Custom Hunting Rifle

C

Cliffy72

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Where does one start on doing a custom build ? I have a pretty good idea of the components that I want to use. Is it more of a matter of finding a really good gunsmith to assemble the rifle components ? Some of it’s a bit to technical for me but, I am sure a gunsmith can help with those questions or I can ask here 😆 😎 How difficult is it buying gun components out of the states , if I can’t find them in Canada ?
 
My recommendation would be to buy the parts from whoever is assembling it, or at least have the gunsmith involved with the parts you’re buying and who you’re buying them from. If something doesn’t work or fit right than you’ll be on the hook for whatever the fixing costs while the dealer and gunsmith point fingers at each other. I have also seen gunsmiths who will not touch parts from a certain vendor and they name that person who they won’t deal with directly on their website. This is experience talking.

Other tha that, spitball some ideas here or the precision forum and we’ll all be happy to help you spend your money. Lol
 
When I was doing it, I'd first decide on what purpose the rifle will serve.
Then, figure out the cartridge choice.
Then, depending on that, figure out your action & if your choice makes sense for your intended purpose.
Then what barrel make?
Barrel material, contour, length, fluting?
Trigger?
Sights?
Detachable or fixed Magazine
Synthetic or Wood stock
Buttplate or Recoil pad

As for US components, you've got to go through an importer.
 
Cliffy72 said:
Where does one start on doing a custom build ? I have a pretty good idea of the components that I want to use. Is it more of a matter of finding a really good gunsmith to assemble the rifle components ? Some of it’s a bit to technical for me but, I am sure a gunsmith can help with those questions or I can ask here 😆 😎 How difficult is it buying gun components out of the states , if I can’t find them in Canada ?
Click to expand...
My advice is give Harley at insite arms a call .i was in the same boat as you a while back . Been wanting a custom build , had an idea of what I wanted in a rifle but not quite sure where to start . I talked to a few different shops . Most of them were just trying to sell me stuff and didn’t explain or discuss much . Harley answered all my questions and suggested products to fit my needs . I’m getting a rifle built by him now . If it turns out as awesome as their customer service so far it will be beautiful . I found as well it was a lot less hassle to just buy from the shop that’s doing your build . I looked into bringing in my own action and stock from the states and it was a bit of a pain in the ass . Most shops will order whatever you want though . As long as it’s something they recommend . You can get pre fit barrels from international barrels that use a savage type locking nut . You can install yourself with a set of headspace gauge . Some actions also have shoulder type pre fits . Then you would just need to get your other companants to match and assemble it . Would need stock bedding and stuff to s depending on what you use . Im sure other members can chime on with more expertise than me though
 
Lots of good advice above. My two cents is be aware that you will never get your money back if you decide to sell it, 50-60% of the value of the parts might be realistic. Speaking from experience hehe

Also, when you find a gunsmith, tell them your expectations for the build and what you want them to do. Confirm they understand. My last build wouldn't feed rounds when I got it, since the gunsmith left that for me to figure out.
 
300 WM Hunting Rifle with Muzzle Brake
Actions… Impact Precision, Lone Peak Arms, Defiance
Chassis… MDT Hunt26, Masterpiece Arms
Barrels…. Bartlein, Krieger, Proof
Trigger….. Trigger Tech, Bix’n Andy

This is just a quick list of components, that I have started making. Not overly concerned with weight, not looking for a super light mountain rifle. Quality components, Accuracy, reliability are the major requirements.
 
Last edited:
Cliffy72 said:
Actions… Impact Precision, Lone Peak Arms, Defiance
Chassis… MDT Hunt26, Masterpiece Arms
Barrels…. Bartlein, Krieger, Proof
Trigger….. Trigger Tech, Bix’n Andy

This is just a quick list of components, that I have started making.
Click to expand...
If you’re half ass mechanically inclined than you could probably do most of that yourself. My preference is to get barrels installed and chambered by a gunsmith, but i’ve never bought a prefit so I can’t really knock them either.

The hnt26 should be a drop in and bolt down fit and you might need to tune the feed lips on your mag a touch to get it to feed properly.

Triggers are a couple of pins to tap in, maybe a snap ring or aomething to remove the bolt stop depending on trigger.

Cartridge, bullet weight, barrel length and barrel twist… make sure they match.

I wouldn’t buy another defiance.

You shouldn’t have to import a barrel, check out one of the candian companies, unless you have your heart set on a carbon fibre wrapped.
 
Last edited:
With the components you have selected there is not to much to assembling them if you get a pre-fit barrel. You would need access to a barrel vise, torque wrench and an action wrench. You would also need go - no go gauges to check the headspace. You may be able to find someone that has all of that to help you out. If you are going the gunsmith route then just start buying all of the parts. Just make sure you research and get the correct action length and stock inlet.
 
I built very similar to what you’re looking at last winter. I went with a throated out 300 win mag rather than PRC as I hand load and had new Lapua brass already. I had KS Arms chamber, thread the barrel and make a thread protector and install a Trigger Tech trigger. I dropped it in a HNT 26 chassis and have been very happy.

