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Jcann

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This question has been asked several times, so here's a list of precision bolt action gunsmiths. All of them work on Remington/Remington clone actions, some work on Winchester, Tikka and Howa actions as well. Feel free to add additional "reputable" shops to the list.

As always, do your homework before choosing someone to work on your rifle. Custom rifle building is expensive but once you have one you'll wish you had done it sooner.

In no specific ranking:

Jon Beanland http://beanlandrifles.com (Gould Okla.)
Steve Baldwin http://www.baldwin-sights.com (Jones Okla.)
GA precision http://www.gaprecision.net (Kansas City MO)
Crescent Customs http://crescentcustoms.com (Kansas City MO)
Short Action Customs http://shortactioncustoms.com (Wellington OH)
Long Rifles Inc. https://www.longriflesinc.com (Sturgis SD)
Phoenix Custom Rifles http://www.phoenixcustomrifles.com (Tempe AZ)
Gradous Rifles http://www.gradousrifles.com (Hepzibah GA) Robert Gradous passed away in 2020 and his business has closed.
Rivers Bend Gun Co. http://www.riversbendguncompany.com (Weston MO)
Score High Gunsmithing http://www.scorehi.com (Albuquerque NM)
Southern Precision Rifles http://bugholes.com/index.php?route=common/home (Cookeville TN)
Marc Soulie - Spartan Precision Rifles http://www.spartanrifles.com ( San Jose, CA)
Terry Cross - KMW Long Range Solutions http://www.kmwlrs.com (Alexandria, LA)
Jered Joplin - American Precision Arms (APA) https://www.americanprecisionarms.com (Jefferson, GA)
William Roscoe - Louisiana Precision Rifles http://laprecisionrifles.com (Haughton, LA)
Quarter Minute Magnums http://www.quarterminutemagnums.com (Lewiston Idaho)
Gre' - Tan Rifles. www.gretanrifles.com (Rifle, CO)
Parry's Custom Gun https://m.facebook.com/pages/Parry-Custom-Gun/388104684568574 (Vici OK)
Stewart Rifles http://stewartrifles.com/ (Smithville OK)
 
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Jcann

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Great list. Would you like me to sticky this at the top of the page so you guys won't have to repeat the same links?

That would be great. Maybe in the future if anyone has a rifle built/worked on by anyone of these builders they can give a review of their work/customer service.

I'm sure there are others that need to be added to the list as well.
 

Wolf44

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Great list..... Please add:

1. Marc Soulie - Spartan Precision Rifles ( San Jose, CA)
2. Terry Cross - KMW Long Range Solutions (Alexandria, LA)
3. Jered Joplin - American Precision Arms (APA) (Jefferson, GA)
4. William Roscoe - Louisiana Precision Rifles (Haughton, LA)
 

Jcann

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Great list..... Please add:

1. Marc Soulie - Spartan Precision Rifles ( San Jose, CA)
2. Terry Cross - KMW Long Range Solutions (Alexandria, LA)
3. Jered Joplin - American Precision Arms (APA) (Jefferson, GA)
4. William Roscoe - Louisiana Precision Rifles (Haughton, LA)

They're added to the list. Ive heard good things about the top 3 but I've never heard of LPR.
 

Jcann

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My review of GA (Gnats Ass) Precision.

In 2011 I decided to treat myself to a 50th birthday custom rifle. A friend of mine had suggested using GA Precision. He had a 6.5x284 and a 308 built by them and both shot fantastic.

Running with his suggestion I contacted Ken at GAP and he walked me through my build. I was customizing a Winchester M70 in 300wsm. I wanted to change the caliber to 7wsm which wasn't going to be a problem. This rifle is mainly a hunting rifle.

Build specs. were:
Winchester CRF action trued and blue printed
Factory trigger set @ 2.5lbs (there's nothing wrong with a factory Winchester trigger)
Factory bottom metal rather than CDI bottom metal (this allowed for a longer COAL)
Manners T3 stock
Bartlien 5R 26" match barrel
Thruster muzzle break
Badger 20moa rail
Action bedding
Cerakote all metal
Price out the door including shipping was $2,050

As the owner of the rifle (action) GAP did not require a down payment nor did it have to go through a FFL dealer upon me picking it up. I used FedEx to ship it but I had to go through their office at 50th and Santa Fe, it's the only location that accepts firearms (although I did not have to declare my package as a firearm). I believe you do if it's a handgun.

Now the hard part began. The wait was exceedingly painful, 12 months 14 days. This was due to a high demand at their shop, and Manners building the stock.

I had called GAP two times to check on the build, once at the due date which was at 8 months and another at the 12th month. Both times they were very accommodating and apologetic. They explained the hold up was and had been the stock inlet. I believe Manners was in the process of moving their shop at the time.

I finally got the call from GAP that the rifle was finished and I rushed to the credit union for the cashier's check and mailed it off.

The rifle arrived in an inexpensive plastic Wal Mart hard case in a cardboard box. This is SOP if you don't ship your firearm in a hard case. The fit, finish, and Cerakote was fantastic. The weight surprised me but all the better to absorb a 180gr 7mm WSM.

Now the aggravating part. While inspecting the rifle and running the bolt hard and fast the cocking piece would over rotate and hang-up in the slot of the rear tang of the action. The next day I called GAP and explained the problem to George, the owner, who handles all the warranty work. I sent the rifle back and they had it fixed in a week with no charge to me.

Range day/Load development.

What can I say, I couldn't find a load that would shoot over 1 moa @ 100yds and I finally settled on a 180gr load that would almost stack three rounds on top of each other @ ~0.2moa. This load still performs great out to 750yds (Max at my range).

The second time to the range preparing for an antelope hunt I had another problem arise. I would chamber a round and try to put the safety on and it wouldn't go into the safe position. I would have to re-cock the bolt before the safety would move to the on position. Shooting the rifle this way, chambering a round and re-cocking the bolt I noticed the trigger pull getting lighter and lighter, into the ounces of pull weight. Finally I chambered a round and when the bolt went into full battery the rifle discharged. Back to the phone I went to GAP. After talking with George about the problem I sent the rifle back. A few days later he called me back and said the safety lever had broking and he replaced it. Again with no charge to me.

Third trip to the range I experienced the same problems as mentioned above. This time I called Tim Roberts "Moon" owner at Crescent Customs (former rifle builder at GAP) and a Winchester gurus. I sent the rifle to Moon and I had it back within two weeks. He even sent it back to me before I sent him the $80 check. Needless to say it has performed flawlessly ever since.

This review is not to disparage GAP at all. They are a top tier custom shop and I'm a satisfied customer. The rifle holds its accuracy and is a pleasure to shoot. Two years ago I dropped an antelope in his tracks at ~435yds. Shooting a 10" plate at 750yds is a breeze and the recoil is very manageable. I have so far experienced over 0.020" of throat erosion and will probably need to re-barrel soon. I will either send it back to GAP or possibly Crescent Customs. I'm debating re-chambering to a GAP 6.5 4S. Rumor has it barrel life is greater than 3,500 rounds and it does shoot very flat. I'll probably give up some with regards to the wind and down range knock down power.
 

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