I have ordered two of the new Montana 1999 Profesional Hunter Modle. They predict that they will be manfactured and shiped next fall. Thw action will handle any round between ,375 H&H and .505 Gibs. The bolt face options are .534, .604, and .648. I plant to hunt Africa and Alaska. One or both will be open sights only. I would like some help with cartrige choice. I have allways wanted a .460 weatherby, but the .416 weatherby, .505 gibs, .500 jeffry. .495 A Square or 500 A Square are also interisting. Also how heavy would build them, I don't want a muzle break. Thanks

When you say "next fall", do you mean this year? Last I heard they were looking at spring 2006. About 3 weeks ago, I was interested in a Montana PH action, until I realized I would have to wait that long just to get an action.

I had decided to put my money towards a CZ Magnum action with the Rigby boltface instead. Brownell's has them for $600 and low change. Then, I could have a complete rifle by the same time that Montana starts making actions.

Sorry, I was just expressing my opinion on the action. Some folks are more patient than I. As far as the cartridge choice, I do not have any experience with any of them yet. But, in my uneducated opinion, I would get at least a .458 caliber rifle. I am getting that CZ action for a 450 Rigby or 470 Mbogo, have not made up my mind yet. I believe from reading other threads in this forum, a couple are shooting a 500 A2 with a rifle weight of at least 10#, maybe 12#, if not more.

I would say get a .375 and .505 built. THe other rounds get to be too close in size to the .500 bores to justify two rifles, unless you are just wanting two rifles for the sake of having them. I would not take two rifles in similar calibers on a trip-one is enough to keep up with.

As for the action, you may have plenty of time to plan this out. THere is no telling when these will actually be made, IF they ever will be made. THey were going to be made "in a few more months" for several years now. If you actually have a hunt planeed, all I can say I would pick another action and get to work on the rifles. Custom rifles take a LOOOOOONG time to have made made to begin with, without having to wait another 2-5 years for an action that may NEVER be delivered will add to the cost of the rifles, add to anxiety, subtract from time in your life when you will have the rifles, and cause most people to phone their custom gunmaker every week to check on progress. Their prediciton of "next Fall" istotally menaingless. Just something for you to consider

That action cries out for a 470 mbogo or a 550 magnum (as the express can fit in the current model)

I have one "on order" and I'll be damn pleased when it comes in... I have ZERO on the line if it never does, and I am not holding up any project for it.


take it from JEFFE that you do not want to build a 500 JEFFE-ry... i have... fir$t$ it i$ the reamer print.. there i$ three. Then it$ the bra$$, then it$ the feeding ($hit that wa$ a pain)

A far far easier path is the 500 a2/510 wells and/or the 550 express or magnum (2.65 or 3" version)

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
I have one "on order" and I'll be damn pleased when it comes in... I have ZERO on the line if it never does, and I am not holding up any project for it.
jeffe

This is the sensible way of getting into this charter program - it can happen when it happens.

The important thing is, that you should not be standing round waiting and wringing your hands if the action does not show up in October, November or whenever. Compared to other options, the actions offered in the charter program are great value, and knowing MRC, if and when they start the program, they'll also finish and deliver what they have promised. But you would be making a serious mistake, if you count on the action showing up in time for the rifle to be ready for a particular date. If you are not the patient type, this is not the program you'll want to be in. If, however, you can enjoy the idea that you'll be able to build these rifles at some point in time, then go for it. No point in getting uptight about the way these programs work, decide whether they are for you and play or get out.
- mike

I've got 4 Montana Rifleman PH actions on order. If they ever materialize I think it could be a great action for the home gunsmith.
I also would not consider this action for any hunt that I have planed. I would fear having a trip and no rifle to use. So if you have a hunt planned or in the planning I would suggest that you look elsewhere for a suitable action. CZ if the logical alternative but there are several other options for a big bore project. I like the Granet Mountain action but there are others. Leave your order either way. It’s a great deal at the introduction price and selfishly your order helps move the production along.
For a caliber choice, stick to the cartridges that REQUIRE an action that large. I would break it down to an everyday hunting gun and a stopper.
The stopper needs to have a big bullet going anywhere from 2100 to 2500 fps. IMO that means a 500 cal and up. I would opt for either a 550 mag or the 600 OK. The 600 is a great case design and if the rifle is built correctly recoil is tame at 2100 fps and violent at 2400fps. A 900 gr bullet @ 2200fps is an ideal stopper. The 550 mag is a close second IMO. Either would do the job. I have yet to shoot the 550 mag but on paper it has what it takes and one will be in my collection soon. One advantage to the 550 is that you can shave 2 lbs off the weight and still keep the recoil at a tolerable level.
For an every day walking around rifle, that requires the large action, the 416 Rigby or 416 wby stands out. The Weatherby doesn’t need to be hot rodded. Load it to 2500 fps and go hunting. The 416 Rigby is as classic Africa as you can get. Either would be good choice.
Whatever you decide have fun. The sense of accomplishment and the joy of taking a rifle you built hunting or to the range has to be experienced. - John

I hope they do make these things one day. I want to see how the dovetailed lug works out. Do any other actions have this arrangement?

All of them have the dovetail-shaped left bolt lug.