I am looking at getting another light rifle, wondering what you all would get. I do not have the $ to get another custom. I can go about $1500 for rifle, and will put a 6 power Leupold on it. I want it stainless, synthetic in 7-08 or 308. So what say you.
Life Member...Safari Club International Life Member...Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Life Member...Keystone Country Elk Alliance Life Member...National Rifle Association
Model 7 in 7mm08. If you can find a used FS stocked model, the camo one, not the crappy black plastic one, they are great. There was new in the box FS in 708 a while backo Gunbroker, but pricey.
"Put none but Americans on guard tonight." -George Washington
I'd fondle a Kimber Montana and Sako Finnlight, then take home the one that felt right. I really want to like Forbes rifles, but there are enough bad stories out there to keep me away. It's unfortunate, because a Forbes would seem to be exactly what you're looking for. Maybe it's worth a roll of the dice for you? A Forbes could be an excellent compliment to your NULA.
Life Member...Safari Club International Life Member...Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Life Member...Keystone Country Elk Alliance Life Member...National Rifle Association
I like my Tikkers, but am playing with a Montana in 308 that is impressing.
Nut
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
The Tikka will come in at 7 lbs scoped. A Kimber will be $400-$500 more, but be about 17-18 oz lighter. The extra money buys a far better stock, and CRF as well as more than a pound weight loss. I like the Tikka very well, but the extra money for the Kimber is worth the difference to me. If I were on a more limited budget and considered 7 lbs light enough, I'd have no problem recommending the Tikka.
You could also pick up a Remngton 700, stock it in an Edge and be right at 7 lbs and within your budget. A Winchester 70 will be about 2-3 oz heavier.
Most people don't really want the truth.
They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
The Tikka will come in at 7 lbs scoped. A Kimber will be $400-$500 more, but be about 17-18 oz lighter. The extra money buys a far better stock, and CRF as well as more than a pound weight loss. I like the Tikka very well, but the extra money for the Kimber is worth the difference to me. If I were on a more limited budget and considered 7 lbs light enough, I'd have no problem recommending the Tikka.
You could also pick up a Remngton 700, stock it in an Edge and be right at 7 lbs and within your budget. A Winchester 70 will be about 2-3 oz heavier.
Spot on advice. My Montana is a full pound lighter than either of my Tikkas. I have an Edge-stocked 700 LA with a VX2 that weighs 7lbs, 5 oz. I expect the 700 SA project I am working now will come in close to the same weight with a McSwirly.
Nut
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
We'll as much as I love my NULA, an the Forbes sounds good, I haven't seen very good reviews on them. I like the Tikka, and have shot the T3 lite. The Montana I have not shot or even seen or handled one in person. But I believe the Montana might be the ticket.
I don't get out much. But WOW ! Hands down the lightest center fire rifle I have ever handled. Can't recall the exact price. But sure you could reach out to SAS via PM if interested.
The thing i didn't really like about the Kimber is the stock ergos. Maybe I would get used to it if I owned one, but it didn't feel right when shouldered. Didn't like the grip angle etc. That being said, i think they are a superior stock to what comes on most factory guns.
I really like the feel of a Montana in 308 or 7mm-08. And I will own one before I get too old to enjoy shooting and hunting. Since I have a great shooting 7mm-08, mine will probably be a 308. As is obvious, my recommendation is the Kimber. There is just nothing like it.
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Well I have been talking myself into a Montana for a long time but I ain't no one to marry a bride without given her a few passes so what do you do. I have never seen felt or foundeled one in person. But that would be either a 1k well spent or not so good. What's a guy to do?
I've never handled an 84L but plan on ordering one here in the next month or so. Like you I'm going with a 6x Leupold, honestly can't think of a better hunting rifle setup.
I personally would go with a Ruger GSR with the composite stock, it has an adjustable length of pull, backup iron sights, forward or regular scope mounting positions, muzzle break, threaded barrel for accessories, etc. Then I'd use the rest of the money to buy a nice scope, a timney trigger, some 3 round mags and starting hunting that thing asap.
