The Accurate Reloading Forums
Montana PH actions
14 March 2009, 05:52
22WRFMontana PH actions
Anybody get theirs yet?
14 March 2009, 06:36
500 FanI spoke with Jeff last week and he was waiting on results from one more test and he said he wanted to start shipping them next week.
The display of PURE POWER is nothing short of AWESOME !
1 JOHN 3:18
14 March 2009, 15:46
Rodney H.{500Jeffery}Outstanding 500 Fan, thats great news.
Rodney.
14 March 2009, 20:53
eezridrAre the PH actions milled from cast or forged blanks?
14 March 2009, 21:42
tiggertateThey are cast at Pinetree Casting, the Ruger-owned company that casts almost all (maybe all) firearm parts in the USA. Good quality stuff.
I have two short actions now and two PH actions on order. My impression is that MRC designs with substantial safety margins. Their short action is really "intermediate" and their long action could sensibly be called a "magnum" action.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
15 March 2009, 08:24
Idaho Sharpshootertigger,
do you think you could build a 300WM-length cartridge on that action?
Rich
Buff Killer
15 March 2009, 20:19
tiggertateNot on the short action "as is"; I don't think it has enough bolt travel. But it's perfect for the longer "short" cases based on the 7x57. You can build a 6MM Rem or 257 Bob or a 9.3 x 57 and still seat bullets way out there.
I measured it once against a CZ 550 Magnum action and IIRC it was only a quarter inch shorter overall and damn near as heavy. They're built like tanks. As far as opening one up to standard magnum length, I haven't looked at that.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
16 March 2009, 06:33
Idaho Sharpshootertiggertate,
what I really want out of life (this week, besides a return trip to ZIM) is a nice 26" barreled 6,5x68. Just trying to figure out if an oal of 3.5" would fit in the mag and feed properly.
Rich
Buff Killer
16 March 2009, 17:14
tiggertateRich, after measuring the action I can say with complete confidence that I don't know if it'll work.
There is room to open one to the rear but at 3.16, I'm not sure you can get enough. Looks like it all has to go to the rear and the ejector and bolt stop/release would be the deciding factor.
For the same price as the extra work, you can probably just get a standard length MRC.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
24 March 2009, 19:45
22WRFsame question. Anybody get theirs yet?
24 March 2009, 20:10
Rodney H.{500Jeffery}Any updates on these?
Rodney.
24 March 2009, 20:16
tiggertateI sent them a notice of change of email address last week. Included in their acknowlegment was the comment that they were very close to shipping. Nothing specific, though.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
24 March 2009, 23:34
trophyhunter5000I'm expecting to receive mine on April 1st...
______________________
Sometimes there is no spring...
Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm...
25 March 2009, 03:55
fritz454I traded emails with Jeff last week. It seems that there was an issue with heat treating that has set the project back 4 months. He believes that it is resolved as of now and is having another 10 actions heat treated before sending off the whole lot of them just in case. The ten are all CM gibbs size bolts. If all goes well he'll send out the 10 to the first ten with CM gibbs sized bolts and send all the others out for HT. I have 3 CM gibbs sized actions ordered but asked him to skip over me so that three of you will get your actions sooner.
I've been in manufacturing for 35 years and these issues come up especially on new runs. HT is a big safety issue that Jeff wants to be certain all is well before sending them on to all of us.
We should be glad he is so dilligent making sure the actions are safe. Some manufacturers would send off as is and hope. I know I've seen it happen. If something went wrong they would pass the buck to the smith.
I think we are close to getting them in our hands. Jeff will email me when he gets the ten test actions back and give me a time frame for the balance. I will let all of you know as soon as that happens. John
25 March 2009, 05:22
22WRFFritz
I might buy that logic if things were different, but to this company who has been making actions for quite a few years now these shouldn't be as you say "new runs". Basically, all thats different is the size of the action. Nothing else different about them as far as I know. So why should they be having a "heat treating" problem? Doesn't make sense.
I certainly am happy that they care about the safety issues. I just don't believe thats what is going on here. How could they be making all of their other actions with no heat treating issues, but all of a sudden have heat treating issues with these pm actions. Don't they use the same heat treater. Aren't these pm actions the same steel.

25 March 2009, 05:38
fritz45422wrf
You are certainly a cynic. Yes things are different when you scale up or down an item. With a larger action you need to add more heat which can lead to warping. That’s one of many things that can effect changes when going larger in size.
