I have a Montana w/ a slightly heavier contour barrel, finished at 23" and cahmbered in 7mm-08AI. Easy to shoot accurately, easy to load for. I am shooting shooting MOA or better to 500yds from supported field positions,. The rifle topped w/ a 3-9x42 SS SWFA weighs 7.0 pounds.
I strongly disagree with the whole AI "not being worth it" when having a new tube installed. I wouldn't go to the expense to rechamber a factory barrel, but it costs no more to AI a new barrel. An AI w/ a highly finished custom barrel and a tight chamber will achieve the same velocities w/ factory fodder as a facory non AI equivalent - my 7mm-08AI routinely gets printed velocity or a little higher w/ factory 7mm-08 ammunitiin.
While Ackley chambers don't provide a huge boost in performance, more is reliably more. My 7mm-08AI pushes 150grn Scenar L's at 29000+ fps with long brass life. Just starting to work up 145 LRX's but they are looking very promising. Not having to trim brass is a nice bonus.
David