I'd avoid the Montana like a rat dipped in aids. That is unless you knve the dirty dope on a gunsmith who you can get to work cheap or you are retired and have multiple hours to spend trimming screws, bedding, crowning...blah blah blah...
I'd avoid the Montana like a rat dipped in aids. That is unless you knve the dirty dope on a gunsmith who you can get to work cheap or you are retired and have multiple hours to spend trimming screws, bedding, crowning...blah blah blah...
Laffin' Everyone likes a challenge now and then.
I took a new 7/08 to the range yesterday.Only had factory 140 Fusions(no one had any brass so have to make some). Mounted a scope and started wanging away.
Things started well;scope tracked to rough zero and the rifle followed. Three groups showed the rifle strung horizontally off firm sand bags so I folded a gun sock for a softer front rest. That dropped POI about an inch and two shots were in about 1/2".....then it started stringing vertical. Heat? I let it cool. Didn't matter.
I pulled it apart. Have to say I was a bit impressed...it really looked lovely down there. Bedding "looked" sharp, machine work on the metal looked very nice;trigger is great and function perfect so far and very crisp with snappy feeding,firing pin indentation was spot on. Can't recall a nicer synthetic stock on a factory rig.Barrel perfectly floated.
But bedding seemed "loose" as the rifle just fell out of the stock;without screws I could detect no rocking and the action seemed to sit flat with no tension.I began to wonder if the front screw was bottoming out before the action was tight in the stock...it was behaving like something like that was going on.
You could see where the mag box had scraped paint in the bottom of the stock.
I tried to get to 300 yards but it was occupied so will get back after it tomorrow.I'm going to start the tweaks. 20 rounds isn't even a warm up,and too soon to quit on it.It's easy to shoot, comfy,and handles like a light grouse gun. I think the things are so light and rigid that any little inconsistency shows up.But other Montanas have shot lights out for me so I know the thing will shoot after some work.
I ain't skeered.....
There were a bunch of Forbes rifles on sale where I bought this Kimber....they seem to not be moving off the shelves as the same ones have been there for months.
I am looking at getting another light rifle, wondering what you all would get. I do not have the $ to get another custom. I can go about $1500 for rifle, and will put a 6 power Leupold on it. I want it stainless, synthetic in 7-08 or 308. So what say you.
The Kimber MT 308 with a Leupold 6x36 and dots is the no-brainer-of-the-year-award-winner.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
24HCF in its entirety, is solely responsible for why my children do not have college funds, my mortgage isn't paid-off and why I will never retire early enough to enjoy the remainder of my life.
5.7 pounds, Banser high tech fiberglass stock, weather resistant cerakote finish, and the ability to add detachable box magazine.
I held one at Sportsman's in Albuquerque and it felt like a feather.
I own several Forbes and also like that option...but the Howa is on my list as soon as I find one in 6.5 Creedmoor. Also the price was less than $1100 on the Howa. Pretty good value equation for a gun that you won't have to tinker much with. Every Howa I've owned and shot has been crazy accurate and one of the best factory triggers I've squeezed.
Nothing wrong with Tikka Superlight T3, Forbes or the Montana...but Howa Alpine is really looking good.
Tikka would need a stock upgrade IMHO, Montana's can be good, great or require some work. Forbes seem to have a divided following- my 2 are really good shooters (no issues...am I just lucky?)
For the money I'd say Howa, and pass the savings onto your scope purchase.
Hi, Tom. Consider a Win M70 FW in 257 Roberts or 7-08/308.
These rifles are reasonable in price, and the ones I have are absolutely spectacularly accurate.
They are a bit heavier than some, but I carried the M70 in preference to a fine Kimber because of superb accuracy. Inspect your choice carefully before taking it, regardless of brand. The QA for everybody is pretty slim.
I'd avoid the Montana like a rat dipped in aids. That is unless you knve the dirty dope on a gunsmith who you can get to work cheap or you are retired and have multiple hours to spend trimming screws, bedding, crowning...blah blah blah...
