Thinking about buying a lightweight rifle, probably chambered in 25-06 or 280/280AI. The Kimber Montana and Subalpine both caught my eye. Any other options out there with a $1500 price tag or lower? I don't have any experience with Kimber rifles, but I'm assuming that they're fairly accurate for the price you're paying?

Edit: I have also looked at the Weatherby ultralight models

Also check out the Barrett Fieldcraft.

Kimber Montana or Barrett Fieldcraft. Kimbers are hit or miss. I've never had an inaccurate one, but others have.

I'd look at a custom/semi custom too, but that would be price dependent.

Fieldcraft, a little north of $1500 but worth it!

In all likelihood, you will enjoy whichever you choose.

You might search for a Forbes.

Kimber Montana in 25-06 is a sweet little package.

How light do you want? I have a M70 FWT .30-06 in McMillan Edge and my Daughter's faux Howa Alpine .308 both weigh right at 7lbs scoped. I put both together for under $1500 combined.

Kimber Montana or Barrett Fieldcraft are two top choices. I think the Fieldcrafts are better to go out of the box and I believe they still make the 25-06. Lots of others but those are the top two off the shelf.

Another option is to go with an Edge stock on a 700, especially for the long action. The extra mag box length on the 700 is nice to have there....but it won't be as light.

Ideally I'd like to stay <7 lbs scoped



Is it for sale?

Here’s the least expensive 25/06 Barrett I could find on GB.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/844811926
Still a few listed.

Sorry, it is not for sale. But, I think it is a good example of what is easily available from Kimber.

Had a Forbes,In 25-06 That I Should Have Never Sold..I've Had The Kimbers as Well, I Just Don't Care For Wing Type Safety.. Last Year I Put Togather a Mountain Rifle And Have Been Well Pleased. 700 S.S. With Mountain Rifle Edge Stock, Jewel Trigger And Quik Clip Bottom Metal. 6.14 All Up With 4 Rounds.. Talley L.W's And Swarovski 3-10-42..Shoots Good And Is a Pleasure To Carry..

My tikka T3x lite stainless 30-06 was 6lbs 1oz or maybe 2oz out of the box. Add Talley mounts, add Leupold vx-3i of your preferred magnification and your right at 7lbs or so for way under $1500 even paying full retail for brand new.

I will say I vastly prefer the Kimber Montana 308 at 5lbs 2oz .... but that gap narrows a bunch when you go to an 84L Kimber.

The stock on the Kimber Montana is much more rigid than the tikka and IMO nicer feel.

Montanas go for sale used for not much more than a new tikka.


7lbs is a very doable target without anything crazy. Heck a browning xbolt hunter or tikka hunter fluted is barely over 6lbs bare, and those are walnut stocked guns .... same with Kimber 84L classic.

Just some thoughts.

I own the following...
Rem Ti’s- might be the best handling of the bunch. My 270 is scary accurate.
Kimber Montana’s... probably my favorite. All are 1/2” or better shooters with certain factory loads.
Weatherby ULW’s- Love these as well. Only con I can think of is the bottom metal widens out more than ADL stocks. Otherwise great rifles. They shoot great.
Barrett Fieldcraft- Very nice rifles. I like the Basner style stock probably more than anything.

All are great options....

Can you elaborate on what you mean?

My concern is I don't want to get a "chintzy" feeling stock. I've held a few Kimber Montana's and have been impressed with their quality. I held a Kimber hunter model and I wasn't impressed.

Montana, Fieldcraft, Forbes, and NULA/ULA all have excellent stiff lightweight stocks. All are blind mag. Fieldcraft, Forbes, and NULA/ULA are full-length bedded to the action/barrel. Montana's are bedded to a slave action, but all I've had are quality. The Hunter stock is crap....but functional.

I have an excellent condition Montana in 308 coming to me now. Found it on GB for $800 with both Talley LW's and a pic rail. It's one of the older non-threaded that I prefer. They can be found.

ETA: I believe BenfromNY means that a LA Montana is about 5 lbs 10 ozs, which is closer in weight to the Tikka. I much prefer a SA 84M with a 22" barrel versus the 84L with a 24". A 7mm-08 would definitely ring the bell and you'd save about 8 ozs over the 280AI.

So would $900 for a clean Montana 84L be a decent deal?

Not too bad. New ones can be had for $1100.

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.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/840862206

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.

One can usually PM the seller and make an offer.

That has yet to work in my personal experience. But, maybe my offers have been too low or even offensive. The auction in question also has an active bidder.

Yea...if there's a bid and no reserve, it's already basically sold. The only question now is if it will sell for more than the minimum bid.

I think the key in finding something you want is to not be in a huge hurry. Bid on what's there. Don't overpay for it. If you don't get it, slum another good-deal Montana or Forbes or Fieldcraft in whatever cartridge until you find a good deal on what you really want and trip the one that wasn't your first choice.

The Fieldcrafts in 6mm CM and 6x55 and 243 and 22-250 that recently sold for $1150 were the deals of the century, I think.

Probably hard to beat this...

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/14264095/1

I have a Kimber in 308 that is 6 1/4 lbs scoped. Have some McMillan Edge stocked 70's and one 700 that range between 7-7 3/4 lbs scoped. But if I had to do it over again I'd just buy Tikka's in the cartridges I want and save the money for something else. You can keep weight just over 7 lbs scoped if you pick the scope carefully, or easily keep it under 8 lbs with a huge scope on one. And I doubt you'll find anything more accurate.

