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TAC

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Peterborough Ontario
I want to own and build a custom rifle. I would like it to shoot out to 1000 m and I need it to look good . I would like to put as many quality parts into it as budget will allow. Now I have never even shot out past 200 meters and the most expensive rig I own is my LRPV 22-250 savage. Approximately 1700.00
But I see some of the fine rigs built on here and something says you got to have one of those. So my question here is where do you start, do you just start buying all the parts and find your self a good smith and have him put it all together ? Now I dint want a million dollar rifle or at least I cant afford one but If I started buying parts up I could stretch it out over a year or so and maybe make the budget larger. So say start with 3500.00 in mind. Any suggestions? And as far as caliber not sure but this is what comes to mind at this point 223 6MM 308 300 win mag. Ive wanted to do this for a long time.
Thanks in advance
 
Why a custom rig? I have a Tikka T3 Heavy Barrel in 6.5 x 55 Swedish and a fixed 10 power scope that performs superbly at 1000 yards with decent handloads.
 
million posts like this.

Decision matrix

1) tactical shooter? BCRA regs = .308 win, .223 rem, .300 win mag or other service cartridge (not sure of any others... do a search on BCRA tactical)
2) action? lots to choose rem 700 / surgeon etc.... prices vary as does rigidity
3) stock = AICS or A5
4) barrell + rest = total gun weight = 18 lbs max for tactical shooting

if you plan on just punching paper at 1000m .308 will work, the bigger calibers / cartridges work well too but remember muzzle brakes are not allowed on most shoots. If it is just for fun and you don't mind spending money on ammo and you want to shoot a long ways try someones .338 lapua magnum BEFORE you buy one.
 
you really have to be clear when you ask for help on this forum, WHAT you are going to shoot and if the gun is for matches.... because a whole bunch of rules and specs apply, and you don't want to build a sniper match gun in 300 win mag and find out you can't use a muzzle brake..... ouch...


cheers.
 
1) Decide why you want a true precision rifle: Sport? Competition? If so, What discipline? (Tactical? F-Class, Target Rifle? Benchrest?)
2) Take a realistic approach to learning HOW to shoot long distance: Stay the hell away from cannons and stick with a tame but accurate cartridge and understand that the nut behind the butt must know what he is doing to get the best out of a gun (but the reverse is true: your gun must be accurate to learn from its results)
3) Are you going to reload or buy ammo?
4) have someone in-the-know help you wade through the reams of BS and subjectivity when you ask questions like this on the internet :)

...I would say buy yourself a .223 or 308 off the shelf. Buy yourself a decent match grade barrel and get one of the many excellent gunsmiths to build it for you and help you with making important choices. Add to that as required but this is enough to give you match-capable results.
 
TAC said:
I want to own and build a custom rifle. I would like it to shoot out to 1000 m and I need it to look good . I would like to put as many quality parts into it as budget will allow. Now I have never even shot out past 200 meters and the most expensive rig I own is my LRPV 22-250 savage. Approximately 1700.00
But I see some of the fine rigs built on here and something says you got to have one of those. So my question here is where do you start, do you just start buying all the parts and find your self a good smith and have him put it all together ? Now I dint want a million dollar rifle or at least I cant afford one but If I started buying parts up I could stretch it out over a year or so and maybe make the budget larger. So say start with 3500.00 in mind. Any suggestions? And as far as caliber not sure but this is what comes to mind at this point 223 6MM 308 300 win mag. Ive wanted to do this for a long time.
Thanks in advance
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What exactly will the purpose of this rifle be? Without knowing that the possibilities are endless. At this time, it's pointless to give suggestions on pure speculation.
 
u can have the most expensive coolest looking rig but it isnt going to make u the shooter u desire to be. only lots of practice will do that. nothing like watching some goof with too much money at the range missing the targets and wondering why his custom rifle wont hit f*ck all.

mutt
 
I can't speak for all custom gun makers, but here we prefer to supply most if not all of the parts.
Most gunmakers will or should spend the time going over with you what the rifle will be used for, what components you want used and why and sometimes make recommendations based on their experience.
Here we ask only for a deposit to order the parts in and then the balance for the parts as they show up. Some items take several months to come in, most manufacturers want a deposit before the will start building stuff like custom stocks, actions or sometimes barrels if they are not mainstream.
This can spread out the cashflow for you.
The reason some of us want to supply the parts is so there is no confusion if a warranty or delivery issue develops. If I order the parts and they are supplied wrong it is my problem, so to speak.