Dang. Are you overly meticulous or just meticulously slow?
It's obvious that you are overly biased, probably more from what you've read online than from what you've actually experienced in real life.
It's official. I missed the selfie deadline so I'm Maser's sock puppet because rene and the Polish half of the fubar twins have decided that I am.
Somebody mentioned it earlier, but "light weight" needs to be defined. Is that 7lbs scoped, 6.5 scoped, 6 scoped, etc...
The Montana and Forbes are the obvious true off the shelf lightweights if that is what you want. There are a lot of differences between the two so weigh out what matters/doesn't matter to you on that. The big ones that stick out to me are:
Montana: controlled round feed, more open grip, no cheekpiece, slightly lighter barrel, slightly heavier stock, bedded to a slave action, barrel free floated
Forbes: push feed, more closed grip, cheekpiece, slightly heavier barrel, slightly lighter stock, bedded to the specific action, full length bedded, 3" mag box
I like them both. Needs to be realized from the start that any of them can have problems, they are off the shelf rifles not customs. I've no problem tweaking little things. Got lots of great options...pick what matters most to you.
The thing i didn't really like about the Kimber is the stock ergos. Maybe I would get used to it if I owned one, but it didn't feel right when shouldered.
Ditto on the stock ergos. I fondled a Montana one time and that's what struck me. Must be the giraffe neck syndrome. I need lots of drop to the heel of the stock and a MC comb for proper fit. Mickey Hunter patterns work for me.
The thing i didn't really like about the Kimber is the stock ergos. Maybe I would get used to it if I owned one, but it didn't feel right when shouldered.
Ditto on the stock ergos. I fondled a Montana one time and that's what struck me. Must be the giraffe neck syndrome. I need lots of drop to the heel of the stock and a MC comb for proper fit. Mickey Hunter patterns work for me.
The New Mcmillan Hunter aka Sako Hunter with the monte carlo cheek piece or the Hunter's EDGE aka Mcmillan Compact?
The answer the OP's question, get the Kimber Montana in any caliber you like. There is nothing else out there like it and you won't be disappointed. Search this site for Shortactionsmokers Montana Tinkering Thread. A few quick fixes if necessary will be well worth the effort. I have a Montana in 223 and it is a great little rifle.
The New Mcmillan Hunter aka Sako Hunter with the monte carlo cheek piece or the Hunter's EDGE aka Mcmillan Compact
Actually, neither. I've got the Win New Hunter pattern, which is based on the Sako Hunter pattern. Couldn't tell you the differences. Maybe it's the castoff and cant that make it work. I'll be picking up the new Whelen build after work today.
I'd avoid the Montana like a rat dipped in aids. That is unless you knve the dirty dope on a gunsmith who you can get to work cheap or you are retired and have multiple hours to spend trimming screws, bedding, crowning...blah blah blah...
Dang. Are you overly meticulous or just meticulously slow?
It's obvious that you are overly biased, probably more from what you've read online than from what you've actually experienced in real life.
I tried twice. Light yes. But, unable to compete out of the box with rifles I already owned that costs hundreds less. I'd rather spend the money on a classic Steyr like the one I just bought than a iffy kimber that may need bedding, trigger work, recrown, screw trimming, bolt face work, chicken blood rum, sage... Just ordered one like this i. 7mm-08 with 3-9 leupold. It'll go perfect with my 308 half stock classic.
I am looking at getting another light rifle, wondering what you all would get. I do not have the $ to get another custom. I can go about $1500 for rifle, and will put a 6 power Leupold on it. I want it stainless, synthetic in 7-08 or 308. So what say you.
I'd try and wrap your dickbeaters around a Alpine Lite.
Otherwise I'd get a Kimber MT.
I'd go 7-08. The .308 hurts my vagina after 20 rounds.
Travis
Originally Posted by Geno67
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual.
Originally Posted by Judman
Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit.
Originally Posted by KSMITH
My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
I am looking at getting another light rifle, wondering what you all would get. I do not have the $ to get another custom. I can go about $1500 for rifle, and will put a 6 power Leupold on it. I want it stainless, synthetic in 7-08 or 308. So what say you.
