I ordered a #4 Lilja barrel today and a Dave Kiff reamer, for a 280 IMP. Fluted barrel will finish at 24 inches, 4 left for a gizzy. It is all going in a Banser stock with a Holland recoil lug. I have resprung the trigger with Holland springs and a Tubb titanium firing pin. The whole mess is getting KG coat in dark gray. Bolt is going to be fluted and KGed black. Should finsh at 8lbs with a 1" Pachmyer pad. I just got my 17AH back, Pac-Nor barrel on a Browning Micro. This set my 280 project back a ways. It should shoot pretty well.
My question is why are customs so addicting?

For most folks the addiction is broken when they discover the price tag.

There's some very fine factory rifles to serve folks but they seldom exhibit the quality of fit and finish nor the detail of a custom.

Believe me.....not everyone is addicted to custom rifles.......But I sure am!!!

Customs are very addictive because they can be tailored to an individual and offer quality components not available on factory rifles.I started with cheaper factory rifles then moved up to more and more expensive factory rifles including sako and weatherby but none have been as accurate or as well finished as my customs.The odd thing is that here in Canada a sako 75 sells for $1600,a weatherby accumark for up to $2200 and a lazermark for over $2400.My custom rifles with blueprinted actions, match grade barrels(schneider,kreiger,pacnor,gaillard),premium stock by mcmillan,pillar bedding and better tolerances cost right around $2500.Not a whole lot of difference for a much better product.All prices quoted are in Canadian dollars.

For me, the fascination with the custom rifle is very similar to being in the field - it's all about the hunt. It's the dreaming about just the right cailber and configuration - working your ass off to save enough for the investment - searching for that best fit in your gunmaker - negotiating the price, the timeframe and all the particulars - and then the interminable, frick'in waiting.... In many ways it's just like planning that big trip into the mountains for that once in a lifetime trophy sheep.