First off, let me start by saying my experiences with gunsmiths was non-existant before dealing with Robert Gradous. From what I had heard about GAP, LA Precision, SAC, etc. I knew there was a kind of "code" that reputable gunsmiths follow regarding customer service, guarantees, and all that. However, I believe Robert Gradous has set the bar very high for any future business other gunsmith's might get from me (I'll probably stick with Robert). Here's my story:
My father is a physician and a long time patient of his began losing his health. He developed "the shakes" and began giving away his rifle collection. In appreciation of my father, he offered a stock Remington 700 SPS .308 with a NF BR 8-32x56 free of charge. My father accepted on the condition that the patient's family was okay with it. It turns out his family already had chosen their heirlooms. (Kind of makes me wonder what else he had!)
My dad gave me this rifle a year and a half ago for my birthday as he never shot it much. This rifle means a lot to me as I know it meant a lot to the original owner and have treated it as well as I know how. That being said, I have shot it a good bit. I was able to get sub-moa groups consistently with a few >.5" groups at 100yds if I did my part. However, it had become erratic with me. Every day, multiple groups would range from .5-1.25 moa. Same ammo (FGMM 168gr SMK HPBT), same rituals, just different results. So I decided to take it to a gunsmith.
After a good bit of research I found glowing reviews of Robert Gradous on this site and others. And to my delight, he only lives 30 minutes away from me (I prefer to deal with people face to face rather than on the phone). So I resolved to take my .308 to him for his "Accurizing Package", called Robert, and set up an appointment.
Robert was very accommodating with my work schedule and I ended up getting it to him at around 5:30 on Friday (+1 for Robert). When I arrived, he immediately tested the trigger (old style remington) and did a brief adjustment then said, "well, before we go throwing money at this thing, lets see how she shoots." Before he charged anything, he wanted to give me a real assessment to determine whether or not the Accurizing Package would be worth it. Like I said before, this was my first experience with a gunsmith and I was taken aback that he wouldn't rather just cash my check (+2 for Robert).
He then took my rifle to his shooting "shack". The only reason I put shack in quotation marks is that this was/is the nicest shooting set up I've seen. It is about the size of a nice tool shed with air conditioning, every powder/bullet known to man, and a cinder block shooting table with a concrete slab top (+3 for Robert). Needless to say, it is a solid shooting base. Anyways, after we walked to the 100yd berm to put up a new target, he cracked open the window, stuck the muzzle out and fired 4 shots of his own FGMM (+4 for Robert). It shot about .6-.75" group and then he loaded up another 3 rounds and shot the same size group.
Robert then gave me a little quiz regarding the scope adjustments. I passed but didn't ace it (D for Diploma, right?). He told me flat out that some of the stock Remington barrels can hold .25" but others can't. He made no grand statements and told it to me straight (+5 for Robert).
We then returned to his shop and began filling out the paperwork (name, address, phone number, etc.). When asked about the turn around time he said, "I dunno.... how about the first couple of days next week?" I was floored. Granted, I didn't have any experience but I was expecting at least a week! (+6) I signed all the necessary paperwork and left Friday evening confident in my decision.
Fast forward to today. At around lunch time I get a call from Robert at work. He tells me the rifle is ready! (+7) In addition, he said that the rifle shoots FGMM 2-3 in one "8" shaped hole with one .2-.3" flier. I was perfectly happy with that as it is better than I can shoot. Well he wasn't happy about it and informed me that he did a load development too for free!!! And that with this load the rifle shoots, "One damn hole. Period." (+1000) And to add to THAT, Robert loaded 20 rounds for me AND gave me the recipe... (+999999999)
Needless to say, I was floored by this transaction. Robert Gradous of Gradous Rifles is an excellent gunsmith, artist, businessman, and person. I strongly urge every person considering getting work done on their rifles to consider Robert as I believe he is at the least on par with GAP, LA Precision, SAC, and other big name companies. I will be sending him my business for years to come.
