Montana rifles

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hillman23

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Anybody have recent experience with Montana Rifle Co rifles? They look pretty nice on paper and I don’t have complaints after handling a couple in the gun shop but I don’t have much beyond that. I also really like the Model 70 in stainless, CRF, and the old style trigger. I am looking for a hunting rifle for the wet coast here in the lovely PNW. I’ve developed a short list of pros and cons of each but want to be as thorough and objective as possible. Thoughts, experiences, suggestions and musings welcome and appreciated.
 
my dad had 2 they are nice rifles the montanas, but don,t have ant resent use of them. the new winchesters are nice so are the rugers, the kimbers are very nice to. i am a big mauser fan so i love crf. what game are u going to hunt the most and the biggest, what cartridge are thinking.
 
I want it chambered in 338 win mag and it will be my deer and elk rifle (and most anything else I would conceivably do). Thanks for the response
 
A1DFE242-FEB5-4D8F-9150-4EBF085CE83B.jpeg I have one, in .260 rem. I had it for sale on this site a bit ago. Great rifles, but I bought this one to build and then sell since building is half the fun for me. The factory trigger is down to 1lb or so. The action is trued lugs lapped and barrel is a 28” Broughton. The base rifles are nice but sometimes a little work is necessary for a tack driver.
 
They are made right up the road from me in Kalispell. I've handled a couple of them but never shot one. They definitely seem a significant step above most factory rifles in quality. The one first hand account of the Montana M1999 that I got said it was excellent, but not as smooth or refined as his Dakota. If I was ever to get a custom rifle for hunting, I would get a Montana M1999 in .270 Win, but I could just be biased.
 
They are made right up the road from me in Kalispell. I've handled a couple of them but never shot one. They definitely seem a significant step above most factory rifles in quality. The one first hand account of the Montana M1999 that I got said it was excellent, but not as smooth or refined as his Dakota. If I was ever to get a custom rifle for hunting, I would get a Montana M1999 in .270 Win, but I could just be biased.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it were, my Montana is reliable, consistent, but the bolt throw is not super light. But then again, ones base price is $4,000
 
This is my Montana Rifle Company "Summit" 308 Norma Magnum, and our Cocker/Springer cross, "Ruger" with XRAY eyes.:D 308 Norma Mag & Ruger.jpg
The rifle has a 25" barrel, and wears a 3X9 Weaver. It weighs just a couple of ounces over 8lbs, scoped and slung. Ruger is spoiled and overweight at 32lbs right now.;)
I get way too long winded when bragging about my Montana Rifle Company 308 Norma Mag, Hillman 23. So I'll shoot you a PM and tell you all about it.:)
 
I considered that brand since they make several left handed guns in stainless. I was turned off by some reviews.

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/firearms/67806-experience-montana-rifle-company-rifles.html

For example,

I recently set up a MRC 300 Win for a friend. By setup, I'm referring to mountain a scope, and shooting/sighting it in. I'm personally not a fan of the rifle. I don't like the Winchester style scope mounting system and the accuracy was no where near what I would expect for that price range of a gun. Albeit I was using factory Nosler ammunition the owner provided. My biggest complaint however was the fact that the bottom metal was epoxied into the stock making it 100% impossible to remove the stock or adjust the trigger. The trigger weight was around 4lbs. Completely unacceptable to me. I'll never own one. Your money would be better spent on a Begara, Tikka or Howa. You will get a superbly Accurate rifle for less money with a much better action. The MRC action felt no different that a factory Rem 700. Tikka is glass and Howa is a close second.

The above link has some additional negative reviews about the rifle and the company. I decided to pass. YMMV
 
I had the X2. The X3 is supposedly lighter. The rifle I had was in 270 WSM, a chambering I truly enjoy. Feeding this cartridge in the Montana X2 was not the best. I am 5'9" and the stock felt long and lean, the weight was well forward even for a short action. I read the receiver was cast. There is something that grates on me about spending 1200 for a rifle with a cast receiver.
IIRC the trigger was OK. Accuracy was on the order of 1 moa with handloads and steady aim. My Kimber cycles the 270 WSM very well by the way.
The Montana X2 stock was very high quality, even if a little open and long for me.
Verdict:
If you are a average to tall shooter looking for a good to very good rifle in a sleek or traditional chambering, who doesnt mind parting with 1300 for a cast receiver, go for it.
They seem to be good shooters, strongly built, a little heavy.
But as far as 270WSM, it must have been afterthought to them, where to Kimber it is an objective.
Wanted to add: I much prefer the feel of the safety on my Rugers, as a matter of fact, prefer a stainless synthetic Ruger M77 all the way around.
 
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I was very serious about the purchase of an X2 in .308 about a year ago; my narrowed down choice was the X2 or M70 EW. After detailed homework and look-see, I purchased the M70. For the first time in my life, I wanted two rifles that were so close in all detail that I chose the manufacture/ model that (at the time) was $200 less expensive - a cost decision that has never entered into my gun buying wants before. I chose the M70 and I love the rifle but it was a very, very close race.
 
I've got one and considered others. The one I've got is well made and shoots well but has a stock that doesn't work well with the irons for me.

I'd buy a sporter bet probably not another AVR.
 
The original M70 trigger is a huge win IMO for a dangerous game rifle. No better than the moa trigger otherwise. The 3 position safety is nice for any use.
 
I considered that brand since they make several left handed guns in stainless. I was turned off by some reviews.

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/firearms/67806-experience-montana-rifle-company-rifles.html

For example,



The above link has some additional negative reviews about the rifle and the company. I decided to pass. YMMV
I will say, I saw some VERY negative reviews about Montana, I even heard of cases of their 1999 Action blowing up. I now have heard that these were issues in their starting stages and the reputations have stuck with them. They have worked the bugs out from what I’ve heard.
 
A great reason to work the bugs, before selling the fruit...
(Edit: not to slight them, I am sure they put out quality for that price. And they sure are pretty!)

I have longed for a Dakota in Three hundred Dakota ever since I shot one. What a wallop! What a rifle!
What a price tag! I would have to sell all my "Fancy" rifles and my Eagle to afford one!
Maybe someday...

I like hanging out with older gentlemen, they have knowledge I don't and much nicer rifles! And they don't mind letting you shoot just one more ten dollar cartridge. :)
 
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I will say, I saw some VERY negative reviews about Montana, I even heard of cases of their 1999 Action blowing up. I now have heard that these were issues in their starting stages and the reputations have stuck with them. They have worked the bugs out from what I’ve heard.

The thread was from mid 2017. That's pretty recent when you're talking about a durable good. I thought about buying a Montana rifle in that they're one of the few companies that produce a left handed stainless rifle. But with the reviews, and the fact it's a private operation, and if the company were to fold up, how would one maintain the product? I once bought a new Security Industries revolver? Anyone remember Security Industries? There's a guy on another forum begging for parts for a Security Industries revolver.
 
The thread was from mid 2017. That's pretty recent when you're talking about a durable good. I thought about buying a Montana rifle in that they're one of the few companies that produce a left handed stainless rifle. But with the reviews, and the fact it's a private operation, and if the company were to fold up, how would one maintain the product? I once bought a new Security Industries revolver? Anyone remember Security Industries? There's a guy on another forum begging for parts for a Security Industries revolver.

The thread may be from 2017, but new old stock is traded all the time. I’m not saying the Montana is the end all be all, but they really made an apparent effort to buck the poor reputation developed early.
 
The thread was from mid 2017. That's pretty recent when you're talking about a durable good. I thought about buying a Montana rifle in that they're one of the few companies that produce a left handed stainless rifle. But with the reviews, and the fact it's a private operation, and if the company were to fold up, how would one maintain the product? I once bought a new Security Industries revolver? Anyone remember Security Industries? There's a guy on another forum begging for parts for a Security Industries revolver.
It's mostly a M70. Very few parts issues.

You notice that there weren't many comments from actual owners there? Just rumor? And the one guy who owned his liked it?
 
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Out of curiosity I pulled out my AVR, and it's actually a bit better than I remember. The iron sight/stock issue I mentioned above isn't that bad - the comb is higher than desirable for irons, but for a rifle that will be shot 99% with a scope it's OK. The only issues I can see are that the ebony stock tip could have been aged a bit longer (it shrank just enough you can feel it) and that the bluing on the receiver has aged more plumb colored while the barrel is more charcoal. Both are small cosmetic nits. The rifle has been mechanically perfect and has shot sub-MOA with every factory load tried so far (which is not guaranteed with a .375). I haven't handloaded for it but would expect no trouble.

On closer examination I would buy one again.
 
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