage' a custom build by buying all the parts (at the best prices you can get) and paying a smith to put it together... or you can have a shop supply all the parts and sell you the finished product... you will save a lot of money with the first option.
 
guntech said:
You can 'manage' a custom build by buying all the parts (at the best prices you can get) and paying a smith to put it together... or you can have a shop supply all the parts and sell you the finished product... you will save a lot of money with the first option.
Click to expand...

I found some of the shops seem to want to sell a complete rifle. The ones I talked to weren't very interested in selling an action without the rest of the parts and the smith work.
 
Bustercluck said:
I found some of the shops seem to want to sell a complete rifle. The ones I talked to weren't very interested in selling an action without the rest of the parts and the smith work.
Click to expand...

Try Big Horn Sales in Houston, BC. Gary will sell you actions, barrels, etc. I think Mystic Precision will too...
 
Thanks everyone. I should have been more clear. What I'm looking for in the end is a "dual purpose" rifle (Hunting/target).
What I meant by "should I buy a Remington or custom" was should I buy a donor rifle and get the action tuned up then build off of that or buy a custom action.
Another thing I'm not in a huge hurry for this to come together, one piece at a time is fine. Just looking for opinions from those who have gone one way or the other and why. Thanks again
Also the names of some gunsmiths in Canada that will do custom work would be appropriated.
 
I would probably keep my eyes open for an older "Donor" rifle in the EE. IMHO the older actions are far superior to the new ones. Once you have it, you can shoot it, and use it as you gather parts. You may find that you like the trigger thats in it. (There were some real nice factory triggers at one time) One less thing to buy

This is what I did. Late 70's production 700 in 7mm RM, that cost half what a new one would. Then came a B & C stock off the EE for a good price. Rifle shot great, then even better with the stock. Then it was a SS select match from Jerry at Mystic. Then it was finally a local smith to put it all together. Still haven't made the final decision on glass, but that's next
 
You got one of the best smiths in Canada giving you advise right now........old benchrest shooter and properly trained lifetime professional gunsmith...........Give Dennis (Guntech) a call and have him build it for you, you won't be disappointed, and you won't wait 2 years and you won't be overcharged. Known the man for 45 years and can't say enough good about his work, I get him to true my actions when I want it done.......the rest I just butcher up myself..........
 
jbgunz said:
Thanks everyone. I should have been more clear. What I'm looking for in the end is a "dual purpose" rifle (Hunting/target).
What I meant by "should I buy a Remington or custom" was should I buy a donor rifle and get the action tuned up then build off of that or buy a custom action.
Another thing I'm not in a huge hurry for this to come together, one piece at a time is fine. Just looking for opinions from those who have gone one way or the other and why. Thanks again
Also the names of some gunsmiths in Canada that will do custom work would be appropriated.
Click to expand...

And this is why you need to work out the specs and goals of the rifle clearly. There are many many action options in all shapes and sizes. Costs, features, bells and whistles.. and it seems there is a new family of "better" coming out every quarter.

Maybe there is a specific feature you really like or a specific stock configuration you really want to use or a particular part that makes you all excited. That will have a huge impact on the action you choose. Not all parts fit all actions and not all actions have options for all parts.

Then there is weight and budget. Your question can create as many opportunities as it does problems. Anytime a rifle has to do more then one purpose, better have the "other" stuff figured out or you may end up with a trainwreck that does neither job well.

A custom rifle becomes a piece of mechanical joy when all the parts work in harmony to give the result you want. We face the "bag o' parts" nightmare all the time. This is where a shooter buys parts based on what they think is "best" with no regard if A will work with B. Now that "quality" gunsmith becomes a master machinist trying to rebuild/rework A to work with B and many times, they don't. Costs skyrocket, customers get angry and the rifle performance is far from ideal.

You have suggested that this is not an open wallet type of build. For you, it is even more important to make sure you have a clear game plan going in so that each and every part can be chosen to work to your goals AND with each other.

Rem actions are wonderful... some need alot of TLC.. some don't. There are very few BAD parts. There are alot of poor APPLICATIONS of said parts. Trying to fit tactical DBM into a svelt hunting stock is one such disaster.

Since you are not in a hurry, step back and think of what the rifle in your hands has to accomplish and what it should look like. ONCE you have a clear vision of the end results, the parts is a 5 minute discussion... it really is. The companies you are likely to tap for parts have been there, done that in configurations you haven't even dreamt up... so let them help you pick the parts.

You just supply the vision and the "wallet"....

Good luck with your dream rifle.

Jerry

PS... guntech is truly one of Canada's quality gunsmiths....
 
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