This is a photo of munyguru's rifle. It is pretty much the configuration I would want.
I want the rifle to look like a gem, and shoot dream 1/2- 5/8" groups, yet retain tactical/sniper aspects.
Therefore, it is nothing I will attempt to build myself. (especially not desiring to learn on it considering what it will cost)
I know and trust the RRA NM match rifle, and thought it would be a good base to start from. I didn't want to leave it up to a smith to have to order a whole slew of individual parts and trust him to order stuff and build it the way I expected it to be. I was worried about stuff getting scratched up in the process, or not fitting properly, etc.
There are some names of smiths mentioned here on ARFCOM. A lot of folks says how "great" a rifle it is that they build. But what does "great" mean? To me, the rifle has to look perfect, as well as work "great" I'm not sure if some guys would even care to work with fussier customers like myself.
You can tell that munyguru is a fussy guy just by the way his rifle looks, and the way it is displayed. I know I can get a very nice stock RRA NM rifle out of the factory box, finished in a nice smooth surface, an even color, tight upper to lower, and no exposed machine marks.
I'd simply want it no different with a custom job. That's why I thought I might start with an RRA. A lot of the accurate, tight, and nicely finished parts are already there in the box. But, I think you have pointed out to me that there's going to have to be a lot of work anyway, as well as needless waste. So as much as I'm hesitant about finding a smith, I guess I better start at least talking to them, and finding one.