Y'all need to learn that there are serious advantages to having a gun built- like you can honestly say " I don't know" when someone asks how much it cost! I bought a LH Win 70 for $6oo, a krieger barrel blank for $300 (will be 260 remington ) , and spent another $6o0 for a (beautiful! ) LH laminated walnut (5 3/4" wide pc of walnut) stock from Mcgee gunstocks . I took it to the gunsmith last night - I didn't even ask what he was going to charge. 1) if he commits to a $ amt , he has to pad it for unforseen expenses. 2nd, he might cut a corner ( actually, not this guy ). 3rd, " if you have to ask, you can't afford it" . Well, I cannot afford it but I'm doing it anyhow. My eyes are tired of a post front sight; I shot < 1,000 rifle rounds last yr ( high power competition ). If the new rifle makes it fun again it will be worth it. Being a leftie hurts sometimes. I gave up after 3 yrs looking for a usedd one and bought a new Win 70 ; I will be using the action and trigger only. on th e bright side , I look forward to Thanksgiving even more when I can show my sister in law (A NONGUN person ! ) and tell her how much my brother would like one too!