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Contemplating an all-weather rifle project (stainless action and barrel & synthetic stock), probably in 338-06. Seems like the costs would be comparable using either a Winchester 70 Classic stainless or Montana 1999 stainless action. Would not be doing the work myself. Which action would you choose and why? Interested in your thoughts. Thanks. | ||
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I bought a M1999 action and at one point had two on order. The first one that came was so roughly finished that I canceled the second action. There is no way I would bother with one. I sold the first one for $250 and I am glad its gone. You could buy a new Kimber Montana in 338 Federal and get a finished rifle right now with all the features of a M70 and more. Thats what I would do. Get the 'power' or optic that your eye likes instead of what someone else says. When we go to the doctor they ask us what lens we like! Do that with your optics. | |||
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I just got a left hand, SS, std length, std boltface M1999 and am quite pleased with the action so far. Lot's less effort than tracking down a use lefty M70.  Aut vincere aut mori | |||
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You'd do well with either one, but I like the Montana just a little better. I have three; two lefties that I bought to build rifles for myself and one stainless right handed that I bought on spec. All three are finely finished and straight as an arrow. The bolts are finishe a lot better than any of the Model 70s I saw come out of the factory the last 5 or so years of their production. John Farner If you haven't, please join the NRA! | |||
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I have no complaints with my MRC 1999.....but I'd use a M-70 if there was a choice simply because I am a M-70 fan! /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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Both are great actions, but I'd go for the M70. If for no other reason the resale may be higher for the M70. Lou **************** NRA Life Benefactor Member | |||
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I've never owned a M-70. Several years ago, I had a .375 Taylor built on an early M-1999 action. My gunsmith had only seen one other Montana and was not impressed with that one. He said mine was much better. I had to replace a sloppy extractor, but that action is still the slickest one I own. MKane160 You can always make more money, you can never make more time...........LLYWD. Have you signed your donor card yet? | |||
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I think a case can be made for either action, it really comes down to personal preference. The M1999 is investment cast (like the Ruger), the M70 is not (forging?) - to some people this seems a matter of great importance. To me, it matters more that actions are dimensionally sound - the basis for a well shooting rifle. The M1999 is probably a tad heavier than the M70, and in general the M1999 is probably not the first choice for a light weight gun. Mind you, a Rem M700 is lighter than either, so maybe that would be the way to go if finished weight is of importance. What can't really be argued, is that the gas handling system of the M1999 is superior to that of the M70. Whereas the M70 seems to be designed to contain gas, the M1999 is designed to vent it. It not only has the much bigger gas ports on the bolt (compared to the M70), but the M1999 fixes the problem with gas escaping down the left raceway and (potentially) into the eye of the shooter. The M70 really does not shine particularly bright in terms of gas handling. Some people complain about the finish of the M1999 as it comes from the factory. The new owners of MRC has claimed to want to improve finish. The orginal M1999 was designed to be a basis for gunsmith improvement, although it was fully useable as it was. Besides, what can you expect for the price? The M1999 is actually a pretty low cost piece of gear, and, I think, good value for the $$$, but don't expect to get a Dakota M76 for a quarter of the price... - mike ********************* The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart | |||
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I own two rifles built on a MRC action, both are left handed stainless. One is a 35 Whelen and the other is a 458 Lott. I like the actions so much I just ordered the wife a stainless shorty for a .308. And I am selling her Kimber Montana to fund the new rifle if that tells you anything. My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost. | |||
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Please explain how a M1999 in 308 will be a better rifle for a lady than a Kimber Montana? Get the 'power' or optic that your eye likes instead of what someone else says. When we go to the doctor they ask us what lens we like! Do that with your optics. | |||
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Easy. The MRC holds five down instead of four. Plus it will carry a McMillan stock built for my wife instead of her shooting the longer LOP of the Kimber. It will also wear a custom barrel. Even in 7mm/08 the light weight of the Montanna causes my wife grief when she shoots it. Add the fact the MRC has the bullet proof designed trigger system of the M70. I really do not know why people have such a love affair with the Kimbers. I am selling my wife's. Wanna buy it? However I do admit if I could of found her a short action stainless M70 action I would of started the project with it instead of the MRC. My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost. | |||
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Add to Snowwolf's statements the fact that the MRC 99 has a flat bottom and integral recoil lug as advantages of a M70 style receiver over the Kimber. | |||
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Snowwolfe has some good points...of course it depends on what you are looking for. The Kimber Classics are really light. 5 1/2 lbs. The entire kimber action is built around being a short action. The mag box is minimal length. The MRC short action is reasonably heavy and truth be told it is closer to a std Mauser action in that the mag box is 3.125 long. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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Five shots instead of four! I only load three, thats enough. It would be a lot easier to shorten the Kimber stock. To be frank both are good guns but I prefer the Kimber. Good luck. Get the 'power' or optic that your eye likes instead of what someone else says. When we go to the doctor they ask us what lens we like! Do that with your optics. | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Gunsmithing Win 70 or Montana 1999, which to use?
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