Suggestions for custom bolt action work?

AKolomiets · August 9, 2018, 09:58 AM

I have a barrel blank and action ready to go for a custom bolt action rifle project. Do you guys have any suggestions or past experience with gunsmiths capable of barrel threading, action blueprinting etc? The guys I used fir a previous project were terrible at replying to calls and emails

T. O'Heir · August 9, 2018, 11:20 AM

Where you are matters. So does what brand of receiver you have. And exactly what you want done. A target rifle isn't the same thing as a hunting rifle.
Having a rifle built is a time consuming thing too. Most smithies who do it think in terms of months to a year or so to complete one. Busy guys.
That's usually why they're slow responding to e-mails and phone calls. The latter being the worst. Every minute spent on the phone with you takes 'em away from the work bench.

AKolomiets · August 9, 2018, 12:40 PM

I understand that, and allow for it. At the same time, it shouldn’t take 3 weeks to get a question answered from a commercial gun shop. The work was done well on my previous build and the months of lead time is to be expected, just looking for any shops you guys have used in the past that you consider a good deal and good overall experience

**4V50 Gary** · August 10, 2018, 09:55 AM

We were taught that at college. Best machinist in my class is Lew. He may be reached at: https://www.facebook.com/thronearms/

Mind you, Lew has to work as a machinst four days a week and then gets to play 'smith on his weekends.

hooligan1 · August 10, 2018, 05:32 PM

What action? How much do you want to spend?
What kind of stock? What chambering?
It matters.

Scorch · August 11, 2018, 12:14 AM

There are many, many gunsmiths in this country that are capable of turning out a truly spectacular custom rifle (myself included). But choose carefully, because there are also many, many gunsmiths in this country who are capable of totally ruining a custom rifle build. Ask to see examples of the work and ask to speak with customers who bought a rifle from that particular smith. But, no matter what, a good action with a good barrel properly chambered and crowned should shoot very, very well or it's not worth the money you spend.

August 9, 2018, 09:58 AM	#1
AKolomiets Member Join Date: May 13, 2018 Posts: 23	Suggestions for custom bolt action work? I have a barrel blank and action ready to go for a custom bolt action rifle project. Do you guys have any suggestions or past experience with gunsmiths capable of barrel threading, action blueprinting etc? The guys I used fir a previous project were terrible at replying to calls and emails

August 9, 2018, 11:20 AM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Where you are matters. So does what brand of receiver you have. And exactly what you want done. A target rifle isn't the same thing as a hunting rifle. Having a rifle built is a time consuming thing too. Most smithies who do it think in terms of months to a year or so to complete one. Busy guys. That's usually why they're slow responding to e-mails and phone calls. The latter being the worst. Every minute spent on the phone with you takes 'em away from the work bench. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 10, 2018, 09:55 AM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	We were taught that at college. Best machinist in my class is Lew. He may be reached at: https://www.facebook.com/thronearms/ Mind you, Lew has to work as a machinst four days a week and then gets to play 'smith on his weekends. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 10, 2018, 05:32 PM	#5
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	What action? How much do you want to spend? What kind of stock? What chambering? It matters. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

August 11, 2018, 12:14 AM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	There are many, many gunsmiths in this country that are capable of turning out a truly spectacular custom rifle (myself included). But choose carefully, because there are also many, many gunsmiths in this country who are capable of totally ruining a custom rifle build. Ask to see examples of the work and ask to speak with customers who bought a rifle from that particular smith. But, no matter what, a good action with a good barrel properly chambered and crowned should shoot very, very well or it's not worth the money you spend. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 9, 2018, 12:40 PM	#3
AKolomiets Member Join Date: May 13, 2018 Posts: 23	I understand that, and allow for it. At the same time, it shouldn’t take 3 weeks to get a question answered from a commercial gun shop. The work was done well on my previous build and the months of lead time is to be expected, just looking for any shops you guys have used in the past that you consider a good deal and good overall experience