As others have stated to know what the rifle is to be used for will net you precise answers.
 
Most gun smiths that build rilfes (like alberta tactical rifle above) charge a slight markup on parts. But the money you spend on their markup is going to be a hell of a lot less then doing it wrong and changing ONE part out. ANOTHER thing to remember is that guys like Ed @ VBULL or the boys at ATR do is get the exact parts that mate properly, there are differences that while subtle to you and I, it can mean a combo of parts is a NO-GO or the time require to machine them to fit, just blew the money you saved by getting a "deal".

Also with the cartridge you choose, pick something common until you know a lot about what you do and don't like about shooting. .308 win is a great cartridge that you can compete with in shoots that are fun and informal and don't require "science" guns. Also reloading for it is easy and there are a million published authors advising you on things you can do, and bullet choices and brass are relatively inexpensive.

I will say this about barrels. DO NOT be mislead about barrels with names that are well recognized (krieger). While these are "good".....the 'best" guns usually have the little guys barrels in them. I knew a master machinist in revelstoke that unfortunately passed, but his guns were true lasers and he and others felt that small names like mcphee were superior to the IMPORT american ones, and their targets proved this time and time again.
 
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I will say this about barrels. DO NOT be mislead about barrels with names that are well recognized (krieger). While these are "good".....the 'best" guns usually have the little guys barrels in them.
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Based on a comment like that, I'd say you have a lot to learn about this sport. No doubt a "little guy" can produce a quality barrel but to say that they're "best" is just flat out misleading and subjective at best.

With very high quality barrels you'd be hard pressed tosee much of a difference from ne brand to the next providing of course that a certain manufacturer has specialized in a certain type of design or calibre.
 
will say this about barrels. DO NOT be mislead about barrels with names that are well recognized (krieger). While these are "good".....the 'best" guns usually have the little guys barrels in them. I knew a master machinist in revelstoke that unfortunately passed, but his guns were true lasers and he and others felt that small names like mcphee were superior to the IMPORT american ones, and their targets proved this time and time again.
Click to expand...

While I will agree that some of the "small" guys make some excellent barrels much of the time, (particularly Mick McPhee and Ted Gaillard) My whole business was started because I was tired of waiting months, spending the better part of a grand on a barrel and its smithing only to find that it didn't shoot worth a damned. I also thought that for $450 I should be getting a barrel that was lapped at least. McPhee is 30 cal only, Smith and McPhee don't lap and McLennan and Gaillard don't cut rifle so your choices are influenced by what is available. Every barrel maker makes the odd bad one and while I've had outstanding barrels, I've had too many mediocre ones from "small guys" over the years.



You can crap on "recognized" barrel names all you want, but to imply that investing in a superlative quality match barrel from someone other than a small-time producer is a waste of money, that their barrels are mediocre or unpatriotic is utterly obtuse at best, and in my opinion pure garbage.
 
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Many combinations of parts can be put together to make a fantastic looking and performing rig. If you want to see what works just look at this or some of the other websites ( 6BR, Longrange hunting, snipers hide...) to see what you like and then start asking specific questions about your realistic wants, needs and goals.

You'll want to be patient when you start your build because it doesn't happen over night especially when having components imported.

Ivo
 
Wow thanks guys for all the replies. You have given me lots to think on and thats great just what I wanted as I am only going to do this once so I want to do it right. I am a reloader and it looks like by the time I do load development and all it will take maybe a year and a half and thats OK with me. I believe thats all part of the hobby/ sport.
I would like to shoot paper with this rig and if a competition comes up maybe shoot it for validation. Also if a hunting situation came about that would be great to .
I see I will have to find a good smith and a local one would be beneficial but one in Alberta would work too.
Well thanks again guys and I will be on here asking some more questions as the need arises.
 
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