Hi, I've been looking for a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS in 7mm Rem Mag, but have had a lot of trouble finding one. Someone recommended that I look at Montana Rifle Company as they're modeled to be similar to the M70. Ordinarily I wouldn't buy a gun sight unseen, but if the MRC Extreme Weather Rifle is similar to the M70 I might go for it.

Does anyone have any experience with MRC's rifles? Accurate, durable and dependable? If so, can you say how similar it feels to the M70?

Thanks in advance.
Dan

I have an early Montana 1999 actioned .375 H&H. It's heavy, super reliable, ejects brass very hard and fast - as 25 yard throws if I'm really working it.

My rifle feeds slick as can be but it definitely took some work to get there.

Trigger is adjustable and superb, I like the safety a lot.

I get about 1.25" groups from the bench but I'm not convinced I've found that perfect load yet.

In short, it's a good rifle. Again, mine is an early model and I'd suspect they've improved since I bought mine. My one biggest complaint: it's darn heavy.

I have a mrc 458 Lott the action was a little stiff. needed a little work too smooth up. This paticular gun has fed everything I've ran throug it so far. It is not heavy at 8.2 lbs and it's a shooter I would buy another

Rough around the edges...not bad quality....just have had barreled actions.

Ed

I have no experience with MRC, but last year I did endure quite a wait for my Model 70 Extreme Weather chambered for 264 WinMag after they listed it as a SHOT show special. Upon calling Winchester, they did give me a pretty accurate ETA. Although I wish I didn't have to endure the wait I did, I will say that it was well worth it, in my opinion. The action is as slick as oil on an ice cube, the fit/finish is great, and it has shot well with all the loads I have tried in it so far. With a Leupold LPS 2.5x10 scope aboard, the rifle has a nice feel to it. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed the Model 70 Extreme Weather/264WinMag combo. It is a keeper for sure.

I have a Montana 1999 in a 300 WSM. had them barrel the rifle and put a McMillan stock..Took to Africa for my plains game rifle and had no problems..Accuracy is very good with their barrels.

Have a 1999 rifle in .330 Dakota and a Accurate Innovations Turkish walnut stock that shoots nice and ejects good. have never taken it hunting because at my age (79) it is heaver than I can tote in the mountains. It is for sale.

Any other owners that can share their experiences with these rifles? I held one over the weekend that was an XER (Composite/Stainless) and it felt very nice.

I have a .270 Winchester X2. They discontinued the X2 for the X3 which has aluminum bottom metal.

It feeds fired brass and is my most accurate rifle. It is consistently under an inch with five and nine shot groups, and I am not a great shot.

Mine will hold five down.

I can send pictures to email and through text. I wish they had not replaced the X2 with he X3. The rifle is no more heavy S.C. FN Model 70 Supergrade 270 Win.

quote:

Originally posted by HuntingOutWest:
Hi, I've been looking for a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS in 7mm Rem Mag, but have had a lot of trouble finding one. Someone recommended that I look at Montana Rifle Company as they're modeled to be similar to the M70. Ordinarily I wouldn't buy a gun sight unseen, but if the MRC Extreme Weather Rifle is similar to the M70 I might go for it.

Does anyone have any experience with MRC's rifles? Accurate, durable and dependable? If so, can you say how similar it feels to the M70?

Thanks in advance.
Dan

There are a few on gunbroker right now:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/848839210

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/848818194

I have a Montana Rifle Company(X3) in 6.5 PRC, topped with a Swarovski Z-5 and a custom ballistic turret from Outdoorman's. It's a sweet rifle and I own a stable of Model 70's, including a 300 WSM in the Extreme Weather. That is why I went with Montana Rifle Company. Control round feed, 3 position safety, etc. etc.

Back when they would do custom chamberings I had a 7x57 and a 300 H&H X2.

Very mediocre quality, synthetic stocks had a porous texture and odd proportions, the triggers sat way too high in the trigger guards.

