Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles New here and have just got my 223 Montana...

Hi all,

First post here... I have been looking at the Camp Fire for awhile now, some great Montana info here. Just got my new 223 Montana a few weeks ago after a six month wait (in Australia) I have mounted a VX3 2.5-8x36 in Leaupold mounts...loaded up some 60 grain V Max and Varget, it shoots great with that load. Next I am going to try some 64 grain Nosler bonded if they shoot OK I will use them on pigs. The only thing I do not like about the new Montana is the crappy looking alluminium trigger guard, if any knows where I can purchase a stainless steel one please let me know..Cheers

ABrad,
Welcome to the 'Fire...you will find a lot of good information from the folks here.
Sounds like you have a nice rifle, good hunting.

Factory guard is steel, there's a member here who recently updated his thread in the classifieds selling an aluminum guard that shaves I believe close to 2 ounces off the weight.

I have liked my Montanas. They are nice rifles. Also the 64 grain Nosler bonded solid base has so far been an impressive bullet in my limited experience with it. My daughter shot a deer with that bullet from shoulder to opposite ham and it expanded well and exited while breaking a lot of bone.

Welcome to the'fire Brad

My 223 Montana is one of my favorite rifles (with thanks to the above poster, who I bought if trom). My trigger guard is nicely finished steel that matches the rest of the metal well.

What is it about the trigger guard you don't like?

On a side note, the 64 nosler is a killing machine, even at 22-250 speeds they broke both shoulders and exited on a few deer that we have shot. Don't overlook the 65 Sierra game king. It's a good killer with a better BC.

Mine is heavy steel, but recently people have been saying the newest ones have a lighter alloy guard that doesn't look that nice...as well as change to the trigger color. Haven't seen them myself. I'm sure that is what aussie brad is talking about.

Welcome Brad.

Welcome , try the Nosler 60 gr Partition with Ramshot Tac. The Hornady 60 gr V-Max is my go to load with 26 gr of Varget , Rem 7.5 primers in all my AR's and my Tikka 223.

Yes mine is alluminium alloy of some kind, the finish does not match the rest of the metal work, kind of looks white? The trigger is either dull nickel or chrome plated, but I can live with that...Brad

these are mot stainless steel but are well made by a 'fire member and the finish looks like a good match

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/10068762/1

The new guns come with an aluminum trigger guard that looks to be painted. Doesn't match the other metal work at all and Kimber says the old style is not available. I just happened to have a spare old style on hand when I bought mine about a month ago. At a time in the past, a lot of guys here wanted an aluminum guard to reduce the weight of the Montana slightly. Be careful what you wish for...........

Oh, and welcome to the Campfire, Brad.

define "great" as in... it shoots great with that load.

Here is a great group from a 223 Montana...



And here's a great group from a 7-08 Montana..



I realize you're just trolling and not a Kimber fan. Some guys are proud of their rifles...especially their new purchases. I think I read where you had two in the past and couldn't get them to shoot? Please elaborate on your Kimber experiences.....I'd like to hear the details.

I like mine and it shoots well, just a little tweaking. Makes a great walk-around rifle out at my lease.

Yep, the newer ones have an aluminum trigger guard. I traded a member here for a stainless version.

I wasn't worried about the extra 2 oz and he wanted the lighter one so it worked out fine.

Aussie Brad, I know another member who might want to trade but being you are in Australia I don't know how that would work out. PM me if you'd like and I will give you his name.




Darrik, nice shooting but I bet it took days of tweaks to get those kinds of results. Way too much work....grin

Mate this was my first post I have never posted anywhere before regarding Montana's... This is my second one, the first was a 7-08 and my hunting mate has a 243 and 338 (We both love our Monanas, the best handling rifles to shoot when standing on your hind legs)...Groups at 100m ranged from 3/4" to 1 1/2"' all 5 shots, mostly hovered around the 1" mark. Brad

If they get them to shoot submoa consistently, I'd buy one. But Im not a gambler.

Sounds like you have shooters.I just got a Montana bout a month back 7mm-08 ,shoots about an 1.5 " at a hundred im pretty happy may light skim bed also.if not still ok with me .

120 grn around an inch 140s when it starts to open up. I have another scope on the way so have not played with it much wanted to try cds nothing wrong with scope i have on it now.

Been using RL15 in 120s & RL17 in 140s cause thats what i have the most of will use the RL15 in 140s next.

I've played with 6 or 8 and they've all shot 3/4" or so without much work to get them there so not much of a gamble in my opinion.