Sorry guys if this is a repeat - I've been away a while. The search engine didn't find this subject, but I may not have waded far enough upstream.

Does anybody have any firsthand reports on the Montana long actions? How's the fit and finish? How is the accuracy?

They reported today they have stainless long actions in stock. Are they delivering blue steel versions as well?

Any information would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Don G

Don,

There are multiple threads discussing the action and the progress to market over the last year. You should be able to find them with the search function.

I ordered two actions from them: one LH and one RH, both chrome moly standard length actions with magnum bolt face and H&H magazine boxes. The RH action was shipped and is now a .458 Lott. The LH action is still in the "real soon now" stage.

They are an excellent action for their price range.

jim dodd

I received an update today from Scot at MRC. The lefthanded actions are "trickling into the machine shop" but they don't expect to see any until the end of March.

Thanks,

I'll keep looking on the search engine.

How does your Lott shoot? What barrel did you use?

Don

Well, I spent a lot of time searching back for accuracy reports on Montana actions and/or Montana barreled actions.

I may still be missing them, but all I find is a lot of talk about availability/delivery and a very few issues of quality control and only one non-specific report on accuracy.

Surely some of these have been built up in the last few months and undergone accuracy testing.

Can anybody help me out?

Thanks,
Don

Hey Don,

I haven't seen any accuracy reports on the MRC 1999, but I may have missed some.

Did you see Bill Leepers's posts on the actions fit and finish?

Canuck

ps: Its nice to see you back, buddy!

I received my MRC rifle and barrel last month. I have a review posted on shortmags.org. One review is in the range report section and the other in WSM. Another member jsut received his MRC rifle also.
Overall I am pleased with the action and quality of it. Fit and finish was excellent for the price range. There are still some cast marks around the ejection port and other edges but not enough for me to worry about. Those should disappear when I get it NP3 coated.
Take a look in the photo gallery for pictures of the rifle. I did get some pretty good groups, especially considering I'm still breaking in the barrel and the weather wasn't exactly good for accuracy. (cold with 20-30mph winds.) Basically, I'm pleased with what I got.

Mike,

Thanks for the reply. I'm glad to hear that someone has actually been shooting them.

Canuck,

Yep I did see that post. I'd like to spend about 30 minutes talking to him about the actions!

It's good to be back. I hope I stay free long enough to hang around a while. Keeping my fingers crossed that Cupid's arrows relieve me of my problems!

Don

Don,

It seems a number of people have forgotten that there used to be two Don G's and are confusing you with Don G (DRG) the administrator! Oh how quickly we are forgotten, eh?

I've got my fingers crossed for you too, buddy. You have more than earned some time for yourself!

Cheers,
Canuck

Don

I just got back from visiting Dennis Olson in Plains, Montana who I consider a very, very good gunsmith. His name is synonymous with being as honest a person as any in the gunsmithing business today with any who I know have had personal experience with him.

When I walked in the door these actions are very evident in his shop. When asked what his overall opinion is, he expounded very favorably on them. He pointed out little things that could be done to further polish them, but he said the basic design and workmanship are top notch. Anyone who knows Dennis very well knows you don't very often get a lot of conversation out of him unless it is something special. He couldn't say enough good about these actions. When I asked what his customers had thought overall of them he said to his best knowledge everyone had been happy with them.If I had need of an action like any of the models MRC turns out today I would buy one in a heartbeat from what I saw today.

I also asked him if he thought that the PH action was worth waiting for or if I should investigate some other big actions being offered today. He proceeded to show me a couple different makes of actions that supposedly have the same features and what it takes to make one safe and reliable in his estimation. I won't mention who manufactured those two actions but I do know now for sure I am willing to wait for my PH action even if it is two years down the road and I have to pay for it up front a good share of that time. I am thoroughly convinced it will be worth the wait just from what I saw today of the present actions MRC is turning out. I am very favorably impressed with what MRC is able to do already as a fairly new manufacturer of actions. I look for even greater things in the future.

In response the question regarding accuracy:

Each Friday we test some completed rifles with factory ammo (where available). Last week's testing focused on some M1999 based rifles we had at the Shot Show. There was no tuning in any of these rifles. We simply bolted on the bases, boresighted, adjusted the scope accordingly and shot the groups. These barrels had no break-in and in some cases these are the first rounds down the barrel. Here are the results from 2/20/04:

The first is a 280 Rem Montanan


This one is a 270 Weatherby Serengeti


Next is a 300win mag Serengeti


Last from this test session is a 7mm Rem Montanan


This Friday we test .458 Lott Serengeti, 270 Wby Montanan, 30-06 Montanan, 7mm08 Ruger RS1.