who built your custom light weight rifle?

[fudge]

Just that.... looking for a good custom rifle for my sheep hunting adventures. Who built yours and what have you got???

[kevan]

Bill Leeper built my 700 Ti in 270 - 08 and I am really happy with it.
It started life as a 260 but the barrel was bad hence the 270 - 08.
Now it is a 6 lb. 4 oz. tackdriver with a 3x9 Leupold..

[Chopper]

I have a couple custom light wieghts, both rem 700 ti's. I did one and Dave Jennings did one. They are both amazing.

Having said that ... save yourself some money, if your starting from scratch... buy a kimber mountain accent

[Weatherby Fan]

I've had Gary Flach build two rifles so far and he's building two more as we speak, can't say enough about his work, it's excellent, maybe even better than that he's fast, GEF on HBC.ca

1st one he built me was a Weatherby Mark V ULW 280AI, put a fluted #3 contour Benchmark barrel on it, its a litttle heavier than I wanted but it shoots 1/2 inch groups with factory nosler 140gr accubonds.

2nd one was for my Nephew, a Rem 700 SS 280AI, McMillan Stock,#1 contour Benchmark Barrel, Timney Calvin Elite trigger, amazingly accurate

Hes building me an ultralight 280 AI on a Husky 5000 action, Benchmark barrel, Timney Trigger and a wildcat stock, hoping to use it on my fly in sheep hunt in 2017

He's also building an ultralight sheep hunting rifle, 7mm-08 on a Kimber action, Benchmark Barrel, should be an awesome rig when done.

[todbartell]

I've had a few custom rifles built, but no ultralights. I wouldn't bother, as it's an expensive slippery slope chasing the ounces. If I wanted a flyweight rifle I'd pick up a Kimber (Montana, Mtn Ascent, Adirondack) or find a Tikka t3 SuperLite and drop it in a McMillan Edge for a 5lb9oz (bare rifle)

[264mag]

Not customs, but I have 2 Howa Alpines, one in 6.5 Creedmoor and one in 308. Both with Talleys and Minox variables. Both drive tacks and weigh 6.5 lbs scoped.

Thanks to my Dads ( Kevan) gunsafe population control program, my kids and I have a couple of dandy lightweight rifles.

[Bighorn hunter]

Greg from rocky mountain rifles built mine. Started as a remington model 7. After major machining custom barrel and a lone wolf stock bare gun comes in right around 4 lbs and with talley rings and 4.5-14 leupold 5.25lbs. Shoots better than I can and is a dream to pack

[srupp]

Sorry for a dumb question..what is the real world difference between a custom rifle... $5,000 or more..and Sako 85 with 5 shot 1" or less guarantee..for $1900.....
Shot some amazing rifles..one at Jennings lake outfitters..guy..billionaire. .had what he said was $10,000 custom rifle similar to Christian arms..and a $12000 scope..shot well..but just marginally better than my $2,000 Sako.. $700 Leopold. ..
Each persons budget...space in rifle safe..but real world advantages...
Srupp

[358mag]

Sorry for a dumb question..what is the real world difference between a custom rifle... $5,000 or more..and Sako 85 with 5 shot 1" or less guarantee..for $1900.....
Shot some amazing rifles..one at Jennings lake outfitters..guy..billionaire. .had what he said was $10,000 custom rifle similar to Christian arms..and a $12000 scope..shot well..but just marginally better than my $2,000 Sako.. $700 Leopold. ..
Each persons budget...space in rifle safe..but real world advantages...
Srupp
A fool and his money .........
Reminds me of a big time hunter I meet a few years back that went out of his way to shave a extra oz or 2 from his rifle or back pack gear but had a 2lb+ big time rodeo belt buckle that he wore when sheep hunting . Sure you know of a few of them too.

[kevan]

Sorry for a dumb question..what is the real world difference between a custom rifle... $5,000 or more..and Sako 85 with 5 shot 1" or less guarantee..for $1900.....
Shot some amazing rifles..one at Jennings lake outfitters..guy..billionaire. .had what he said was $10,000 custom rifle similar to Christian arms..and a $12000 scope..shot well..but just marginally better than my $2,000 Sako.. $700 Leopold. ..
Each persons budget...space in rifle safe..but real world advantages...
Srupp

Well, any of those mentioned are beyond my affordability whether it be the $ 5000 gun or even the $ 1900 Sako.
My goal was to have a comfortable, lightweight and accurate rifle that would suffice for a Sheep hunt ( I should be so lucky ! ) and also be a good all around hunting rifle.
Of course not being wealthy this had to be done on a budget which worked very well for me.
And if a Sheep hunting opportunity presented itself all other weight saving options would be considered including going commando.... LOL !