I'd try and wrap your dickbeaters around a Alpine Lite.
Otherwise I'd get a Kimber MT.
I'd go 7-08. The .308 hurts my vagina after 20 rounds.
Travis
I thought it was all about girth? That's what I keep telling people anyway.
------------------------------
The APE
"But resist we much...we must...and we will much...about...that...be committed." - the "Reverend" Al Sharpton
I was checking out the Howa on-line. I'm not that impressed with making weight by going with a 20" #1 barrel, they need to start at the start and trim weight from the action and stock.
5.7 pounds, Banser high tech fiberglass stock, weather resistant cerakote finish, and the ability to add detachable box magazine.
I held one at Sportsman's in Albuquerque and it felt like a feather.
I own several Forbes and also like that option...but the Howa is on my list as soon as I find one in 6.5 Creedmoor. Also the price was less than $1100 on the Howa. Pretty good value equation for a gun that you won't have to tinker much with. Every Howa I've owned and shot has been crazy accurate and one of the best factory triggers I've squeezed.
Nothing wrong with Tikka Superlight T3, Forbes or the Montana...but Howa Alpine is really looking good.
Tikka would need a stock upgrade IMHO, Montana's can be good, great or require some work. Forbes seem to have a divided following- my 2 are really good shooters (no issues...am I just lucky?)
For the money I'd say Howa, and pass the savings onto your scope purchase.
Why would the Tikka T3 superlight need a stock upgrade IYHO?
Stock upgrade for tactile reasons, and a personal dislike of manufacturer plastic-like stocks. Not just picking on Tikka- feel the same about Remington, Ruger, Savage.
With a $1500 budget, you can buy a tikka T3 superlight and drop it into something that looks cool, and feels better. Of course to keep it lightweight- mcmillian edge would be nice. Sell the other stock for not much...but it will help offset part of the cost.
Stock upgrade for tactile reasons, and a personal dislike of manufacturer plastic-like stocks. Not just picking on Tikka- feel the same about Remington, Ruger, Savage.
With a $1500 budget, you can buy a tikka T3 superlight and drop it into something that looks cool, and feels better. Of course to keep it lightweight- mcmillian edge would be nice. Sell the other stock for not much...but it will help offset part of the cost.
Tactical Reasons ? Personal dislikes ,everyone has personal likes and dislikes for sure, Me I like the Factory stock just fine. It is light and Stiffer than Most of the other Factory Plastic stocks. Rifle is accurate with factory stock,rifle is lightweight with Factory stock. Thats good enough for me. AND stock is BLACK,shouldn,t that be TACTICOOL enough for you TACTICOOL Guys ? LOL
Now what is REALLY cool is the fact that mine will put 3 shots at a hundred in .75 inch with federal Fusions ,130 Grain factory loads . Now whats REALLY REALLY COOL is the fact that I have less than $1000.00 in the Rifle,Rings,2 boxes of ammo,extra 5 round Magazine AND a Leupold VX1 3-9x40 scope!
tac·tile ˈtaktl,ˈtakˌtīl/Submit adjective of or connected with the sense of touch. perceptible by touch or apparently so; tangible. "she had a distinct, almost tactile memory"
designed to be perceived by touch. "tactile exhibitions help blind people enjoy the magic of sculpture"
tac·tile ˈtaktl,ˈtakˌtīl/Submit adjective of or connected with the sense of touch. perceptible by touch or apparently so; tangible. "she had a distinct, almost tactile memory"
designed to be perceived by touch. "tactile exhibitions help blind people enjoy the magic of sculpture"
My bad here I thought that you misspelled Tactical And was just rying to be nice and not call you on the Misspelling !! LOL
BUT the Factory stock on my rifle is in Fact Tactile. I can percieve it by touch,and I am sure the stock remembers me touching it ! I will say though that I never think of a sculpture when Looking at it or shooting it! Dagburnit I guess I will just have to be happy with the accuracy and relatively lightweight !
