Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Factory Custom Rifles ?

As you Guys and Gals can tell I am new to this forum. It looks like its got alot of good gun and hunting stuff (the things I like). Getting to my question. I am thinking about getting a Custom Rifle but was trying to weigh the following options. Is any of the factory custom rifles (such as Remington) any good or should I go with a custom gun from a builder like Sisk.

I've had three customs built and should of learned from the first one that they shoot only as good as you are capable. One thing though, when you buy a custom rifle it's all dressed up where you might want to change a bunch of stuff on a factory gun. I've never owned a factory gun I could'nt get to shoot under an inch. That being said, I won't be wasting any more money on a custom rig. I'll keep buying factory rifles and trick em out. I do however think everyone should build at least one custom in their life.

It depends upon your goals and your budget. If you are looking for something more or less similar to a std factory rifle, but basically just made nicer, then the factory customs are an OK way to go. They are fairly expensive considering that they are not dramatically different than the std models.

OTH, if you want something truly different (such as an ultra-light or a heavy long range piece, or a wildcat cartridge) then you will almost certainly have to go full custom. In any case a full custom will get you a better barrel, better machine and finish work, and sometimes better accuracy Naturally, you would have far more options. A full custom will cost something like double what a factory custom would.

JimF

I've had some very good factory custom rifles over the years, especially the older Remington 700 "C" Grade custom rifles, and Model 700 KS Mountain rifles. It was necessary to re-bed a couple of the KSs, but the rest shot well and functioned well right out of the box. I also ordered a Custom Shop Model 70 .270 one time that wouldn't group into washtub.

Everything considered, I really prefer to have rifles built by small, independent custom riflemakers. The really talented custom riflesmiths provide better rifles than the factory custom shops do, and can create rifles that are beyond the scope and ability of the factory custom shops. The finished product, for the most part, is also a better value .

AD

I would definitely look at an aftermarket smith.

If you take a look at the factory customs(one of which I own) you are getting a rifle from a relatively anonymous smith of unknown skill. He may be the best that Remchester has, but does that make him necessarily the guy you would want to build your $1,000 plus rifle?

How many KS Mtn Rifles are cranked out each year from the Factory? They still have factory tubes on them also...

I got a good deal on my KS Mtn Rifle, and it shoots relatively well as far as I've tested it, but I wouldn't pay full retail price for another one! I got it for less then what I figured the action, McMillan stock, and other accessories that came on it were worth. I wouldn't have paid one penny more than that for it....

The aftermarket guys have the time to do it right all the way!!

Mike

IMHO, the Remington custom rifles are not a good deal at all.
You'd get much more for your money, dollar for dollar, by buying
an old 'beater' 700 and having it rebarreled, trued, glass-
bedded and restocked.

But then I admit that I am not crazy about the Remington 700 in
any factory configuration but the Classic. I am nuts about the
300 H&H classic I recently bought and would seriously consider
another NIB Classic in the right caliber.

oneb

BIGR - I'm not sure we responded to your question. I don't recall seeing either the word "dollars" or "value" in your question.

"I am thinking about getting a Custom Rifle but was trying to weigh the following options. Is any of the factory custom rifles (such as Remington) any good or should I go with a custom gun from a builder like Sisk."

I have had, or currently own, everything from standard factory rifles, to Remington Custom shop rifles, to semi-custom Dakota and Ultralight Arms rifles, to custom Sisk and Jarrett rifles. Now, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but from an accuracy, quality of fit and finish and materials, functioning and ergonomic standpoint, the rifles get better as you climb the chain.

It depends what you mean by "good". It's all a matter of degree. It is entirely possible to get a standard factory rifle that shoots as well as a custom rifle, although it's highly unlikely. At a minimum, you'll probably have to fiddle with the trigger, bedding, etc. As you climb the quality ladder, you'll find that the rifles are made with better materials and, more importantly, they are made by individuals with more skill who spend more time on them. Notwithstanding the great strides that have been made by CNC machining, in my mind it can't compete with a skilled artisan.

They're all "good" (even a SUCKS <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />). What you get with a custom, and to a lesser degree with a semi-custom or factory Custom Shop rifle, is "gooder" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />. They "usually" shoot better, function better, fit better and in my opinion, look better. But that's a very subjective matter.

I'd start with a standard rifle. If it satisfied me I'd stop right there. If not, I'd try to analyze what it lacked to make it perfect in my mind. I'd then go out and get one of those. If you're anything like me, though, you'll find your're never satisfied. Every rifle I ever built or had built was the perfect rifle, at the time. Sometimes I've even gone as long as six months before starting the next one.

If you know exactly what you want, or are willing to take advice from a Charlie Sisk or Mark Bansner or a Kenny Jarrett or a Mel Forbes on the details where you're uncertain, by all means get a custom. You probably won't be satisfied with anything else. If, on the other hand, you just want a rifle that's better than a standard rifle (probably), go the factory Custom Shop route.

Remember, It's all "good"! Some's just "gooder"! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My suggestion is to buy one or even two or more factory rifles and manage them by exception. Most of the time some small detail needs upgrading or just an adjustment.

By this system you save money, get immeditate delivery and have a back up.

I have always used factory rifles and find them just fine. Plus they are fun to work with. I have a few custom rifles and they are nice to have as well.

Thanks for all the info guys. I may end up sending off a Model 700 to get some work done on it. At 100 yards it will almost shoot through the same hole. It is blued but I would like to have a weather resistant finish on it. I guess it would be possibile to get a teflon finish on it right?

HotFlash can apply KG GunKote to your rifle for additional protection. I too have Remington rifles that will touch 3 bullets at 100 yards with the factory tube. However it takes longer to clean the factory barrel. The first time you clean a custom barrel using only five patches, it's an epiphany.

There are varying degrees of building a custom rifle.

1. Improving a stock rifle through trigger job, bedding, recoil pads, recrowning the barel, and/or custom scope mounts.

2. Step 1 plus an aftermarket stock that fits you like a glove that may shave several ounces from the total weight.

3. Steps 1 & 2 with the additional of an aftermarket barrel in a contour of your preference.

It goes on and on from there. With a little shopping around you can purchase a used rifle, a McMiilan stock and have a nice barrel installed for less than $1000. However if you asked me what was the best deal of dollars spent vs. results. It would be buying another man's custom rifle. The dollars invested seldom bring .50 on the dollar even when using the best compenents on the market. Just look over the classified ads on this forum for the past six months and you will see several examples of what I am talking about.

The hobby can be most habit forming. After building one rifle exactly to your liking the factory rifles don't seem to quite fit anymore. It's even better than the first time I purchased a taylor made suit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

They wear suits in AK?????............. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

JimF

Whatsa suit?....................

diamonds, spades, hearts, and (big <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />) clubs.

Xtra Tuffs would match nicely.

VERY well done!...................