I was attempting to up date people to what I was told there is no need for you to jump on me for that. If you can't be nice please don't respond to my posts.
25 March 2009, 05:45
Rodney H.{500Jeffery}Wow, four more months. Think I got in on these close to six years ago. Guess I'm gonna have to call them myself and findout where mine is in all this. Haven't complained yet but now I'm getting a little discouraged here, just a little. Rodney.
25 March 2009, 05:48
GeoffM24another delay, sigh.....
25 March 2009, 05:51
GrandpasezThe PH actions are the same good steel,
but being much thicker when cooled they
had problems as they didn't cool evenly
the first way the heat treat company did
them. So they had to do them another way that
added some extra steps and time.
I know from the extra care Jeff and company
is putting into the PHs, to do this right, that
PHs will be bullet proof. And I will test in PH,
a couple of my blue pill type 700H loads to
show you all the safety of the PH and my 700H.
My barrel is all ready contoured and chambered,
ready to headspace, so is stock.It will fire
two days after I get it.Ed
MZEE WA SIKU
25 March 2009, 06:19
trophyhunter5000Looking forwar to your results Ed
My barrel is just sitting here waiting
Every time I see it I just can't wait to get that Ph action to have my very own 700 H up and running...
I'm glad MRC is taking the time to make sure...
It'll be worth the wait...
______________________
Sometimes there is no spring...
Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm...
25 March 2009, 06:40
22WRFquote:
Originally posted by fritz454:
22wrf
You are certainly a cynic. Yes things are different when you scale up or down an item. With a larger action you need to add more heat which can lead to warping. That’s one of many things that can effect changes when going larger in size.
I was attempting to up date people to what I was told there is no need for you to jump on me for that. If you can't be nice please don't respond to my posts.
Fritz
My Thread. If you don't like a little discussion then please don't respond to my posts.
25 March 2009, 06:48
jeffeossoquote:
Originally posted by 22WRF:
Anybody get theirs yet?
no, and John told you why
quote:
Originally posted by 22WRF:
Fritz
My Thread. If you don't like a little discussion then please don't respond to my posts.
Kevin,
you started the thread, you don't have ownership.
25 March 2009, 06:52
22WRFJeffe
Okay!
Fritz
If You don't like a little discussion then please don't respond to my posts.
25 March 2009, 07:13
chuck375I'm probably calling up a firestorm (to put it politely) but why aren't you guys going with GMA magnum mauser actions? Are they not good? Are they too pricey? It seems like an awful long wait for the PH actions. Who makes the Empire Rifle Actions?
Regards,
Chuck
Regards,
Chuck
"There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit"
Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness"
25 March 2009, 07:22
22WRFChuck
One word. Money!!!!
25 March 2009, 07:29
RobgunbuilderMoney and it has issues.-Rob
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
25 March 2009, 07:33
GrandpasezTwo reasons-First- Money.
Second- Others not big enough for my 700H.Ed
MZEE WA SIKU
25 March 2009, 09:09
fritz454quote:
Originally posted by 22WRF:
quote:
Originally posted by fritz454:
22wrf
You are certainly a cynic. Yes things are different when you scale up or down an item. With a larger action you need to add more heat which can lead to warping. That’s one of many things that can effect changes when going larger in size.
I was attempting to up date people to what I was told there is no need for you to jump on me for that. If you can't be nice please don't respond to my posts.
Fritz
My Thread. If you don't like a little discussion then please don't respond to my posts.
It because of posts like yours that I stopped posting here. My mistake for thinking that civility and tolerance would prevail.
Rodney H.{500Jeffery} you have a PM
25 March 2009, 09:12
Charles_Helmquote:
Originally posted by fritz454:
It because of posts like yours that I stopped posting here. My mistake for thinking that civility and tolerance would prevail.
Rodney H.{500Jeffery} you have a PM
You have to separate the wheat from the chaff. Some people post a lot of chaff.
Personally, I am glad to see you posting.
25 March 2009, 15:01
trophyhunter5000Looking forwar to your results Ed
My barrel is just sitting here waiting
Every time I see it I just can't wait to get that Ph action to have my very own 700 H up and running...
I'm glad MRC is taking the time to make sure...
It'll be worth the wait...
______________________
Sometimes there is no spring...
Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm...
25 March 2009, 18:12
tiggertateAnother reason a delay like this can be four months is simply production scheduling. Just because a revised HT process is approved doesn't mean there is a current slot at the treater's to begin right away.
