Mountain Rifle Opinions

NMdoghunter

NMdoghunter

New member
I am on the market for a high quality mountain rifle. I like the 300 WSM, but am willing to consider other calibers if good reasons present themselves. Weight and accuracy are the primary factors I have considered. This will likely be my big game hunting rifle for the rest of my life, so I want something that will last, but also looks decent.

I love the look and features of the the Kimber Montana, but have heard bad things about the QC and customer service.

I have looked into the SAKO Finlight find it very unattractive.

The Tikka Lite has plastic internals in the action and is unattractive as well.

I love weatherby's, but they don't offer a 300 WSM in a mountain rifle. Neither does Montana rifle company.

I am beginning to think I am going to have to go the the custom route to get what I want. ($$ OUCH $$)

I have looked at Oregunsmithing and Cooper Firearms and like what I see.

I have never built a custom rifle and wouldn't even know where to begin. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good production rifle, or a good custom rifle maker that can provide what I am looking for. I am open on action type, barrel, etc.

Thanks.
 
I love my kimber Montana in 300 wsm. Very accurate for the first few shots till the pencil barrel heats up. Very nice mountain rifle. Gonna grab one in 260 and 7mm wsm
 
I believe that the problems you are talking about were with the early guns and kimber has things straightened out now, or that is at least my understanding. Might want to check into it.
 
most of them are "light weight" easy packing in the hills.

some and most are SS or corrosion resistant

more suited to harsh conditions and lighter than normal basically....
 
Peruse the HS Precision website. They build an excellent mountain rifle. They start around 2700 and go up from there. Very very nice.
 
The Tikka is an amazing rifle. yeah it has some plastic parts but its lighter then any other gun i know of and mine shoots sub moa with one sweeeeeet trigger! Plus its affordable.

The only plastic parts inside the action are the magazine and the bolt shroud. You can buy an aftermarket aluminum bolt shroud. The magazine works fine. I hear one guy wore down the lips of the plastic mag after 5,000 rounds. By that time you need a new barrel anyways and you can pick up a new mag.

Team it up with a 1-4x or 2-7 and you are ready to go!

just remember that very light guns like you are looking at will kick very hard. Stay away from the magnums. I see a ton of tikka for sale used in magnum calibers and often they want to trade for something that kicks less.

a .270 or 7mm-08 t3 sounds ideal to me!
 
I have a Kimber Montana in 300wsm and it shot 190gr Bergers great. I shot a bull elk last year at 724 yds with it. The down side was the recoil, it was brutal. The mountain rifle idea was great until you spend some time at the range, its at the gunsmiths getting a 26" Lothar Walther that is 2 contours heavier and a 1 piece 20moa rail and bigger scope. Hoping it comes in at 8lbs with scope. My horse prob wont notice the extra 1.5-2 pounds.
 
i have two of the orginal model rem titanium mtn rifles. 30-06 and a 300 rsaum. the current alaskan models are heavier. the models coming that yotetwocall has a link to - looks more like the original.
 
We ordered two Montana 260's when they first came out. My firend's functioned fine, mine wouldn't eject fired cases. Wasn't impressed with their customer service when they asked if I knew how to operate a bolt action rifle. They did fix the problem and also upgraded the safety to the three position one. Can't be beat for carrying it up and down the mountain.
 
I had a Kimber Montana 300WSM for a couple seasons and never had any issues at all. It was fairly accurate but as was said it was hard on the shoulder. I did kill a couple critters with it and never felt the recoil that I can remember. Not a range gun for sure but a quite capable lightweight hunting gun. I sold mine during a divorce when cash was more improtant than a nice hunting gun. Wish I had it back.
 
I am now reconsidering the Kimber Montana. Has anybody else had any experiences with them, good or bad. I also like the 2012 Remington Mountain Rifle, but for that price, I am wondering if the Kimber isn't the better bet. Also, I've been considering the 270 WSM as I can shoot light bullets for antelope/deer, but can still push loads big enough for most big game in the lower 48. Maybe a hair less recoil as well. Any thoughts?
 
Things to consider about lite weight heavy hitters.I'll base mine on my KM 300WSM.....

** Nice finish and the stock is as tuff as they get.
** Not for the recoil shy gang.I'm border line with it on the bench.
** The lite barrel heats up fast and will print good groups if you let it cool between shots.
** CRF is a nice option.
** Carrys like a feather.
 
Originally Posted By: NMdoghunterI am now reconsidering the Kimber Montana. Has anybody else had any experiences with them, good or bad. I also like the 2012 Remington Mountain Rifle, but for that price, I am wondering if the Kimber isn't the better bet. Also, I've been considering the 270 WSM as I can shoot light bullets for antelope/deer, but can still push loads big enough for most big game in the lower 48. Maybe a hair less recoil as well. Any thoughts?

Not gonna be much less recoil with the 270 WSM. My hunting partner has one in a Sako Ultralight. His rifle is heavier than my Montana was but it will light you up on the bench.
 
I realy like the savage rifles, I am moving to alaska in a couple weeks and I think I am going to buy the new savage model 116 alaskan brush hunter in 375 ruger. Check them out it sounds like it mite fit the bill for you. They come in a few different calibers.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top