KS Arms 3 lug Lightweight Action
Bartlein 26” Carbon fibre barrel 1:9 twist
Trigger Tech Special Trigger
HNT26 non folding with ARCA
Leupold backcountry low rings
Leupold VX6HD 3-18

Weighs 8lbs 4 oz scoped

Shoots 180gr Barnes TTSX @ 3235fps with H1000 sub MOA

SAAMI vs my throated out length for reference

KS Arms did a great job and at the time at least the turn around was quite quick
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3629.jpeg
    IMG_3629.jpeg
    144.3 KB · Views: 80
  • IMG_3334.png
    IMG_3334.png
    423.3 KB · Views: 80
Cliffy72 said:
Vancouver Island
Click to expand...
Excellent here is our gunsmiths information.

Accurate Rifle Company, Josh Salzmann (Gunsmith)

Phone: 250-254-0489, email address: josh@accuraterifleco.ca

Creston, BC

He also has an advertisement on Gun-post. he builds and sells all kinds of actions, barrels and accessories. He built me a very nice custom Remington Model 700 with a KS Arms stainless fluted barrel........:)
 
Cletus26 said:
I built very similar to what you’re looking at last winter. I went with a throated out 300 win mag rather than PRC as I hand load and had new Lapua brass already. I had KS Arms chamber, thread the barrel and make a thread protector and install a Trigger Tech trigger. I dropped it in a HNT 26 chassis and have been very happy.

KS Arms 3 lug Lightweight Action
Bartlein 26” Carbon fibre barrel 1:9 twist
Trigger Tech Special Trigger
HNT26 non folding with ARCA
Leupold backcountry low rings
Leupold VX6HD 3-18

Weighs 8lbs 4 oz scoped

Shoots 180gr Barnes TTSX @ 3235fps with H1000 sub MOA

SAAMI vs my throated out length for reference

KS Arms did a great job and at the time at least the turn around was quite quick
Click to expand...
Cool…can you pm or post what it cost to build your rifle. Less the scope and rings. Thanks ☺️
 
Cliffy72 said:
Where does one start on doing a custom build ? I have a pretty good idea of the components that I want to use. Is it more of a matter of finding a really good gunsmith to assemble the rifle components ? Some of it’s a bit to technical for me but, I am sure a gunsmith can help with those questions or I can ask here 😆 😎 How difficult is it buying gun components out of the states , if I can’t find them in Canada ?
Click to expand...
As others have mentioned what are you using it for, is it your only hunting rifle for everything, or is it a lightweight backpacking sheep hunting rig ?

Figure out what cartridge and what weight scoped do you want ? The cartridge choice will dictate weight to a point.
7 3/4 lbs to 8.5 lbs scoped rifle is a good all round weight to strive for.
I would stick to a stainless action, Defiance has many options and make a great action, Pure Precision SKLTN is a nice action as well with 75 deg bolt throw, defiance also has the 75 deg bolt throw option now.

Benchmark, Bartlein or IBI Barrels are all good

Hawkins Precision M5 bottom metal
Is excellent and make both BDL style or DMB

Triggertech Special triggers are excellent

Rifle Stocks, one thing I would stress for you to look at is a stock like the Gunwerks Clymer, Allterra Arms Carbon Hunter III or the Peak 44 Blacktooth, of course this is dependent on what you want in a stock.

With the Negative Comb they shoulder like a dream and absorb recoil unlike any stock I have ever used, they also have a big dish for the base of your thumb which makes the grip so comfortable and are a great compromise between a traditional grip and a vertical grip, if you can find one shoulder a Clymer Stock, not only are they great to shoot off the bench they are excellent for free/off hand shooting as well.

The Clymer and the Allterra Arms also have flush mounted picatinny rails up forward on the stock.

When you decide on your gunsmith be prepared for a 3-6 month wait time for a build, but also ask your smith if you can have the rifle by a desired date, if you want the rifle for Sept 10 deer hunt don’t drop the parts off Aug 15th as you will be disappointed, you’ll want your rifle a month before hunting so you can get to the range and shoot it and or develop a handload for it.
Don’t ever say to your gunsmith your not in a hurry for a build !!!!!
 
Last edited:
It really depends what kind of rifle you're after. Rust blued and fancy walnut? Or chassis and carbon barrel? You have to decide those sort of things before you start looking at smiths. If you ask Ralf Martini to build a carbon barreled chassis rifle, he's apt to tell you to kick rocks. Similarly, if you go to Rick at Alberta Tactical Rifle Supply and ask for French Walnut and rust bluing, you'll be in for disappointment.

Once we know those things we can likely point you in the proper direction.
 
track said:
If it's Ralf Martini you are thinking about, I believe he is leaving Canada and moving to Austria or Germany.
Click to expand...
No, Ralf Martini only builds guns in the $50,000.00 to $100,000.00 range now. And he's very close to retiring.

I doubt the OP wants a $75,000.00 custom build. LOL..........:)

A great guy and an awesome gunsmith, but us minions cannot afford his expertise any more.
 
Thunderhog said:
No, Ralf Martini only builds guns in the $50,000.00 to $100,000.00 range now. And he's very close to retiring.

I doubt the OP wants a $75,000.00 custom build. LOL..........:)

A great guy and an awesome gunsmith, but us minions cannot afford his expertise any more.
Click to expand...
From what I heard, Ralf is going to manage Hartmann and Weiss in Germany.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom