I know a lot of you guys have built your rifles and are rightfully proud of them and their performance. That being said, I picked up an Armalite AR10T last fall that has a 16" Stainless Bull Barrel, an Armalite National Match trigger, and a free floating foreend. I doubt I could build this quality of a rifle for what I paid for it complete: $1,299.00. It is more accurate than I am, and Other than Optic, bipod, BUIS, and a sling, I have added nothing, and don't really see a reason to. With everything on it, using a Burris 2x12 Fairfield scope, I have $1750 invested. I did miss out on the accomplishement of making it myself, but the point is, if you want, you can get some great deals on manufactured rifles, especially right now. And the same goes for Optics.
I think building your own rifle is a great philosophy, but it is just that, a philosophical difference.