Ralf Martini in British Columbia. Or, Duane Weibe in Tacoma Washington. Pricey, about what a new Perazzi Sc3 would cost, but the best. There are others like Smithson in Montana as well and he does awesome work as well. Get on the ACGG website.
If you want a full on custom rifle built, don't go to Bobby Hart. Bobby's work anymore is getting questionable. He'll also likely push you toward just 'accurizing' a factory Remington.
I lost confidence in Hart after he set a barrel back for a friend and never test fired it. If he would have, he would have realized the extractor clip had broken at some point.
I would look up Dave Bruno in Dayton, PA, Kevin Cram in Montour County, or Bruce Baer in Harrisburg. If you are going with a wood or laminate stock, Joel Russo in Harrisburg or Brian Swentoski near Ebensburg, PA make very nice stocks. Brian does a lot of work for Dave Bruno, who comes highly recommended
I saw a benchrest rifle that Brian was working on for a shooter from Norway that looked like it was dipped in glass and the metal work was polished to a mirror finish. He told me the Europeans like the flashy. I know it's not deer rifle material, but the guy is very detailed oriented.
Kevin Cram specializes more in long range rifles, but can set up with a short to mid range rig in 308 no sweat
A bit of advice in case you don't already know. Anymore, it is cheaper to buy a custom action to start out with rather than have a smith true up a Remington (unless of course you already have a donor action). Savage actions aren't slouches either. A Stiller Predator is a good place to start. on 6mmBR.
Be sure to shop around too. There a lot of rifle builders out there that are priced way too high on builds.
I've had two Model 700 actions blueprinted and barrels fabricated and installed by McGowen Precision Barrels in Kalispell, Montana. Both times, the work was beautiful, completed on time (six to eight weeks), the cost was reasonable (~$450) and the rifles shoot one-hole groups. One is a 27" stainless fluted varmint barrel in .243 Ackley Improved and the other is a 25" stainless fluted sporter in .280AI.
I didn't go fancy with the stocks, as both are intended for hunting. I put the .243AI in a Hogue Overmolded stock and the .280AI in a factory Remington laminated stock. Including buying donor rifles for the receivers, I have just over $1,000 in each rifle.
I don't like to bad-mouth anyone but I'm not a Bobby Hart fan. I know his reputation is stellar so when I was about to have the first rifle built, I tried to speak with him at the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show, where he is a vendor. Twice, I got about as far as, "I want to have a rifle built and..." when stepped away to speak with someone he knew. I decided he was way too busy to spend time with me and sent an email inquiry. When several weeks passed without a reply, I called on the phone. His attitude matched his price - way out there - and his estimated delivery time was simply unacceptable.
The folks at McGowen's are pleasant to deal with and flexible to work with. I made a change regarding the finish after the first barrel was made and even though they had to re-beadblast the barrel to accomodate my request, they did so without complaint.
I would call Gulf Breeze Firearms @ 850-932-4867 and have a Dakota rifle built to my specs. Custom gunmaker rifles are notorious for depreciating 60% the day they are delivered. With Dakota/Gulf Breeze, if it doesn't shoot to your satisfaction, you have someone to fall back on.....
Mike
I also had McGowen build me rifle in the late 80's. The rifle was a McGowen barrel on a rem 700 action in 7MM STW cal. It shoots three shot groups (162gr HPBT match bullets) that can be covered with the butt end of the hull at 100 yrds.
I agree with TM1 - just buy a Cooper.....I had 2 rifles built in 2006, a 22-250 & a 6.5/55.....They shoot under 3/4' all day.......Then I bought 2 coopers in 223 & 243.....They shoot as well or better......Now if I want to sell my Coopers, They would sell faster than the customs & yes my customs are top of the line barrels, actions, & gunsmiths.....Pete
Why not just buy a Savage with what bells and whistles U want
with a composite stock. Accurate enough for any hunting and
won't be afraid to scatch up a little. Hunting rifle made to
use not admire or for show. Just my opinion.
A great smith is going to be busy and a long back log I've been very pleased with Clay Spencer his workmanship and he has saved me alot of money over the few years I have known him . I have gone to him wanting new barrels later finding myself walking away with the cash in my hands or pocket after listening to him . Clay has built me a few guns all have been shooters most have been changeable barrel guns my present is a 6ppc and 30 br . You can listen to what the man says and bank on it he knows his guns. Review his website. www.spencerriflebarrels.com. I'm just a happy customer from a few builds he has completed for me . Did i say he will guarantee accuracy also?
