I priced out a put together/custom rifle on a stevens 200 action. What I want would cost $2700 without shipping costs involved. Is it worth it? The plain factory stevens gun I were to start with is most likely more capable then me. Who cares about resale if its what you want build it buy it as long as your happy when you shoot it
Custom rifle cost
- Thread starter bearhunter338-06
- Start date
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
It sure seems like you need to spend a bundle when you really don't.
These 4-$5000 dollar rigs for custom isn't necessary for what you want IMO.Sourcing the parts properly and finding smith's that don't charge through the nose is important.If you want to spend the most you can on each particular item then it will cost you.I think the biggest unneeded expense is $500.00 stocks.You can work a lesser priced or original to work just as well with proper bedding/in-letting/floating.This can all be done by someone with a bit of mechanical inclination.
Many factory triggers can also be worked to work as well and deliver performance close to the very expensive custom ones.
The machine work can be done by reputable smiths for very decent cash money.Find one with the tools already on hand for your chambering.
Components can be found on the EE sometimes for good deals, this helps with the cost.
I think you can get a very reliable and accurate custom rifle with what a person wants for $1800-$2200.No need for $2000.00 optics either , you can find very good quality scopes for $600-$1000.
IMO finding a used Remington 700 or a new SPS for a start is a good foundation.Many smiths work these actions with amazing results.
My latest rifle with a Krieger barrel and all work and components came in just under the 2K mark and I am very impressed with the way it shoots.
IMO time, patience, and research will save you $$$ and still provide you with what you want.
Remember , ego costs money!
These 4-$5000 dollar rigs for custom isn't necessary for what you want IMO.Sourcing the parts properly and finding smith's that don't charge through the nose is important.If you want to spend the most you can on each particular item then it will cost you.I think the biggest unneeded expense is $500.00 stocks.You can work a lesser priced or original to work just as well with proper bedding/in-letting/floating.This can all be done by someone with a bit of mechanical inclination.
Many factory triggers can also be worked to work as well and deliver performance close to the very expensive custom ones.
The machine work can be done by reputable smiths for very decent cash money.Find one with the tools already on hand for your chambering.
Components can be found on the EE sometimes for good deals, this helps with the cost.
I think you can get a very reliable and accurate custom rifle with what a person wants for $1800-$2200.No need for $2000.00 optics either , you can find very good quality scopes for $600-$1000.
IMO finding a used Remington 700 or a new SPS for a start is a good foundation.Many smiths work these actions with amazing results.
My latest rifle with a Krieger barrel and all work and components came in just under the 2K mark and I am very impressed with the way it shoots.
IMO time, patience, and research will save you $$$ and still provide you with what you want.
Remember , ego costs money!
I guess everyone has a different idea of what a custom rifle is.
I heard the term "Spray painted 700"s" as a reference to the majority of custom guns being built today.
I've got a few of these "spray painted" customs. A 250 AI and a 6mm AI being built.
When I think of custom rifles I think of Martini, Beisen, and the older G&H.
Just for ####s and giggles buy a Stevens 200, paint the stock, put a 20 MOA rail along with a BSA scope and go to the Precision forum and brag about your "custom build"
I heard the term "Spray painted 700"s" as a reference to the majority of custom guns being built today.
I've got a few of these "spray painted" customs. A 250 AI and a 6mm AI being built.
When I think of custom rifles I think of Martini, Beisen, and the older G&H.
Just for ####s and giggles buy a Stevens 200, paint the stock, put a 20 MOA rail along with a BSA scope and go to the Precision forum and brag about your "custom build"
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I've got 3 custom rifles and two semi-custom. The cost of these things varied greatly, but my .308 target rifle broke $10K with the addition of an S&B PM II scope. Had I opted for a custom action rather than working with a 700 Remington, the price would have increased by another $2K. My Brno 602 topped out at about $5K. By contrast my M-7 Remington with the Lilja .243 barrel and a B&C stock was about $2K if memory serves. By contrast our semi-custom rifles increased the cost over the purchase price by about $1K.
A gunsmith's shop time represents a significant portion of the entire cost of your project. Therefore when I have a rifle worked on, I want to choose the best components that are available. I want the overall package to suit my tastes. The trick though is to know what you want and how to get it. If you choose the wrong barrel contour or length, your rifle will not meet your expectations. Very light rifles are nice to carry but more challenging to shoot well. Heavier rifles are fatiguing to carry across rough country all day long, even though they are a pleasure to shoot all day at the range. Either can feel wrong if they balance poorly. If you think you've nailed the perfect rifle components to build the ultimate rifle, beware. Double check that your ultimate rifle does not stray too far from its off the rack counterparts. When there is a departure, understand that any drastic change will effect the handling of that rifle, so make sure your choice will result in the advantage you imagine.
A gunsmith's shop time represents a significant portion of the entire cost of your project. Therefore when I have a rifle worked on, I want to choose the best components that are available. I want the overall package to suit my tastes. The trick though is to know what you want and how to get it. If you choose the wrong barrel contour or length, your rifle will not meet your expectations. Very light rifles are nice to carry but more challenging to shoot well. Heavier rifles are fatiguing to carry across rough country all day long, even though they are a pleasure to shoot all day at the range. Either can feel wrong if they balance poorly. If you think you've nailed the perfect rifle components to build the ultimate rifle, beware. Double check that your ultimate rifle does not stray too far from its off the rack counterparts. When there is a departure, understand that any drastic change will effect the handling of that rifle, so make sure your choice will result in the advantage you imagine.
I don`t see a problem with what the op wants to do. Lots of guys buy a A$200 dollar 10-22 then spend a grand or more to make it look like a space rifle and everybody is tickled pink with the looks. I haven`t used a prefit barrel yet but will likely try one in the future, as for stocks and triggers there are a lot of options available. Go for it and have fun in the building.
I have had over 30 customs built now,it always costs more than you think.If you ever plan to sell a custom than you will probably lose $$ and maybe lots of it! I wouldn't use a stevens action for any custom project,way more long term value in a rem,win or ruger action.there are always the higher end factory rifles, like cooper,sako etc... they seem to hold there value well and most are tack drivers for accuracy.
- Location
- Chilliwack
This is my seconded custom I had built:
Ruger Tang Safety
Shillen #4 barrel
Boyd Laminate stock
Trigger set to 2.5 pounds
Ruger Tang Safety
Shillen #4 barrel
Boyd Laminate stock
Trigger set to 2.5 pounds
I bought a used Weatherby MKV and sold the synthetic stock and barrel. So lets say the action cost $700. ( less actually with the dies and brass I sold )
I bought a custom barrel with NECG front sight, Rear ghost ring machined into a scope base. Chambered and installed. Blued the whole gun. $1600
An english walnut take off stock from a 460 Weatherby from japan with a few dings and marks but looks nice. $250
So I spent more than some and less than others. I now have a one of a kind custom built to my specs.
I bought a custom barrel with NECG front sight, Rear ghost ring machined into a scope base. Chambered and installed. Blued the whole gun. $1600
An english walnut take off stock from a 460 Weatherby from japan with a few dings and marks but looks nice. $250
So I spent more than some and less than others. I now have a one of a kind custom built to my specs.
