Whidden Gunworks
Whidden Gunworks is a privately held Nashville, Georgia manufacturer of patented precision reloading dies, custom rifles, and reloading accessories, serving competitive precision shooters, hunters, and rimfire enthusiasts through direct-to-consumer e-commerce and an in-person ammunition test range.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersNashville, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Whidden Gunworks does
Whidden Gunworks is a privately held precision shooting products manufacturer and retailer headquartered in Nashville, Georgia, operating with a 5-person team. Founded by competitive shooter John Whidden — a 6-time National Champion and holder of numerous shooting records — the company designs, manufactures, and sells proprietary reloading dies (including the patented Click Adjustable Sizer Die system, U.S. Patent No: 10,393,488), reloading accessories (bushings, gauges, toolheads, seater stems), custom rifles, and riflesmithing components, alongside reselling premium .22 LR ammunition and reloading components from brands such as ELEY, Lapua, Berger, Vihtavuori, and CZ.
The business model is direct-to-consumer e-commerce supplemented by an in-person test range in Nashville, GA, designated as the official ELEY Ammunition Test Range for the United States. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales of low-ticket components ($23-$500) and occasional higher-margin custom rifle builds ($775-$1,599), with a 3/4 MOA accuracy guarantee at 1,000 yards on suitable hand loads. A valet shipping service extends reach to customers in the 48 contiguous U.S. states, and an in-store Silencer Shop kiosk supports NFA item purchases. The customer base is segmented across competitive precision shooters (Palma, F-Class, PRS), hunters seeking long-range capability, and rimfire enthusiasts.
The company competes primarily on founder-led technical credibility, patented mechanical precision, and real-world competitive validation rather than scale economics or digital distribution advantages. Geographic restrictions (no Alaska, Hawaii, or international sales) and the absence of disclosed external funding or headcount growth limit the addressable scale relative to larger shooting industry incumbents.
Whidden Gunworks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Whidden Gunworks
- Legal name
- Whidden Gunworks
- Website
- https://whiddengunworks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Whidden Gunworks is a privately held Nashville, Georgia manufacturer of patented precision reloading dies, custom rifles, and reloading accessories, serving competitive precision shooters, hunters, and rimfire enthusiasts through direct-to-consumer e-commerce and an in-person ammunition test range.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Whidden Gunworks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Precision Reloading Equipment and Custom Rifles
- NAICS
- Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994), Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing (332992)
- SIC
- Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ordnance Components & Subassemblies (Casings, Liners, Guidance Sections) (IMABAHAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Precision Strike & Fire Control Systems (IMABAOAE), Reloading & Gunsmithing Supplies Retail (CRAMAKAF)
Keywords
Where Whidden Gunworks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nashville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Whidden Gunworks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Precision Reloading Dies and Tools: Sale of manufactured reloading dies, bushings, gauges, toolheads, and accessories. Products include Bushing Full Length Dies ($61-$204), Click Adjustable Dies ($186-$341), Micrometer Seating Dies ($94-$129), Standard Bushings ($23), Titanium Nitrided Bushings ($32), and related components. Revenue is primarily one-time hardware purchase with occasional replacement parts.
- Custom Rifles and Gunsmithing Services: Custom rifle building and full-service gunsmithing for bolt action rifles. Services include barrel work ($100-$400), stock services ($150-$350), CeraKote finishing ($40-$350), and action services ($50-$175). Custom rifle manufacturing with 6-8 week lead time. Rifles sold as complete units (starting at $910 for base models).
- Ammunition Testing Services: Test range services for .22 LR cartridges where customers ship rifles or visit in person. Offers ELEY tenex testing ($140) and Whidden Gunworks Testing Lane for Lapua, ELEY match, RWS, SK ($240). Provides velocity data and lot selection recommendations.
- Rimfire Ammunition and Components: Resale of ammunition (ELEY, Lapua, RWS, SK brands) and reloading components (bullets, brass, powder). Ammunition ranges from $72.50-$396 per 500 rounds. Components include Lapua brass ($81-$189 per 100) and Vihtavuori powder ($349-$430 per 8lb).
- Rifle Barrels and Parts: Sale of rifle barrels from manufacturers including Bartlein, Benchmark, Criterion, Lothar Walther, MullerWorks, Bergara, and CZ. Prefit barrels available for CZ 457 and Tikka T1x ($385-$900). Complete rifles and rifle accessories including triggers, scope rings, muzzle brakes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bushing Full Length Die Set from $293.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Bushings at $23, Titanium Nitrided at $32, Large Bushings at $54 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Bench Labor $100/hour, Machine Time $160/hour |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Complete rifles from $775 to $1,599 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ammunition 500-round lots from $72.50 to $396 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Powder 8lb containers from $349.99 to $429.99 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | ELEY Testing $140, Whidden Gunworks Lane Testing $240 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Whidden Gunworks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Whidden Gunworks manufactures and sells precision reloading dies (including patented Click Adjustable Sizer Dies), custom rifles, rifle components, reloading components (bullets, brass, powder), and .22 LR ammunition. The company also operates a professional ammunition testing range and provides full-service gunsmithing with a 3/4 MOA accuracy guarantee at 1000 yards. Its products are designed by 6-time National Champion John Whidden and are used by national champions and world record holders in competitive precision shooting.
