Model 70 in 358Win
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The custom rifles from Winchester and Remington are a cut above the regular versions, tuned triggers, fine wood, lapped etc etc. I used to own a custom shop Remington and it was much nicer than a regular one. Whether it's worth the price or not is up to the buyer!
Buy a 308 M70. Give it and about 600 dollars to the gunsmithof your choice (since you are in Victoria, Dennis Sorenson is the obvious choice and a good one at that) and have it rebarreled to 358. For this you should be able to have a M70 with a first class barrel in the caliber you want and probably haveit glass bedded and the trigger tuned up as well. Certainly a more cost effective approach than the purchase of a custom shop rifle. Regards, Bill.
Obviously you guys who are touting the Winchester custom shop rifle have never seen one.
I have, two in fact, and would not give you two hundred dollars extra for either one over the standard factory rifle. I have seen better wood on many factory rifles, and the metal work is barely a cut above the factory rifles.
Anyone else here actually seen one?
Ted
I have, two in fact, and would not give you two hundred dollars extra for either one over the standard factory rifle. I have seen better wood on many factory rifles, and the metal work is barely a cut above the factory rifles.
Anyone else here actually seen one?
Ted
Ted,
This was my custom shop .375 H&H:
Here is a picture of a custom shop Winchester:
I haven't seen wood like those on any factory M700 or Winchester M70. The trigger was excellent on the .375 and the bolt was slick, much nicer to work than a regular one. Plus it came with a different contour barrel, which is supposedly lapped at the factory, but I can't say for sure.
Like I said, "whether it is worth it or not is up to the buyer". I bought mine used, for MUCH less than the new price. In that case, to me, it was worth it.
This was my custom shop .375 H&H:
Here is a picture of a custom shop Winchester:
I haven't seen wood like those on any factory M700 or Winchester M70. The trigger was excellent on the .375 and the bolt was slick, much nicer to work than a regular one. Plus it came with a different contour barrel, which is supposedly lapped at the factory, but I can't say for sure.
Like I said, "whether it is worth it or not is up to the buyer". I bought mine used, for MUCH less than the new price. In that case, to me, it was worth it.
BLR in 358 winchester...yeah baby!! I love mine, and will never part with it, well it will go to one of my boys some day. But not for a while yet! There's game animals out there that need killin' before I give her to my boys. 
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Custom is custom ... you want something not offered in the regular catalogue, you pay extra ... sometimes a lot extra ! " Pay as you play."
Most of Winchester's Custom Shop guns are very well made indeed. Wood is generally much more figured and of better grain than run of the mill factory stuff. Last I heard, a Kreiger Match Grade barrel was part of the deal ( a little more expensive than a 'factory grade barrel' if you want to price one out ).
Inletting, chambering, squaring everything up and lapping of the bolt all by hand, as is all other finishing and checkering. Tolerances are kept to a minimum, and you have every right to expect a gun that shoots well. From what I've heard, the Custom Shop very much stands behind their efforts to make you happy !
If $$$ is a consideration, why not just grab a Rem. 700 in 35 Whelen. It will certainly do anything the .358 Winchester can - as will I'm sure, half a dozen other standard rifles with available catalogued chamberings.
If you can't live without a Model 70 in .358, then the re-barreled route as suggested is likely the most cost effective.
"Great looking wood" is absolutely the exception, not the rule. The occasional escapee gets out of the factory, but the run of the mill, plain jane vanilla stuff is what is standard. You get a nice piece of wood by chance, lucky you, but don't expect it.
Want the best, buy the best, at the price you can best afford.
That custom grade fiddleback maple ( tigerstripe, if you will ) Model 70 shown elsewhere, will set you back about $ 5,000 ... if you really want one ... and IF you can get one out of Winchester before April 1/06. Supposedly that's "shut-down" date for US Repeating Arms (Winchester guns) in New Haven.
Most of Winchester's Custom Shop guns are very well made indeed. Wood is generally much more figured and of better grain than run of the mill factory stuff. Last I heard, a Kreiger Match Grade barrel was part of the deal ( a little more expensive than a 'factory grade barrel' if you want to price one out ).
Inletting, chambering, squaring everything up and lapping of the bolt all by hand, as is all other finishing and checkering. Tolerances are kept to a minimum, and you have every right to expect a gun that shoots well. From what I've heard, the Custom Shop very much stands behind their efforts to make you happy !
If $$$ is a consideration, why not just grab a Rem. 700 in 35 Whelen. It will certainly do anything the .358 Winchester can - as will I'm sure, half a dozen other standard rifles with available catalogued chamberings.
If you can't live without a Model 70 in .358, then the re-barreled route as suggested is likely the most cost effective.
"Great looking wood" is absolutely the exception, not the rule. The occasional escapee gets out of the factory, but the run of the mill, plain jane vanilla stuff is what is standard. You get a nice piece of wood by chance, lucky you, but don't expect it.
