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I'm looking for a new rifle to put under my new Kahles 3-9x42 scope. I don't NEED another rifle, as I have .223, .22-250,.243, .270, 7x57, .338 and .45-70. Maybe a couple others I don't remember off the top of me head. I'm thinking I don't have a "quarterbore", so maybe a .257 Roberts or .25-06. Or maybe a 7-08, although that's redundant of the 7x57. I want a rifle just like the Kimber 84M, as far as action/stock, etc. I've read some folks have had problems with them though, so I'm kinda leery. I really like my 7x57 in a Winchester 70 XTR Featherweight (after refinishing the stock), but don't see a .257 in their current line-up of the "classics". I'm not a fan of Remington, Browning, Savage or Weatherby; I don't care for the looks of Ruger, Sauer, CZ. Sako and Tikka don't put a long enough barrel on the .25-06, although they are among my top choices out of what I see so far...if they'd put a straight, no Monte Carlo, stock on 'em. Basically I think what I want is a Cooper, but it's gotta be a repeater. Am I missing any manufacturers that make what I'm looking for "out of the box"? Any one here have personal experience with the Kimber 84M, good or bad? [ 09-01-2003, 23:53: Message edited by: CO Roadkill ] | ||
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Talk to Rod at AcraBond , maybe he can set you up with a .257 Roberts "custom factory" rifle based on a short M1999 action? The .257 Roberts fits that action perfectly. Rod sells his "Ghost kits", they are pretty reasonable, and can be turned into nice rifles for maybe a Grand. That would fit your high class scope well. Alternatively, you could have a .25-06 based on the long M1999, if that takes your fancy, personally I'd go for the Roberts, though. Here is a link to a discussion about the Ghost kits: Ghost kit discussion on AR - mike [ 09-02-2003, 00:39: Message edited by: mho ] | |||
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It doesn't look like the Montana short actions are available yet, and I don't have the know=how to put the barrel and action together and do the metalwork. I could handle finishing the stock, though. Would Acra-bond put the barrel and action together, so all that needs done is finishing the metal (blue or teflon or whatever)? Or would I have to thake the whole shebang to a gunsmith and have 'em put it together? I'm not real sure about the Acra-bond stocks anyway. It looks like they do a good job of matching the grain, but if you reverse layers, there has to be places where the seams will show. I want a one piece, nice figured wood stock. No plywood or plastic, thank you. If budget was not an issue, I'd probably beg Jack Belk and Chic Worthing to build me something. Unfortunately, I kinda have to keep the cost somewhat reasonable. | |||
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| <Savage 99> |
The Kimber 84M's seem to come with very nice stockwork. That rifle is lighter than a M70 also. The action is almost minature in size. I don't know if a 257 Roberts would go in due to the length. There is also a new Kimber model in the WSM's I think. Kimber may chamber the 84M for the 7mm-08. Since stockwork seems to cost plenty in custom rifles getting a Kimber may be cost effective. Just don't demand 3/4 MOA from that small of a rifle unless one sends it out to an accuracy specialist. The lowest cost fine rifle might be a M 70 Featherweight. You might get a nice stock and then your all set. Such a rifle will only cost $575! If the stock is not to your standards then you can upgrade it under your own terms and still have the factory stock as a backup. The Montana short actions should be available in a month or so for new orders. The Montana rifle company could barrel it right there and send it to a smith that works with them for stocking and finishing. Such a rifle will be more expensive than a M 70 but you can get any caliber, barrel config., SS, LH or stock that you want. The Acrabond laminated wood stocks look really nice but you can see the laminations of course. However to some, including me, this is a benefit and something that I will show off. I will say that the laminated stock will hold it's zero better and most of my good friends will nod yes! The cost of my M1999 with a premium barrel and Acrabond stock will cost around $2,500 when you factor in the value of the Circassian walnut blank that I supplied. Now you can see why a Kimber or M 70 is such a good deal but of course it's not the same rifle. | ||
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quote:Are you serious? Winchester a "fine" rifle? | |||
