09-29-2016, 03:22 AM
Rico's right, depending on what parts you buy and what you are prepared to do yourself will determine your labor costs. For example, if you are going the popular Rem700 clone route then a Surgeon, BAT, or Defiance action (or Defiance-made but retail branded, like a Templar) will not need blueprinting. Or you can buy a cheapo Rem700 and pay labor costs to have it blueprinted, and the total price comes out almost the same as an off-the-shelf Surgeon.
Are you going to do your own bedding? There's a cost saving if you do. Does the stock need inletting or anything special, like a left hand action? Fluting can be seen as a labor cost or just the cost of the barrel - add an extra $100-$150. Fluting on a Bench rest barrel is only worth the cost if the discipline you are shooting in insists on a weight restriction and you need to come under it. Otherwise more weight on, and less grinding of the barrel is a good thing.
Are you going to do your own bedding? There's a cost saving if you do. Does the stock need inletting or anything special, like a left hand action? Fluting can be seen as a labor cost or just the cost of the barrel - add an extra $100-$150. Fluting on a Bench rest barrel is only worth the cost if the discipline you are shooting in insists on a weight restriction and you need to come under it. Otherwise more weight on, and less grinding of the barrel is a good thing.