Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Montana rifle action vs modified Rem 700

It would be a lot more funny if not so true!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

So............what's your point? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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Im wondering.. is it alot of work bending a MRC handle, so it gets the "bent" 90 degree handle some of the big bore mauser actions has?

What would it cost?

I was being facetious Allen. As Seyfried said so well in his article, you don't need an expensive custom rifle to have a good one for hunting. Everyone here knows you like/hunt with expensive rifles, and that's fine if it floats your boat. You just need to realize not everyone has the inclination/money to do this, and the MRC 1999 action is a fine option for a lot of us. If it isn't up to your "standards" ok, but like Mule Deer said, it was never meant to come out highly polished and finished like a custom smith would do.

Sam, in this particular thread, I've made an effort to state my preference for the Model 700 action over the Montana. That's been my intended point, anyway.........

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Allen,

Just curious have you messed with one of the slicked up Serengeti M99 actions? Curious as to your thoughts about them in the more refined form...

This post is the one I was referring to and the one about "lowball" pricing. I agree 1000% that the 700 action makes an excellent platform for an accurate rifle. I own several right now.

Brad--

So far I pretty much like the 1999 action. Mine is the "short" version, which has a 3.1" magazine (or thereabouts, I forget the exact measurement) which is perfect for the 7x57 I had built. The trigger, floorplate, etc. are all good. Since CZ does not make a smaller "short" action, I'll take the Montana for smaller rounds. (Which is probably one reason CZ is building some rifles on the Montana action!)

Only two relatively minor things have bugged me so far. First, they went through a period of trying to make the firing pin fall too short and quick. My action just happened to be one of these, and after about 60 rounds it started occasionally misfiring, as the firing pin spring spring got some use. (Some experimentation showed it was the action's fault, not my handloads!) Anyway, I called Serengeti and they explained the situation, so I sent the rifle back. It came back in 3 days, fixed.

In the process I learned that they fix the firing pin spring with a Model 70 type system, with a clip on the pin, rather than the simpler Mauser 98 system, which makes replacing a broken spring a snap. The Montana action has been called a combination of the best features of the 70 and the 98, but here I think they chose the wrong Model 70 feature.

But that is a minor quibble, since I doubt I'll ever have to replace the spring again. Other than that I really like it so far, partly because it has been a long time since anybody built a true mid-length bolt action of classic style.

The rifle is also very accurate, and not only has the Montana action but a Montana Barrel Works stainless barrel. So far it's favorite load is the 156 Norma Oryx and H4350, which will go into .5" or so, 3 shots at 100, but it groups everything into at most 1.25".

MD

MuleDeer,

Any idea exactly what the fix was regarding the misfires? Just curious since mine's been back now a second time to MRC to resolve the same issue. Haven't been able to try it out since I got it back the second time as Fedex cracked my stock on the return trip and I'm still waiting for the resolution. Can't wait to try it out and see if the misfire problem has been resolved. Any more signs of misfires?

Thx

I'm really wondering how you can argue with that.

Chuck

I had similar problems with my short action from the original charter subscribers. No misfires but rather occasional light primer strikes and powder ignition problems. I guess I was dumb. I called them and bought and paid for a heavier firing pin spring. I think they now sell and stock three weights of springs, 23#, 25# and 30#. Have no clue what they sent me as I merely asked for a heavier spring, but it fixed my problem.

interesting... Mine got a heavier spring the first go round, but it still wasn't always popping the cap. This go round, they replaced to cocking piece, bushed the firing pin hole and replaced the spring again. It appears to strike much harder as best I can tell, although I haven't been able to shoot it due to the broken stock. I was just curious what other folks impressions were and if the problem was ultimately resolved. Sort of lowered my level of confidence in the rifle. After two returns and now the broken stock, I'm startin' to think it's got some bad mojo, but it's definitely smooth and a generally nice rig, so I'm hopeful. I think the cerakote and microslick definitely improved the action. Because of the misfires and light primer stikes I haven't been able to tell too much yet about accuracy, but it seems to have a lot of potential.

They may not have checked the firing pin protrusion the first time. I can't see how the cocking piece would make any difference.

Mine was in great shape when I bought it except for the inherent stickiness of the new stainless steel surfaces and a very tight bolt. Some polishing stones on the races and jeweling the bolt took care of all the smoothness problems in the action and that beat sitting there just working the bolt to try to accomplish that. I did nothing to the exterior except have my 'smith bead blast it along with the barrel he installed. I'm extremely satisfied with mine and it was square right from the gitgo.

Folk's have different ideas as to what custom is. Is it fully custom from one of the famous makers, semi custom with a lot of alteration, or just a few aftermarket parts put on a factory chassis. It is all in your definition. Allen's is obviously full custom from someone like Echols.

They install a cocking piece that creates a longer firing pin fall, along with a stronger spring. This solved the problem in my rifle.

Firing pin fall in the rifles that have problems is normally around .200 or under (in mine it was .204). The new cocking piece creates a pin fall of .235 or so.

I gather the shorter pin fall was an experiment that lasted only a few rifles. I am sure they will fix any that don't go bang every time.

MD

Interesting info. Thx, I guess I'm feelin' better about it now. Hopefully, that will resolve the remaining misfires I was encountering. I can live with growing pains as long as there's a valid explanation and repair. I have misgivings when I don't know why they did something. I plan to put a bunch of rounds thru her at the range before she sees a hunting situation so should shake out any remaining funkiness.

A true point Allen makes on the definition of Custom, but, and I think Sambubba spoke to this issue some a few post up, sometimes the want (or realistic want) is a little less than full custom, & sometimes the budget is a little less too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> .
I am a lefty that wanted a lefty rifle, and got tired of looking for doner actions. That is where I think MRC has a niche.
If I were right handed I would just by M70's or Kimbers and not look back.
I bought this barrled action from MRC and had McMillian Stock it. Curently it is at Hill Country Rifle getting a few other things worked on/accurized. But as someone who acctually owns one, and was not looking for all out custom, I am pleased. At the end of the day you get what you pay for. This rifle is not a full custom job, but it ain't off the rack either. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
(yes the rings are too high, and Hill country is fixing that as we speak <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

Mark G,
As a leftie I could not of said it any better than you did. Nice looking rifle. I am awaiting my McMillan for the 458 Lott I ordered from MRC.

I looked arounbd at all of the options..CZ, Rejm, Win Classic, Pre-64, Mauser, Global Trading Mauser, CD Mauser, etc...

I went with the Montana with a custom barrel profile that they are making for me too. yes it is in a lighter caliber and I know the actions at hearty in size, but the short action is also perfectly sized for long bulets in the 6.5 Swede and 7X57 Mauser; not a typical short action made for 308 family. Since I am using the Swede I liked this very much. Love the pre-64 features and the Mauser features together. I just handled one of the Model 3 CZs which is actually a MRC action. Perfect little rifle. I am a big guy and this rifle will resemble an express rifle anyway so it was never intended to be a featherweight.

Rifle magazine just did a review of the company and gave them a thumbs up