Thanks Woodty and Dinny.
Your post is very timely Woody, and
addressed some concerns.
I'm not too concerned that gunsmiths often take their time (sometimes) to turn an order around, and am used to that in fact.
However if a 'smith' tried to interject his opinions or "endorsement" into a work order, wonder how long such a
service-provider would stay in business!
But both shops mentioned/discussed sound EXCELLENT! (I really mean that)
Dinny asked what kind of work I need done. Several projects involve rechamberings
or chamber-tweekings (rims, extractors, so forth). A couple barrels cut/crowned.
Several projects include soldering on sights/bases/ramps (rather than screw-on), but I'm going to have to see what I can do more locally. My latest trip to the gsmith was to shorten and recrown a .45/70 bbl and they did exactly what I wanted (Benchmark Barrels did an excellent job), but I have no idea why their aversion to soldering and sight-work. They are very busy doing what they specialize in,
and maybe just don't want to be distracted? So I'll have to pester other smiths in my area until I find one interested in my money!
I do believe and expect
the CUSTOMER to be king in any transaction, but one good thing when finding someone capable and willing to provide a service, whether a restuarant - gunsmith - doctor, etc., etc. ..... is how one must really scrutinize what's really smart, needed, or a good/bad idea, so forth .....!
I have a .308 barrel I'll likely send to Wayne to shorten and install a .307Win rim (and extractor?), but probably not until this summer. Depending how my experience with a .307 at that point will determine my desire to pursue a .30-40 project.