Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

I was wondering what folks would think about a custom rifle with a synthetic stock for 1800? I bought a business for my wife to primarily run called the country register of wyoming, we sell ads to antique shops, gift shops quilt shops and then distribute them all over the state. Well, we went into one of our customers shops to design an ad and she runs 4 businesses out of it. A book store, a quilt shop, a scrapbooking shop and a custom rifle shop. The guy doing it kinda does it in his spare time and only builds them as people want them. He says his actions are from montana rifleman and barrels from lilja and a few other makers. He also says that the bare bones custom is 1800. This sounded pretty good to me, and his most popular chambering is the 375 H&H. I just had to write an article on it and promo him for free. Is this rifle as good of a deal as it seems? any thoughts?

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

EJpaul1. I find there are gun mechanics,gunbutchers, rem700 gunsmiths and all around gunsmiths and recently gunsmiths that build guns to 5/millionths of an inch and last but not least Kenny Jarret. Without looking at the work in question I could not tell you what category he falls under. Lots of details to look at and a good smith works the details and only does one kind of job a good one. That is certainly worth paying for. If your talking components alone for a gun like that figure an average of 400 for the action 400 for the stock and 300 for the barrel before he works his "Magic" on it. Prices for stock and action is average ..if you want best quality it might be thousands.

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

It would not be for me as I have never had a problem picking up a good dependable rifle for about a third of that. This is just my opinion. Many would think it a bargin.

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

I am not soo much thinking of one for myself, no money for that now. But, I just kinda wondered if that seemed liie a descent deal. The guy went to the colorado school of trades. His stuff is beautiful and I would think that if he did good work, it would be a bargain. I was looking at a lazzeroni (dreaming actually) online) and noticing a price tag of something like 5 grand. They are excellent rifles but 5 grand Is like way out of my ballpark. So 1800 didnt seem that bad for custome work. Just wanted some opinion before I write the article. EJ

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

ejpaul1,
I am now in the process of having a custom built. The smith seems to have a good reputation and his price for a completed Remington 700 action, HS Precision stock, And Lilja 30 inch barrel with the "smith" magic is 1850.00. I think 1800 would be an excellent price for a custom if the workmanship is quality.

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

WOW! That is a pretty smokin deal then! Ya know, My best pal (he got me into huntin) bought me a benelli M2 for a wedding gift which is around 1200 I think. I would love to repay that gesture of friendship one day, this might be just the thing. He says the biggest he would ever want is a 300 win mag. He already has a 7 mag and a 280. I will have to look into it a bit more. EJ

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Yes and Mr Lazzeroni uses his own actions which is an additional expense

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

oldelkhunter, I did not know that. That does make a huge difference. Speaking of which, I did notice that the bolt has the coolest crosshach design on it. Do you know any one who uses those chamberings? Lazzeroni that it. They seem unreal! I think it is the warbird that I read that Craig boddington was using. Way too neet for my budget. EJ

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Well, not to put down custom rifles....which many people love...but, that's not for me. $1800 may be a rather reasonable price, for a custom rifle, I don't know. I have never had any difficulty in getting the results I wanted (or needed) from a good, over-the-counter rifle (albeit with a little tuning), though. For my money, the custom rifles only offer a slight (very slight) advantage in accuracy....virtually no advantage in reliability....and of course, the option of individual stock fitting (and stock design to suit an individual's tastes). This is not worth even $1800, to me.

However, "to each his own".

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

I agree gorse, For my cash, a weatherby or a nice remington will do nicely. Heck, for that cash I could get a killer rifle and an awesome scope for less than 1800. EJ

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

ejpaul1,
BTW, Have you priced a Weatherby MK V lately?;)

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

We have one a garts for 900 in 300 win mag in boulder. I love the gun and wouldnt mind having it, but on this meager Municipal salary, I would be better suited to a vanguard synthetic or another remington 700 SPS. EJ

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Actually SWAMPMAN, the mark V's are going for around 1150 to 1200 but this one has been sitting on the shelf for like 7 months. I think that is the only reason it is sooo cheap. I dont do competition shooting so a more affordable rifle would do just as well for me as a spoting goods store offering. EJ

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

ejpaul1,
I was just pointing out that a Weatherby MK V is around 1200 dollars. 1800 is not too far a stretch from there. I do understand about purchasing a more reasonable rifle, however, I am notorious for buying, selling and trading to get just what I want. I just settled on the realization that if I was to get exactly what I want, I needed to have it built. In the long run, it will save me money.:D

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Swampman, your definatly a more knowledgable and seasoned hunter than I. I started with a remington 7400 270 and when I traded it for the remington 700 30-06, I thought I was in heaven. So for the more discerning hunter such as yourslelf, this would probably be a swingin deal! What would you buy yer pal who already has capable elk and deer rifles? EJ

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Ok which Remington or Weatherby is worth 1800 with a scope. Please tell me?

