There are many fine smiths here, most of whom excel in the machining end. I'm looking for someone who specializes in loading and tuning hunting rifles: load development and testing, bedding, and troubleshooting, etc. Preferably a competition shooter. In the Seattle-Puget Sound region would be nice. Any ideas?

Most folks won't touch that endeavor with a ten foot pole. Too much potential for a law suite.

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
Most folks won't touch that endeavor with a ten foot pole. Too much potential for a law suite.

Yea in addition to the FFL and Manufacturer's License the poor chap will need the Ammunition Manufacturers License.

Then he needs a firearms qualified lawyer on retainer.

More like a 100 foot pole.

I am sorry folks, but our liberal society that has developed people to demanding a lot for nothing and smothers itself in political correctness has destroyed our firearms and guns smithing freedoms. I recall many years ago, prior to 1968, friends of my dad's gathering at his machine shop in the evenings to build both rifles and ammo. FFL for the part time backyard 'smith? Not invented yet. My 16th birthday present was a Douglas barrel, 257 Roberts reamer, Fajen stock and Weaver K4 for a Mauser action.

YEARS ago when I would build someone a rifle many of them I worked up loads and provided reloaded ammo. Stopped that service years ago. Looking back I count myself LUCKY that there was never an issue and I didn't get my butt sued off.

I know of no one in your area. Matchgrade Arms did at one time and it still shows on their site. http://www.mgarmsinc.com/MGA-Services.html

If you can't find anything close you might contact them.