Precision Rifle Services Ltd, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of custom rifles, has significantly improved its operations with the addition of the XYZ RMX 3500 bed mill, featuring ProtoTRAK RX Touchscreen control. Located on the scenic 55,000-acre Glenlivet Estate in Scotland, the company is using the new CNC milling machine to streamline its transition from manual mills, resulting in a marked reduction in machining hours, particularly for complex tasks like in-letting composite rifle stocks.
Founded in 1990, Precision Rifles is a small, specialized business known for producing some of the world’s most precise custom rifles. The company prides itself on offering an accuracy guarantee and operates from its Ballindalloch workshop in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Despite its remote location, Precision Rifles’ workshop is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including the new XYZ RMX 3500.
Owner and Managing Director Callum Ferguson explained, “Business is currently as strong as it has ever been, and that’s partly why we invested in a CNC bed mill. There’s a limit to how many hours we can work with our manual milling machines, so this new CNC machine has allowed us to accelerate our workflow and complete tasks much faster.”
Precision Rifles had been aware of XYZ Machine Tools for years due to the company’s strong industry presence. After discussing options with the company, they visited XYZ’s Scottish showroom in Livingston for a hands-on demonstration of the RMX 3500. Ferguson noted, “It’s great that there’s a showroom in Scotland. We wanted to ensure we were making the right decision, as investing in a CNC machine tool is a significant commitment for a small business like ours.”
The XYZ RMX 3500, which arrived in August 2024, is primarily used for inletting rifle stocks. This critical process involves fitting the rifle’s action into the stock, ensuring precise alignment and fit. With travel capabilities of 750 x 480 x 510mm and a 5,000rev/min, 3.75kW programmable spindle, the RMX 3500 is perfectly suited to this task. The machine’s size and power allow for high-precision work on composite rifle stocks, which are imported from the USA and often present machining challenges due to slight variations in geometric tolerances.
Simon Nicoll, who operates the XYZ RMX 3500 at Precision Rifles, explained the process: “We use Fusion 360 software to create a drawing for each stock, then export the DXF file to the ProtoTRAK® control. Inletting stocks is high-tolerance work, requiring precise draft angles and radii to ensure the action metalwork fits perfectly with the stock.”
This investment in advanced CNC technology is helping Precision Rifles maintain its reputation for delivering precision-crafted rifles while enhancing efficiency in its manufacturing process.
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