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Hmmm, I think it is all relative. I would be fine with a $199 luepold 3X9X40 on a weatherby vanguard 7mm Mag. That is roughly 600 bucks before taxes. I currently shoot a humble 700ADL with a Nikon prostaff scope. I think it is great but my only basis of comparison is a semi auto remington and a simmons 50 wal mart scope. EJ

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

ejpaul1,
With regards to what to buy a very good friend(I read hunting buddy as well), I'll have to think about that one. I wouldn't buy a rifle though. Most experienced hunters really are picky about their "shootin irons", I won't even let my wife buy me one for a gift unless I handle it first. I guess I'd be tempted to buy a really nice set of optics(read scope or binoculars) While I'm still picky about these, I think a really nice scope or binoculars can be bought to fit anyone's use requirements providing you know how he hunts/what he hunts. Just a thought.:eek:BTW, hae a great Memorial day weekend!:D

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Have a good one SWampman!

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Yeah, even a rich dude has a tough time justifying 6 grand for a gun. I have a pal who has way too much money (trustfunder) drives a porsche and wont drop more than a grand on a set up. He says theyre just as dead with cheap stuff as expensive. EJ

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Yea, and a Chevy will take him down any road that expensive volkswagen will too!!

BTW, you can quote me on that one too! :>)))

Drilling Man

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

No one should think that there is anything wrong with custom rifles - certainly, there is not. "Different strokes for different folks" - absolutely nothing wrong with that. I have personally owned many different rifles over the years, some of modest cost...and some expensive ones...(though none custom- built). Oddly enough, I have usually had the best service from some of the cheaper ones. A case in point : I have had two Remington 700 ADL's in .308...both with the cheapie synthetic stock. These have been among the best - "right out of the box" commercial rifles I have ever used. Since I've had two...just alike...I think that I can assert that this is not just a statistical aberration.

The point of it is - everyone should use the "tools" which please them. If a $200 used rifle does the job, so be it. If one is only happy and satisfied with a $6000 custom rifle...then that's fine, too.

Since this issue has come up.....as a matter of fact, my favorite rifle at the moment is a sporter...which I have built from a mis-matching "mutt" Yugoslav M48 "Mauser" milsurp rifle. Most of the serial numbers on the various parts do not match....the rifle has absolutely no collector's value...and as it sits is probably not worth $100 to anyone (but me). But, after epoxy-bedding the action in a new laminated stock....and free-floating the (military, stepped) barrel....this rifle will shoot almost as well as any I've ever had. Further, I have a grand total of about $210.00 in this "project". I wouldn't give it up for anything. I like this rifle so much that I've gotten rid of all of my other rifles, at this point. I have begun reloading for the 8mm Mauser cartridge, as well. I know that, with the proper loads, I can hunt most anything I wish. Best of all, for me, it cost NOTHING....so I don't have to care about it.

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Weatherby De Luxe with Swarowsky 3-9 x 40.......Question Answered!

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

The question was which weatherby or remington was "worth" $1800 with scope,not which weatherby costs $1800 with scope.By the way I am unable to locate a swarovski 3x9x40.They do however list a 3x9x36.

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

I also have a bargin Mauser. that will shoot beside almost any rifle custom or other wise. I bought a Swedish Mauser for 69.00. Put a Ramline synthetic stock on it 55.00 A timney triger. 70.00. Bent the bolt handle and drilled and tapped it for a scope. I took it to the range, first time out I shot a 5 shot group with sand bags, 5/8 of an inch. I never changed that load. It was the first and only load I ever shot in that rifle. It shoots the 140 grain Hornady spire point that well every day. I have a World Class 4X scope on it which is about 15 years old. Those old straight power World class scopes were indestructable and I have never touched the adjustment since that day that I zeroed in. I quess thats one reason that custom guns don't excite me much any more. Love those Swedish Mausers.

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

10-4,James!

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

There you go, James B..... that's what I'm talking about !!!

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

OR A 3-9x42.....Swarowsky Habicht-AV

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Actually that is a 3x10x42 av

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

First off you dou really own a Swarovski 3-9x40? Or are you just full of it? Second if a Weatherby deluxe is worth 1800 dollars in your mind then PT Barnum was correct.

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Yep, Stubblejumper knows his Swarovski no arguing there...

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

Well that is all fine and dandy for you. I hope you have a lot of satisfaction owning that. I appreciate rifles for their workmanship and their accuracy looks and feel. I can't get all that in most if not all Factory made rifles. Thats my opinion and my hard earned money paying for it.

RE: Custom rifle for $1800.00 ?
 

YEP! I STAND CORRECTED,STUBBLE!