In the realm of custom rifle building, TS Customs has established itself as a leader, renowned for its commitment to producing exceptional rifles. While assembling rifles may seem straightforward, ensuring that each rifle performs flawlessly is a significant challenge. Travis Stevens, the owner of TS Customs, has developed a meticulous process for material selection and construction, resulting in some of the finest rifles available today. The introduction of the KS1 Stock has further elevated their offerings, providing hunters with a highly valuable addition to their collections.

The decision to collaborate with TS Customs for this build stemmed from previous successful experiences. With the launch of the KS1 stock, the need for another rifle became apparent, prompting an order with Travis. The build features a Lone Peak Ti Receiver, a PROOF Research carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel, a Hawkins Precision Hunter DBM, and a Timney HIT trigger, all integrated into the new KS1 stock. Chambered in 300 PRC, this rifle is designed to be a versatile big game hunting companion, weighing less than 7 lbs while being capable of handling various hunting scenarios.

The Details of the KS1 Stock

TS Customs inlets all their stocks in-house from flat top stock blanks, ensuring a straight and true channel for each rifle. Many factory inlets from larger stock manufacturers can be misaligned, leading to bedding issues and inaccuracies. TS Customs excels in bedding and finishing, producing one of the cleanest rifle stocks available. Their attention to detail guarantees a consistent build, allowing each rifle to achieve optimal performance for the shooter.

Notable features of the KS1 include a vertical grip angle and an optimal distance from the trigger shoe. This design positions the shooter’s wrist and hand comfortably, enhancing shooting experience. While vertical grip stocks are prevalent due to the popularity of long-range shooting, finding a stock that fits well and allows for effective rifle control is essential in the rifle-building process.

Additionally, the zero drop and straight comb design of the stock enhance contact with the recoil pad, improving recoil management. The forward bipod rail, integrated into the slim forend, contributes to a sleek profile, lowering the rifle’s bore closer to the bipod for better stability. Extra screws and anchors in the stock enable direct tripod attachment, ensuring proper balance just forward of the front action screw.

Action Selection

The action chosen for this build was the Lone Peak Fuzion Ti long-action receiver. To maintain a weight below 7 lbs, a titanium action was ideal, weighing only 25.5 oz. Lone Peak is a leading manufacturer of titanium actions, known for their precision. Their receivers, crafted from 6AI-4V titanium, offer a smooth operation, a quality often lacking in titanium components. Lone Peak also nitrides their fluted bolt bodies to minimize friction, ensuring reliable and smooth functionality compared to other titanium actions.

Barrel Specifications

TS Customs expertly threaded and chambered a 24” 9-twist Sendero contour carbon fiber barrel from PROOF Research onto the Lone Peak action. PROOF Research is recognized for producing some of the most accurate carbon-fiber-wrapped barrels available. TS Customs employs the sharpest and most concentric reamers for chambering, a critical factor distinguishing a good rifle from a great one. Inspection of the 300 PRC chamber revealed a precisely cut chamber with a seamless transition to the bore.

In contrast, a friend’s rifle, chambered by another smith, exhibited significant misalignment, resulting in poor accuracy. Such discrepancies highlight the importance of selecting a skilled gunsmith and the right barrel for a successful rifle build.

Trigger Mechanism

The barreled action was equipped with a Timney HIT trigger featuring a straight trigger shoe set to 1.5 lbs. This consistent trigger setup is used across all rifles, instilling confidence in the reliability of the trigger break. With the trigger installed, the barreled action fit seamlessly into the KS1 Stock. A Hawkins Precision Hunter DBM was selected for the bottom metal, ensuring quality and performance.

Detachable Bottom Metal (DBM)

Hawkins Precision is known for producing high-quality hinged floor plates and DBMs. Their new Hunter DBM is a low-profile, lightweight option designed for hunters seeking a center-fed, detachable magazine. Hawkins Precision magazines are known for their excellent feeding reliability, making them a trusted choice for various rifles tested over the years.

Optics and Ammunition

During testing, several Swarovski optics were mounted on this rifle, all secured with Talley Manufacturing rings. Ultimately, the Swarovski Z8i 2-16 with a Ballistic Flex Turret and Custom Scope Turret tailored for selected loads was chosen. The rifle performed excellently with two hand loads: the 190-gr Hornady CX and the 181-gr Hammer Hunter, consistently achieving sub-MOA accuracy out to 800 yards, with most groups averaging under ½-MOA.

Even factory ammunition from Hornady delivered sub-1” groups at 100 yards with both the Outfitter and Precision Hunter brands. This versatility in ammunition performance is a significant advantage for any hunting rifle.

After a year of use, the rifle has remained reliable, maintaining its accuracy despite being transported in a truck and strapped to a pack. The hand-painted stock has aged gracefully, showcasing the durability of TS Customs’ craftsmanship. For those seeking a custom rifle for their next hunting expedition, TS Customs should be at the forefront of consideration. Newcomers to the long-range precision rifle world can trust that TS Customs will provide expert guidance throughout the build process, ensuring the realization of their custom rifle aspirations.