Nice rifle. It sounds like a superbly crafted mountain rifle. Maybe I could sell ALL my rifles and afford the Ridgeline and a nice scope.... Or buy 2 Weatherby Mark V's and a nice scope for one of them!

other than being a quality made gun, not cheaply made crap that mostly shoots well but break if put through some real adventure..
:P

These "Rifles of Interest" posts are becoming increasingly harder to read. Owning such fine guns is a pipe dream that may forever remain exactly that. I'm a graduate student, which means I make the equivalent of jack-sh*t, and my chosen profession is by no means as financially rewarding as I would like. However, I highly enjoy the articles Keep'em coming, so I can keep adding to my "Lottery Guns" list.

Petersen's Hunting did a nice work-up of the NEW Win. Model 70. Seems like a superb rifle from all accounts.

Why would anyone compare this to a Savage? Some of us don't want a stinking Savage. We shot them as boys and they were the biggest POS made. Why would I give them a chance now? Just saying, go sell Savage somewhere else.

Can a guy handle these before he plunks down the cash?

I have stated previously that I have long admired these Montana Rifles. I have never owned one but have shot and handled several. Each and every one was indeed very impressive insofar as workmanship and function. Check one out and you will notice several differences between it and a Savage. If you perceive the difference in value it is your decision as to which you prefer.

Thanks for the web link, Dave. I'm of the opinion that if one merely wants a very reliable very accurate shooter then one can go OTC with Savage or Winchester (FN ones), and one SHOULD go with one if you're settling for a synthetic stock. In my view, great functional qualities should be standard in **any** firearm. To get my upgrade money there has to be obvious visual appeal as well.

Given that -- Montana Rifles "Woodland" is a real beaauty with the kind of walnut that gets my eye.
Can you review one of those?

Nice rifle, wouldn't dream of owning one, but nice. I personally don't think over the counter rifles today are as far behind custom jobs as the price indicates.

Well, it seems to LOOK like a production gun, but the devil is in the details as DP points outs.
I know it seems to be a refined,"hand made" weapon, but for around $3000 do ya think they could put a nice piece of wood on it?

Some people like to own expensive guns. Some people think it's a waste of money (given the quality of out of the box guns today).

The average guy can't shoot as well as most out of the box guns are capable of and will never wear it out. But to each their own.

Sako just came out with their new rifle, the A7, that is guaranteed to shoot 5 shot MOA groups. The rifle is less than a thousand dollars. Looks like the Savage lovers in search of an upgrade now have one.

I like looking at custom guns because I like to anticipate the 'trickle down' effect; what the custom guys are doing today the factories will be doing in a year or two. But right now, I don't have $3000 to spend on a rifle. If I had $3000 for guns right now, I could buy enough (additional) guns to meet any reasonable need I'd have for a lifetime of shooting.

I agree, Beekeeper. Unless and until any gunmaker turns out a left hand model, has my interest. No lefty models, no interest.

Fancy rifles may catch my eye, but accurate rifle catches my undivided attention, especially the 03-A3 I have.

Feels so good holding it, Slick, accurate and so sweet!!!!

Dangit Dave my ER Shaw gun is still at least 7 months from delivery and here you go selling something else. And look at the squabble it caused over expensive versus cheap. Guess the job requires you to move on to other things. BTW I did look at 3 Coopers on the rack at my local gun shop and like you said they are very impressive.
Beekeeper, My son Aaron is also wrong handed and no doubt feels your pain.

While a 911 crushes almost any car in almost every category, this rifle doesn't outshine the new M70s (or a Sako A7, or some Savages [some will outshoot the A7, both can shoot with or better than this thing]) to the same degree, so I can sympathize with the comparisons and complaints, they are very valid.

This is no doubt an overall superior rifle to the aforementioned, but is it 3 times as good? Is it 2 or 3 times as good as a Shaw custom?

That said, if I had 3k to blow on a new rifle, I would probably not think twice about blowing it on this one.

OK well maybe I would think twice about the 3 perfectly good rifles, or the one good rifle with great scope and great binoculars I could have had instead...

Actually, I thought that the "Shaw Rifle with feck" was just as pretty and shoots just as well. That's a glorified Savage, and also American made. Diferent strokes, different folks.

