Custom rifle accuracy and value?

track said:
Oh boy, obviously you and others do not know what a custom rifle entails. Accuracy/cosmetics are the only items on your list, to compare to a manufactured rifle? I believe that you and others have a rigorous, in-depth research into a custom rifle, to expand your knowledge.
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Custom rifles are made to a particular individuals likes/specs.

I believe the OP wanted a comparison of accuracy/function/value retention.

I've seen some lovely custom rifles offered up for sale at half the original price, sit on the same vendor's tables for several years.

Always something that turns most people off, length of pull, cartridge chambering, stock type etc.

Your and my idea of what makes a perfect rifle is a personal opinion only.
 
The custom car Guys and Gals, you invest 80K- 100K into a $40 or 50K car.
Maybe the big name guys in California can get their money out, I would not lay any money on it.
Son is working on one right now, into year 2. One I bought 1957.
Anyone that builds customs is going to shoot it to see that is up to a high standard.
Same with a repair job.
As has been pointed out, who's standard?
I have had guns in that would not shoot for the owner, sometimes it can be a poor barrel, bedding.
Most of the time it is the owner/ shooter.
I don't have much to do with custom CF rifles, Just my option.
 
track said:
Oh boy, obviously you and others do not know what a custom rifle entails. Accuracy/cosmetics are the only items on your list, to compare to a manufactured rifle? I believe that you and others have a rigorous, in-depth research into a custom rifle, to expand your knowledge.
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I’m not sure what your trying to say here? I got exactly what I asked for in my rifle.

About what a custom entails, I grew up in a stock maker / gunsmith shop, seen lots of customers with different needs, wants, expectations, and budgets. I also dabble in building custom walnut stocks myself (friends and family only). Sure there is a lot to a custom rifle, but it is only based on what the customer wants, which 99% of the time, is function, fit, looks and accuracy. All of which a person can find in most factory rifles, pretty easily.

One man’s custom, may be another man’s canoe paddle
 
Decker9 said:
One man’s custom, may be another man’s canoe paddle
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Yup, I guess different people are interested in different thing. I'll usually think of a nicely stocked rifle with specific features. I'm expecting to pay a premium for fit and finish, it should be accurate enough... but I won't be thinking about using that rifle extreme long range benchrest match...

wrrifle-jpg.234449
 
Decker9 said:
I’m not sure what your trying to say here? I got exactly what I asked for in my rifle.

About what a custom entails, I grew up in a stock maker / gunsmith shop, seen lots of customers with different needs, wants, expectations, and budgets. I also dabble in building custom walnut stocks myself (friends and family only). Sure there is a lot to a custom rifle, but it is only based on what the customer wants, which 99% of the time, is function, fit, looks and accuracy. All of which a person can find in most factory rifles, pretty easily.

One man’s custom, may be another man’s canoe paddle
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Now you added two more reasons for a custom rifle from your last statement. How can you state that there is very little difference between a $5000 rifle and a Tikka? There is more to a custom rifle than accuracy and appearance. Every part of it is unique with custom makings, from butt to muzzle.
 
guntech said:
I think the majority of custom builder in the US were really good at marketing... many of us up here were building rifles that shot every bit as well for 1/2 the price of one the those US builds...
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I would have to agree...

I have seen some custom USA builds approaching 7k USD....its ridiculous!

Gunwerks comes to mind....LOL!
 
You can label it any way you want. Custom doesn’t necessarily mean better. A high quality, hand lapped barrel and a new square and straight action put into a stock that fits you and your purpose, “can” outshoot 95% of the factory rifles available. Assuming it’s put together with some care or properly chambered by a competent gunsmith.
These aren’t exotic usually, and can be put together for a few grand if you do your part.
The stock and action/trigger hold all the value. I wouldn’t attach any value to a used barrel or the cost of gunsmith to put it together when it was time to sell. You’re actually better off breaking it down to sell. Maybe get a couple hundred out of a relatively new/used barrel and 80% out of the rest.
 
350 Mag said:
I would have to agree...

I have seen some custom USA builds approaching 7k USD....its ridiculous!

Gunwerks comes to mind....LOL!
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Doesn't the Gunwerks come 1000 yard ready out of the box with load development all worked out and recorded?
 
hawk-i said:
Doesn't the Gunwerks come 1000 yard ready out of the box with load development all worked out and recorded?
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They do and that's what 60% of the cost goes to.

Here's the catch.

