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Who has new ones for sale? I haven't been able to find anything in stock yet.

$1099 with free shipping and no credit card fees. I didn't see a 25-06? But most other chamberings available from them.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/842568096

I already had that one in my watch list. I've been looking for one in 25-06 but I'm having a hard time locating one.

I'm watching that as well. He just dropped it from $1050. That's the one I referenced in a previous post.

What 257heaven said is what I meant. Nto much weight difference between a long action Montana and a tikka.

Kimber hunter stock is typical Tupperware, I think the tikka stock is better than the Kimber hunter stock. The Kimber Montana stock is in other league. It's Kevlar or something. It's super stiff, and very light, and very rugged in my experience. I've completely disrespected mine for 2 seasons (bought used) and it's got not more than some light scratches. I paid $850 for my Montana in 308 used with bases and rings which I replaced. The gun was barely used.

I am assuming walnut is not an option?

Are you hunting woods mostly or more open areas with long shots?

I'd prefer to go with a good quality synthetic so I don't feel bad beating the hell out of nice wood. Hunting will be split between woods and fields, but realistically the longest shot I have is just under 320 yards. I do a lot of walking hence the want for a lighter rifle.

Tikka t3x lite is going to do that....and be boringly accurate as well. But it's a lot less money. My 24" 300 win mag is 6 lbs, I had to work to get it to 8 lbs with a suppressor and big fat 30mm scope.

In all seriousness, the Tikka is an easy choice, the only real downside is the external magazine, rather than an ADL or BDL style box.

Only prob with the Tikka is they are like Glocks. Boring! But light and retard accurate.

What scope and suppressor are you using to get 8 pounds even. I wanna some pics of this rig!!! Sounds pretty cool.

If I am not mistaken, Kimber discontinued the 25-06 Montana.

If you want one, you better try to snag that one. I have been looking myself, and they are VERY hard to find.

At around $900, it is a good snag.

I don't like the look of the 5rd mag sticking out, but I find the mag to be very reliable and easy to load and eject. Also Tikkas are a dime a dozen even in 25-06.

Without trying to tell you what to do, for what you're doing, the 270 may be a better fit. Ammo is everywhere, recoil is essentially the same as 25-06. Ballistics are superior. Impact velocities at close range are lower (less meat damage), and higher at longer ranges.

I like to apply what I call the Walmart test. Unless I have a really good reason to use an oddball caliber, I generally will only buy a rifle in a caliber of ammo that Walmart stocks. Also it means that every Joe in town has a rifle in that caliber or wants one and it'll be easier to resell locally.

On shot distance etc.: where I hunt I have had shot opportunities as far as 350yds or maybe more. But it's rare. 95% of my shots are within 200yds, and probably 50% within 100yds. Do I take a 30-30? No. but I also don't shoot a 7mm mag. My point is that you should plan for the rule, not for the exception.

While I can understand what you're saying, I tend to lean the other way. Everyone and their brother has a 270, 30-06, or 308. They're all great calibers, but I tend to gravitate to the oddball or less common calibers.

I have a Tikka SL in 7-08 bedded in a McMillan Edge and topped with a Sightron Big Sky 3-12. Weighs 6lb 14oz all up and is ridiculously accurate and easy to carry

For anything below elk, the 25-06 is an absolutely great caliber: flat trajectory, low recoil, very effective terminal performance.

As others have stated, Montanas in 25-06 are becoming very hard to locate. You might want to bid on the one on GB. There's about 10 hrs left, but I see there's at least one bid so far.

If that doesn't work out, you might want to consider a short action 84M like the 7-08 or 257 Rob. Both have the cool factor you're looking for. The 257 Rob has it in spades! The 7-08 weighs 5-2 out of the box. Mine, all in with VXII 2-7X33 STD mounts and rings and 4 rounds, = 6lbs 1/2oz. The 257 Rob weighs 5-4 out of the box. I just won an auction Saturday for one, NIB for $775.

NOTE: If you think about going 257Rob, and you reload, be aware that this is built on the short action which will limit OAL.

I too have heard the stories of Kimbers being hit or miss as far as accuracy. Maybe I got lucky in that my 7-08 shoots 3/4" with factory Barnes 120 TTSX. If the 257 does as well I'll be extremely pleased. I will say I have buddies with a 308 and a 280AI, and both shoot 3/4" also. Maybe we've all been lucky...

I've also heard very good things about the Fieldcrafts, though they are a push feed, and I'm a fan of CRF.

Good luck to you if you decide to jump into that auction.. Let us know how you end up.

That looks like a horrible rifle, you should send it to me to dispose of for you.

Appreciate that you got my back. Once I come to my senses and realize its a POS and that I need to dump it fast, you'll be the first to know. :-)

The original price started at $1050 and he just dropped it yesterday to $900. Sometime overnight someone placed a bid on it. I've been watching it all along and wish it had a "buy it now" price on it. I plan on bidding on it as it gets closer to ending time, hopefully I can get it for a decent price. There's also new 280AI on gunbroker for $1100 which are very tempting. When you factor in the free shipping on those ones it's an even better deal. Even paying the $900 starting bid and $40 shipping, that puts you within $150 of a new rifle.

I'm always here to help.

Very good point. However, if you're stuck on a 25-06, be ready for an exhaustive search.