Mike Diehl, I'm with you, save a boat load of money and get a savage and a tube of toothpaste, take the metal out of the stock, coat the bolt with toothpaste and work her good, when it gets sticky drip a little water on it and work some more, polishes the bolt and lugs up real nice. Wash it off well with HOT water, dry and oil. Repeat if not smooth enough for you.
Worked like a dream on one of the roughest actions I've ever seen, a Norinco JW-15 22 rifle, I used Crest, others should work well too. Also stoned the trigger to slick and lighten it, I do not recommend this if you do not know what you are doing though as too much can produce a dangerous rifle that goes off when looked at cross eyed!

Now if it had a beautiful wood stock it would be worth more to me for the beauty of it, but based solely on function I cannot justify an extra $2000 or so dollars for accuracy that can be gotten for much less. If I ever spent that much money I'd expect one ragged hole at 100 Yds as a minimum. Assuming i did my job.

Refering to the stock on this gun as just another "synthetic stock" is almost sinful. Hold a McMillian, Lone Wolf, etc stock in one hand and a standard production black plastic stock in the other. If you can see and feel the difference in quality you might need to check your pulse.

I don't like blind magazines, detachable clips for bolt guns, cheap synthetic stocks, Weatherby style stocks, or winged safties. I have tryed to force them on myself but always felt that there were better choices so I went back to what I prefer. Like my gunsmith says "if you scope costs twice what you paid for your rifle you will never regret it." Given what some rifles cost today this may not always hold true but you no doubt get the idea anyway.

yah, well, custom rifles are great for people earning $$$,$$$ cubic dollars. but for us regular folks, who hunt one season a year, close to our own homes, a $500-$1000.00 rifle (with scope and ammo) is just fine. the overwhelming majority of these "cheap junk guns" will do very well indeed when it comes down to their intended purpose. which is, killing game animals at a reasonable distance (say less than 400 yards). these custom made, $2000 to $500,000.00 guns are for the few elite who either hunt for a living, of to shove down other peoples throats to show how "well to do" they are. i can certainly understand you atraction to these fine firearms. you get to touch and feel them quite often. and it is your job to write about such things. but honestly, how many of us working stiffs do you think are going to put off buying the necessities in life for a high end gun? especially since it will sit in the gun safe for the majority of the year collecting dust!

Elmer F.-- I like your post. There have been uncountable legions of game killed with "Cheap Junk Guns". Alas poor Dave has been spoiled like a bad child and will forever be cursed as a fondler of fine expensive guns, never being able to truly acknowledge that cheap guns often shoot just as good as those that cost 6 more.

C'mon Del. Give us left-handers a break.

Quahog

Thanks! How could I have missed that in RIFLE? I get that every month. Duh...

As an engineer, I can comment that investment casting done correctly and forging, again, done correctly will both produce acceptable receivers for bolt rifles. I'm not sure if one is really superior to the other. I think the key phrase is "done right". Investment casting may have the advantage in manufacturing QA and cost management.

from duckcreekdick wrote 3 min 45 sec ago
"a truly fine gun nourishes the soul of a man as does no cheap made-only-to-sell-at-a-price model." (author unknown)

The author was probably D. Petzal.......;)

Easy NC30/06, Montana offers their rifles in lefty models, short and long action, blue and stainless. Their short action is actually "Mauser Length", ample room for a the likes of a .257 Bob! For all you folks bitchin' about the price of the synthetic model, the wood stocked wonders are actually cheaper!

Isn't it wonderful we have so much to choose from as gun nuts and rifle loonys!

Beekeeper, don't get me wrong. I am not griping or mad. Just kidding about the "wrong-handed" remark. Hey I own some right-handed rifles/shotguns too. Having guns that don't throw them in your face is just as good for us as it is for the right-handers. Love them all.

Not been on the Blg for about 3 weeks; did take a few days off. Know little bou the Montana rifle other than the high cost. To me the 700 CDL custom Shop ia all the gun I need. AS most off you know 99% of all custom guns buit aroun the Model 70 or Model 700, throw in a fe Mausers and you cover them all. I cannot believe the Montana is any better. I hunt the Rockies yearly and my experience with the 700 servesme well. Plus it will put 2 shots into 2" at 200 yds all day using the Scirocco ammo of which is now in shot supply. Went to Bass and not a box on the shelf. I will just continue to use he 700's and hunt a tad more. Never liked the Mauser action of the 70's as can;t drop one in the chamber, with he 700 you can do as mot of you know. Will save the extra l000.00 bucks and pay for my licenses in the West. With ll the firearms that Bass had, nothing jumped out and said buy me. However the R/C Venture i a nice loking syn stocked gun, compares with the Marlin Xl7 but cost twice as much. Shoot um-straight and often providing you can buy the ammo of which supplies are very low.