Product overview
Whidden Gunworks is a precision shooting equipment manufacturer and online retailer offering a comprehensive product portfolio centered on competitive and recreational shooting. The core offering consists of proprietary reloading dies (Bushing, Non-Bushing, Click Adjustable Sizer Dies with Patent No: 10,393,488, Bullet Pointing Die Systems, and Trim Dies), complemented by extensive reloading accessories (Titanium Nitrided Bushings, Gauges, Dillon Toolheads, Seater Stems), rifle components (barrels, triggers, muzzle brakes, magazines), complete rifles (CZ 457 series, Bergara B-14 R), reloading components (Berger bullets, Lapua brass, Vihtavuori powder), and ammunition (primarily .22 LR from ELEY, Lapua, RWS, SK). The company also operates a professional ammunition testing range using electronic targets and offers full-service gunsmithing and custom rifle building with a 3/4 MOA guarantee at 1000 yards. Founded by 6-time National Champion John Whidden in Nashville, Georgia, the business positions itself as a precision-focused provider serving both competitive shooters and recreational reloaders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Precision Reloading Dies Precision reloading dies including Bushing Full Length Dies, Non-Bushing Dies, Click Adjustable Sizer Dies (Patent No: 10,393,488), Bullet Pointing Die Systems, and Trim Dies for cartridge reloading across calibers from .20 to .408. Designed for competitive and recreational reloaders seeking match-grade consistency.
- Reloading Accessories Supporting reloading equipment including Standard and Titanium Nitrided Bushings, Shoulder Bump Gauges, Simple Bullet Comparators, Case Gauges, Dillon Toolheads (Standard and Floating), Bullet Specific Seater Stems, Custom Seater Stems, and Universal Click Adjustable Lock Rings.
- Custom Rifle Building and Rifle Shop Complete rifle building and gunsmithing services including custom rifles with 3/4 MOA elevation guarantee at 1000 yards, rifle barrels from Bartlein, Benchmark, Criterion, Lothar Walther, MullerWorks, Bergara, CZ 457, and Tikka brands, triggers from TriggerTech and Timney, and full gunsmithing services (chambering, threading, bedding, Cera-Kote finishing).
- Reloading Components Premium reloading components including Berger Bullets, Cutting Edge Bullets, Hornady bullets, Lapua brass in various calibers, and Vihtavuori smokeless gun powder (N130, N133, N135, N140, N150, N160, N165, N540, N555, N560, N565, N568, N570).
- .22 LR Ammunition Competition-grade .22 LR ammunition from ELEY, Lapua, RWS, SK, and CCI brands, including match ammunition, test bricks for home testing, and ammunition reserved exclusively for the test range.
- Ammunition Testing Services Professional .22 LR ammunition testing using ELEY, Lapua, RWS, Norma brands with electronic targets, optional velocity data via chronograph, ELEY lane testing ($140) and Whidden Gunworks testing lane ($240) with 15-lot testing protocols. Customers can ship rifles or visit in person.
- Rimfire Performance Products Complete rimfire product line including CZ 457 Prefit Barrels, complete rifles (CZ 457 Varmint MTR, Bergara B-14 R), rimfire parts (stocks, magazines, headspace gauges, triggers, firing pins, tuners), and .22 LR ammunition.
- Valet Shipping Service Shipping service that provides UPS labels, boxes, hard cases, and foam for customers to ship rifles to Whidden Gunworks for testing or gunsmithing work.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3/4 MOA elevation guarantee at 1000 yards on custom rifles with suitable hand loads
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Whidden Gunworks
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Whidden Gunworks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Whidden Gunworks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.
- Bartlein BarrelsminorReseller of Bartlein barrel blanks including .22 LR configurations with various twist rates and contours.
- ELEYflagshipOfficial ELEY Ammunition Test Range for the United States. Whidden Gunworks is the designated facility for ELEY tenex testing using the proven ELEY method. Minimum 15 lots of tenex guaranteed available for testing. ELEY provides testing methodology, reserved ammunition stock, and exclusive US test range designation.
- Silencer ShopcoreIn-store kiosk partnership allowing Whidden Gunworks to offer NFA item purchasing with fingerprint scanning and ATF form submission. Customers can scan fingerprints once and have them saved for life, enabling future NFA purchases without repeat fingerprinting.
