Basic rule of thumb, if is says butler creek, don't buy it, same with ramline.
Out of curiosity, what type of rifle is this going to be? Make a military clone, "sniper" rifle, hunting, tactical?
It also might just be cheaper to buy a previously built rifle, you can usually get an ultimate fairly cheap with a lot of trigger and bolt work done. And that way if it has parts you don't want you can sell or trade for what you do want.
My goal is for a .22lr rifle thats able to shoot 1 inch groups at 100 yards (assuming a good shooter). If its better then that great.
Really the rifle has to fit me (I don't have huge hands however I find that all thumbhole stocks bind on the big joint of my thumb, except for the boyd SS stock, which fit me like a glove). I realize I could just use a normal stock, however I fell in love with a boyd stock pepper in color. To me the 150$ is worth it since wont have the time until christmas to work on building my own stock.
I urge you to go to Rimfire Central and explore the possibilities for a month or so prior to ordering parts.
Especially if you are a cabinet maker, you may want to fabricate your own stock. Others have done it, and the results are beautiful. Learn to float the barrel, and bed the action. Learn how to polish the trigger group, and the JB Weld trick. Then learn how to pin the firing pin. The results will amaze you, even with the stock barrel.
I personally eschew Butler Creek stuff. Whistle Pig, Volquartsen and Magnum Research barrels are well worth the money.
I have thought of making my own stock, and I am sure I have more then enough tools/knowledge to do just that, however I am lacking the time to do such a thing, especially since it takes me about 3 tries at making something from scratch to get it 100% right. Especially considering I would want to do a laminated stock due to looks.
I wish I had a month to research everything, right now my #1 priority is to find an ideal starting rifle. I am willing to peice it together as I learn more. I don't like buying new firearms that I don't get to use for a while. Also I want it to be up and running as fast as possible. I know I am going to make a mistake somehow/someway. Which is why I am going to try to do as much reading as possible over the next week so I can be prepared.
I am no gunsmith, however I have learned enough through owning firearms and working with lathes/as a machinist for a while, that I know I can get to where I want to be. I might spend more money then I had to, and I may make a mistake. In the end I will have a sense of acomplishment because the rifle will be a reflection of my talents and abilities.
EDIT: Really I am not looking for an absolute top of the line 2K dollar target rifle. However I am prepared to spend as much as 550 initally on the complete rifle (minus scope) to get what I want. Down the road I can always change things out. As long as the rifle feels right, is as accurate as I want, is reasonably reliable, has a smooth trigger, I am fine.