I was checking out the Howa on-line. I'm not that impressed with making weight by going with a 20" #1 barrel, they need to start at the start and trim weight from the action and stock.
They shave weight off the action. It just doesn't do much.
Travis
Originally Posted by Geno67
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual.
Originally Posted by Judman
Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit.
Originally Posted by KSMITH
My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
Add at least 2 ounces for sling(simple 1 inch webbing tied to rifle,say 12 ounces for scope,2.5 ounces for rings and rifle is now at over 7.5 pounds. And the so called stainless version (stainless barrel really as I believe the reciever is made of a type of aluminum, will weigh a tiny bit more (2 ounces guessing)
About $1400.00 (looked at Buds Gun shop pricing only )
Not what I would be interested in but to each his own !
With your previous comments and then the cutesy hater sign, I figured you thought that it was an azzhole contest and you were going all out to win first prize.
Someone said it earlier. They (everything mentioned here) are all factory rifles and some are good and some aren't, no matter who makes them. Someone who has had a problem with one or two makes of rifles generally likes to try to convince the internet that he knows something that other people don't. That's rule number one in an azzhole contest if you're a serious competitor.
It's official. I missed the selfie deadline so I'm Maser's sock puppet because rene and the Polish half of the fubar twins have decided that I am.
I'd avoid the Montana like a rat dipped in aids. That is unless you knve the dirty dope on a gunsmith who you can get to work cheap or you are retired and have multiple hours to spend trimming screws, bedding, crowning...blah blah blah...
I agree. Best way to bang your head on the wall with frustration! LOL
Expensive POS's! For that price they should be accurate of the box period!
The Steyr Scout also includes Jeff Cooper's guide to sucking your own COCK.
UBER worth the coin!
Travis
Hahaha! I actually like scout rifles and short barreled carbines, (although I don't think Jeff Cooper walked on water), and that made me fockin' crack up!
the regular tikka t3 is lite enough for most anyone and doesn't need upgrading at all . even the factory rings are fine. i'd upgrade the soft screws that come with the factory rings. black hardened screws look a 100% better then the zinc coated ones.if you change rings and go with a base and rings you are just adding weight.
I'd avoid the Montana like a rat dipped in aids. That is unless you knve the dirty dope on a gunsmith who you can get to work cheap or you are retired and have multiple hours to spend trimming screws, bedding, crowning...blah blah blah...
I agree. Best way to bang your head on the wall with frustration! LOL
Expensive POS's! For that price they should be accurate of the box period!
the regular tikka t3 is lite enough for most anyone and doesn't need upgrading at all . even the factory rings are fine. i'd upgrade the soft screws that come with the factory rings. black hardened screws look a 100% better then the zinc coated ones.if you change rings and go with a base and rings you are just adding weight.
Tikka T3 lite felt pretty good to me when I picked one up at the Sportsmans Warehouse store UNTIL I picked up the Superlite and I bought the Superlite. Just a little more for it (did some negotiating with cash in hand) the Superlight is about 6 ounces lighter than the Lite. Works great for me as it is light but not so light that I have any problem steadying the rifle. I haven,t done a thing to it except to reduce the trigger pull to 1.5 pounds. I dont find the recoil bad at all with the stock pad and using the factory rings(factory screws as well) with no problems as of yet. I torqued the ring tops to 20 inch pounds and the bases to 25 inch pounds . Torqued the front and rear stock screws to 35 inch pounds. Used a dab of Blue loctite on the stock screws but not the scope rings as aluminum is self binding. I also Lightly greased the aluminum lug and recess on the bottom of the barrel and the entire bottom of the action to prevent possible Galvanic reaction between the steel and aluminum parts. And also to prevent rust . So far have only tried Federal Fusion 130 grain ammo in it. .75 3 shot groups with it. Going to try the Hornady Whitetail Interloks 130 grain and see what it does with them. So far very pleased with the rifle.
What did that Nosler set you back if you don't mind me asking?
Travis
Bought it off gun broker for $1300.
There you go! A no brainer!
