Custom build vs Off the Shelf
- Thread starter KB1
- Start date
bobjs
Well-Known Member
not at all bud,
you can choose the barrels profile,
my 20 tac has a medium so its not too heavy, the new 6mm br will have the same or a sporter (rather have a meduim so that its the best of both worlds, light enough for carrying around, but heavy enough to be able to be used for longer shots and rifle stability from a bench etc.
bob.
older tikka actions rule.595 590,690 etc.
jamross65
Well-Known Member
Hi Rik
As Jager says, have a wee look at the photos I popped on this thread as an example of factory versus homeloads out a custom rifle...
Shot earlier today off a bi-pod and jacket used under the stock butt.
Jager is trying to claim it's down to his cutting, threading and crowning job!
http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php/69657-Cracking-Job-By-Jaeger/page2
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My semi custom tactical hunting rifle with a medium palma barrel weighs 4.2kg (9.24lbs) that is including rail mounts and a zeiss 6.5-20x50 scope.
My 308 Mauser 1909 semi custom weighs 6.6lbs with steel rail but without scope.
My sons semi custom Howa 243 with Bergara Barrel weighs 2950 grams with rail without scope. One of the first MM Sporting Howa mag systems we tried on this rifle.
I would have loved a rifle like that as a twenty year old. (he had to make the stock himself though)
edi
My 308 Mauser 1909 semi custom weighs 6.6lbs with steel rail but without scope.
My sons semi custom Howa 243 with Bergara Barrel weighs 2950 grams with rail without scope. One of the first MM Sporting Howa mag systems we tried on this rifle.
I would have loved a rifle like that as a twenty year old. (he had to make the stock himself though)
edi
Pirate hunter
Well-Known Member
My custom rifle weighs in at 27 pounds but I don't take it foot stalking.
Brithunter
Well-Known Member
Price when selling will depend upon who's name is on the rifle. A Rigby for instance will sell for more and is a custom or semi-custom rifle at the end of the day.
jamross65
Well-Known Member
You obviously haven't bothered to read any of the posts prior to posting this.
If you had you would see that some in favour of a custom build refer to it not necesarily being more accurate than some factory rifles. Nobody said only a custom built rifle can be accurate either. The point in a custom build is not just accuracy...
The comparison was questioning spending the same on certain factory brands for an off the shelf product when for the same money you could have a bespoke rifle, should you want to spend upwards of £1500.
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Personally I'd go off the shelf, most comparisons are listing the minimum for the custom work and then the max for the off the shelf rifle cost.
i have had a semi custom (Weatherby vanguard with Timney trig, boys thumbhole stock etc) and have also had off the shelf rifles (I currently have a tikka in 30-06 and a 202 in 243, both shoot fantastically and that's with factory loads - no point reloading when you can get such performance from factory equipment.
you will easily pick up a Sako or Sauer for under the "£1600" rrp mentioned - there are quite a few on trader right now - and that's without calling and working out a deal!
it will also have a warranty whereas if you have numerous components on a semi custom this could be problematic.
as someone mentioned I have shot a few rifles now but for stalking I feel the factory options are tough to beat - and you can spend what you like on a remmy but it will never have as smooth a bolt as a Sauer, Sako or even a tikka!
If you want a flashy gun with drop box mag, rails for hanging extras off of etc then by all means scratch the itch and build a rifle, if you want a hard wearing, smooth operating accurate rifle - go out and buy a synthetic stocked Sako, Sauer or Blaser.
you could also argue that a semi-custom or custom is harder to shift on, most quality gums will always sell on if kept in good condition, a custom is built to suit one person not everybody in general.
regards,
Gixer
i have had a semi custom (Weatherby vanguard with Timney trig, boys thumbhole stock etc) and have also had off the shelf rifles (I currently have a tikka in 30-06 and a 202 in 243, both shoot fantastically and that's with factory loads - no point reloading when you can get such performance from factory equipment.
you will easily pick up a Sako or Sauer for under the "£1600" rrp mentioned - there are quite a few on trader right now - and that's without calling and working out a deal!
it will also have a warranty whereas if you have numerous components on a semi custom this could be problematic.
as someone mentioned I have shot a few rifles now but for stalking I feel the factory options are tough to beat - and you can spend what you like on a remmy but it will never have as smooth a bolt as a Sauer, Sako or even a tikka!
