Found these new rifles from MRC today. Seems like a decent deal for a magnum-length LH rifle. Considering an AVR in 458 lott. Anybody actually handled one yet?

Basic info here:
http://www.montanarifleco.com/custom.rifles.html

After the broken promises they made and all the bullshit that MRC pulled over the years in bringing their actions to market, I will never buy any of their products.

George

If you do a Google search on the Internet, you will find that Montana Rifle actions are investment cast and thus are heavier and larger than if they were made of machined forged steel. The casting is said to be done under contract by Pine Tree, which is a subsidiary of Ruger and which also makes golf club heads for various manufacturers. The MRC actions are also said to be somewhat rough.

That's what they say, anyway, though I have never owned one or even handled one. Others may differ, but enough seem to have troubles. I wish I thought differently since the design and price seem sensible.

I have owned Ruger 77s in 30-06 and 338 Win Mag and sold them both since I did not like the handling and thought they were too bulky. Since that time I learned that they were made of castings, which would explain it. However, new versions may be better than the ones I owned in the 1980s.

In "Boston's Gun Bible," there is a somewhat lengthy discussion by a couple of sources that argues against investment cast actions, especially for dangerous game rifles. "Boston" also makes the same point in his book on African safaris.

While opinionated, I would say that I agree with their reasoning –– although I do not think that safety is a great concern. After all, they build them big.

Personally, these days I prefer LH 70s, although I did get one of those LH Serbian Zastava Mausers in the bulk order last year that I found through AR. I hear that the Serbs don't like us much, but they did deliver on the order. If I'm going to buy an action that needs polishing, I want a real Mauser forged one.

Thanks for the info guys. My go-to rifle for years has been a bone stock ruger mkII in 300WM, and I've never had any problems with it. Overall I like it, even if it is a bit heavy.

I've heard that the MRC actions are rough and need to be worked over a little bit from the factory.

I've got one of the LH Zastava 6.5's, and it seems like an outstanding action, and I may try and pick up a 375 to rebarrel if there's another order. Not really in a hurry to get something right now, just exploring options.

Over the last 7 years or so I bought 4 left handed stainless actions from MRC. Had my local smith install the barrels then I glassed them in a McMillan stocks. Two were 458 Lotts, one a 35 Whelen and the other is a 308 that is my wife's.


I like the actions. Only issue I ever had was one came with the incorrect bolt stop but MRC fixed it quick. They are a great choice for lefties especially since lefty Winchesters are getting expensive. I never found them to be rough and loved the Winchester 70 style trigger.

They would not be my first choice if I were trying to build a lighter weight rifle because they are on the heavy side. All my lefty stainless MRC's are gone now since I left Alaska but I would not hesitate to buy another if the need arose.

My comments pertain only to the actions, never seen one of their rifles first hand. But they are priced pretty reasonable.

I see they offer an ultra light rife around five pounds. I wonder how they get there. With cast metal you run the risk of finding a void while machining it down. Think they just toss those out and try another until they find one that works?

quote:

Originally posted by urbaneruralite:
I see they offer an ultra light rife around five pounds. I wonder how they get there. With cast metal you run the risk of finding a void while machining it down. Think they just toss those out and try another until they find one that works?

Might want to give them a call and ask them. My guess is NDI, non destructive inspection which is a sort of xray to reveal voids, cracks, etc.

I have two montana actions. One was finished by James Kobe and I am very happy with it. The other is in the safe waiting for a barrel. I think they are a good action for a lefty. The cast action problems mostly exist on the internet not in actual life.

Their website is enticing with lots of options for lefties. Whether they follow through consistently remains to be seen. I do sincerely wish them well. If you don't mind buying preowned there is a custom of exactly what you need on Guns International #100324072 built by Jim Brockmann of Idaho I personally vouch for his work. I am not associated in any way with the seller.

I'm just ordering one of their LH production guns in 458 Lott for a customer. I don't think he'll be complaining about the rifle being too heavy for that caliber. I have a LH short action in 300 WSM with a 28" barrel in a McMillan stock. Same issue on weight there. It's a long range gun that is carried little and fired from a rest. As for internet opinion against cast actions, those complaints are usually voiced by lawyers and others with nontechnical training who should keep their untrained opinions to themselves.