I’m looking for a custom gun maker to bring to life the rifle I want. I already have the action and know what chambering I want. I know which barrel maker will chamber and supply the barrel and who will do the metal finishing. What I need is recommendations for a custom maker to coordinate the project and make the stock. I would appreciate comments from people who have had rifles made and are satisfied with the results. I’m not looking for an exhibition grade firearm. This will be a bolt action, medium caliber rifle to be used in the field, but I want it to be a pretty nice rifle. Thanks in advance for your advice.

You need to follow the custom rifle scene for a while and not rush into things.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
You need to follow the custom rifle scene for a while and not rush into things.

You know nothing about me, my knowledge, my length of experience in the shooting world, or my abilities. I'll decide when I'm ready to have a custom rifle built and I don't need criticism from a known idiot on these forums. I'm looking for recommendations from knowledgable and helpful people on this subject. Bite me.

I thought I would come to the help of a dumb man who cant decide on a custom maker.

You indicate you have the action and have selected the caliber and who will barrel it and with what also who will refinish the metal work,which to me would indicate you only need the stock built. You don't really indicate whether you want wood or synthetic and in the next post you lead one to believe you know everything about guns. I would suggest you look at some pictures posted on here and select someone based on the one coming closest to your desires. Then contact that person and go from there.

Shootaway....There are several hunred, if not thousand, custom rifle builders out there. He is asking for recommendations, not to be insulted. But since you seem to have the time, why don't YOU give all of us a complete rundown on each and every one of the custom builders out there. You refer to him as dumb for not
knowing who to use, so help him out by doing what I asked you to do.

I'd recommend taking a trip to Dallas and/or Reno and seeing whose work fits your tastes and budget.

From personal experience Roger Green and Dean Zollinger.

Dennis Olson just finished a complete build for me in 6.5 X 55 and it is SWEET.

Yes, if you can find the time, go to DSC January 8, 9, and 10. I'll be there along with a number of fine craftsmen and women.

quote:

Originally posted by AlanFaulkner:
Shootaway....There are several hunred, if not thousand, custom rifle builders out there. He is asking for recommendations, not to be insulted. But since you seem to have the time, why don't YOU give all of us a complete rundown on each and every one of the custom builders out there. You refer to him as dumb for not
knowing who to use, so help him out by doing what I asked you to do.

I didn't see the insult. It's probably a wise thing for him to look around a bit at different custom makers a see if he can match a style and price to his wants and needs. The world is full of "custom" makers, some good and some not so good. Delivery is a big hangup for most people and apparently something lied about by a lot of makers if you believe the forums. Take some time and do a little background work before you pick a maker.

I'm glad I'm not a stockmaker. You are correct shootaway.

Scojac - Look closely at AHR. Wayne does outstanding work at very reasonable prices. Www.hunting-rifles.com

You haven't really given us enough info to make a good recommendation to you. Do you want a synthetic or fine wood stock? Long range shooting or standard range hunting rifle? Give us more, and we can give more.

Not trying to be controversial, it's just that certain gunsmiths do some things better than others.

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:
I'm glad I'm not a stockmaker. You are correct shootaway.

yes, that is true

quote:

Originally posted by Boxhead:
From personal experience Roger Green and Dean Zollinger.

Green was fired from a Game and Fish position by the Governor of Wyoming for illegal hunting/ poaching activity.

As Jim Kobe mentioned, the ACGG will have members showing at the DSC Jan 8-12. Also feel free to visit the website of the ACGG to find names, address, phone numbers, and e-mail address of 108 current Professional members to pick from. Someone should be able to meet your desires and needs.

Guys,here's a once in a lifetime chance to get your revenge on your most hated riflesmith.Refer scojac to him right now for Christmas!!

Lon Paul, if he is working after the fire he went through.

Lon is one of the best.

Ed

Again, give us more info as to what you want, and we will make good recommendations as to what you want. Your current criteria is not sufficient,and is not enough to make a suggestion.

Do not use lorenzo young at deadly precision Gunsmithing. He took my money and my scope and now three years later refuses to respond or answer my emails.

On the other hand AHR has done two very nice rifles for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Rastaman:
He took my money and my scope and now three years later refuses to respond or answer my emails.

There's something to be said for going local. It's a little harder to ignore a pissed off customer standing in front of you.

There ought to be a Better Business Bureau of sorts for the gunsmithing industry. Way too many stories like this. Then again maybe these and other forums serve the purpose adequately...

Maybe they would be like the BBB in our area. I was told that if I didn't pay and join they would give me a bad rating.

scojac,

After reading the comments and re-reading your post it appears you are not using a metalsmith for the metal work, just basically plug-n-play from different suppliers.

When I researched my build it became apparent that any builder I would be interested in wanted more control over the metal work than just screw the barrel into my action and send it off for a finish to be applied.

I went with a true metalsmith who used the barrels and actions of my choice and his personal skills to accomplish all metal work necessary for the various parts (including his one-off matching scope bases) to become a fully shooting rifle. He even milled the full length bedding block in my B&C stocks to match the custom bottom metal that he fitted and finished for my specific action and cartridges used. Also opened the barrel channel to fit my large diameter BB barrels. What he doesn't do is stock work on synthetic or wood stocks. but he was more than willing to oversee the re-finishing of the synthetic stocks and/or the build of custom wood stocks. for fully completed rifles. I already own a matching set of Australian grown French Walnut blanks for the stocks that have now been air drying 20+ years.

Right now I'm staying with the synthetic stocks just in case I decide to re-barrel a time or two, then I'll have the walnut stocks custom fitted with my final iteration of my metal work.

My recommendation is to do more searching in the custom forum as well as follow-ups from recommendations here. Just don't become the 'nightmare' customer or you'll lose out in the long run.

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:
Maybe they would be like the BBB in our area. I was told that if I didn't pay and join they would give me a bad rating.

+1 The BBB is NOT affiliated with any branch of any government, state, local, or federal. It is an independent company/corporation. Your rating can be whatever you decide to pay for. Don't pay 'um and get a 'bad' rating,,,, pay up and get as much as you can pay for.

Why in the "ell pay anybody to say I do good work. I didn't pay them 30+ years ago and still won't pay them or anybody else.

I won't pay 'um either, Butch. Trouble is, there are some that seem to think that bunch is a government agency that's looking out for the folks. When in reality, they're just a company/corp that makes money. I wouldn't depend on the BBB alone for any decisions. I wouldn't know how much of their 'rating' was from feedback and how much was because they got paid (or not).