Why would I need a POS montana rifle when I can buy a NULA for the same price or less and have a real rifle.

There will always be praise for affordable rifles that perform well; they demonstrate good value. The leaders of the pack, the top of the pyramid, exist because the easily overlooked details have been addressed. I agree, a rifle that costs this much MUST be intelligently designed and assembled, and must deliver top-notch accuracy for its purpose. Candidly, I don't anticipate a time when $2,900 rifle will comfortably my budget, but every example of superior workmanship teaches us a lesson or two. Some of the best examples of custom gunsmithing that I have seen have been executed on M98 Mauser variants, but it's difficult to choose a better paragon for a hunting rifle than an "improved" or refined Model 70 design. I look forward to an opportunity to examine a Montana Rifle, and I'd be delighted to try one in the field.

Well, I'm nothing if not opinionated! I think that the Model 70 design (pre-64 type) makes for the best action on this earth if it's properly executed. Winchester's New Haven plant was a quality control nightmare before it closed down; a Model 70 Safari Express had a stock with an improperly inletted barrel channel, and it shouldn't have looked like a family of inebriated porcupines did the inletting for what I paid for it! I will tell you this: every serious hunter deserves ONE really good rifle! The typical American wife will be dribbling out the family's income on shoes and clothes and "cute things" for the house, and if the husband doesn't assert himself he will be hunting with Wal-Mart crap until his dying day. Lastly, that tan stock is uglier than Rosie O'Donnell in a roomful of sober men!

I'm glad, though, that someone is making the "Model 70" the way it should be made, with tight tolerances and a match-grade barrel. However, if it has an investment cast receiver, I'd pass on it. For that kind of money I want a forged receiver, or one machined from pre-heat-treated bar stock! Investment casting doesn't cut it for me . . . not since an investment cast Dan Wesson revolver broke apart at the top strap and recoil shield! Investment casting = cheapening of the product. I don't want that on a custom or semi-custom rifle!

I wish Montana lots of luck . . . I just hope they don't use investment casting!

Gunslinger

Welcome back to the blog. Had not seen your mug on for a few weeks and was worried about you! Glad to see you back online to get some of these whippersnapper's back in line! I'm going to load the last of my 165 Scirocco's up for a kid who works with me since he can't find any at the stores for his .308 Win. I have plenty to make do myself. Seems like the ammo supplies are loosening up around here to some extent.

Best regards

BTW, the top strap of a magnum revolver is not the ideal candidate for any type of casting, done right or not.

W A Mtn Hunter: Thanks for your reply. Was not aware many guys missed me. Ws kinda under the weather a while and then went to the Beach for a couple of Weeks. Didme good, do feel better, or could be that Hunting seson getting closer. We here in NC got 3 extsrs weeks this year. Begins NOv. 8th for 2 weeks of B/P then till Jan. 2nd for rifle or whatever you desire. As for Ammo shortage, went to Bass and their shelves we almost empty. Not a single box of Sciroccos in any Caliber available. I got a few boxes, but would buy more if can find locally. I did see the new T/C Venture at Bass with the Syn stock. Looks like the MArlin XL& but twice as expensive, but at 595.00 not bad.Sure beats 2900.00 for the Montana. I got a custom job on a Mauser action, its my show and tell tell, hate to hunt with it. So untill some body with many bucks comes along, will just wipe and show. I don;t like the Mauser action period. Just me I suppose, but I like the option to drop a shell directly into the chamber.Again, as most know my feelings, the 06 will kill anything in NA othr than the Griz/Brownie, and if were hunting them would surely have a back up guy with a Cannon.I do carry my 44-40 as a side arm, but doubt would kill a GRIZ unless shot in mouth. Looks as if we got a foodcrop of W/T;s here, have seen many nice bucks. We plan to plant our food plots Monday for the Nov. Dec, hunting, I prefer a late crop of millow and Beans for the deer.Got a couple good stories plan to write soon, but will wait a few days.Should entice these younger guys what rifles will/will not do. Hey my Daughter has a new pre 64 I just scoped/mounted for her and sighted in at l50 yds for her. Has a 6" eye relief scope by Bushbell. Me, I prefer the Nikon but she's small frame and needs long eye relief.Time to begin tp pratice now, a few ground hogs need takeing out, the MArlin Bolt 22 Win Mag does a good job on them with a 50 mm scope. Chat later. Shoot-um-straight and often.

