Need help finding a gun smith for a LR build

[sprink]

So I'm slowing getting the funds together for my first LR bolt gun build and am in need of a excellent smith within a two hour radius of the Portland area. I keep reading that a good smith is just as important as the components that go into the build and don't want to waste the money on a Defiance action just to have a sub par smith screw it up. I'd be more than a little upset if my 3/4 moa savage shoots better than this build. I'm looking at either a 260rem or 6.5 creedmoor build for ranges out to 1200yds. I don't plan on attending any matches right now but it's also not out of the question. This would more or less be my dream fun gun. Price is a consideration as I don't want to spend more than $3000. I'd like to hear personal experiences from other members who've had similar builds done by local smiths. Thank you.

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[Velzey]

Are you handloading and only getting 3/4 moa. And will you be handloading with your new rifle? Anytime I build a rifle like this I also include working up a custom load for it.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

I trust Velsey! Great work!

 

[sprink]

Are you handloading and only getting 3/4 moa. And will you be handloading with your new rifle? Anytime I build a rifle like this I also include working up a custom load for it.

Yes, I hand load for my savage and will be hand loading for this rifle as well.

 

[Nwest]

RBROS Rifles.

 

[MountainBear]

I trust Velzey implicitly. That being said, if you are wanting to go big, which sounds to be the case, then I would probably try to find a well known smith who specializes in long range rifles.

Velzey, myself, and most other general gunsmiths can build a highly accurate rifle, especially (as is the case with Velzey) when the smith takes the time to properly work up a load. But if you are wanting to dump a lot of money on a custom gun designed for one purpose, then I would likely suggest finding a specialist.

This post is not meant to offend Velzey, myself, or any of our other talented resident gun plumbers. I have every confidence in our collective abilities.

 

[sprink]

I trust Velzey implicitly. That being said, if you are wanting to go big, which sounds to be the case, then I would probably try to find a well known smith who specializes in long range rifles.

Velzey, myself, and most other general gunsmiths can build a highly accurate rifle, especially (as is the case with Velzey) when the smith takes the time to properly work up a load. But if you are wanting to dump a lot of money on a custom gun designed for one purpose, then I would likely suggest finding a specialist.

This post is not meant to offend Velzey, myself, or any of our other talented resident gun plumbers. I have every confidence in our collective abilities.

Thanks for the reply. For me a $3000 rifle build is going all out and then some but I'm to the point that I don't think I'll be happy with a factory gun. I'm hoping I can find someone local because the specialist want $$$$$ but I'm starting to see that I might need to save a little longer to get up to a $4000 budget. I don't need a well know builders name on the rifle if it'll shoot. Does Vezley offer any accuracy guarantees with his builds that you know of? Nwest I'll check out Rbros rifles too, thanks.

 

[MountainBear]

The only gunsmiths that I know for a fact actually offer formal guarantees are specialists.

 

[Velzey]

Yep I would go with a specialist.
I can take a factory Remington 700, or Winchester, Savage etc and get one hole accuracy with it. But I do allot of custom work to the rifles. I have nothing against using a custom action & barrel, but most of the time the customer likes to be tight with the $.
On a rifle build from a specialist that includes hand loaded ammunition with an accuracy guarantee is north of $4000