Semi Custom Rifles

[Magsrgod]

If you were going to look for a semi custom rifle what brands would you look at? There are so many of them on the market its overwhelming. I’ve been looking at ones like Alamo Precision, Horizon, Straight Jacket Armory, Nosler… etc etc.

Trying to figure out the ones that have been doing it successfully for a long time and not a new shop that’s going to be gone in a few years.

 

[Charlie-NY]

Seekins Rifles

 

[xphunter]

I would go with a Glenn Seekins rifle.

 

[SJB358]

Springfield Armory is one that seems real good, as is the Seekins and Proof. I’d probably look more at what stock appealed to me than the particular maker since they all make nice rifles.

 

[xphunter]

I have shot and even hunted with one of PROOF's Rifles (7mm Rem Mag)-Shot outstanding!

 

[JD338]

We have 4 Nosler rifles in the vault.
Two M48’s and two M21’s. They are fine rifles and all shoot sub MOA.

JD338

 

[IdahoCTD]

I would go custom over a semi custom. The price isnt much different and you generally get a better product. Prefit barrels on custom actions makes it easy to DIY a custom gun now days.

 

[JD338]

I would go custom over a semi custom. The price isnt much different and you generally get a better product. Prefit barrels on custom actions makes it easy to DIY a custom gun now days.

I concur. A full custom rifle build will give you exactly what you want or need.

JD338

 

[xphunter]

I am not going to disagree with @IdahoCTD or @JD338
Most of my rigs are custom.
It is going to come down to disposable income.
Back in the late 80's, I saved for a couple of years for my first custom build-No regrets.

 

[salmonchaser]

I know a number of guys who bought Christiansen rifles early on, and love them. I’ve had two in the last couple of years that couldn’t hold a candle to a 1968 vintage Ruger 77. The outfitter I’ve hunted with and a couple of his PHs use Hill Country Rifles and are very happy with them.

 

[Charlie-NY]

Full custom rifles are great, but it takes time to assemble parts and more time to build. Add to that the cost which is easily $5,000+ in today's market, and a semi-custom rifle really starts to shine. Many of the current semi-custom rifles will shoot better than the average hunter will ever need, even for hunting over long(er) distances.

 

[Slimfinn]

It really depends on what you are looking for, and how much you are willing to spend. Like the other have said going custom gives you more flexibility in your cartridge choice, barrel length and contour, etc.
What are you planning on doing with it? Thoughts on cartridge?

 

[IdahoCTD]

A full custom doesnt need to take a long time to build or cost 5k. With prefit or Remage type barrels a person can put one together themselves easily and if the barrel is in stock it could happen quick once you have the action. I paid 800 for a used Defiance Classic and a new Tenacity. Both of those are guaranteed headspace actions so prefits are plentiful. Steel prefits can be had for 5-800 and carbon for a few hundred more. After that its bottom metal, a trigger and stock. Even with a Manners or McMillan and a carbon barrel you'd be under 3500. More maybe with Cerakote and/or a brake but no where near 5k. If you shop things you could do it well under 3k. Many of the carbon barreled semi customs are in the 2k range with crap barrels, the most important part of any rifle build.

I built my kids guns with Defiance Classic actions, 800 and 900, Krieger barrels, 375 each, Trigger tech triggers 160 or so on sale, Stockys stocks, not my favorite but cheap 335 on sale plus my FFL discount. I have a bunch of BDL bottom metal so that didnt really cost me anything and the brakes and gunsmithing was free . I could of splurged and got them McMillans for a couple hundred more each or used the ones I already have to build them .30 magnums when they are full grown but I can do it later too.