Just called HCR to get a price on a barrel installation (ie.threading, chambering, and crown). The quote was $400. if I supply the barrel and $700. if they supply the barrel. I've used them a couple of times in the past and their work got a lot higher since then. Is that about the going rate or have they gotten a lot prouder of their work since the article in Rifle magazine came out?. Is there anyone else in the San Antonio area doing barrel work? Thanks, Roger.

I guess it wouldn't be bad if they supplied the K-Y

That price is way out of line.

Although not in the immediate San Antonio area, you may want to give Bobby Bueltel a call in Austin. A great smith and a good guy to deal with. He used to be the head guy out of McBrides, but now works out of his house.

Hollywood

If you don't mind shipping, my gunsmith is way less than that. You can call him @ 707 764 5744 usually there after 10-PST.
Frank

Rojelio-

I have done business with Hill Country Rifles for a long time. They do good work and have always been honest and fair. Ask for Matt and make sure that they gave you an accurate quote. That said, those prices sound unreasonable.

Ron Bartlett of Vais Arms barreled my .300 RUM and did a fantastic job. As I have said many times on this board, Ron is a terrific guy, too.

Mr. Dietz at Dietz Gun Shop in New Braunfels has a great reputation as well.

Good luck,

I talked to them at the Houston Safari Show. That is their price. http://www.hillcountryrifles.com

HCR Riflesmithing Services & Price List
March 2003

Barrel Work
All barrel jobs include a complete blueprinting of the action
and a matte finish on the barrel.
Price
Lilja barrel in matte blue finish $700
Krieger barrel in matte blue finish or stainless $725
Lilja or Hart barrel, stainless $700
Chamber & fit customers barrel (to most bolt actions) in matte finish $400
Complete Barrel Break In.

$80
Extractor cuts

$60
Re-bluing action

$100

Thanks guys, I thought it sounded kinda high. I have some time to think about it as I am holding out for a Stainless Charles Daly action. When they will get here, I don't know. My barrel should get here about March 5. It is a Lothar Walther stainless 6.5 with an 8 twist. Planning on a 6.5-06. My first all weather rifle. Thanks again, Roger.

Roger-

You have an e-mail.

Best regards,

Email received. Thanks, Roger.

just installing a barrel and chambering it to most actions should run less than $400 including the furnishing of the barrel assuming standard contours and standard calibers.

Best kept secret in Texas--there is a guy here in San Angelo that does top notch work--fast and reasonable. Stays busy--doesn't advertise --doesnt need to word of mouth from highly satisfied customers.

That price really isn't out of line if they do a complete truing of the action...they do have an excellent reputation.

I have had work done by Ron Bartlett in San Antonio and his work is also 1st class.

Has anyone had any experience with Don Bottoms at Don's gun shop at 410 and Fredricksburg Rd.? I know a couple of guys that use him, but, no personal experience. Roger.

Just for comparison purposes, the last barrel I had installed by Shilen, ran about $625. This was a stainless barrel with a glass peen finish.

I think his price for him supplying the barrel is a little high, probably tolerable depending on the work, i.e. it better be good, but I think that this install price if YOU supply the barrel, is more than a little high, and I personally wouldn't pay that much.

Regards,
Tom

I believe that the "high" price is due to the fact that they are going to blue print the action and their choice of barrel makers. These are two of the highest priced barrel makers out their, Lilja and Krieger.

If you choose to use your own barrel I don�t believe that any one will install your barrel and blueprint your action for much less than $400.
If you just face off the receiver and the lugs, lap the lugs and true the recoil lug where applicable then yes it should be much less. But a full blown blue print is time consuming and expensive.

Shawn

When did Don's move? They used to be at 410 & Nacogdoches. I never did get a good feel from them. They were always kinda surly.

That said, I can't speak to their work as I never had any done.

I called back to HCR today and talked to Matt and asked him what they would charge for just a barrel install without blueprinting the action. He said that is the only way they will do it so I asked him what their blueprinting entails and he said " truing up the receiver ring, truing up the bolt face, and lapping the lugs ( if necessary)". I thought blueprinting an action was a lot more involved than that. I thought that stuff went with a normal barrel installation. Anyway, what this tells me is that they don't need or want the work. Oh well, life goes on. Roger.

I would seriously consider going elsewhere.

As has been said, the price included way more then the original poster stated. For what they are doing, while it might be on the high side, seems in line to me.

That seems kinda high to me for the amount of action truing they are describing. Check with Mike Bryant of Bryant Custom. He is a little cheaper, but does quite a bit more to the action. I have a rifle built by him. He does top notch work, and his integrity is unquestionable.

John

Another vote for Mike Bryant. He really stands by his work!
- mike

bluetick,
Thats what I thought, and, I would have gladly paid them Up to $250 for what they offer because they do good work. I just don't like getting raped that much. It just tells me that they have all the work they can handle, so, they figure they can ask what they want and get it. If they can get it, all the power to them. I just can't afford them. That's what it boils down to. Roger

I am not that familiar with HCR, but my impression is that they see themselves as custom rifle builders and are not pursuing general gunsmithing work. Their prices seem to lend credence to that perception.