Those development loads only work with one specific LOT of powder, one specific lot of brass, one specific lot of bullets, one specific lot of primers and one specific die set on one specific press.

If all of those components were included, even at extra cost, that would help some.

The thing is, give someone a chance to inject their own personal ideas and it all goes to hell quickly.

When you get it, the development load is a good place to start.

There are never any 100% guarantees

Some custom builders will guarantee off the shelf factory loaded PREMIUM ammunition of specified weight/type bullets to shoot into a minute of angle or slightly more. That's about as good as it gets.
 
track said:
Now you added two more reasons for a custom rifle from your last statement. How can you state that there is very little difference between a $5000 rifle and a Tikka? There is more to a custom rifle than accuracy and appearance. Every part of it is unique with custom makings, from butt to muzzle.
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Honestly, if I said my custom was better, it would only be me trying to justify the price tag. Kinda like saying Swarovski is the best, nothing but justified price tags.

Now, if a guy wants to go all out with a hand made stock, built to fit, that’s a whole new level of custom rifle imo, which all those traits come together. Sure some smiths will tweak a plastic stock to fit, but not to common. Carbon/plastic stocks are pretty generic, not much custom about the fit at all.

Not trying to argue, I see where your coming from, I just see it a different way. My expectation of a custom rifle is to put the bullet where I want it, my tikka (along with my cheap savages tbh) will put the bullet in the same spot, every time.

I have absolutely no regrets having this custom built, but I won’t lie and say it’s better…. Unless it’s my wife asking.


.
 
sillymike said:
Yup, I guess different people are interested in different thing. I'll usually think of a nicely stocked rifle with specific features. I'm expecting to pay a premium for fit and finish, it should be accurate enough... but I won't be thinking about using that rifle extreme long range benchrest match...

wrrifle-jpg.234449
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That looks to be a gorgeous rifle Mike!! I have a soft spot for those custom stocked rifles, truly custom imo, and gives fit and finish a whole new meaning. (The steel but plate has to go lol)

unique r names
 
Decker9 said:
Honestly, if I said my custom was better, it would only be me trying to justify the price tag. Kinda like saying Swarovski is the best, nothing but justified price tags.

Now, if a guy wants to go all out with a hand made stock, built to fit, that’s a whole new level of custom rifle imo, which all those traits come together. Sure some smiths will tweak a plastic stock to fit, but not to common. Carbon/plastic stocks are pretty generic, not much custom about the fit at all.

Not trying to argue, I see where your coming from, I just see it a different way. My expectation of a custom rifle is to put the bullet where I want it, my tikka (along with my cheap savages tbh) will put the bullet in the same spot, every time.

I have absolutely no regrets having this custom built, but I won’t lie and say it’s better…. Unless it’s my wife asking.


.
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Custom is better, because of high performance components, accompanied with precision workmanship. Barrel is the hart of the rifle, with choice of barrel length, contour, thickness, amount of rifling and twist rate; manufactures do not offer these options. Triggers: Arnold Jewell, Trigger Tech, Timney, etc accompanied with single set and double set triggers; most manufactures do not have these options. I can go on with the rest of a rifle, however I'm sure you can read between the lines. Three is great value in components and in the labour of the gunsmith, that's how I view it.
If your Tikka works just as good as a custom built, equally accurate and works great; then lets all purchase a cheap Savage 110 model, they are accurate and function well.
 
To simulate the retained value of a custom rifle take about 1/4" worth of 100 dollar bills and divide it into 2 even piles. Next; set one of the piles on fire:evil:

Whatever emotions you felt then are about what you're going experience when you sell your unique, totally to your specification creation that is likely a 1/8" and a quarter pound away from everyone else's unique creation. This is actually a best case scenario.;)

In fairness, you may have actually made something so specialized that it really is different. I'll pause while you go back and set the second pile on fire.:p




You back? Must be a sucker for punishment.:) The base line price on builds is the wholesale price of the used stock and action because the guy that takes it apart has to make a buck too. Barrels aren't worth anything to speak of, but he might pull ahead on triggers and cool bottom metal. Gunsmithing costs are gone.
 
hawk-i said:
If I have a gunsmith build a custom rifle, does the smith guarantee any accuracy level of the rifle or would a guy be shyt out of luck if it will only do MOA?

Some high end factory guns come with a 1/2 MOA guarantee, which gives me some level of protection.

Also next question is, how good does a custom hold its value and does the name of the smith make a difference in the value?
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LOL ! I bet your really Glad you asked this Eh. :p. :d. RJ
 
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