NICE rifle no doubt BUT 6 pounds 12 ounces Bare + at least another 15 ounces for scope and rings + 2 and a half ounces or so for 3 cartridges and we now Have a total of at least 7 pounds 13 ounces.
Not a heavyweight by any means but My Tikka Superlight only goes 6 pounds 13 and a half ounces WITH scope and 3 rounds of ammo.
I doubt that it will shoot any better than A Tikka T3 from my limited experience with mine and other Tikka owners input and can almost guarantee the trigger is no better.
Kimber Montana is about 5 pounds 2 ounces bare. Add about 17 ounces for scope rings and ammo for about 6 pounds 3 ounces loaded.
Although the Nosler is indeed a very fine looking rifle and not really that heavy it doesn,t come close to the weight of either the Tikka Superlight or Kimber Montana .
to me going to light in weight would like shooting a magnum.lighter gun the more felt recoil. i prefer the tikka t3 because it a full size gun and lightweight.
A couple of the new Steyr's that were announced last May look like good lightweight options. The trouble is locating one for purchase. The lightweight versions of the "CL II" and "SM12" SX's weigh 6.3 lbs. and have a fluted barrel and aluminum bedding system. The walnut models are 6.4lbs. Could be interesting options if you ever can find one for sale.
But not stainless AND lightweight Per the OP original Post. Although the OP didn,t really specify a weight He seemed to like the weights of the Kimber Montana. I see that they offer a Stainless version but I couldn,t find the weights for it. The blue is about 6 pounds 5 ounces,adding at least 17 ounces for scope ,rings and 3 rounds of ammo comes up with at least 7 pounds 6 ounces and I bet the stainless adds at least 2 to 3 ounces for a weight of 7 pounds 8 ounces.
Still not as light as even the Tikka Superlight much less the EXTREMELY light Kimber Montana .
I'd avoid the Montana like a rat dipped in aids. That is unless you knve the dirty dope on a gunsmith who you can get to work cheap or you are retired and have multiple hours to spend trimming screws, bedding, crowning...blah blah blah...
I agree. Best way to bang your head on the wall with frustration! LOL
Expensive POS's! For that price they should be accurate of the box period!
Out of the box with no adjustments:
This was the first time out. I used to be a hater, too but it now appears that Kimber has been listening since the first Montana I had.
With load development and skim bedding, the rifle routinely shoots 1/2 moa. Of the 2 Tikkas I own, both shoot as well, one shoots slightly better. However, the Montucky feels better at the end of a 5 mile hike.
Nut
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
A couple of the new Steyr's that were announced last May look like good lightweight options. The trouble is locating one for purchase. The lightweight versions of the "CL II" and "SM12" SX's weigh 6.3 lbs. and have a fluted barrel and aluminum bedding system. The walnut models are 6.4lbs. Could be interesting options if you ever can find one for sale.
Here is the model I'm describing...
They must cater to the giraffe/humanoid/Nazi-sympathizer market.
Clark
Originally Posted by Geno67
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual.
Originally Posted by Judman
Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit.
Originally Posted by KSMITH
My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
My choice a few years ago was the Kimber Montana. It shot as good as I wanted right out of the box…once I learned that you have to hold on to it when you shoot it. It has always shot into an inch, with some a little under and some a little over. Most of that variation is probably my lack of ability and not the rifle.
I changed a few things to make the rifle suit me a little more. I cut the barrel back to 20 in and built up the forearm and grip areas with epoxy putty to give the stock a little more round feeling. The stainless steel would almost glow like a neon light at dusk so the whole rifle got a paint job.
The rifle came out weight wise about where it started out. Ready to go, but not loaded, it weighs 6.25 lbs on the scales I used. They might be a little off, but I like the numbers I get with them and I'm sticking with it.
If I was in the market for a light weight rifle, I'd go with the Kimber Montana all over again and it would end up looking a lot like the one below.
got a Cooper 54 260 several years back and been extremely happy with it: weight, balance, trigger, accuracy. same goes for close friend who also got one in 7mm08