If you want a flashy gun with drop box mag, rails for hanging extras off of etc then by all means scratch the itch and build a rifle, if you want a hard wearing, smooth operating accurate rifle - go out and buy a synthetic stocked Sako, Sauer or Blaser.
you could also argue that a semi-custom or custom is harder to shift on, most quality gums will always sell on if kept in good condition, a custom is built to suit one person not everybody in general.
regards,
Gixer
This is my custom Tikka 260 Remington I had put together a couple of months ago! It was a 243 In its past life! The main focus for me when getting this rifle done was not just good long range accuracy but keeping the weight down as well and that's the plus points when getting a custom rifle made! you can bespoke it to what you want and require. I have also done similar with my Tikka 308
tikka2506
Well-Known Member
A while back I bought a Remmy 22/250 VSSF ii, as soon as it came I replaced the trigger to a Basix set to 1lb and will shoot sub 1/2" groups with home-loads, although nice to have, does a custom rifle warrant the extra money (i also have a Blaser 6.5x55 also great accuracy with home-loads).
I went from semi-customs to factory off the shelf. The main reason was that I got fed up with waiting for the gunsmiths to finish the job.
In terms of quality or price, there was no difference between them.
In terms of ownership, there was a lot more pride in the semi-custom and a lot more indifference to the factory rifles.
Both options plain work. I ended up with a Blaser, and not going to go away from that rifle.
Here's a short film showing longrange shooting with factory rifles.
In terms of quality or price, there was no difference between them.
In terms of ownership, there was a lot more pride in the semi-custom and a lot more indifference to the factory rifles.
Both options plain work. I ended up with a Blaser, and not going to go away from that rifle.
Here's a short film showing longrange shooting with factory rifles.
Ronin
Distinguished Member
I really dont think there can be a comparison between off the shelf and full custom.
Ive owned a lot of rifles over the years and shot just about every brand.
Factory will do the job, but dont expect to own something that someone else owns a few miles away - i.e, youre not buying exclusivity.
Factory performance - well, some group, some don't, you may be lucky and get something that groups circa 1/2", you may not and buy something that groups 2", no matter the brand, you never know untill the time you spend on the range and by that time, its too late - its performing "to factory standards"
A recent thread about a well respected rifle brand highlighted the fact that several people couldnt get "brand A" rifle to shoot consistently - yet when it was tested independently (by me), it shot quite well for a factory gun..
Again the point im trying to cenvey is that the factory gun may not suit you and you wont know this untill you squeeze the trigger the first few times.
Full Custom - you can pay bettween 2k to 10k or above depending on where you go.
A full build using a custom action, barrel and stock will perform (or should perform) far far better and more consistently than factory guns.
Again, you pay your money and take your choice with whoever you choose to commission the build on, but all the way through the build process there whould be a dialogiue bettween you and the builder so you know what stage theyre at and exactly what you're getting at the end.
Its been muted that theres no difference bettween the accuracy of factory over full custom - frankly I think this is bunkum.
I shoot numerous competitions per year at shoots for sporting rifles (and compete elsewhere) so I come across loads of guys with both factory and custom guns.
Every time id say the customs group far more consistently than the factory entrants (providing the user is on the ball)
At the end of the day its your money and your choice, I know which way id be going and have built and used enough custom rifles to know the smart choice is a full custom build, using a proven, quality action and barrel, with a stock of your choice, this will provide you with the confidence and pride in ownership for many many years to come.
Ive owned a lot of rifles over the years and shot just about every brand.
Factory will do the job, but dont expect to own something that someone else owns a few miles away - i.e, youre not buying exclusivity.
Factory performance - well, some group, some don't, you may be lucky and get something that groups circa 1/2", you may not and buy something that groups 2", no matter the brand, you never know untill the time you spend on the range and by that time, its too late - its performing "to factory standards"
A recent thread about a well respected rifle brand highlighted the fact that several people couldnt get "brand A" rifle to shoot consistently - yet when it was tested independently (by me), it shot quite well for a factory gun..
Again the point im trying to cenvey is that the factory gun may not suit you and you wont know this untill you squeeze the trigger the first few times.
Full Custom - you can pay bettween 2k to 10k or above depending on where you go.
A full build using a custom action, barrel and stock will perform (or should perform) far far better and more consistently than factory guns.
Again, you pay your money and take your choice with whoever you choose to commission the build on, but all the way through the build process there whould be a dialogiue bettween you and the builder so you know what stage theyre at and exactly what you're getting at the end.
Its been muted that theres no difference bettween the accuracy of factory over full custom - frankly I think this is bunkum.
I shoot numerous competitions per year at shoots for sporting rifles (and compete elsewhere) so I come across loads of guys with both factory and custom guns.
