PGW Timbewolf pros and cons? looking for opinions

Lots of info here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C14_Timberwolf

I think most people parting with serious dough want a predictable outcome.

Custom builds are great, however, some people want to enjoy things in a timely fashion. What would be the lead time on a ground up 338LM custom build from a gunsmith that can guarantee 95 percent succes rate of hitting a chest sized target at 1200m?.....also while using factory ammo. And have every gun he builds carry this performance or be rejected.

I am normally of the school of thought that:

A "factory" built custom will be more reliable and have a good build quality
It should retain its value better (if that's a concern)
It is more predictable
It's the CF's choice in sniper rifles

It was that type of thinking that led me to buy a Timberwolf (for long range) and also a Nighthawk Custom (for my high end 1911).

Your friends who didn't like the PGW's, what distances were they shooting?
 
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Dirteemax...I won't mention names here because my issues were minor and no so much with the actual
function of the rifle. I'm very fussy and have high expectations, so I'm not saying that the rifles were junk and you should stay away. For me like probably most of us, I don't get very many opportunities to drop
5K in to a rifle before optics, so little things become big things. I still do business with them as my
comfort level is there despite what shortcomings I feel are there...on the other hand would I send a "new" guy a chunk of money to build me a rifle? I'm less comfortable with that. I have a few perfect build
recipes in my head but don't want the disappoinent of not being 100% satisfied. At the same time don't want to be that guy that #####es about every tiny little thing.
I shot a PGW Scout and Timberwolf and was pleased with what I saw...so I went that way and am very happy.
 
dirteemax said:
If you have some serious dough you want a predictable outcome? I agree that's, why I prefer a custom built rifle over taking my chances with a factory rifle.

So a guy can go out and buy all the exact same components that PGW use. Put them together, and it will be crap because it wasn't mass produced in the PGW shop?

It's strange that people even buy custom rifles if factory rifles are more reliable, more predictable, and retain there value better.

Why doesn't every F-class shooter just buys PGW rifles?

We shoot at all ranges out to 1500 yard
I have my own setup with benches and steel targets from 600 to just under 1500 yards
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Would you mind posting some pics of your rig? Cost and specs. You may just sway me to custom build
 
Shooter1of38 said:
Lots of info here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C14_Timberwolf

I think most people parting with serious dough want a predictable outcome.

Custom builds are great, however, some people want to enjoy things in a timely fashion. What would be the lead time on a ground up 338LM custom build from a gunsmith that can guarantee 95 percent succes rate of hitting a chest sized target at 1200m?.....also while using factory ammo. And have every gun he builds carry this performance or be rejected.

I am normally of the school of thought that:

A "factory" built custom will be more reliable and have a good build quality
It should retain its value better (if that's a concern)
It is more predictable
It's the CF's choice in sniper rifles

It was that type of thinking that led me to buy a Timberwolf (for long range) and also a Nighthawk Custom (for my high end 1911).

Your friends who didn't like the PGW's, what distances were they shooting?
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Great info! thanks
 
I would say that the Pro's of getting a PGW are:

Well-established 'name brand' recognition
Adopted by Canadian Forces - ergo passed a variety of tests ( accuracy and durability etc ) to meet military specifications
By and large people seem to very much like their PGW products
Excellent after sales support from PGW
Built in Canada so, generally, readily available in their standard configuration

The first 4 Pro's will, likely, add to re-sale value should you decide to sell.

Con's as I see it:

Price - it is possible to have a rifle built for same or less money
Price - some very good factory offerings are also less expensive
Cost to feed - I guess you are over this if you are set on this calibre but worth mentioning as a general 'con' on the .338LM
Going full custom will allow you to choose exactly what you want
 
dirteemax said:
I can see your point. I am also extremely picky with my stuff to the point were its probably a little OCD. So I get what your saying.

Sometimes it's nice to open up a box and see a nice shiny new perfect rifle compared to seeing what I got on my last custom build. All other custom builds have been very good up to that point but I did receive one that was not acceptable. If you want a RPA action on a wood laminate masterclass stock I can tell you were not to go. No doubt it probably shot great but it looked horrible and it cost me $3,700

At the same time I would say that 90% of the time my custom rifles have all been better shooters and finished nicer then factory rifles.

This is part of the reason I bought my own lathe so that I can make sure everything is perfect the way I want it. If something's wrong I have no one to blame but my selfe.

That being said. How hard is it to buy a Cadex chassis and bolt an action into it. It should be pretty hard to screw that up. It's not like you are bedding and sanding and oiling a stock and fitting an action block and all that stuff. The easiest rifles to put together are those in an aluminium chassis like the cadex, or dolphin, or anything like that.
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I hate chassis stocks. I own a one and never again! HS or A-5 all the way
 
dirteemax said:
If you have some serious dough you want a predictable outcome? I agree that's, why I prefer a custom built rifle over taking my chances with a factory rifle.

So a guy can go out and buy all the exact same components that PGW use. Put them together, and it will be crap because it wasn't mass produced in the PGW shop?