- Bergara BarrelsminorReseller of Bergara B-14R prefit barrels and complete Bergara B-14 R rifles.
- Kelbly'sminorUses Kelbly's Atlas Tactical Action and Nanook Long Action in custom rifle builds. Products featured in rifle showcase builds.
- TriggerTechminorReseller of TriggerTech triggers including Rem 700 Special and Diamond Two-Stage triggers. Featured in custom rifle builds.
- CZ (Česká zbrojovka)minorReseller of CZ 457 rifles and prefit barrels. Offers complete CZ 457 rifles including Varmint MTR, Pro Varmint, and Factory Class Package options.
- Area 419minorReseller of Area 419 ARCALOCK universal dovetail rails and Maverick suppressors. Products featured in custom rifle builds.
- Hawkins PrecisionminorReseller of Hawkins Precision muzzle brakes, scope rings, bottom metal, and magazines. Featured in custom rifle builds.
- Proof ResearchminorUses Proof Research Sendero .284-8 barrels in custom rifle builds.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Whidden Gunworks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Forster Products: Manufacturer of precision reloading tools, dies, and benchrest accessories. Directly comparable as a US-based precision reloading tool maker serving the same competitive shooter base.
- L.E. Wilson Cases: Specialized manufacturer of case gauges, reloading dies, and precision tooling for competitive reloaders. Directly comparable niche precision reloading tool company.
- Kelbly's Custom Rifles: Manufacturer of custom rifles, actions, and shooting accessories. Directly comparable as a custom rifle builder and partner supplier (Kelbly's actions are used in Whidden builds).
- Bartlein Barrels: Manufacturer of precision rifle barrels widely used in competitive shooting. Comparable as a supplier partner and as a precision barrel maker serving the same long-range competitive market.
- Krieger Barrels: Custom cut-rifled barrel manufacturer for precision rifles. Comparable as a peer in the precision barrel/component ecosystem serving competitive shooters.
- McMillan Firearms: Custom precision rifle builder and stock manufacturer. Comparable as a custom rifle shop serving the long-range/tactical shooting community.
Broad incumbents
- Hornady Manufacturing: Major ammunition and reloading component manufacturer. Comparable as a seller of dies, brass, bullets, and ammunition that overlap with Whidden's resale and reloading product lines.
- RCBS (A Vista Outdoor brand): Leading reloading equipment and die manufacturer. Comparable as a mass-market reloading tool provider whose products overlap with Whidden's proprietary dies.
- Lapua: Premium ammunition and brass manufacturer (Beretta Holding). Comparable as a key brand Whidden resells and as a peer serving the precision rimfire/centerfire competitive market.
- ELEY (owned by Imperial Tobacco/ATCO): Premium .22 LR ammunition manufacturer whose products Whidden resells and tests. Comparable as a flagship brand partner and as a peer in the rimfire precision ammunition market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Whidden Gunworks social profiles
Digital presenceWhidden Gunworks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Whidden Gunworks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Whidden Gunworks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Whidden Gunworks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Whidden Gunworks
What does Whidden Gunworks do?
Whidden Gunworks manufactures and sells precision reloading dies (including patented Click Adjustable Sizer Dies), custom rifles, rifle components, reloading components (bullets, brass, powder), and .22 LR ammunition. The company also operates a professional ammunition testing range and provides full-service gunsmithing with a 3/4 MOA accuracy guarantee at 1000 yards. Its products are designed by 6-time National Champion John Whidden and are used by national champions and world record holders in competitive precision shooting.
Is Whidden Gunworks a public or private company?
Whidden Gunworks is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Whidden Gunworks founded?
Whidden Gunworks was founded in -1.
Where is Whidden Gunworks based?
Whidden Gunworks is headquartered in Nashville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Whidden Gunworks make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Precision Reloading Dies and Tools are the primary driver. The others are custom Rifles and Gunsmithing Services, ammunition Testing Services, rimfire Ammunition and Components and rifle Barrels and Parts.
Who are Whidden Gunworks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Forster Products, L.E. Wilson Cases, Kelbly's Custom Rifles, Bartlein Barrels, Krieger Barrels and McMillan Firearms. Broad incumbents are Hornady Manufacturing, RCBS (A Vista Outdoor brand), Lapua and ELEY (owned by Imperial Tobacco/ATCO).
Does Whidden Gunworks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Whidden Gunworks.
What industry is Whidden Gunworks in?
Whidden Gunworks's product category is Precision Reloading Equipment and Custom Rifles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAHAL, Ordnance Components & Subassemblies (Casings, Liners, Guidance Sections), with a secondary code of IMABAOAE, Precision Strike & Fire Control Systems. Its NAICS code is 332994 and its SIC code is 3480.