Custom or High End Rifle?

[mtnhunter]

I'm looking to get a new rifle in 7mm Rem Mag and am wondering what your thoughts are on a custom rifle compared with a high end rifle (i.e. Blaser R8, Nosler, etc.).

I am interested in a rifle that shoots groups of 3/4" or better at 100 yards, is lighter than 7 pounds without scope, has a synthetic stock which will hold up to the elements.

The lower the price the better obviously, but I am willing to spend the money for quality.

Thanks!

[elkhunter11]

Personally, I would go custom if the budget allows.

[levigne25]

Originally Posted by mtnhunter

I'm looking to get a new rifle in 7mm Rem Mag and am wondering what your thoughts are on a custom rifle compared with a high end rifle (i.e. Blaser R8, Nosler, etc.).

I am interested in a rifle that shoots groups of 3/4" or better at 100 yards, is lighter than 7 pounds without scope, has a synthetic stock which will hold up to the elements.

The lower the price the better obviously, but I am willing to spend the money for quality.

Thanks!

http://albertatacticalrifle.com
Whatever you do don't get work done from the Edmonton gunsmith , it's way over priced . Mystic precision are decent prices also and corlanes in BC
There's a member here that had a savage prefit barrel and for him to change it out and head space it , he wanted 400$ for the labour and mystic precision did it for 50$ . Quite the difference in price hey . Also the Edmonton gunsmith did work on a guy that I work with kid's rifle over charged him again . He will even ask you how much you make an hour , he asked me how much I make an hour and he also asked the guy I work with the same question .

[CanuckShooter]

Do you want a hunting rifle? Or a show piece?

You can buy off the shelf that will give you what is listed...weight and accuracy...but if you want to spend for a custom then it's pretty much up to your budget. Blaser is what $4000+??

[Tcon]

If you have the budget I would go custom. I had 2 customs built last year, they are phenomenally accurate (both under 0.25 MOA) and have a bit more sentimental value since I personally selected the components and finish.

If you are on a budget you can get sub moa accuracy out of a tikka t3 ss superlite, which in all honesty is one of the smoothest actions I own. My tikka shoots under 0.5 MOA with very minimal load development. I chose to buy the tikka over a custom for hunting because I don't want to worry about beating it up in the bush. A word of caution, magnums are not fun to shoot in a very light gun. You don't notice it while hunting but load development was horrendous and the gun simply isn't enjoyable to shoot regularly. It is however a joy to carry around all day.

[Submoa_hunter]

Custom could take quite a while to source all the parts and once you do shipping them here can be a pain in the ***. You will get utmost accuracy out of a custom build and it will be truly yours and unique to you. In general they are a lot more money once you factor in the gunsmiths time, unless you can do that stuff yourself then your gold! For a high end rifles I would start looking at sako, weatherby, kimber and cooper they're are a few others too

[Stonegoat]

I was in the same dilemma last year. I decided on a Cooper M54, which is a high-end factory rifle, but can be ordered custom. Cooper guarantees 1/2" 100 yard groups. Mine will often do even better.

[BigChevy]

Originally Posted by Tcon

If you have the budget I would go custom. I had 2 customs built last year, they are phenomenally accurate (both under 0.25 MOA) and have a bit more sentimental value since I personally selected the components and finish.

If you are on a budget you can get sub moa accuracy out of a tikka t3 ss superlite, which in all honesty is one of the smoothest actions I own. My tikka shoots under 0.5 MOA with very minimal load development. I chose to buy the tikka over a custom for hunting because I don't want to worry about beating it up in the bush. A word of caution, magnums are not fun to shoot in a very light gun. You don't notice it while hunting but load development was horrendous and the gun simply isn't enjoyable to shoot regularly. It is however a joy to carry around all day.

I agree here, Tikka's are extremely accurate, nice and light rifles.
The Tikka T3 superlites have apparently been discontinued is what I have been told by Corlanes. They are currently building me a Tikka T3 270 that will be all of a superlite and more as they are just a Fluted barrel on a T3. I am extremely stoked about it!

[gtr]

Originally Posted by mtnhunter

I'm looking to get a new rifle in 7mm Rem Mag and am wondering what your thoughts are on a custom rifle compared with a high end rifle (i.e. Blaser R8, Nosler, etc.).

I am interested in a rifle that shoots groups of 3/4" or better at 100 yards, is lighter than 7 pounds without scope, has a synthetic stock which will hold up to the elements.

The lower the price the better obviously, but I am willing to spend the money for quality.

Thanks!

A custom rifle is a good choice if you plan on keeping for a while. As with most custom things, you will never get your money back out of it, if you wish to sell. Seen a Browning at the gun shop that made me smile. Good luck with what ever way you go.

