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Who’s your preferred custom rifle builder?

Mike R. @ Tactical Operations Inc , California
Great guy, customer service is at the top, rifles are functional art, and attention to detail well he’s a perfectionist to say the least and they shoot 0’s

I just don’t think he will use your components but again you could always ask him
I once asked him if he would build a barreled action with customer supplied parts and he wouldn't.

A complete rifle might be different.
 
Call Fritz at Black Canyon Customs.

Hate to get him busier, but he is on top of timelines and does amazing work.
Shot a buddy’s rifle he built.
stupid little group at 600 yds.

He used to be one of the FT smiths for Mile High. Just wanted to do his own shop and he is quite good.

ETA. Have also had more than 1 by LRI (3 I think) and an old Mike Bush. They were hammers too. I really dig LRI and how they push the envelope.
 
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Mike at Tac Ops is great to deal with. For work where I would want something where I am choosing the makeup, like a hunting rifle, or something in a more esoteric cartridge, I love working with SAC and with LRI. Terry Cross is fantastic as well, but even more you get what you get than Mike.

One thing that sets these shops apart is the customer service, Sarah and SAC and Callie at LRI is super good to deal with in comparison to a lot of the shops that are run by gunsmiths. Not that the others are bad, they are just great. Mike is great as well, though he is often pulled in ten directions at once. You will get great service, but you might wait 12 hours instead of 1.
 
If your in the northeast Larry Racine at lpr is legit.
 
I've also used rws gunsmithing for several builds and couldn't have been happier.
 
Lots of great replies and options here. Thanks guys.
I’m going to call LRI and TS Customs as well. I’m still waiting on TriggerTech to ship my Good Friday order and I’ve got to figure out how to get my bolt disassembled and sent to H&M for nitriding. After than I’ll be going with whoever has the best lead time most likely.
 
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Another vote for Jeff at Rivers Bend Gun Co. His rifles shoot lights out and kill stuff good!
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I've had Mac's Gunworks out of Gillette, WY do several as well as MS Precision in North Mississippi. I plan on having Manzella Precision out of Montana do my next one.
 
Kevin Cram of Montour County Rifles. Super great guy. One man shop and you deal with Kevin directly. Going on Build #6 as we speak. He is in Dansville PA. Check him out
 
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I just went through the process to have my first custom build done and I went with Snowy Mountain Rifles out of Missoula, MT. They have been great to work with so far and went out of their way to get the parts I wanted to build the rifle I wanted. They stock Defiance actions, Proof Barrels, as well as Benchmark. They also use McMillan stocks on a lot of their builds. I have read some great reviews on them and from what I understand they have a pretty state of the art facility. My build is on a Bat Machine Vampire action, 26” Proof barrel, Manners MCS-T3 elite stock, Trigger Tech Special Trigger, Snowy Mtn. Snowflake Titanium 3 port self timing muzzle brake, and their bottom metal with AI DBM, custom cerakote in gore optifade sub alpine on the stock and all other hard parts cerakote in an accent color, and custom load development with 200 rds. and I believe the rifle will be sent to me in a Pelican hard case with custom foam insert. All together they quoted me $6,300 for everything out the door. I thought that was a very fair price given my parts list isn’t cheap and considering I wanted to use some stuff they don’t normally work with. Give them a shout and ask for Paul, I have no doubt in my mind he will treat you right.
 
Now that I’ve got all my components I’m starting the process of finding a reputable smith to do the build (Defiance action, Bartlein bbl, McM A3-5 stock). Will be a 20” 308 Win.

so far I’ve talked to Beanland and SAC. One was disproportionately more expensive but had a great lead time.
Would like maybe two others to contact before I decide. I’m willing to pay a premium to have it completed before next hunting season.
As long as Jon Beanland is making rifles, he will make MY rifles.

John
 
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Don Fraley at Advanced Weapons Technology in Greenup KY has done some awesome work for me.
 
Baldwin Rifles, has built me several outstanding rifles that shoot lights out! Have killed many critters with his guns!
His customer service is second to none! He has a Facebook account no website.
 
I would call Ryan Pierce at Piercision rifles. Also look at Steve Criner at Coyotecalls.com
 
Caleb at Alpha & Omega Rifle & Tool in Mound City, MO has built two for me and I’ve found no fault with either.

@AOGunsmith I think.
I second this. ^^
SAC
Gunware / Sterling Precision LLC
GAP
Ryan Hunt - Hunts Long Range
 
Travis Redell R Bros Rifles, Olympia Wa. I have two of his builds, they are both great rifles and absolute hammers, both rifles were four to six weeks from the time he received my parts back to my door, Travis is great to deal with bought the Surgeon action for my last build from him. He just builds a sweet rifle.
 
I'm Not comparing apples to apples here . I own two custom rifles, a GAP in .308 and a 6.5 CM built by the late Robert Gradous . They are both excellent rifles. The Gradous is more accurate but then again is it the rifle or the caliber ? Target at 220 yards with the Gradous
 

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Kevin Wyatt of Wyatt outdoors is a great smith. Kevin work is very good and very accurate rifles he builds. If you want it done right the first time see Kevin.
 
Meredith Rifles in Athens, Alabama. Never shot anything that Tooter built or worked on for me that didn’t shoot. He does great work and is reasonably priced. Lead times very depending on the work. Great guy and super knowledgeable.
 
Every time i see one of these threads it always reminds me of Robert Gradous. Spent a lot of time in his shop and out. Was a great guy with mad skills. RIP Robert.
Travis at TS Customs is my go to now. Builds a hell of a rifle, great CS and also a great guy to talk with.
 
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Another shout out for Jeff at Rivers Bend Gun Company. Did my first custom build and couldn’t be happier with it!
Yet another shout out for Jeff Hayes! He’s built one custom rifle that shoots amazing and he is in the process of building a second. He will definitely build more for me. The quality is second to none and the fit and finish is impeccable.

Side note... I have a rifle built by GAP and recently discovered that Jeff built it when he worked there years ago.
 
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Some of my rifles are build by Greg Young, Company Southern Precision Rifles. Now I think to start a new project with his help. My friends and I are satisfied with collaboration to him, they became his customets after me.
I don`t know how fast he will be able to build it (I need to wait for a long time) but the rifle is quality built and work properly.
 

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Hi my name is Chase Fisher and I have been a gunsmith for 10 years and specialize in bolt action barrel work. Please take a look at my website www.fishertandc.com and ask any questions you may have. I would appreciate your consideration for your upcoming project.
Thanks, Chase
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @fishertnc07
Call or Text: 406-539-4684
 
Tons of great gunsmiths noted already.

Dallas Lane (Lane Precision Rifles) builds hammers. I have a 6.5 Sherman he threw together for me a while back - it's an awesome rifle. Once my medical residency is finished in 14 months, I'm going to go with another build from him.
 
Travis Stevens TS customs, he has done my last 4 barrels and Im sending him another one today to put together
 
Dave Bruno in Pennsylvania. Built 7 rifles with him. All are hammers

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THAT is a magnificent piece of wood, my friend. Really awesome and its difficult (and $$) to find a blank of such high quality large enough for a rifle stock (vice two piece break action shotgun stocks, for example)

May I ask, who did the wood work....shaping and who did the checkering?

Shoot it well and long.