Good to see ya back Gunslinger!

Look fellows, If you want a Montana,BUT IT, If you want a Savage,BUY it. I'll stick with my Remm.

Gunslinger-
Glad you are back and the beach did you good. Please write the stories ASAP! Can't wait!

Mike Diehl,
I'm wondering if there was a missprint in Montana's website. Why would the Woodland be $900 cheaper than the Wilderness and at least $500 cheaper than any of the synthetics?

True story about me: I was on my first ever deer hunt (200 miles south)no deer in my immediate area then and had a new 30-30. When arrived found out shotguns only. BAck in the early 50's the new cloths were your farm work cloths and I carried a pair of Coveralls to wear over my regular cloths. As it often happens, Nature called and I had to get those Coveralls down and then my pants. My gun was near by. About mid-way thru my chore a huge buck appeared 40 yds away in a trot. I tried to get those covrealls up so could shoulder the gun, but no luck, so I just got the gun about waist level and fired ( a dble bbl) deer went down and then back up headed south of me,I fired again but to no avail. Trailed the deer to the river and saw his tracts enter, deer got away. So I've not worn a pair of Coverall's since for any outside job. Looking back is funny, me with cloths l/2 on and shooting a borrowed gun. Since that day only a single bbl gun has gone with me in Auto. Use my dbles on birds only,. but not on deer. Got a few more true stories, will be send ing now and then as time permits and space. Shoot=um-straight and often.Forgot I was l8 yrs old and had never seen a live deer before. Growing up on a Tobacco farm, I did hunt rabbits, squirels with a l6 ga s/b shotgun till this hunt came up, bought the Winchester 94 for 49.95, which was a weeks work in l952. O how I wish I had keep that 94, but could not afford the Rem Auto and the 94.Will tell you my experience with the 94 on another hunt later. I wrote my Autobiography about hunting 2 ys ago, refining it now, hoping to get it published soon in a major magazine,My life has been ups and down, even with my disabilities and age. But have had lots of enjoyable experiences and will share them little by little. Providing you guys enjoy them. Bedtime now for old man.

Very cool gun plus I love the name... but I dont ever plan on buying one... I'll stick to my Winchester model 70's.

WA hunter: You will be suprised how handy they are plus have other uses as well. Being in my un-healthy condition, not suppose to lift over 10 lbs, the Come- a long is a life saver. Son adn I constructing a rolling ground bling that is 8 x l2 feet. We plan to use it as a cabin also when winter arrives. Got gas heater and will add hang up/drop down cots on walls for sleeping and got a Coleman propane stove for heating food and coffee. Next best thing to a hore back pack in for me, Really looking forward to that faze of my Son and My outings. We've hunted together for 42 yrs and pray will be a few more left. I really want to get another Elk and a Lope, hopefully can hunt NE Montana for Lopes and Missoula ( Lolo Pass) really at Florence on West side of major highway on a private ranch for Elk next year. Sadly when young adn major expenses I did not plan on these hunts when was working and making a good living. If was 40 ys old, would own some prperty out in the Rockies and hunt and trout fish till fell over. But thats 20-20 again. Take care,chat agai soon. Few more stories I will relate as they come to me.Nw got to zero this Marlin in for 200 yds and get ready for here. May yet file for KY for Elk if I continue to imrove. Only cost l5.00 to apply,non . . When we return to the Rockies, my Grandaughter 's husband has a new Duley Desil with a top cover a 4 door job we plan to take and stay up high on the ranch and catch the elk coming up after sunrise. If mind don;t change, have flown my last time carrying firears and hunting cloths,cost me $510 bucks round trip last year for luggage+ plane tickets of near lK bucks. to Missoula and back to Charlote, N.C. Airlines are a rip off now, no food unless spend l0 bucks for a cold cut sandwich, do serve a tad of coffee or cold Drink.Just hope am able to go and can afford the rip. In addiion to all my other health problems, I now have Position Vertigo or in medical terms Miners Disease.Ok gone for now. Take care.

it seems as though accuracy is still being neglected by all of these new custom guns. To me, what 's the point in spending that much $$ on a rifle that won't shoot any better than an off the shelf Icon, 700, 110....?