between Shreveport, LA and Dallas, TX and everthing in between along I20....who is the BADDEST gunsmith that lives. I don't want some dude running shop ouside in his garage. I am talking legit, years of experience, give him a hunk of steel and he'd make a gun, kinda dude. Don't care about price or long lead times, you get what you pay for an it quality takes time. Let me hear whatcha got!

Depends on what type of work you want done.

High end custom hunting and long range rifle building....as in I buy components and he assembles/builds/modifies it.

Kampfeld Custom only one I will have build mine and I have two and buddy has two more so I know the results. www.kampfeldcustom.com

As of last week, Carl is not taking any custom builds right now, and it didn't sound like he is going to start again any time soon.
He will work on factory stuff (fluting, etc.), but no real "custom" work (truing, rebarreling or rechambering, etc) at this time.
I'm still looking for good one myself.

fuuny, but I know a "garage machinist" who make oooodles of dough and is space-mil-spec qualifed. a building means nothing.

Kerry O'Day from match grade arms! in Spring Tx.

Me two as a matter of fact he is working over two of my rifles right now. He is in Canton, but too bad the guy doesn't deal with guys who work out of their homes/garages.

Longview Class III

If you are that picky about who does your work, and are not concerned with price or lead times, why are you limiting yourself geographically? Why not use one of the nationally known firms?

Euless Guns & Ammo in Euless, Texas
Ask for Todd (gunsmith) or Ed (owner)
They are top shelf and I have seen some amazing guns they have done including the three we bought from them.

Hill country rifles also does excellent work! And Matt out there is very helpful and will actually spend time and listen on whatever questions you may have if you are purchasing your first custom build.