The 6lb Kimber is nice, but I've come to the conclusion that 7 1/2 lbs is light enough and I shoot something at that weight better regardless of the rifles potential.

Don't bet on that! I have seen many sellers have someone bid on their stuff so that it doesn't sell at a price they are not happy with! There is a seller on GB that does it a lot. One time he had in the pictures the serial number and reused the same pictures.

Yeah, i suspect this happens a lot.....Hb

Well, I won the auction tonight, so I'll have a Kimber Montana in 25-06 coming my way for $945 shipped. Hopefully it shoots as well as it looks and I'll be satisfied with it. I'll post up some pictures once I get it.

Congratulations! It will be a great gun for you. What scope will you use? Keep us posted on how it shoots.

I also have to throw a shoutout to th82457 for giving me a hand.

Yea....that's a good price on a great rifle. You'll enjoy that.

In your choice of 25 /06 or a 280 or 280 Ai your kind of doing the apples/oranges thing. In 25/06 you are looking at a .257" bullet range from 85gr to 120gr bullet. I don't know where you hunt or what you hunt, but you have a much larger range of bullet weight with the .280 / 284" 7mm bullet. We are looking at a range of bullet weight from 120gr up to 175gr. I have a Weatherby Mark V UL in 280 Rem/ 284" / 7mm that loves 140gr Accu Bonds sitting on top of 54gr of Reloader 19. (sub MOA 3 shot 100yd groups) I recently purchased a Kimber Montana in .280 AI. Why? Damned if I know. I have worked up some loads for it, but have not had a chance to go to the range. If you chose to go with the 280 AI I hope that you reload. Get some Nosler brass, and try a variety of loads. The 280 AI tailor made's are pretty pricey. Keep in mine that these light weights are mint as hunting rifles, not bench rest guns. To add to your search, don't rule out the Tikka T3x, my son has one in .270 Win and he uses tailor made Hornady 130gr SST Superformance rounds, and most of his deer kills are DRT. Good luck in finding the right rifle that meats your needs. P.S. It is heavy but the Win Extreme Weather is a fine rifle.

Personally.....I'd stick an 80 Gr. TTSX or a 100 Gr. TTSX in a 25-06 and go kill whatever I wanted.

And the 110 Accubonds ain't bad, either.

Walked home with this today.........literally, was walking my 2.5 year old in the stroller and 6 year old home from 1st grade.

Lucky Number Tuesday at the local "swings both ways Mart" really paid off this time.

Hard to beat $650
I don't like plastic, but it's "for the 6 year old"


[img]https://i.imgur.com/TJXv20W.jpg?1[/img]

I have a couple of 25-06's already and really love the caliber. I don't have anything light though as that's what I was looking for. The 25-06 was my first choice, with the 280AI being a close 2nd. The majority of the time the rifle will be used in a combination of woods and fields with the longest shot being about 320 yards. I do reload, but am not currently set up for and AI cartridges.

I looked at the Hunter versions, but I really didn't like the feel of the stocks. That's a hell of a nice rifle for a kid, you're going to spoil him with his first deer rifle.Exactly what every good dad should do. I'm still watching for a good 1st deer rifle for my 3 year old.

Getting rid of the Howa Alpines in 243, so "needed" something else......
I agree, the plastic hunter stock is not my cup of tea, but I wont have to worry about him scratching it up, and for $650.....no brainer in 6.5 manbunn.

Hey that 25-06 Montana you scored is going to be sweet, congrats!!

Hey, good for you man!! You're gonna like that gun. Put some nice glass on it and report back how it shoots. Congratulations!

Congratulations on your new rifle, I think you’re going to love it. I looked at that one too, but didn’t want to bid it up as I knew you were interested and already bid on it. There will be others. Thinking about selling my 280 Ackley Montana and trying one of the new Weatherby Backcountry rifles in the same caliber just for kicks (I know, crazy).

Captain, How is your Subalpine 280Ai? ....Are you happy with the way she shoots?...Hb

Strangely enough I haven’t fired it. It’s been sitting in the safe waiting for its moment. A friend of mine made me an offer recently I couldn’t refuse, so I’m holding it for him while he raises some funds. He’s local so I’m sure I’ll get to shoot it after he gets it set up. Prob going to pick up one of the new Wby Backcountry rifles to try following the shot show, just for a change of pace.

Congrats on the 25/06 win. I’m slightly jealous, even if it doesn’t pass the Wally World test.

Lucky for me I've never been a fan of Wally World......but in all honesty I'm really looking forward to getting it.

Came in a day early, so I got to pick it up this afternoon. I bought a set of low Talley's last week, and mounted a Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x36 with an illuminated German #4 reticle. Planning on going to the range Saturday morning. Sorry about the crappy cell phone picture. Weighs 6lb 9.9oz as pictured.

Where does one get an illuminated 3i?

Leupold custom shop

Looking forward to the range report.

My Rem 700 TI (first gen) in .308 with a bunch of aluminum goodies and a leupold 2.5x8 W/M1 turret and DD’s comes in at 6 lbs .03oz
Like a feather.

Ruger old school M77 RL - ultralight!!!


Remington model 7 HS

I found a low serial # first generation Rem 700 Ti in 30-06. Comes in just over 6 1/2 pounds all scoped up and shot the first load I tried in it to 3/4". I think this thing has found a forever home.

For $650, it's a serviceable rifle, but the stocks on those vs the Montana's are night & day difference.

MM

Thanks Debbie Downer.

Have one in30-06, handy rifle for sure!

The glass is half full ,man.

So's the price.