[BgBlkDg]

The issue between full custom and factory rifles is personal, subjective and is not really relevant here as the OP seems to want to spend HIS money on a unique rifle built for HIM to HIS specs. I currently own about 3 dozen rifles and that is from about 150 I had over 50+ years and mine were carried in the bush while working as well as hunting.

I don't have a high opinion of most rifles now available and much prefer a full custom light "mountain rifle" for any uses I may still be able to do. So, I have a few really light ones and from BC's top smiths so will recommend the following.

Jan Kolenbrander-Cranbrook

Mitch Kendall-Kamloops

Terry L.Heureux-Naramata

Gary Flach-Langley


I have work done by all of the above and can recommend any of them without reservation. There are other smiths in BC, but, I have not had a rifle built by anyone else now living whom I would recommend. Reliable Gun, may still be getting work done by Terry Gerness and he did some FINE work for me.

If, you use a VX3 level Leupold, Talley QDs and no irons, You can come in under $5K, all up using a Remington, old HVA or slabbed Mod. 70 action to a rifle weight of 6.5-7.25 lbs in a standard chambering. Go .308 case, use a Remmy Seven, slabbed and you can be at 6 lbs or even a bit less and still not exceed $5K.

Then, as Mark points out above, there is the Kimber series and the KMA, especially, is a superb rig when setup as above, mine is .280AI, Leupy silver VX3-3.5x10x40, SS Talley QDs and weighs 6.5 all up. If, I had had this ten years ago,. I would not have built several of my light rifles.........such is life.

[Everett]

If you do the work yourself you can build a nice lightweight for under $1500. Start with a rem model 7 or rem 600 buy a wildcat ultralight composite stock some talley rings and a vx3 2x8x36

[Weatherby Fan]

If you do the work yourself you can build a nice lightweight for under $1500. Start with a rem model 7 or rem 600 buy a wildcat ultralight composite stock some talley rings and a vx3 2x8x36

This is it exactly, the reason guys use Remington actions ( model 7 or 700 ) as they're like a small block Chevy, parts are always available and reasonably priced, I recently had a Rem 700 SS built for my nephew, I bought the parts myself and dropped them off to Gary Flach for a massage, so now for $2450.00cdn plus labour I have exactly what I want and it shoots consistent 1/2 groups with Nosler Trophy Grade 140gr Accubonds. So a fully custom rifle doesn't cost anymore than a Kimber Mountain Ascent, granted its not as light as a Kimber but that was what he wanted.

Rem 700 SS action & bottom metal
Benchmark # 1 contour 26" SS barrel
Timney Calvin Elite Trigger
Mcmillan Hunter edge stock(bought used off CGN-as new)
Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 cds(used)

[lowball]

If you just spent 5k on a custom, that a 300.00 Savage will out shoot, what are you going to say...it is what I wanted and you can swap lies with the custom crowd.LOL

[BgBlkDg]

"lies"???????

Pretty harsh stuff, but, I guess that the mountain hunting in Manitoba, calls for an old cranker .300 Savage.......

[fudge]

Thanks for your help guys I'll be trying to get in touch with those guys with what exactly I'm looking for.

[donny.brooke]

Dennis built mine
Rem 700 stainless blueprinted action
Benchmark #2 stainless 9 twist @22.5 inches
Bell Carlson mountain ti stock
Timney trigger
Reamed with Dave Mansen 280ai reamer
Talley lightweights
VX3 3.5-10×50

[Weatherby Fan]

If you just spent 5k on a custom, that a 300.00 Savage will out shoot, what are you going to say...it is what I wanted and you can swap lies with the custom crowd.LOL

Well the most accurate rifle I've bought was a 529.00 Weatherby Vanguard S2 240 wby mag, With factory Weatherby 85gr TSX it will consistently put 3 shots in the same hole, RemingtonJim now has the rifle and will attest to its accuracy ! so no you don't need a 3 or 5 thousand dollar rifle to get an accurate one but it's so much fun building and toying with them !!!

[lowball]

Your preaching to the choir..

[ajr5406]

Well the most accurate rifle I've bought was a 529.00 Weatherby Vanguard S2 240 wby mag, With factory Weatherby 85gr TSX it will consistently put 3 shots in the same hole, RemingtonJim now has the rifle and will attest to its accuracy ! so no you don't need a 3 or 5 thousand dollar rifle to get an accurate one but it's so much fun building and toying with them !!!

Whats the price of ammo like? Might be nice choice in caliber for something lighter.

