I'm looking at a new rifle in 308. At the top end i'm considering Sauer, Blaser, Merkel and a few others. I wanted to get peoples thoughts on custom builds. Is there a threshold in the price range when a custom build makes more sense (the trigger, barrel, stock etc..). The off the shelf rifles at the higher level are punchy in price yet are still popular, are there some rules when trying to compare the two. Or does it just come down to personal choice (just would have thought something hand made vs factory built would be somewhat superior)
Custom build vs Off the Shelf
- Thread starter KB1
- Start date
If you are considering paying for a quality rifle, why not have a custom, or a semi made by a reputable smith, with accompanying proving load development score card.?
223
Distinguished Member
look at brock and norris ratel rifle thats what ur after
jamross65
Well-Known Member
IMO there is no need to even spend money on the makes you mention. Sako, Tikka whether new or 595 models will be every bit as accurate as those other makes.
Or, as you suggest buy an older well used rifle and spend the money on re barreling, stock, bedding etc to your exact specification, weight, length, whatever.
Personally, I would never spend upwards of 2 grand on a rifle off the shelf when for the same or not much more money I can have a bespoke rifle...
Or, as you suggest buy an older well used rifle and spend the money on re barreling, stock, bedding etc to your exact specification, weight, length, whatever.
Personally, I would never spend upwards of 2 grand on a rifle off the shelf when for the same or not much more money I can have a bespoke rifle...
and where do you begin when it comes to choosing the right riflesmith?
Bill Wapiti
Well-Known Member
Have a quick look through old posts in the rifle section.....lots of good advice on who does good work.....you are spoilt for choice.....
so what drives the higher end off the shelf market, when there are so many custom options out there? Impatience on getting hold of a new rifle perhaps?
jamross65
Well-Known Member
Since you asked the question here is what I think drives them out the door.
Latest must have trend, expense is often mistaken for quality or even necessity, 'my mate has one...', 'must be the best cos' it costs the most...' and lets not forget good old pose value!
Seriously, some of those higher end rifles are nice guns. They shoot well but are generally no more accurate than one costing hundreds or even thousands of pounds less. Having said all that its nice to own nice things.
Custom rifles range from a couple of grand up to 3 or 4 times that. They are not necessary either but again there is an advantage when you can chose the exact specification, dimensions weight and so on. You don't generally get that with an off the shelf rifle costing the same as a custom build on a Sako, Tikka or Remmy...
I am not against things like Sauer, Blaser or Merkel but there is a point with them that you are either paying for a name, over-engineering or cosmetics. None of which in themselves will make it more accurate. I suppose it comes down to what is more important to you???
So many of the custom actions built by engineers for accuracy are still based on a Remmy. Simplest of mechanisms. Two locking lugs! They work, are accurate and all the fancy wood or engraving won't improve that. So, why pay for it? Nice to own nice things or pose value I'm afraid. First reason I understand completely. Pose value I don't...
nuttyspaniel
Well-Known Member
Mmmm good question and there will be many different answers. My mate has a Callum Ferguson 308 and can when the time and need dictates take Reds out to 400!!!! Now I have a Winchester coyote which Mike from brock and norris has tweeked for me. Today I zeroed it with a new swarovski z3 with the brx reticle on top. After a chronoing loads makung a hash of the zeroing I took a 290yd shot. The longest Ive ever done in the field nd it struck 1" high 1" right of the bull!! Personally if I was using my mates rifle or an out of the box rifle I dont for 1 minute believe I could do any better. The liad btw were loaded to suit. I personally believe the rifle is only as good as the man behind it.. Irs your money but for the money your thinking about I would call Mike at brock n norris.
Nutty
Nutty
Very well put. I guess it also comes down to disposable income. If you have the extra $ and are looking for the one rifle, many will spend more (as with multiple other hobbies out there).
Out of interest, what rifle r u using. Looking at your gallery, it looks like a v nice remmy custom of some sort.
jamross65
Well-Known Member
I like playing about with different rifles and chamberings and have had a few over the years. That was a Remmy action blueprinted, re barreled by Border barrels, bedded in a McMillan and a Jewell trigger. 243AI. It was built for longer range stuff so weight not an issue. £2,500 and I chose all the components and final weight range etc.
It was very accurate. No more accurate though than the last factory Sako 85 in 308 I had to be honest! But it was a bespoke rifle that fitted well both dimensions and the job it was for. With the Sako 85 I had to make do with what they thought was a good all round compromise in Finland!
jay 22
Well-Known Member
pretty much all factory rifles with carefull homeloading will give you 1/2 inch groups. what more do you need for a deer rifle. if you have the money and you want something nice then go semi or full custom.
i don't think it will bag you any more deer. and when it does get knocked your still be bothered but not as bothered as you would be if it was some superb high grade walnut stock
i don't think it will bag you any more deer. and when it does get knocked your still be bothered but not as bothered as you would be if it was some superb high grade walnut stock
Last edited:
Claret_Dabbler
Well-Known Member
I spent a couple of hours last Saturday with my buddy breaking in and testing loads through his new Blaser R8 in 30/06. Rifle and mounts probably cost over two and a half grand.
What can I say about this rifle ? Sub 0.5" with a couple of factory loads. Stock is ideal in shape and as stiff as a poker. The Blaser action is not to everyone ones taste, but I think it is a phenomenal piece of engineering. I fail to see how a manually operated bolt action could be better.
The trigger is so good, again I fail to see how this trigger could be improved on for a hunting rifle.
I can't speak of the Merkel, but I could make similar arguments for the Sauer and Mauser 03.
I realise stalkers are a conservative bunch, and there are some really good custom rifles out there, but in the name of god, keep an open mind lads....
What can I say about this rifle ? Sub 0.5" with a couple of factory loads. Stock is ideal in shape and as stiff as a poker. The Blaser action is not to everyone ones taste, but I think it is a phenomenal piece of engineering. I fail to see how a manually operated bolt action could be better.
The trigger is so good, again I fail to see how this trigger could be improved on for a hunting rifle.
I can't speak of the Merkel, but I could make similar arguments for the Sauer and Mauser 03.
I realise stalkers are a conservative bunch, and there are some really good custom rifles out there, but in the name of god, keep an open mind lads....
jamross65
Well-Known Member
Not saying the manually operated bolt is better CD, saying that as a design for functionality and accuracy in the way it locks into the action can it in fact be improved on? Are rifles like Blasers not over engineered in their design and for what benefit?
I have friends who shoot Blasers and would never question their choice or reasons for owning one. It's up to them but I do still feel there is nothing to be gained in buying a factory rifle off the shelf at that cost when a completely bespoke design is available to me at the same price.
triggersqueezer
Well-Known Member
add dave at valkyrie rifles to you list of gunsmiths.he built my 223 and it is awesome.had it over a year now and i would never part with it.
splash
Well-Known Member
I have a AI rifle in 7.62 and a Sauer stutzen in .243, but the rifle I take stalking the most is a Remington model 7 in .260. It has a Jewell trigger and a HS Precision synthetic stock. but apart from that is standard.
It will put 5 shots in an inch at 100m as a small deer has a 4inch kill zone it is more than up to its job, The rifle cost me just over £1000 to get to its current state plus glass.
I would rather spend the extra on stalking deer.
It will put 5 shots in an inch at 100m as a small deer has a 4inch kill zone it is more than up to its job, The rifle cost me just over £1000 to get to its current state plus glass.
I would rather spend the extra on stalking deer.
Similar threads
