Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles New Howa Alpine Mountain Rifle 7/08 Range Report

Done.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/634813648

Anything else?

Someone just got a screaming deal.


Okie John

DW--thanks!

No kidding, I'd have been all over that.

When I was looking for a nice light 6.5 CM hunting rifle, it came down to the Alpine or the Montana. My local SW had an Alpine that had been sitting on the shelf for over a year that I could have gotten for $899. In the end I wanted stainless steel, a threaded barrel and was curious about Montanas. The Kimber has turned out to be an excellent rifle, but now I want an Alpine to go with it...

Nice looking rifle!
How much does it weigh as pictured above with the scope and rings?

I priced then here in Canada. $1479CDN plus 15% tax. <barf>

That's crazy!

You're right! .... That crazy price because of the exchange on the US dollar.

I'm on active duty right now so I can't weigh it. If I remember to do so when I get home, I will weigh it.

The one I've got (6.5 Creed) is a bit finicky.... but is a good setup.






That's with a SWFA SS 3-9x42mm, EGW Pic rings and a Warne Mountain Tech Base.

Thanks for the weight Form..
Ordered a Tikka T3x in 6.5x55 for around $1100 ish (cdn$) instead..
Have a bunch of 6.5 brass on hand I bought on close-out years ago plus a goodly supply of 6.5 Hornady 140gr. BTHP's..

I could like that setup I think. Crazing having to hold a new scope like that together with tape...

Which is the OTC winner: Kimber, Howa, or Tikka?

First, my apologies to Nrut for failing to remember to weigh my rifle. I'm glad that Formidilosus guy posted his.


My best answer, being an owner of multiples of all three, it's a toss up, really. As unlucky as I am normally, I've been lucky when it comes to rifles and don't experience the failings and shortcomings so many others do with their rifle purchasers. Kimber roulette does not exist in my world. Plastic parts melting or fracturing or whatever on Tikkas has never occurred with mine. The Howa Alpine, though new, so far has no "standard shortcomings". A general complaint for Howas has been their weight which is why we have the Alpine. All of mine of all three makes have been very accurate, very lite and function flawlessly. If it comes down to money then, if you can get the Howa mlitary/leo discount, I would suggest you go that route to try it. If you don't like it, you shouldn't lose money. If cost is of a concern and no discount is available then the Tikka should be your huckleberry. Unless one or two of those models won't fit your physical form, there's your answer. Based on my experience and assuming your experience were to match mine, all three would make you happy.

Thanks for the info; very helpful! 'Twer I in the market, Kimber would probably get the first look. I had one in 300WSM for a bit, but never shot it. Sold it to help to defray hunts as I drew two tags that year I shouldn't have. I really liked how it handled and I have a strong preference for a 3pos wing safety as my other two most used big game rifles (Ruger MKII and Marlin MR-7) have them.

Tell me about it..... grin


For out of the box without screwing with it- Tikka, Howa AP, Kimber- in that order. However, if you are including Kimbers, than the Barrett Fieldcraft should be in there too, and that would be the one.

Thanks for the info! I think I could really like the Barrett, but just have my heart set on a 260 Rem as I'm tooled up for that, especially with the ~3" mag box that it has. Guess a setback and rechamber could get one there...