Both rifles had wildly wandering zeroes. At a range session, after having previously zeroed both rifles, I would find one, for example, was now 4"
left and 2" high at 100 yards. Never was able to fix this, 1-1/2" at 100 yards was the best either either rifle would do. Caveat, YMMV

For a current production rifle, given the choices you have listed, the M70 EW is the way to go.

Take a look at a Christensen Arms Mesa, outstanding build quality and accuracy, I'm getting one in 300 PRC

Good luck with your choice.

I had an MRC X2 in 300 Win Mag. It was a very accurate rifle but a touch heavy. Maybe that accounted for the accuracy. Anyway it was reliable too. Never any problems with feeding or ejecting.

While their customer service is not as bad as Kimber's, it is not sterling either. I had a problem with an action screw being too short to engage as far as necessary. It took several calls and emails and still nothing happened until I posted my complaint on their Facebook site. I had the new action screws in about three days after my posting was deleted by them.

I had one in 300 H&H, non cataloged item. Shot good, feed good. Sold it because it wouldn't kill them any deader than my well used'06. Also wanted the money to buy another double.

Dave

Local store has one in .300 H&H for $900 and one in .300 Win Mag for a little less. Not sure why the H&H hasn't sold yet...it's been on the market at least 6 months

quote:

Take a look at a Christensen Arms Mesa, outstanding build quality and accuracy, I'm getting one in 300 PRC

Yes, I have one of those too. You'll love it!

I have a MRC 1999 with a Douglas air gauged bbl in 358 Norma Mag. Extremely reliable, shoots very accurate as well. Can't go wrong with buying their actions. Has worked well for me.

Not a fan have had a couple all had issues, customer service is lacking. I would wait for Win. or a Ruger over a MRC.

Called their phoneline on the website after talking to LHeym500 and it goes to voicemail saying they are "Restructuring". Perhaps they filed bankruptcy?

My dealings with them are dated but if I followed Momma’s rule about “can’t say something nice...” I’ll have to leave it at that.

They are under new management since I have had any dealings with them. One can only hope the new owners are doing better. My experience was very bad. Ordered 3 rifle in a custom chambering. Arrived 6 months late. None would feed from the magazine. My nephew ordered 3 rifles as well in standard chambering. All three went back with numerous problems. Took over 12 months to get them back. I paid a custom Smith to fix mine since they refused to acknowledge the problem despite sending them videos.

Do you know who bought them, or if said sell is final?

I am keeping my three. My Nephew still has one for sale. I think it is chambered for 28 Nosler

I was unclear. I apologize. I mean do you know who bought Montana Rifle Company?

I do not. Sorry

I had my .500 MDM built with a left handed Montana long action. Good for a couple of elephants and a bear.

Now the website changed again and says

" BUSINESS CLOSURE NOTICE "

This is just a guess, but it sounds like the buy did not go through. I hate this bc I always had in the back of my mind building a 358STA on their action.

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
Now the website changed again and says

" BUSINESS CLOSURE NOTICE "

The new owner(s) got too picky about who'd they do business with. I had previously bought several actions over the years. I e-mailed the 'new' MRC about buying several actions along with my FFL attached, as I knew it'd been long enough since my last purchase that a new copy would be required. I received a reply in the form of several attachments. There were 3 pages of forms that they wanted me to fill out before "allowing" me to buy from them. Evidently, my FFL and tax permit were not enough. Someone forgot to tell them we are in a "buyers market" when it comes to firearms.

Sad but you could see this coming. They had a quality product and then their quality control and customer service started tanking to the point that people were uncomfortable spending money on their product. There are a lot of great choices out there now for quality actions and rifles. Too bad, their action when right was a nice action.

Even when at there best you would be better to wait and find The Extreme Weather M70. I have both and the Winchester is a better finished, better barreled gun. The MRC does have the old style adjustable M70 trigger, but to be honest, for a hunting gun the new Winchester trigger is perfect for me. My 2 Cents.