I've been waiting as long as anyone and for my part, I am more glad they want them done right than I am frustrated about delivery times.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
25 March 2009, 20:07
GeorgeSJohn,
Don't let a churlish lout deter you from posting here.
George
25 March 2009, 21:44
Idaho SharpshooterWhat George said, plus one!!
I've only been waiting three years, myself. I have done my 550 and 577 3" on Enfield actions, and they are workhorses to test theories. I am going to build one of the two CM actions in Ed's 585 HE, and am still pondering the other one. Part of the enjoyment is the consideration of what caliber to build on them. I also have a set of Dave Manson 475 Lott reamers...
Do I hear a collective "Hmmmmmmmmm..."?
Fritz, non illegitimus carborundum. I got your back with this little pissant. He is, after all, a 22rimfire in a room full of DG rifles here!
regards,
Rich
Buff Killer
25 March 2009, 22:06
fritz454Thanks George, Rich, Charles et all. I won't let one bad attitude dissuade me from posting. I was simply trying to pass on information that some may find helpful.
I truly feel that MRC has turned the corner on these and we will begin seeing the PH action in April 2009

. In any event Jeff is doing his best to finish these up and we need wait a bit more.
25 March 2009, 22:50
22WRFGeorge S, Idaho S.
You turn around and do the same sort of thing that Fritz complained I did. Okay for you to do it, but not for me? And George, its okay for Fritz to tell me not to post here (which if you read the posts he did first), but not okay for me to tell him the same thing?
"Anyone selling their charter PH action?"
Probably. I just lost interest.
25 March 2009, 23:01
GeorgeSKevin,
John said,
quote:
If you can't be nice please don't respond to my posts.
He did not say that you should not post here.
Judging you only by your posts, you have a chip on your shoulder that cannot be accounted for. It might simply be that your style doesn't translate well.
Re-read your own posts, and see whether they sound chippy to you, too.
George
25 March 2009, 23:06
tiggertatequote:
Originally posted by 22WRF:
George S, Idaho S.
You turn around and do the same sort of thing that Fritz complained I did. Okay for you to do it, but not for me? And George, its okay for Fritz to tell me not to post here (which if you read the posts he did first), but not okay for me to tell him the same thing?
"Anyone selling their charter PH action?"
Probably. I just lost interest.
Damn, I hate to add fuel to a pointless fire but I find your unwavering support of Blackburn (given your financial interest, even if circumspect) and your cynicism of MRC (a firm you will never profit from) confusing at best. Your unwavering support of the "little guy" like the early Hein posts seems to be somewhat lacking in MRC. Did they decline to retain you as company counsel?
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
26 March 2009, 00:22
500 FanI know it probably makes no difference to anyone but Jeff but I'm standing with him. Ruger came out with ads and supposedly prototypes 3 years before anyone had a Redhawk in their hands and I hav serial #304. Even if you have made actions for a long time it isn't just a snap of your fingers to do what they have undertaken. I'd rather wait 2-3 years and have it right if that's what it takes. I think anyone who thought this would be whipped up in six months is either ill informed or...
The display of PURE POWER is nothing short of AWESOME !
1 JOHN 3:18
26 March 2009, 00:32
bwanamrmquote:
Anyone selling their charter PH action?
I'd be interested in selling one or both of mine.... I ordered two of the stainless and paid for them close to a year ago.
Since then I built the .404 Jeff I wanted on a Model 70 RUM long action and am building a .505 Gibbs on a GMA action....
On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling
Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.
26 March 2009, 01:57
22WRFGeorge
Maybe a little, but surely not as much as Triggertate's last post which has absolutely no relevance to the topic at hand (Montana's PH action and delivery of same). These personal attacks on me seem to be allowed, whereas my initial language said nothing personal whatsoever against Fritz, but only attacked Montana's logic, and I stated why I believed that (because of the experience they had making this action in other sizes).
Fritz seems to have understood that as an attack on him, but how could it be because he was only repeating what Montana had told him, (it was Montana's logic I was attacking).
Morover, I don't see a problem in disagreeing with logic. I certainly didn't attack his person, nor did I attack his profession, nor did I attack his intelligence, or his stature in society, or his looks, or the way he sounded, or what his affiliations are with other folks who post on AR. I just said I disagreed with logic. I say that all day long in courts and nobody blinks an eye.