[catnthehat]

I had Bill Leeper build my custom Ruger single shot , abc have had match trifles ) full on custom builds ) done by Rangesports Unlimited.
There are more than a few good gunsmiths in Alberta that can do the work however .
Coopers can be ordered with upgraded wood and chamber rings, but I'm not s bolt action hunter , hence the Ruger custom.
Cat

[sns2]

As GTR said, if you are the kind of guy who keeps things for a long time, then a custom may be the route to go. If you don't keep things long, then you will likely take a real hit when you go to sell. If you just want a high end rifle to meet your criteria there are a number that do so. The ones I have personally had that meet your criteria are:

A) Kimber Montana (blind mag)
B) Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight (floor plate)
c) Sako Finnlight (detachable mag)

With load development, all will shoot accurately, and meet your weight criteria. Further, you can buy all of them gently used and save considerable loot that can be invested in high end optics. IME, they were all exceptionally good rifles that I enjoyed, and now others are enjoying.

Coopers are great - all 3 I have had shot lights out - but they are on the heavy side.

You could also add the Kimber Mountain Ascent and/or Adirondack to your list, as well as the Montana Rifle Co Extreme X2 which is in itself a semi-custom rifle in that they build guns to order as a normal matter of course.

Take a drive to Lloydminster and talk to Clay and the boys at Prophet River. They will likely have samples of all the factory rifles I have mentioned.

[mtnhunter]

Thanks for the suggestions!

For barrels, is carbon-wrapped worth the money?

What do you feel are the best stocks? McMillan?

[Submoa_hunter]

McMillan, hs precision, and manners unless you want to go to a chassis system. Then cadex defense, kinetic research group, accuracy international

[levigne25]

Originally Posted by mtnhunter

Thanks for the suggestions!

For barrels, is carbon-wrapped worth the money?

What do you feel are the best stocks? McMillan?

Manners , McMillan , accuracy international

[Stonegoat]

"Coopers are great - all 3 I have had shot lights out - but they are on the heavy side."

My Cooper is only about 6.5 pounds. Not really what I would consider heavy

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by mtnhunter

What do you feel are the best stocks? McMillan?

For Canadians , Jason Spencer in Ottawa, and Eddy VonAtzegan in Peterborough are two really good gunsmiths who do exceptional work with wood .
Jason apperenticed for George Pohl, a German master gunsmith and Eddy is a Swiss trained master gunsmith .
I'm talking wood however.
Cat

[BigChevy]

Originally Posted by mtnhunter

Thanks for the suggestions!

For barrels, is carbon-wrapped worth the money?

What do you feel are the best stocks? McMillan?

Carbon barrels are nice, they are very tough and deceivingly light as they are stouter but the mass doesn't add up of course. Check out proof research. They make a very nice rifle and the best carbon barrels on the market.

[Tcon]

Originally Posted by mtnhunter

Thanks for the suggestions!

For barrels, is carbon-wrapped worth the money?

What do you feel are the best stocks? McMillan?

McMillan are more easily accessible than the others and are high quality.

Manners are high quality but practically impossible to get up here. If you custom order you are waiting 6+ months and it will be excessively expensive.

HS Precision are ok in the mid range

Bell & Carlson are great value stocks.

The chassis will be extremely heavy and won't fit your requirements. One of the lighter chassis is the XLR Carbon which comes in at 3lbs 6oz (not light by any means).

I have yet to use a carbon barrel but the theory seems logical, reduce the weight by removing steel and replacing it with carbon fibre.

[levigne25]

Originally Posted by Tcon

McMillan are more easily accessible than the others and are high quality.

Manners are high quality but practically impossible to get up here. If you custom order you are waiting 6+ months and it will be excessively expensive.

HS Precision are ok in the mid range

Bell & Carlson are great value stocks.

The chassis will be extremely heavy and won't fit your requirements. One of the lighter chassis is the XLR Carbon which comes in at 3lbs 6oz (not light by any means).

I have yet to use a carbon barrel but the theory seems logical, reduce the weight by removing steel and replacing it with carbon fibre.

Accuracy international are very easy to get here in Canada , wolverine supplies in Manitoba always has them in stock 3-4 days you will receive it in the mail

You have lots to choose from

https://www.wolverinesupplies.com/br...RIFLE%20STOCKS

[Tcon]

Originally Posted by BigChevy

I agree here, Tikka's are extremely accurate, nice and light rifles.
The Tikka T3 superlites have apparently been discontinued is what I have been told by Corlanes. They are currently building me a Tikka T3 270 that will be all of a superlite and more as they are just a Fluted barrel on a T3. I am extremely stoked about it!