Want the best, buy the best, at the price you can best afford.
That custom grade fiddleback maple ( tigerstripe, if you will ) Model 70 shown elsewhere, will set you back about $ 5,000 ... if you really want one ... and IF you can get one out of Winchester before April 1/06. Supposedly that's "shut-down" date for US Repeating Arms (Winchester guns) in New Haven.
Sorry, BB, but what you have "heard" is wrong! None of the above is even mentioned in any of Winchester's catalogues or website.beretta boy said:
Here's all you are promised on the website:
Like fine art adorning the walls of prestigious museums around the world, a custom built Winchester® firearm will be admired by those who appreciate fine workmanship and exceptional beauty. Not only can you select well-known nostalgic models, you have many more choices today of what you would personally like in a rifle or lever-action shotgun. The Custom Shop is available to you and can fulfill your dreams of owning a fine, custom-made firearm. Whether you want to own an exquisite firearm for its beauty as much as its performance or you’re in the market for a unique rifle to commemorate your special, once-in-a-lifetime hunt, the Custom Shop can meet your needs. Each firearm has special qualities and features you’ll appreciate and be proud to own and show off. A custom Winchester firearm will help you recall some of the finest hunting and shooting experiences of your life — and make new memories for years to come.
Just give the custom shop a call and ask them. I have.
No flame, but I am curious if you have you ever had one of their custom rifles in your hand or just heard about them? The one that I ordered and the other one I handled were barely a cut above the factory rifle.
Ted
1899 said:
Hi Kristian,
Nice wood, indeed, but certainly not $2700 USD worth.
The two that I have seen were not even close to that. The checkering was no better than the computer-controlled machine cut stuff, and the metal finish was just average. The one I ordered, a 270, shot reasonably well, around an inch and a half. However, I have had quite a few standard grade factory rifles shoot that well, some much better.
Bill Leeeper has given the best advice. Get a good rifle that you like, and have it rebarrelled and bedded with a Ron Smith, Ted Gaillard, Lilja, Hart or a Kreiger barrel if one wants. A person will be about $2000 CDN ahead, know what he has, and it will shoot!.
I just hate to see someone spend $3000+ CDN and end up with a thousand dollar rifle.
Ted
Why not? said:Hi Kristian,
Nice wood, indeed, but certainly not $2700 USD worth.
The two that I have seen were not even close to that. The checkering was no better than the computer-controlled machine cut stuff, and the metal finish was just average. The one I ordered, a 270, shot reasonably well, around an inch and a half. However, I have had quite a few standard grade factory rifles shoot that well, some much better.
Bill Leeeper has given the best advice. Get a good rifle that you like, and have it rebarrelled and bedded with a Ron Smith, Ted Gaillard, Lilja, Hart or a Kreiger barrel if one wants. A person will be about $2000 CDN ahead, know what he has, and it will shoot!.
I just hate to see someone spend $3000+ CDN and end up with a thousand dollar rifle.
Ted
Oh I agree Ted. I paid just under $1000 for mine. I would not pay the number listed on the web site.
Why not? said:
Ditto. Turn a good gunmaker like Bill Leeper loose with $2000 or so, and you will have a rifle FAR ahead of the Winchester custom shop. I have owned one custom shop rifle (and played with several others), and it wasn't even in the same league with what Leeper has done for me for less money. With the Winchester, you get the name with a few upgrades. With a custom rifle, you get a custom rifle. Compare the two and it becomes obvious.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Why Not ?
I guess what I've "READ" in Winchester's Catalogue is wrong too.
Gee, seems we can't all be right and all-knowing.
See p. 48 - 50 and especially the Headline on p.50 " A Krieger Barrel for Every Purpose ... the Winchester Custom Shop offers five different contours ..."
Do you happen to have a a Custom Shop African Express in .375 H&H or
maybe .458 Win Mag. ??? ... if soo, I'd gladly pay the $ 200 "bonus" over the standard grade at that amount someone suggests they're worth .
I guess what I've "READ" in Winchester's Catalogue is wrong too.
Gee, seems we can't all be right and all-knowing.
See p. 48 - 50 and especially the Headline on p.50 " A Krieger Barrel for Every Purpose ... the Winchester Custom Shop offers five different contours ..."
Do you happen to have a a Custom Shop African Express in .375 H&H or
maybe .458 Win Mag. ??? ... if soo, I'd gladly pay the $ 200 "bonus" over the standard grade at that amount someone suggests they're worth .
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
And Oh Yes, I HAVE SEEN ... A FEW !!!!
No question there are several good custom smiths out there that can make yo up a beauty. First question ... how much do you want to spend on wood ???
No question there are several good custom smiths out there that can make yo up a beauty. First question ... how much do you want to spend on wood ???
beretta boy said:
Do you know how cheaply a GOOD piece of wood can be purchased for, versus what the custom shops charge? Some of their metal work is okay, but they are all an absolute rip-off for what they loosely call "upgraded" wood.
