[denton]

I have a few...

When you do a custom rifle, you get exactly what you want: The barrel contour you choose, the chamber length you want, etc.

If you're going to do a custom, be sure you want a project. And assume that when you get the whole thing together, you will have some work ahead of you chasing down a subtle problem or two. If you're patient, shop carefully, and do a lot of the simple work yourself, you can end up with a custom rifle that costs about the same as a commercial item. One of my projects (Yugo Mauser in 6.5x55) ended up costing me a total of $250, plus optics. And it's a darn good rifle, with a new barrel and trigger.

If you just want a nice gun, go buy one. It costs the same or maybe a lot less, and it's a LOT faster and easier.

Why did I do it? Momentary insanity. All four times.

Project 1: 30-06 Rem barrel on Turkish Mauser. Intent was a dependable, all around hunting rifle. Turned out nice.

Project 2: 6.5x55 Pac-Nor #4 contour on Sears FN action. Couldn't turn down the original 30-06 ($185, then sold the barrel for $50). Made it a 6.5 because I already had two 30-06s, and love the 6.5x55. Ideal pronghorn gun.

Project 3: 7x57 Zastava. Thought the cartridge was neat. Didn't understand how neat until I loaded it to modern pressure. Now it replaces Project 1 as my main all-around rifle.

Project 4: Scored a nice Yugo Mauser for $85. Fixed it up with a scope and such, mostly so I would have something to loan. Worked good (2 1/2" five-shot groups), but I never used it. Stumbled across a never fired 6.5x55 lightweight barrel for it, and it became my SIL's second rifle (grandkids coming up).