Hey guys, I am looking for a short list of maybe 3-5 gunsmiths to research and choose to take on my next project. Will be using a Borden Alpine custom action, #2 barrel, Mcmillan stock type of build.

Looking for a really top notch smith here, can you guys please list who you would trust for this type of job or a short list of gunsmiths that I can take a look at.

This may also be helpful to others looking for similar information.

Thank you all

Barry Davis - Bayfield, Colorado.

Jim Borden

Chad Dixon Longrifles Inc. is really doing some cutting edge stuff right now. He has built me 2 and his eye for detail is amazing.

Jon Beanland

Greg Young, owner of Southern Precision Rifles in Cookeville, Tennessee,

Scott Weichel. live oak accuracy. One of the best.
And uses Obermeyer barrels and has them in stock.

Robert Gradous

Tim Cronin - Elkhorn Precision

Jon Beanland

Accurate Ordnance

Chad Dixon has built me several too. Great work. Greg Young is great too. I mentioned Borden since you have a Borden Action. He does great stuff. My most consistently accurate rifle was built by Jim.

why not use Jim Borden he will put the barrel on it and recommend a person to finish the stock install............

+1 that list should get you a fine rifle.

Ryan Kelsey @ www.diablocustomrifles.com

He's built thousands of rifles and knows how to do it

Don't be afraid to use Redneck, he does great work.

I've also used Nathan Dagley of Straight Shot Gunsmithing. He does excellent work also.

http://www.straightshotgunsmithing.com/

Darrell Holland

Tim McWhorter

Mark Penrod

GA Precision

Just got a Beanland rifle that I know is a shooter. Looking forward to using it...

Lots of great smiths to choose from. The smiths already listed would be as far as you need to look. Bob Green has built the last few for me and will probably build my next.

I'd take any of the named above.
The decision for me would be based on how soon I could get the rifle back.

Robert Gradous. The best of the best

If you got the time, he's the man.

Dennis Olson, Plains MT All these rifles started with Sako actions, he did the rest and used Lilja barrels. The longest wait on any of these rifles, was still less than a year...

www.bordenrifles.com
www.kampfeldcustom.com

Robert Gradous!

Pa boy:

www.davebrunorifles.net

Randy Gregory, Accuracy Unlimited in central WI.

You know this thread really made me realize that we are fortunate to live in a time when so many great gunsmiths are in operation. There is little doubt that a guy could pretty much blindly pick from the list given here and be more than happy with the finished product.

tag

In PA, there are quite a few excellent smiths. Dave Bruno is certainly one, Borden too. Add to the list:

Bob Greene
Clarence Hammonds
Sid Goodling
RW Hart

I've probably missed one or two.

Add Wayne Shaw to that list. I know Virginia, but you're close.

????

Sid has done two for me and all work has been excellent.

Just looking at some of the reccomendations. I'm thinking that maybe you should have catigorized;

$2500 and less
$3500 and less
$5000 and less
greater than $5000

I see the complete range in the list.

My Borden barreled action has been shipped to Tom Meredith for stock work. Borden's prices are fair and I believe he will stand behind his work. He only does barreled actions now. He told me last week that he is approximately 6 months in lead time right now. Borden barreled action and McMillan Edge done by Tom Meredith comes in a little under 4K. Lee Christiansen "Redneck" is very reasonably priced and has super quick turn time. He did a very nice job on a 700 build for me. Less than half the price of the more famous smiths.

Borden
Gradous
Tannel

I do some mighty fine work as well. Prices are reasonable too. Only $5800.00 for this little jewel.

My 7.5 pound Borden 300 wsm only shoots this good with factory ammo.



I had a RW Snyder rifle that shot equally impressive.

I have a rifle from Lee "Redneck" which is also a great rifle.

Those are my only experiences. I'm kind of looking into the same thing with my next build.



This might have my vote!

Does that price include load development?

I might ask "redneck" to do a 35 Whelen on a pre 64 model 70 action. It would be the perfect rifle for nothing I hunt but still sounds like would be fun to have.

X2

Scott built my 6mm Creedmore and it's a shooter. He will be spinning up a new barrel or two for it soon.

Scott is also a great guy he has built me two 338 edges, a 300 win mag , 280ai,6.5x284 and a couple 7 mm RM all are 1/2 Mao shooters. Plus Scott is just a joy to deal with he stands behind his work 110%.

Shawn Carlock at Defensive Edge is worth a hard look IMO. He built me a rifle a few years ago and after using lots of other guys I would go back to him. His wheel house is big, heavy rifles but will build what ever you want and his chambering work is top notch. He makes a VERY accurate rifle and can do everything under one roof. Plus he just a hell of a good guy to work with

If your buying a Borden action, he can do the entire rife for you, if you're willing to pay his price..........he does very nice work.

Or you can have Karl Feldkamp at Kampfeld Custom do it for you & no one builds more accurate rifles than Karl with any better workmanship. Karl is far from cheap, but his work is outstanding.

No one that's truly a custom 'smith & is any good, is going to have really quick turnaround time unless you just happen to get real lucky.

MM

Kampfeld Custom

I dont think Karl is doing any rifle building at this time he is to busy fluting bolts and barrels

Georgia Boy you got to do your own load development on that piece.