Every time id say the customs group far more consistently than the factory entrants (providing the user is on the ball)
At the end of the day its your money and your choice, I know which way id be going and have built and used enough custom rifles to know the smart choice is a full custom build, using a proven, quality action and barrel, with a stock of your choice, this will provide you with the confidence and pride in ownership for many many years to come.
flytie
Well-Known Member
Before my divorce I was looking at a semi custom Sako 75 rifle, here is the pricing I was given by a noted rifle builder;
Pac-Nor Super Match Barrel: £280 (threaded 1/2" unf)
Macmillan Olive drab stock: £470
Pillar Bedding & action: £238 (£190 + vat)
Re-machining (if needed): £120 (£100 + vat)
Vapour Blasting complete rifle: £78 (£65 + vat)
Replacement shroud/pin: £120 (ish)
These prices were fairly consistent with some others I was given.
I posted a photograph of my zeroing of the seconhand Sako 75 in 6.5x55 I have bought since the divorce was finalised. The loads were ones I had made up for my old Blaser, full length re-sized and OAL to book length. The groups were shot off the bonnet of my friends Toyota Hi-Lux on his measured range. The groups averaged 0.64967" or 0.65" rounded up. http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/gallery/sako-75-ss-65x55/p6899-100m-target.html Now I think that, given some cases fire formed in the rifle and neck sized, with loads made to suit the rifle (powder and OAL) I think I could better that. Not too shabby from a secondhand Sako 75!
Bear in mind that if you have your rifle customised it may not suit everyone elses taste, if you build a semi custom you are really going to have to keep it or be prepared to lose a lot when you sell it. The resale value of a standard rifle will always be better in comparison, unless you are lucky!
I know that second hand Sako actions go for good money as many rifle builders want them badly. I know cos I tried byuying one!
If you are going to travel, either home or abroad, I do not think there is a more convenient rifle than the Blaser. With the scope always attached to the barrel it will retain zero and then you can put it back together, out of its very inconspicuous suitcase, and start shooting with a degree of certainty not many others manage. I do however prefer a turn bolt, but that's my problem.
If I had the funds I would have a rifle made, either full or semi-custom. With proven accuracy and load development done for me, I could shoot with a degree of certainty that many rifles do not give.
Simon
Pac-Nor Super Match Barrel: £280 (threaded 1/2" unf)
Macmillan Olive drab stock: £470
Pillar Bedding & action: £238 (£190 + vat)
Re-machining (if needed): £120 (£100 + vat)
Vapour Blasting complete rifle: £78 (£65 + vat)
Replacement shroud/pin: £120 (ish)
These prices were fairly consistent with some others I was given.
I posted a photograph of my zeroing of the seconhand Sako 75 in 6.5x55 I have bought since the divorce was finalised. The loads were ones I had made up for my old Blaser, full length re-sized and OAL to book length. The groups were shot off the bonnet of my friends Toyota Hi-Lux on his measured range. The groups averaged 0.64967" or 0.65" rounded up. http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/gallery/sako-75-ss-65x55/p6899-100m-target.html Now I think that, given some cases fire formed in the rifle and neck sized, with loads made to suit the rifle (powder and OAL) I think I could better that. Not too shabby from a secondhand Sako 75!
Bear in mind that if you have your rifle customised it may not suit everyone elses taste, if you build a semi custom you are really going to have to keep it or be prepared to lose a lot when you sell it. The resale value of a standard rifle will always be better in comparison, unless you are lucky!
I know that second hand Sako actions go for good money as many rifle builders want them badly. I know cos I tried byuying one!
If you are going to travel, either home or abroad, I do not think there is a more convenient rifle than the Blaser. With the scope always attached to the barrel it will retain zero and then you can put it back together, out of its very inconspicuous suitcase, and start shooting with a degree of certainty not many others manage. I do however prefer a turn bolt, but that's my problem.
If I had the funds I would have a rifle made, either full or semi-custom. With proven accuracy and load development done for me, I could shoot with a degree of certainty that many rifles do not give.
Simon
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see it shoot it
Well-Known Member
you can have what ever weight barrel you wish,hence the word "custom"
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beretta682
Well-Known Member
Having had both I would not go down the custom route again.
JabaliHunter
Well-Known Member
That should be the case, but isn't always in my experience. Caveat emptor...
Cooper Arms produce beautifully crafted accurate rifles with far superior fit and finish then the majority of british rifle smiths can produce, substantially cheaper as well.
Ian.
Ian.
Reiver Boy
Well-Known Member
+1, I have a semi custom Sako 85 .308, I will not be buying a new rifle again, well except for a Remmy 700 SPS Tac 300Blk. Semi Custom all the way !
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