Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Montana CM

Well that sounds like a sweet rig. I'm just looking to see when the factory rifles may be out?

Looks like they are starting to show up on GB.

LGS has a new Montana and used Ascent, both in 280AI that have my attention. Not sure that I care for the 'carved up' bolt handle on Ascent. And Kimber appears to have opted for a 1:9.5 twist in the 280AI. My preference would be a 1:9T. The Ascent has a VX3i 3.5-10x40, in Talley's. It tips the UPS scale at 6lb 6oz.

My understanding is that the Kimber Hunter will be available in long action calibers later this fall. No idea what calibers will be available. In the back of my mind I'm hoping for the Hunter to be available as a 280AI - not that I need another 280 or 280AI.

Yup 3 of em on GB right now...

Wellllll.....Have a buddy that had the cash burning a hole in his pocket, and I got his in hand a couple days ago.....

Went through the normal culprits and didn't have to do anything except trim the front screw for the the Talley LWs. Pulled it out of the stock and adjusted the trigger down to a CH over 2#s and bolted it back up. Mag box has plenty of play and I decided to see how she did without bedding to get a baseline. Mounted and bore sighted a 10x Super Chicken. Had an extry box of 143 ELD-X Hornady factory fodder....

First 3 shot group went into a 2" group, but after shooting a couple more "groups" the rifle settled down and the 4th, 3 shot group went into a 3/4" group.

Took it out to 550 on steel where it looks like it's running the 143s at 2655ish according to the drops. Put 3 consecutive shots on the plate before it got too dark.

All in all, it's typical Kimber NICE. It'll get bedded next couple days and some handloads worked up. Factory box is 2.830 and I took some throat measurements a bit ago....Amazingly it'll kiss the 139 and 123 Scenars and run them out of the box. The 123 AMaxes also kissed at the max box length.....

143 ELD-x 2.910
140 AMax 2.870
123 AMax 2.830
139/123 Scenar 2.820
140 Hyrbid 2.940
140 VLD 2.895
130 VLD 2.890

I don't want one.

And you aren't helping.

.....lyin bastid.....grin......

My hunter in a montana stock (no mods) really likes the factory fodder as well. Both the 143 ELD -x and the 120 Amax are running under an inch...

What I should have wait for......I have an extra Montana stock....I paid for a rebarrel, bedding and bead blast.

Lilja #1 barrel23".....turned out nice, but more expensive! VX3i 3.5-106lbs 2.5oz

I'd be interested in that extra Montana stock. PM me a price if your looking to part with it.

Keeping it for now. Figure I'll pick up a hunter or action for 6mm something or other.

Any idea as to when these may be avaliable through Whitaker??

As soon as they get here, I'll get it rolling.

I ordered 30 at SHOT and 10 more since....

10-4 thank you sir!