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Joined: Sep 2005
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I have 6 custom built rifles. All have been built by unknown machinist, not gunsmiths. All shoot great, I dont believe a person has to have 2500.00 to 10,000.00 in a rifle to shoot good. I have roughly 1400.00 into each rifle and I would stack them up against anyone.
Relive your memories,take a kid hunting and fishing
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The never ending question . . . just like tomato or tomatoe? Potato - potatoe? Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip?
I will say this though, I think 1lessdog has a valid point and have had similar results.
I never thought I'd grow up to be a grumpy old man, but I did, and I'm killin' it.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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Add John Bolliger Jr to the list. His synthetic stocked 7 Nosler’s average .25-.3 moa, are light, and function perfectly all the time and in all conditions. He has his own stock. Plus 8 month or so delivery and about a third less than a Legend.
“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”. Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Posted by Brad.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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Shooting groups is no measure of “best”. An old beat up pickup will get me to the grocery store but driving an R8 there, well that is an experience.
“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”. Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Posted by Brad.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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James Anderson can hang with the other “best” quality makers for sure.
“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”. Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Posted by Brad.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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GF-1 Sadly Jerry Fisher is now 91. He has never built a single synthetic stocked rifle. Today most folks think solely in terms of synthetic stocked rifles.
John55 The rifles coming out of Joe Smithson’s shop are also “best quality” as are those made by Gene Simillion. Mark Penrod is also fully capable. Only Echols is making his own action.
RinB, I am aware of both points, and count Jerry a friend. He is still turning out top drawer rifles even at his advanced age. As to your second instructive point, I don’t recall the original discussion limited to synthetic rifles. I might also ad that D’Arcy makes a really nice wood stocked rifle as well.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,736
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2003
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I’ll stick to answering the question……
Of those listed I own or have owned HCR, McWhorter and APR. Because I and several friends have owned multiple HCR rifles and EVERY one shot exactly as advertised I have to give them the nod. I think McWhorter rifles are probably the same and are great people. Alamo is newer to me and both shoot awesome and where substantially less money and they also are great guys who mostly stay on schedule. Shaen has done several and I have zero issues and he also is a super guy!
But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13
I DON'T NEED A WSM AS I HAVE A WEATHERBY!
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Joined: Aug 2006
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David Miller rifles should also be included in this discussion. Not sure if he is still making rifles but if he is then for sure he’s part of an elite list.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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What is your criteria? How long is a string?
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I have had rifles built by most of the well known smiths and out of all of them Robert Gradous’ rifles are by far the best . It is a real shame that he is no longer with us . I watched his videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoLimDL_e0Yhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDvsLNUh0Jwyoutube.com/watch?v=6V_2-H7Hk-Y&t=5s While he is a pro and I am an amateur, I have the same opinion as him on some things: 1) bedding is to keep the barreled action from moving in the stock before the bullet exits 2) Make big pillars with ribs. 3) Johnsons paste wax as release agent 4) Make your own action screws 5) pre compress pillars against action. 6) put epoxy on pillars and in holes 7) remove stock material with mill 8) no part of the barrel touches the stock
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. -Ernest Hemingway The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.-- Edward John Phelps
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The most skilled custom riflemaker I have known is probably Martin Hagn. His skills are amazing to watch. His custom rifles, whether single shot, double, or bolt action, are beautiful and function well. Whether or not they are the best custom rifles though, I can't say. When you get to that level everyone makes good stuff. GD
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Joined: Dec 2005
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James Anderson can hang with the other “best” quality makers for sure.
My thoughts exactly for function and beauty.. It all depends on what you want and fully agree that accuracy is not the only criteria. Long range, competition, hunting, masterpiece works of art etc.
Arcus Venator
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Joined: May 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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If you're looking for something built on a Mauser or Model 70 Mark Penrod (Penrod Precision) in Manchester IN has my strongest endorsement. Great communication and suggestions and was willing to step me through the build and delivered it on time and in budget. A real gentleman that was a pleasure to deal with.
If something on the internet makes you angry the odds are you're being manipulated
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 323
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I have been lucky to own some nice custom rifles
What I know is that there a lot of makers that make very fine rifles, yet, you won’t find one better than Echols.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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I am fond of Tom Burgess metal work, Jerry Fisher, Maurice Ottmar, Earl Milliron wood work.
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Whitebird I saw a Burgess Milliron 458 on a single square bridge for sale at SCI about 15 years ago. It had Earl’s racey classic stock and Thos’s pop-up front sight. Wish I could get it to live with me.
“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”. Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Posted by Brad.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,170
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I have customs from multiple of the builders mentioned above. All are nice and some are better than others from my experiences. I have had a couple issues with some of the very known, popular builders and some have been 100% as advertised. It's a case by case basis and anything CAN happen.
For me, when I can get THE Best, I will start with D'Arcy Elchols for a strong consideration. I dont own one yet but from what I have seen, for the best true hunting rifle if he's not up there for US builders in consideration, something is wrong. Best is such a subjective term now but without talking gold inlays, crazy exotic woods, and flashy accents, D'Arcy builds a damn fine hunting rifle. Cheap? Nope, but the "best" seldom is.
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“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”. Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Posted by Brad.
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If wood and blued is to your lijing, Jim Kobe in Minnesota is also a good rifle builder. He's talented, relatively fast, and reasonable.
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