what to pay?

[Rifleman1776]

I'm considering having a Jim Chambers Little Fella 'kit' built. I need to get back into the shooting game but can no longer hold up my rifles. I would provide all the parts (the 'kit' plus sights). Plain rifle, maybe only one inlay. What should I reasonable expect a builder to charge. It's been a while since I commissioned a build and am behind the current curve on this issue. :v

 

[BrownBear]

My last build with a little bit of engraving and an expensive piece of wood, it worked out that cost of labor was about 120% of the cost of parts. Stellar work, but I wouldn't have been happy with less build quality. So I feel like I got what I paid for and paid for what I got.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Roy Stroh makes what he calls a Youth Rifle. What he shows on his site is a .36 caliber but imagine that's variable. That one weighs in at 5 pounds. He doesn't list prices there but may be worth talking to. Builder's prices can vary, as we're all aware, but you want someone reliable even if it's a bit more.

 

[dave_person]

Hi Rifleman76,
PM me.

dave

 

[LRB]

You cannot go wrong with either Roy Stroh or Dave Person.

 

[F.G. Ford]

Hello Rifleman,
Many of us are in the same boat as you.
The years are creeping up on us, and we still want to shoot.
As we get older, we loose muscle mass. If we want to shoot off-hand we have to practice weight lifting.........but that is a losing battle.
If we want to participate and be fairly competitive we need a rest, cross sticks, shepherd's stick, or even a tree branch, there is NO shame in that!
If those supports are unfair, I suppose glasses are as well.
I am now past 70, and realize I'm not the young buck I once was, But I still get up before sunrise and work in the shop till almost midnight.
Better than many younger people.
So give me my rest and get out of my way before I squeeze the trigger.
If you need a rifle and a rest to hold it give me your parameters and I'll see what I can figure out.
Fred

 

[F.G. Ford]

Sorry for being long winded, but Kibler rifles are hard to beat as to cost, weight, and finish time.
They are almost sanding ready, and price is barely more than cost of parts.
Fred

 

[Vaino]

From what I've heard, Jim Chambers knows builders who could complete your kit......Fred

 

[boombyspark]

When considering a custom build, don't forget a longer length barrel. At 65 I have to move my sights further down the barrel to see them. I've had to quit shooting my beloved Model 94 that I sold the Grit newspaper for the money to buy it (back in the 60's). The barrel is too short. Of course there are other sighting aids. Just throwing this in as a thought.

 

[Rifleman1776]

When considering a custom build, don't forget a longer length barrel. At 65 I have to move my sights further down the barrel to see them. I've had to quit shooting my beloved Model 94 that I sold the Grit newspaper for the money to buy it (back in the 60's). The barrel is too short. Of course there are other sighting aids. Just throwing this in as a thought.

I understand that 'up the barrel' thing for rear sights and older eyes. The rifle I intend to have built will have a peeper on the rear, maybe the Johnson. My club allows that because almost all our members are 70+ in age. NMLRA rules allow a globe front sight with a post as an 'open' sight., I'll have that also since our range faces south and glare is a big issue. But, it will all be removable for open sight rules at other ranges. I'm going to (hopefully) sell my Jaeger to finance this project.