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quote:I don't think it will be *that* long before the M1999 SA start down the production line, although we should all give MRC the time they need to get the job done right the first time! If you don't have a smith of your own to do the metal work, I'm sure Rod could put you up with a suitable one. You could save quite a few $$$ if you were willing to do the stock work yourself (at least finishing). I figure that with metal work (maybe $200?) and blueing (maybe $65) done at a good smith and with a smith bedding your action (maybe $150), but DIY stock finishing, you should be able to come out below the price of a Cooper M22 Classic, and way below the price of the Cooper Custom Classic. With a good smith doing the work, I don't think you'd need to worry about accuracy, at least the barrel from AcraBond will be better than the Cooper barrel (Wilson). I don't find the AcraBond stocks "plywood" like. As Savage99 pointed out above, one can see the lamination, but I don't find the stocks unattractive in the least. Good luck with whatever you get. -mike [ 09-02-2003, 18:41: Message edited by: mho ] | |||
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If I get a Kimber, it'll probably be either a classic in 7-08 or a LongMaster in .308 (wish someone made a 7-08 with a heavy barrel.) The M70 no longer comes in .257, so I'd have to get an XTR push feed Featherweight in that cal. Orion, I don't consider the Winchester a "fine" rifle, but of the "big" names (Remington, Ruger, Browning, Savage), I like 'em better than the rest. My push feed Featherweight has a good trigger, good wood, functions flawlessly and shoots 3/4 inch groups pretty regularly, with average group size around an inch. "Fine" rifle, no. Nice rifle...you bet! If I can find a used one with a decent stock in .257, that may be my new rifle. If not,and Montaana has the short actions out when I get back to the states in a few months (I'm currently in Southwest Asia), I may look for a rifle builder in Colorado to put one together for me. Of course, 'd still apreciate any positive or negative comments about the Kimbers. | |||
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quote:Agree with the distinction between nice and fine. | |||
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winchester is closing out their short action custom shop rifles for $1399, they were made in 257 roberts and i have been thinking about buying 1.. | |||
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Tom, I checked out the Winchester web site and only saw .257 in the left hand custom shop short action, It didn't mention anything about closeout prices either. I can shot left handed, but I'm much more familiar with the right-hand way, so I'm gonna stick to right. Where did you find out about the closeout? If I could get the .257 in a right hand short action custom shop gun for that price, I think my mind would be made up, although I'd prefer a "Featherweight-style stock. If you an,please let me know where you found your info. Thanks | |||
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Do't buy anything before you check out a Dakota. They are good value in a quality rifle. | |||
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the custom short action is on ppg 47 &49 of the winchester 2003 catalog..i have seen them listed at several catalogs on close out at my gunsmiths.. but the only 1 i have at the house is cdnn on ppg 40.. their wes site is www.cdnninvestments.com email me if you wish i have 3 custom 257's and will have 1 of them in my lap opening day. | |||
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You could have Montana do the the barreling and chambering for you themselves. I think they charge like 135 to do it. You could get the short action at the special 350 price, which I think is available for a little bit longer. have them barrel it and send to you. and since their action fits m70 stocks find a takeoff featherweight stock and you are set. I know what you mean about the m70 featherweights being nice, both of my brothers have them, I love the one in 7x57. Red | |||
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The Dakotas are "fine" rifles, and therefore well out of my budget. I'd like to keep it around $1000, but might go up to $2000 for something really nice...still gotta buy a house and a boat; and I ain't won a lottery or lawsuit lately! Tom, I'm overseas for the next couple months and don't have access to catalogs and dealers, etc. I'm also on very slow dial-up, so even downloading cdnn's catalog don't work. From their site, though, it appears they only deal in parts and accessories...or it could be that'sall they sell via internet. I may email you for specifics about the deal, though. I'd like to get in on a "special" of some kind; either the Winchester or maybe the MRC barrelled action described previously. If Dakota had a 1/2 off special, I'd jump, but starting at almost $4000 ($6935 for one "my way"), they're a bit (understatement) out of my range. [ 09-04-2003, 19:19: Message edited by: CO Roadkill ] | |||
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but may someday. They are quite spendy though.