Interesting, what barrel did you go with? I'll be interested to know what it weighs in at ready to go.

[Dean2]

If you want a light rifle that shoots under 1/2" out you can't beat Ultra Light Arms. Melvin Forbes builds absolutely top quality rifles for a pretty reasonable price.
Of all the high end and custom light weight rifles I have hunted with and owned this is my favourite custom. I only wish I had found these when I was twenty years old. I would have bought a couple of different left hand calibers and probably never bothered owning anything else. It is my go to gun since I bought one ten years ago. The rest of the closest of big game rifles hardly ever gets out for a walk any more.

http://newultralightarms.com/?page_id=10

[elkhunter11]

Carbon fiber is light, but carbon fiber barrels usually result in a very muzzle light balance, that I find makes precision shooting more difficult , and it results in a great deal more muzzle rise during recoil. I personally prefer Macmillian stocks, the quality is very good, and they offer many different patterns.

If I had to go with a factory rifle, Cooper makes very accurate rifles, if you can find one light enough for your tastes. There have been accuracy issues with the Weather ultralight rifles. Kimber is certainly worth considering.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by Dean2

If you want a light rifle that shoots under 1/2" out you can't beat Ultra Light Arms. Melvin Forbes builds absolutely top quality rifles for a pretty reasonable price.
Of all the high end and custom light weight rifles I have hunted with and owned this is my favourite custom. I only wish I had found these when I was twenty years old. I would have bought a couple of different left hand calibers and probably never bothered owning anything else. It is my go to gun since I bought one ten years ago. The rest of the closest of big game rifles hardly ever gets out for a walk any more.

http://newultralightarms.com/?page_id=10

This is your huckleberry^^^

[mtnhunter]

Originally Posted by Dean2

If you want a light rifle that shoots under 1/2" out you can't beat Ultra Light Arms. Melvin Forbes builds absolutely top quality rifles for a pretty reasonable price.
Of all the high end and custom light weight rifles I have hunted with and owned this is my favourite custom. I only wish I had found these when I was twenty years old. I would have bought a couple of different left hand calibers and probably never bothered owning anything else. It is my go to gun since I bought one ten years ago. The rest of the closest of big game rifles hardly ever gets out for a walk any more.

http://newultralightarms.com/?page_id=10

Thanks for the suggestion of Ultra Light Arms. With these weighing less than 6 pounds, do they kick like mules? Also, can these be purchased locally in the Calgary area?

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by mtnhunter

Thanks for the suggestion of Ultra Light Arms. With these weighing less than 6 pounds, do they kick like mules? Also, can these be purchased locally in the Calgary area?

I have them in 308 and have shot a couple of others. One in7 mag. The 308, 7 08 are fine and dont kick bad. The 7mm i put a slip on limbsaver and it was okay off the bench but that would be tha maximum power cartridge U would recommend in a gun this light. My 308 weighs six pounds incl the scope, sling and a full mag of. Ammo.


You can order it direct from Melvin and have Prophet River import it. Cost is about 250 dollar . I takes about a year to get Melvin to make one. Prophet sells a production version of this gun called the Forbes rifle that is about half the cost. Personally i think the custom ordered ones from Melvin are worth the price but you could try one for about half the price.

[Ursus_Major]

I'd go custom.
The most renowned gunsmiths and shops of YEG do overcharge and are not so pleasant to deal with. But there is also a bunch of low key but supremely competent gunsmiths around that can get you a high quality custom rifle for half the price of a high end prod gun.
Check around Evansburg or Spruce Grove, or in an aptly named city called Gunn...

[propliner]

Resale value favours a high-end factory rifle.

[Zuludog]

My Sako A7 fits that criteria although sometimes I wish the stock was nicer. Not that it's bad I'm just hankering for a new stock now. lol

This a 3 shot group that is roughly .227 inches. I don't re-load or own calipers so I measured it with a ruler at 13mm. lol

Not bad for a $1000 rifle that is light and shoots well.

[max158]

Got a best of the west 7mm rem mag

For sale
Husqemaw blue diamond 5x20x 50
4 turrets for different elevation and temp
Airline approved starlight cast
Wind meter
Strap
Bullet recipe
Muzzle break
Thread protecter

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by max158

Got a best of the west 7mm rem mag

For sale
Husqemaw blue diamond 5x20x 50
4 turrets for different elevation and temp
Airline approved starlight cast
Wind meter
Strap
Bullet recipe
Muzzle break
Thread protecter

I can't even imagine anyone actually paying the asking price for one of those packages.