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Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Bob L Swagger

Bob L Swagger

ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 8, 2010
1,234
34
Base of the Appalachians
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Mr. Robert Gradous. Last Thursday, I decided to pack up the family and make the 800 mile road trip down to Mr. Gradous' shop. Mr. Gradous is not only one of best gunsmiths around, he is also an extremely hospitable southern gentleman and a great teacher.

Not only did he put us up in his pond front cabin to save us from having to pay for a hotel for 4 nights, he got out of bed at midnight upon our arrival to guide us to our quarters on the opposite side of his large property. We left with two outstanding rifles, not to mention we also left with a friendship and memories that will last a lifetime.

In this day and age, it is very hard to find honest and hard working people like Mr. Gradous. If you are considering procuring his services for your next project, don't hesitate.. We couldn't be happier with the entire experience, it was well worth the 1600 mile journey!

I have quite a few friends that own businesses and they always told me that the greatest compliment they could receive is a referral and or repeat business. I have already started on a list for my next build that is going to Mr. Gradous; 6.5x47 Lapua!

Thank you Mr. Gradous!

Specs of my .300 Winchester magnum rifle:

Surgeon 1086R
Surgeon DBM
Cerakote flat dark earth
McMillan A-5 KMW hardware GAP Camo
Krieger 5R MTU 1:10 finished at 24"
Nightforce NXS 8-32x56 HS-ZS NPR1
Leupold MKIV high steel rings
Badger FTE brake
Jewell Trigger
Tab Gear Sling
Harris 6-9BR-S
 
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Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

My Wife's .308 Winchester specs:

Surgeon 591R
Surgeon DBM
Cerakote flat dark earth
McMillan A-5 adjustable molded in swirl tan, grey, white and yellow
Bartlein MTU .299 / .308 1:10 finished at 20"
Leupold Mark IV 8.5-25x50 LRT M-1
Leupold Mark IV high steel rings
Jewell trigger
Harris 6-9BR-S
 
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Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Lucky Man! I'm jealous of both of those, especially the 300WM because I've been wanting one for so long.

I can't wait until I have a son, I'm hoping we can go to Mr. Gradous's one day and build our rifles together
smile.gif
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Congrats on the rifles.. Look like you guys had a great time, I know I would..
Thanks for the pics..

I'm waiting for my gun to ship from Robert.. I can't wait to see it in person.. Everytime I see someone make a thread about his guns, I get really excited to get mine..

How long where you there for?? I would love to do a duo build with my dad, and was wondering how long it would be for two rifles to be built with the gunsmith class...

Nevermind, I see 4 nights you where there. I thought it would be longer to do two guns.. Cool..
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Great pics. Thanks for all the detail ... very nice rifles!
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Thanks for all the kind words fellas..

Please take into consideration that she really doesn't have much experience shooting scoped rifles. After a quick explanation and some coaching I had her shoot a few groups off a bipod an a rear bag.

Here are a few pics of her results at 100 yards. I loaded 42.5 gr. of Varget and 168 gr. A-Max's and 44.4 gr. of Varget and 168 gr. Hornady HPBT match.
 
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Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Well, I would say she is a quick learner.. Nice shooting..
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

That is so awesome! I gotta do this! Very envious of your experience Bob!
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Robert,

Great looking rifles. That young lady can really shoot. Looks like she had a pretty good teacher.

Regards, Paul.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

It's stories like this that should make your choice of builders easy!
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

That is awesome. Don't let my wife see this thread; she wants a new rifle for a precision course in the fall.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Congrats on the rifles. Robert is one a kind and that's the also the type of rifles he builds. Each one truely is like a fingerprint...unique in its own way. But one thing is always the same. They are shooters! Robert is top notch to say the least.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

That's pretty cool, I wish I could get my wife interested in making the trip with me. They are some nice looking rifles and I'm sure one hell of an experience.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Robert has figured out the new way in rifle building, charge people to build a rifle, then have them do all the crappy work! Kudos my friend.....
laugh.gif


(I say this after I saw the pic of the lady at the blasting cabinet... I spent many, many hours at a blasting cabinet in my friends turbo shop helping him)
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Awesome thread.....thanks for the pics.

Some nice rifles you got there, probably even better memories.