It was very important to me that the look of the rifle remain as it was given. I firmly believe my father's patient would be proud of the work Robert Gradous has done. As am I.
Thank You, Robert
My father is a physician and a long time patient of his began losing his health. He developed "the shakes" and began giving away his rifle collection. In appreciation of my father, he offered a stock Remington 700 SPS .308 with a NF BR 8-32x56 free of charge. My father accepted on the condition that the patient's family was okay with it. It turns out his family already had chosen their heirlooms. (Kind of makes me wonder what else he had!)
My dad gave me this rifle a year and a half ago for my birthday as he never shot it much. This rifle means a lot to me as I know it meant a lot to the original owner and have treated it as well as I know how. That being said, I have shot it a good bit. I was able to get sub-moa groups consistently with a few >.5" groups at 100yds if I did my part. However, it had become erratic with me. Every day, multiple groups would range from .5-1.25 moa. Same ammo (FGMM 168gr SMK HPBT), same rituals, just different results. So I decided to take it to a gunsmith.
After a good bit of research I found glowing reviews of Robert Gradous on this site and others. And to my delight, he only lives 30 minutes away from me (I prefer to deal with people face to face rather than on the phone). So I resolved to take my .308 to him for his "Accurizing Package", called Robert, and set up an appointment.
Robert was very accommodating with my work schedule and I ended up getting it to him at around 5:30 on Friday (+1 for Robert). When I arrived, he immediately tested the trigger (old style remington) and did a brief adjustment then said, "well, before we go throwing money at this thing, lets see how she shoots." Before he charged anything, he wanted to give me a real assessment to determine whether or not the Accurizing Package would be worth it. Like I said before, this was my first experience with a gunsmith and I was taken aback that he wouldn't rather just cash my check (+2 for Robert).
He then took my rifle to his shooting "shack". The only reason I put shack in quotation marks is that this was/is the nicest shooting set up I've seen. It is about the size of a nice tool shed with air conditioning, every powder/bullet known to man, and a cinder block shooting table with a concrete slab top (+3 for Robert). Needless to say, it is a solid shooting base. Anyways, after we walked to the 100yd berm to put up a new target, he cracked open the window, stuck the muzzle out and fired 4 shots of his own FGMM (+4 for Robert). It shot about .6-.75" group and then he loaded up another 3 rounds and shot the same size group.
Robert then gave me a little quiz regarding the scope adjustments. I passed but didn't ace it (D for Diploma, right?). He told me flat out that some of the stock Remington barrels can hold .25" but others can't. He made no grand statements and told it to me straight (+5 for Robert).
We then returned to his shop and began filling out the paperwork (name, address, phone number, etc.). When asked about the turn around time he said, "I dunno.... how about the first couple of days next week?" I was floored. Granted, I didn't have any experience but I was expecting at least a week! (+6) I signed all the necessary paperwork and left Friday evening confident in my decision.
Fast forward to today. At around lunch time I get a call from Robert at work. He tells me the rifle is ready! (+7) In addition, he said that the rifle shoots FGMM 2-3 in one "8" shaped hole with one .2-.3" flier. I was perfectly happy with that as it is better than I can shoot. Well he wasn't happy about it and informed me that he did a load development too for free!!! And that with this load the rifle shoots, "One damn hole. Period." (+1000) And to add to THAT, Robert loaded 20 rounds for me AND gave me the recipe... (+999999999)
Needless to say, I was floored by this transaction. Robert Gradous of Gradous Rifles is an excellent gunsmith, artist, businessman, and person. I strongly urge every person considering getting work done on their rifles to consider Robert as I believe he is at the least on par with GAP, LA Precision, SAC, and other big name companies. I will be sending him my business for years to come.
It was very important to me that the look of the rifle remain as it was given. I firmly believe my father's patient would be proud of the work Robert Gradous has done. As am I.
Thank You, Robert