[Chopper]

Thats the thing, touching on weatherby"s comment.

My custom rifles are pure Remington porn, 700 Ti's with mcmillan stocks, jewel triggers and highend glass. Are the rifles necassary ... Nope ! I even shake my head at one of them im into for stupid money and ask why ?

But they are nice to look at, pick up and play with, talk about them with my friends ... sleep with them lol

[REMINGTON JIM]

Well the most accurate rifle I've bought was a 529.00 Weatherby Vanguard S2 240 wby mag, With factory Weatherby 85gr TSX it will consistently put 3 shots in the same hole, RemingtonJim now has the rifle and will attest to its accuracy ! so no you don't need a 3 or 5 thousand dollar rifle to get an accurate one but it's so much fun building and toying with them !!!

Shes a Shooter for SURE ! Even a Blind Old Guy like me can shoot a GREAT small group with it ! RJ

[Weatherby Fan]

Whats the price of ammo like? Might be nice choice in caliber for something lighter.

I have a Mark V ULW 240 Wby mag and with Talley LW rings and a Leupold 4.5-14x40 cds scope and it's weighs 7lbs scoped.

Weatherby 85gr TSX ammo is $100.00 box but you can also get 100gr Spitzer for $50.00 a box.

[REMINGTON JIM]

Whats the price of ammo like? Might be nice choice in caliber for something lighter.

I load all my own Ammo so I am not real sure on the prices BUT WF knows for sure ! The 240 WBee is very RECOILESS in the Vangaurd rifles - there a BIT Heavy but I LOVE shooting it ! RJ

[warnniklz]

Been following this thread, still planning on having a custom gun built. But that's only because I want a certain action with certain chambering with certain stock... something you can't find from the factory. That way it's mine and mine alone. As for having a lightweight rifle built, I'd probably just buy one off the shelf or have a factory modified.

[todbartell]

http://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s750x750/sh0.08/e35/15538539_535476423329851_8388012635928395776_n.jpg ?ig_cache_key=MTQwOTc4MDAyMTIyNDg4MDQ2Ng%3D%3D.2

:cool::cool::cool:

[mod7rem]

I've had a few custom rifles built, but no ultralights. I wouldn't bother, as it's an expensive slippery slope chasing the ounces. If I wanted a flyweight rifle I'd pick up a Kimber (Montana, Mtn Ascent, Adirondack) or find a Tikka t3 SuperLite and drop it in a McMillan Edge for a 5lb9oz (bare rifle)

I have to agree with this. I have a light weight model 7 that I mostly machined and customized myself years ago, its on its second after market barrel and at its lightest with 22" barrel was 5.5 lbs with scope mounted and sling attached. Currently with latest 22" barrel its 5.9- 6lbs with scope mounted and no sling. Chasing ounces is a lot of work which equals money. I also have two Kimber Montana's, they are only slightly heavier, look great, shoot great and cost less than a comparable weight custom.

[REMINGTON JIM]

[QUOTE=todbartell;1860691]http://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s750x750/sh0.08/e35/15538539_535476423329851_8388012635928395776_n.jpg ?ig_cache_key=MTQwOTc4MDAyMTIyNDg4MDQ2Ng%3D%3D.2


Very Nice actions ;) BUT the Bolt is on the wrong side ! :biggrin: lol RJ

[warnniklz]

[QUOTE=todbartell;1860691]

Very Nice actions ;) BUT the Bolt is on the wrong side ! :biggrin: lol RJ

180 degree bolt throw maybe? Lol

[warnniklz]

I've never have understood why guys build ultralight rifles, then top it with a 50mm+ scope...

[Lastcar]

[QUOTE=todbartell;1860691]http://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s750x750/sh0.08/e35/15538539_535476423329851_8388012635928395776_n.jpg ?ig_cache_key=MTQwOTc4MDAyMTIyNDg4MDQ2Ng%3D%3D.2


Very Nice actions ;) BUT the Bolt is on the wrong side ! :biggrin: lol RJ

You use the reach around technique with these. For the price you better get a reach around!

[Lastcar]

I've never have understood why guys build ultralight rifles, then top it with a 50mm+ scope...

You could probably stop at "I've never understood why guys..." and then insert about 15000 other topics. ;-)

What worries me is we are supposed to get wiser with age.

Which age is they are referring to? Cause I'm ready for it to kick in anytime now.

[MRP]

Did my own, if you consider it a light weight. A bad hack job on it when I got it. 1943 8x57 9.5lb to start with, now 7.25lb scoped. Cost under $200 not counting the scope.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/image22.jpeg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/image20.jpeg