I guess that Kreiger 5R worked out pretty good huh?
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Another really awesome thread with a "Gradous" rifle build.
Congrats to you on a couple fine looking rifles & family as well!!
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Very nice rifle's. I really like the Surgeon action with it's integral scope base. I'm glad your gunsmith did his job well.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

That is bad ass. I've noticed women always tend to shoot very well.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

This is an awesome thread. Thanks for sharing. Count your blessings, you have one cool wife!!
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

One of the better "my new rifle" threads! Congrats and enjoy.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Robert is a class act for sure and builds one heck of a fine rifle. I just wish one time I could catch his shop dirty. I swear I think he stays up all night cleaning it. LOL.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Those are both dang good looking. jealous
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

IMG_4129.jpg


Trust me, Robert is a friend of mine and his eyes are not looking at the Lathe in this pic. Lol

Beautiful wife. Oh ya...nice rifles also.

Ive spent few nights in that cabin myself, definitely is a good time building rifles with Gradous. Congrats Bob!
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Wow Bob - that is awesome. I wish my wife would want to do something like that. Very unique and very special. Thanks for sharing!


Jason
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

It sounds like you guys had one hell of an experience. And she's definitely a keeper!
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Great rifles, and a great family. What more could a man want???? Roberts offering are truly a rare thing. More people should take advantage of this, especially those that want to buy a lathe to do their own work. Talk about saving time, and money.

Bob, congrats on your new rifles, and awesome family!!! Thank you for sharing your awesome experience and all of those great pictures.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

His website says the gunsmithing class costs $1000 over the standard price of a rifle. His price for a component supplied rifle is $1250. Does this mean if you supply the components and take his class the cost is $2250?
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Edds</div><div class="ubbcode-body">His website says the gunsmithing class costs $1000 over the standard price of a rifle. His price for a component supplied rifle is $1250. Does this mean if you supply the components and take his class the cost is $2250? </div></div>

Ouch.

Not doubting the value but man, that's a lot of coin on top of the component list.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Edds</div><div class="ubbcode-body">His website says the gunsmithing class costs $1000 over the standard price of a rifle. His price for a component supplied rifle is $1250. Does this mean if you supply the components and take his class the cost is $2250? </div></div>

Ouch.

Not doubting the value but man, that's a lot of coin on top of the component list.</div></div>
I would say Gunsmithing School and all the tools required for the job will cost you waaaaayyyyy more than that.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

It could be viewed as a lot of coin, I guess. I view at it like this; time with the family, going on a road trip, staying at a pond cabin, learning / building and having a hand in creating an heirloom with my wife and son alongside of one of the best builders in the U.S.A., making a new friend, seeing a part of the country that we have never been in, using and learning about very expensive machines and tools, PRICELESS....

We can't wait to go back to build a 6.5x47 lapua.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

I'd happily pay that some day to build my own, that is very cool. Frank did the same class in pretty sure.that would be such a cool
Experience
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

PRICELESS is an understatment. For anyone that thinks this short but extremely full of useful info for anyone wanting to learn the how to on building a very accurate rifle, this is cheap. Just think, anyone with no experience can come in, and use his machines. What if someone panics, and wrecks his machine. Can't just go to the local Home Depot and get another one. A lot to think about here. If he did this way back when I started, I would have been a repete customer.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bob L. Swagger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It could be viewed as a lot of coin, I guess. I view at it like this; time with the family, going on a road trip, staying at a pond cabin, learning / building and having a hand in creating an heirloom with my wife and son alongside of one of the best builders in the U.S.A., making a new friend, seeing a part of the country that we have never been in, using and learning about very expensive machines and tools, PRICELESS....

We can't wait to go back to build a 6.5x47 lapua.
</div></div>

Like I said...a little steep but I'd probably do it to though....seems like a great time. You're lucky to have a wife that considers that a vacation.
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

Priceless, A 1 ++++++. Hard to top the guns, builder, experience,wife or fellow writing the check... Now sell me that old varmint rig !!!! LMAO very best
 
Re: Thank you Robert Gradous .300 WM / .308 WIN

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bob L. Swagger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yep, that is the price and it is money well spent... </div></div>
Charging $1250 for a complete build using supplied parts seems like a reasonable price. As for the other $1000, I think It takes a certain type of individual for that. I'm not a gunsmith but I do work in a specialized service field. I don't think I would provide any of you guys a place to stay and hold your hand for a week for a $1000.
 
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