It's strange that people even buy custom rifles if factory rifles are more reliable, more predictable, and retain there value better.

Why doesn't every F-class shooter just buys PGW rifles?

We shoot at all ranges out to 1500 yard
I have my own setup with benches and steel targets from 600 to just under 1500 yards
Click to expand...


Yes, exactly that.

I can give you all the high end 1911 parts you request, and when I come back in a month, my NHC will be light years ahead of what you put together in terms of fit, finish, performance and reliability. I will have spent more money, but I'll be happier with my end product

Why? Because shops like NHC and pgw build a handful of models every day, all day, repetition breeds perfection.

I too would like to see pictures of your rifles please
 
dirteemax said:
I'm just wondering, at what point does a guy just build a custom rather then paying a large some of money for what is still a factory rifle?

I understand it is nice to be able to just pick something out and have it with in a few days and get out shooting. But when u start talking this amount of money, and you are throwing around terms like "high end" "accuracy"

If you truly want the best then why not go the custom rout? By my quick math a guy can buy the Cadex chassis if that's what your really after, an action, barrel, trigger, brake and have it put together for less money then what you will spend on a PGW. Even if it costs the same you still have a better rifle.

If I am correct the only part of the PGW that is built by them is the action? If you can buy all the exact same components anyways and have them put together by someone who is going to take more time and effort assembling the rifle and do all for the same or less money that what it the point of buying a PGW?

If you go the custom rout You will have more choice in the components used, and you can use a better action than what PGW manufactures anyways. You can request the exact chamber dimension you desire for what ever bullet you are primarily going to be using. What ever head space you want, and you know everything is going to be perfectly true.

Yes there are a few gunsmiths that turn out work that may not be that much better then what u might get from PGW. But if u use a good gunsmith you are going to get a better product then you will with a factory rifle, especially a factory rifle built by PGW

Just something to think about anyways. If you want to talk about the best and most accurate rifle in this price range why settle.

I kown the PGW fans are going to jump all over me for saying anything negative about them. But I really don't care, the fact is there are other factory rifles out there that are better then PGW it's just that simple.
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Notwithstanding the appearance that this thread may be reserved for a cadre of shooting "professionals", I'll toss in an idea from those of us who have other lives and just like to shoot,, occasionally. "Branded" firearms often carry something known as "resale value". That is one of the reasons why those of us who spend our own effing money like em. I don't own a PGW but discounting the brand because its not custom ?? If you want custom, screw a bottle opener to the stock.
 
dirteemax said:
It's not rocket science

You buy a good action, chamber the barrel, spin it on and bolt into the chassis. What is it that PGW is doing with cadex chassis and krieger barrels that no one else can do??

That's like saying only a company the rebuilds motors every day can build a good reliable motor because they throw 6 together a day but a high performance shop that builds one a week can't build a predictibal reliable motor with any resale value?.... You better buy your rebuilt motor from Canadian tire because no one else can do it as good.
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I'm pretty sure building a rifle isn't like putting a Lego set together. That kind goes against every thing thing you have been saying about custom builds, Then why pay a custom gun builder thousand of dollar if you can go to princess auto and buy a lathe and do it your self for hundreds less. Hell for that matter get Canadian tire mechanic to put it together for you for a case of beer!

Back on track, this is not a thread for what is better high end factory or custom builds! Its about pro's and con's or offer up opinion on high end factory rifles. If I wanted to know about custom builds I would start a Thread about it. Thanks for you input thou.
 
dirteemax said:
It's not rocket science

What is it that PGW is doing with cadex chassis and krieger barrels that no one else can do??
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You keep mentioning this point..............from what I understand the Coyote & Timberwolf folding stocks/chassis are made in house by PGW..............has something changed, or are you privy to info that none of us know ????

I will be looking at a Coyote folder sometime in the future so this info would be helpful....... ;)
 
dirteemax said:
Sorry i Just assumed chassis for some reason.

It doesn't have to be a chassis. You can have what ever you want, that's the whole idea.

Again, not trying to take over your thread, just pointing out that there are other options, possibly you could get something build just for you, that is more accurate and more reliable, and wont cost any more money then some of the good factory rifles. could even cost less
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All good! I like the thread just seamed to be headed a bit off topic. alot of your points i can't argue with. big thing I look for is a firearm that will stand up in the field! Most custom f class guns i could kill in a few hours in the mountains!
 
savagelover81 said:
All good! I like the thread just seamed to be headed a bit off topic. alot of your points i can't argue with. big thing I look for is a firearm that will stand up in the field! Most custom f class guns i could kill in a few hours in the mountains!
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If you are looking for your new rifle to be particularly robust then - and only based on my experience with the PGW Coyote - I doubt you will be disappointed with the Timberwolf. I had and still have some very nice custom rigs but I just have a sense that my Coyotes are built tougher. I don't plan on torture testing to prove anything but I suspect that PGW has to make their rifles a bit more durable to meet various military contracts.
 
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