Nature Boy
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Custom Rifles
- Thread starter Steve S.
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You Sir! should be ashamed!
Every time I think Im securely planted on the "Practicality" bandwagon, you come by and picture bash me off....Its very, (not) upsetting.
I have one "full custom" rifle (a dangerous game package rifle in .35 Whelen), and a semi custom. The big benefit to the latter was being able to choose barrel profile and length, and the twist rate I wanted. In my case, I chose a fast twist .22-250, to take advantage of all the bullet development done in the last 25 years in .224.
Nature Boy
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Attention to details is another thing that differentiates custom from factory. For instance, the machine work that SAC puts into small things like the thread protector
The fit is so precise you can’t see where barrel ends and protector begins.
The fit is so precise you can’t see where barrel ends and protector begins.
adcoch1
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Oh goodness those are gorgeous rifles, especially the mannlicher....
Most avid shooters "customize" their guns at least a little. I shoot prairie dogs and that requires better than average accuracy for consistent long range hits. Most of my varmint rifles...204, .223...I have replaced the factory trigger. All of them shoot my "customized" ammo and have special scopes that are suited to the task. But, like our OP, I too am confused by the dizzying array of options available, so I stay where I'm comfortable. That said, I am planning to have a customized .223 AR style rifle built with help from the builder as to barrel, trigger, and other features...this for calling coyotes. He too is a varmint hunter and knows what works. So, I wish our OP good luck and just remember the purpose is to have fun. My guns are a joy to shoot....for me.
Coal Dragger said:
Yes, I'm interested too. Are the AI rifles sold in the US assembled in the US now? I bought three UK built AI rifles about eight years ago with four Lothar Walther barrels and then bought a Bartlein 6.5 CM barrel from MHSA three years ago. MHSA's website is such a disaster (always has been) it's hard to figure out what's available these days so I'm not even sure if Bartlein is still an option. Proof sells AI barrels so that's a possibility. I would like to know where AI is sourcing their barrels these days. I've always been under the impression that the Lothar Walther barrels were single point cut ... my Bartlein is.
I've wished for years that AI would make a hunting rifle based off the AIAW action. I'd be all over one of those ... particularly if it retained the AI look, feel and performance. There are many things that I've regretted buying, mostly stupid cars and trucks, but I've never regretted spending money on my three AIs. Actually quite a bit of money when I add in the scopes, mounts, bipods, slings, magazines, suppressors, hard and soft cases etc. But definitely no regrets.
MHSA still sells/chambers bartlein barrels for AI. I do not know about assembly, but MHSA is one of the few certified AI service centers in the US.
z7 said:
That's good to know. I bought my AI rifles from MHSA, and other than their clunky website I've nothing but praise for Diann and her team. Diann is a lovely lady and fully deserves all of the success that she's worked so hard for.
I've lusted after an AI in 50 BMG to round out my collection and one day I hope to own one of those beasts. As was mentioned earlier, some factory rifles are so good that they're basically equivalent to custom rifles in terms of their ability to function under adverse conditions, exhibit excellent fit & finish, provide top tier accuracy and precision, be capable of being tailored to fit the end user, and provide years of trouble-free use.
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