Cost of gunsmithing

[qviking]

Hello, all. Just curious how much others are typically spending to have a benchrest rifle assembled - just for labor. Thanks in advance.

[Klem]

The bolt and action will be about $1,300. Trigger, $200-$250. A barrel will be $400. The chambering and crowning, less than $500. A decent stock, $1,000 plus bedding. If it's a repeater then you'll be up for the cost of bottom metal and mags; $300+. Scope and rings extra.

[rabiddawg]

Klem, are those labor numbers only?

Says he want "labor only"

[RicosRevenge]

The issue is that he is asking a completely ambiguous question so klem is dead on with his answer(s). What type of "benchrest" rifle? Does he have a barrel that is finished or just a blank that needs to be profiled, cut, crowned, chambered, etc? Will the parts be supplied by the smith? What action?

Best bet is to check in with Chad Dixon at LRI or check out S&S Precision in Texas. http://www.sandsprecisionrifles.com/action-work/

[kmon]

The one I had done last year was close to 700 for labor don't remember exactly. This was not a bench rest but a light weight hunting rifle. The work performed included
Barrel profile, chamber, cut, crown, flute and bead blast finish
Action lap lugs, square the action, install barrel
Stock open the barrel channel pillar and bed
A little magazine work for proper feeding

That was for a little CZ 527 in 7.62X39 converted to a 6.5 Grendel with a 22 inch Obermeyer barrel with 1:8.4 twist. The barrel started as a straight tube and the end result is a beautifully balanced hunting rifle with a 22 inch barrel that shoots half MOA or better, when it gets over that I would bet it is me and not the rifle. The Smith that did the work in the past has done lots of work on CheyTac rifles and was a machinist/gunsmith for Stiller for 7 years before going into business full time. http://www.liveoakaccuracy.com/about.html

For a rifle of that weight and a pretty slow lock time, using factory wood stock and factory trigger I think he did a fantastic job.

[Rickc]

you can get some nice deals here

http://benchrest.com/class/index.php?a=5&b=197

there are some really good gunsmiths out there that build great bench rest rifles. You just have to be ready to wait a while when you order one.

here is a good place to pick up some names. http://www.accurateshooter.com/

[Klem]

Rico's right, depending on what parts you buy and what you are prepared to do yourself will determine your labor costs. For example, if you are going the popular Rem700 clone route then a Surgeon, BAT, or Defiance action (or Defiance-made but retail branded, like a Templar) will not need blueprinting. Or you can buy a cheapo Rem700 and pay labor costs to have it blueprinted, and the total price comes out almost the same as an off-the-shelf Surgeon.

Are you going to do your own bedding? There's a cost saving if you do. Does the stock need inletting or anything special, like a left hand action? Fluting can be seen as a labor cost or just the cost of the barrel - add an extra $100-$150. Fluting on a Bench rest barrel is only worth the cost if the discipline you are shooting in insists on a weight restriction and you need to come under it. Otherwise more weight on, and less grinding of the barrel is a good thing.

[qviking]

Thanks all. I purchased a Stolle Panda action, Hart barrel blank, McMillan stock, Jewell trigger, and provided reamer and gauges. The gunsmith will perform all machining and assembly. It is a left bolt, but the stock was ordered that way so the action drops right in.