Get a Remington 700 and try shooting it. Years ago on a trip to Quantico I asked the Gunny in charge of the Gunsmithing on the sniper rifles what they did to make such accurate rifles his answer was just buy a 700 their experience at the time was that about one of three they purchased was as accurate as anything they could build. Now that was more than 25 yrs ago before the started making their guns but most 700 shoot quite well and they make them for southpaws.
Joe
I've been playing around with the same idea about a 308 bolt gun, but RH.
Sure you can custom order a bolt gun for big bucks and long wait time and will have a nice rifle.
I agree with Joe above, for a very accurate deer gun for a reasonable cost, it's hard to beat a Rem 700, they are offered in LH versions, the SPS Varmint and SPS Compact. Want to make it better? Put a McMillan or Bell & Carlson stock on it. For long range shooting, put a lot of money in a scope.
Several people have good results with the Remington 700 5R model out of the box, but it's right handed.
Yea.. Just buy a Coopper! He donated money to Obama's campaign. So soon some people forget. We should support the guy who backed Obama?
Just buy a 700 remington and have it rebarreled like Ed is talking about. I have lots of them that shoot 1/4 to 1/2 in groups at 100 yards. I also own several factory Remingtons that shoot 1/4 to 1/2 inch groups. Sometimes all it takes is a trigger job, bedding and a good handload to get accuracy that reaches and exceeds many high dollar custom rifles.
That said.. Some guys just want to own an xyz custom rifle. That is fine. Just don't do it because it is more accurate because that is horseshit. I own custom rifles as well as a pile that were smithed by my gunsmith Uncle. A trigger job, bedding, and a shilen or Krieger barrel ( IF NEED BE!) many factory Remingtons will shoot just as good as the custom barrel you buy to replace the factory barrel.
Not what guys want to hear but I have outshot so many really high dollar custom rifles it isn't even an issue. Sometimes it has something to do with the shooter as well. I have a family member who gets an extra 1/4 inch out of my guns on some days. We do not all have the same ability to shoot a small group. My 1/2 inch group may be your 3/4 or 1 inch group and vice versa.
I just came back from my gun club's rifle range where I shot a Remington Model 700 SPS stainless in .25-06 that I had put in a new Bell & Carlson Medalist Weatherby-style stock because our son wanted the Medalist stock this rifle was in. It shot inch groups with loads it used to put into half of that, so even though Model 700s usually shoot better with the barrel floated as this one was, I tried shooting it with the barrel bedded tight from recoil lug to muzzle. The small groups returned immediately.
Now for the laughable part. Naturally, I didn't glass-bed that thing at the club - the high-tech material I used was electrical tape! I laid three rows lenghwise in the barrel channel and trimmed the excess with an Exacto knife when I returned home.
The Remington Model 700 is the small-block Chevrolet V8 of rifles. Every company offers parts and accessories for it and they usually shoot very well. But the day is fast approaching when the same will be able to be said for Savage actions. And they offer the ability to change barrels and bolt faces in a few minutes.
If your really interested in a custom .308 Give David Wells @ wells Custom gunmakers a call.
Wells Custom Gunmakers, LLC
Dave Wells, Owner
1750 Maloney Hill Road
Nicholson, PA 18446
570-222-2213 phone 775-370-9703 fax
Dave makes a lot of sniper rifles for Governmental agencies is a class 111 manufacture was the head gunsmith at Kimbers custom shop. His personal rem 700 can consistently hit a 12X12" plate at 1000 yrds and its about 100% on a plate at 600 yrds. O by the way the gun has a silencer can on it.
Check out Ultra Light Arms........very accurate,lightweight,and an overall excellent rifle with great service.I think they changed their name,so google it up........the company is located in W.Va.
Good Luck,and Smoke 'em all
You can own a original superxjeff custom if you want! Just tell me the caliber and I will see if I have one. If I own it, it will shoot 1/2 inch or better. I will charge you whatever amount over 1200 dollars you need to spend in order to feel "Special". I will take 4,000 if it makes you feel more special. I will guarantee the rifle to shoot 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards or less.Jeff
Ok custom gun . There are a few actions out there that fall into the class. Kelbly ,Bat just to name a couple. And yes the TOP SMITHS have a back log . Generally a year or longer. Caution them Customs can become additing and them tiny tiny groups can also.There has been 1 maybe 2 top smiths listed here that know what shoots and how to achive it but it will cost. Like anything else quality and accuracy cost .
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