My grandfather was a scratch golfer and the first man I knew to build his own clubs. It was a strange hobby for a man who already owned enough clubs to outfit the PGA, but one that I generally ignored. That is until one fateful summer afternoon when the cursing I heard emanating from his shop finally piqued my interest.  

Searching for the Perfect Hunting Rifle

I stepped inside to find my grandfather standing at his work bench, sweat pouring down his face as he berated the new Kevlar fairway wood that wouldn’t quite go together.  

“Another three wood?”

“That’s right.”

“Why build another one when you already have so many?

As a Harvard trained engineer, my grandfather gave notoriously longwinded explanations, which in retrospect was probably the reason I’d never asked him about his obsession with building clubs he already owned. But this time his answer was short and to the point.

“Well, when you are playing a game of inches, factory clubs will only get you so close.”

I’d like to say that I understood what he meant, but his answer hit my preadolescent mind like a Zen koan. A 1980’s version of “what is the sound of one hand clapping?” Still, I sensed there was some germinal truth to his words. A seed plated deep in the recesses of my mind. One that would gratefully germinate many, many years later with the purchase of a secondhand rifle.  

To Build or Buy

To build or buy?  It is an age old quandary.  One born of missed deer, heavy rifles, and the innate sense that THE perfect rifle is just waiting to be found. My wife calls it an addiction. I call it a hunter’s manifest destiny.  

There are three approaches to solving this problem. The first is what I call the Tier 1, and it is the journey I took when I bought a 1980 Remington 700 BDL .30-06 off Gun Broker. As far as secondhand guns go, she was a looker. Inlaid walnut stock. Richly patinated bluing and a trigger that broke like Tiffany China. Beautiful.

Unfortunately, looks are only skin deep, and besides threatening to dislocate my shoulder every time I shot it, that rifle was incapable of holding a zero. These days I would have chunked the damn thing, but for some reason I just couldn’t bring myself to throw it out.  

Luckily, a friend of mine knew a gunsmith in Wyoming who could build a rifle around the action.  

The Gunsmith Build

Ten years ago, this was how you built a custom rifle, and not seeing any other way, I made the plunge. After a few phone calls talking about the purpose of the rifle, different calibers and components, we settled on a .280 AI, and all that was left was to send the action and the parts we’d agreed on out to his shop.

Now there are pros and cons of having a gunsmith “build” you a rifle. On the one hand, you are working with an artist, and he is going to make sure you get exactly what you want in a rifle. 

Caliber, check. Barrel, check. Trigger weight, stock, color, length of pull—everything fit and trued down to the last millimeter. The goal is absolute precision, and my guy in Wyoming delivered in spades. But it wasn’t cheap, and after parts, shipping and labor, I was the proud owner of a $4,500 rifle.

And I still had to buy a scope!

Factory-Custom Builds

If you balk at paying that much for a rifle, you aren’t alone. Hell, even I cringe when I look at the number I just typed. Lucky for you, companies like Seekins Precision have stepped in and filled the void and created what I call the Tier 2 level.  

Now to be clear, this ranking is based on affordability, not quality. Seekins is a company that stands on their motto: “Quality comes standard.”  Don’t believe me, check out the components the use in their Havak PH2. 

Their rifles come in just about every caliber you can think of, and their custom shop allows you to build a rifle that fits your hunting style. However, the lower price point comes with less control than what you would get working one on one with a gunsmith.  

Still, saving money on the rifle allows you to spend more on the scope!

High-End Factory Builds

Finally, we come to the high-end off-the-shelf models. These are companies like Tikka, Howa, Weatherby and Bergara.  All of which offer sub-MOA rifles that will be a giant step above what you will find at your local sporting goods store.  

I’ve always preferred a lighter, shorter rifle, which is why I was drawn to Bergara’s Wilderness series. The Ridge in particular captured my attention, and its accuracy, action and fit it punches way above its weight class.

But that’s not to say Bergara won’t take more of your money.  

Now THAT’s a rifle!

In the end, rifles are like tattoos; you get what you pay for. That said, you don’t have to blow the bank to get what you want. If you are looking to take your hunting to the next level and invest in a high-end rifle, my suggestion is to take your time. Check your options and find the rifle that fits you and your hunting style–the perfect hunting rifle for you. Then when you have made your decision, get what you want, because it’s always best to Buy Once, Cry Once.