fellas... i've got my build all spec'd out and am ready to get going with it. i'm hoping for a reccomendation for a 'smith.

after speaking with the barrel maker, i called rich reilly at high tech customs. seems to sound like he knows what he is doing. has anybody had a rifle built by him? satisfaction level? www.htcustoms.com/index.php

if not him, who do you reccomend?

i'm ready to go on this - just putting the final piece together!

thanks!

look no further - Karl Kapmfield or Chris Matthews - AKA Kampfields Custom and Long Shot Rifles

Doug

I would recommend Karl as well only prob is there might be a waiting time (Last I knew it was 18 mos.)

If you want it done now, I have no idea who.

Worth the wait!

Absolutely. +1

give Redneck a call. he's a member here

Bob Green in York Pa. Very fast, no BS his guns work. He has a website Greenscustomrifles IIRC. I have his number in my cell phone if you want it.

I have one at karls now but have had Bob Green due four others guns for me in the past he is first rate and as stated a sraight forward guy with fast turn around


gene

Try either of these two:

GA Precision

APA (Patriot Arms)

I have rifles built by both of them & they are tack drivers!!! Their work is exceptional.

For my last build, I used, Craig Maraviov. He built my 30-06 for me. Very nice gun. This gun has no problem shooting 1/2 inch groups.
I think he is worth a call, here is his info.

MARAVIOV GUNSMITHING
Phone 530-686-4867
10N East Street, Suite #204
Woodland, CA 95776

I can't post a picture right now, Photo-bucket is not being nice<g>
I do have pictures of this gun on this site.

Recommendations is something I rarely do. I do recommend Craig.

Without a doubt I would have him build me another.

My 30-06 is in this link, stock is tan with black webbing.

Check Here for the picture

That's why I'm doing such!

Karl at Kampfeld Customs does awesome work also, but like someone said he is pretty backed up & you're probably looking at 18 months for your rifle.

His work is flawless though!!

I have used Rich at High Tech customs for 3 or 4 builds. You are correct, he does know what he is talking about when it comes to building rifles. My best friend and I have matching 340 wby's and both of them shoot to the same poi with the same loads. I also had him do a 300wby that I sold here on the fire that shot amazing with just about anything I tried.

He also has a pretty good return time. I spoke to him about 3 weeks ago and he quoted 4 weeks if you supplied all the parts.

bt,
I'd give Randy at Accurate Rifle Works a call
814 882 3278

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3584822/1

dave

I'd give Robert Gradous a call.

Gradous Rifles

If he hasn't had a meltdown on my latest rifle project, I can't think of a better gunsmith. You can tell I sent you.

Tim McWhorter. www.mcwhorterrifles.com

+1 on Tim McWhorter, Karl Kampfeld is also top notch.

big time,

You are going to get a list a mile long of everyones favorite gunsmith & it gets confusing.

The best thing to do is a get a list of 5 or so you like or heard good things about. Call and talk to each of them - describe your build, ask on turnaround time, price, and any other questions you may have. After talking to all of them, you will get a good feeling about 1 of them and this who to use.

Customs rifles are not cheap, so make sure you ask every question you can. Once you have a good gut feeling about someone, go with it and don't look back!!

Good luck on your build.


Here some of the more popular & reputable smiths from hunting internet sites in no particular order (I'm sure I missed several others too):

Kampfeld Customs
McWhorter Rifles
GA Precision
Patriot Arms (APA)
Robert Gradous
Jim Borden
Surgeon Rifles
LongShot Rifles
Hill Country Rifles
Bansner Rifles
R&D Precision
Gre-Tan Rifles
Mickey Coleman

First, what are you building and off what action?

To me, there are smiths that specialize with Remingtons, others with Winchesters, some with both... But I picked my Smith based on his knowledge and reputation surrounding the particular action I used...

building a rem 700 hunting rifle - target weight of about 9 - 9.5 pounds in a ready-to-hunt state.

Gre-Tan rifles specializes in Rem 700 builds. He builds high quality rifles!!

You like them heavy.

I like them to target 8 lbs. Just me.

Wish you luck

not really... i have several light rifles i hunt with, but i want to expand my horizons a little...

Here's a good resource:
top gunsmiths

You can research who is building the top competition rifles.

Im having Robert Gradous build me 2 customs right now and though they are not completed, he has been easy to work with and Robert also has a great personality.

Karl is doing mine....shipping the action today! Said his wait times are approaching 2 years as of today.

Erich

Stan Ware @ SGR Custom Rifles in Westbrook, Mn. (507)274-5649

Great 'smith, great work. -Al