Montana AVR SS 375 H & H

[Red Leg]

Franko, I have an MRC in 375 H&H and I’ll have to agree about the fine sights. Hard to see with my old eyes. I’m a believer in illuminated reticles in scopes and light pipes in open sights. I haven’t researched them yet, but you just reminded me I need to do that.
Both of these show up well in sun and low light times.

Best of luck in your research!

“Light Pipes” !!??!! Seriously!?!

Ok, I get the curmudgeon thing - I am card carrying - but light pipes?!? You are probably typing on a glass-fronted typewriter as well.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Just an FYI, many years ago I use to design “light pipes” to go in the front of equipment to transmit the lights on the control panel circuit boards (yes it was the transistor era!) through the front covers of the equipment. No such thing as fiber optics then.
Geez, I guess I’ll have to watch what I say here! Man you guys are tough on an old great grandpa!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

View attachment 293537

Here's a pic. Hard to see the sights....

Nice rifle.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Just an FYI, they are all (synthetic and wood stocked alike) “aluminum pillar & glass bedded” according to their brochure.

I was wondering how thoroughly glass bedded, like lug only or also under the action... I was also wondering if they only have 1 lug, or if they have a barrel lug too.

 

[Fastrig]

Looking at the Montana rifles as an option to a custom build in 404J. My local shop is a dealer and said this might be a good option if the custom gets too crazy expensive. Does anyone know if their Montana Flats Muzzle Brake is any good compared to other brakes? They claim the noise to the shooter and others behind the shooter when firing is no louder than without the brake, but haven't shot one of their rifles with or without their brake to know for sure. Also, are their barrels threaded so the break can be removed?

 

[Ridgewalker]

1.Does anyone know if their Montana Flats Muzzle Brake is any good compared to other brakes? They claim the noise to the shooter and others behind the shooter when firing is no louder than without the brake, but haven't shot one of their rifles with or without their brake to know for sure.
2. Also, are their barrels threaded so the break can be removed?

1. My 375 H&H MRC is definitely louder with the brake! Unless they have made substantial changes in the last 3 years and the pictures don’t look like it. I don’t see hoe a brake can work without blasting the shooter even though some claim to.
2. Yes it unscrews from the muzzle on my 375. I suspect it does from all. You will need a thread protector if you remove it. Also, I found the POI changes after you remove it. It alters the barrel harmonics.

If you get their 404J, I will be very envious!!!

 

[Fastrig]

1. My 375 H&H MRC is definitely louder with the brake! Unless they have made substantial changes in the last 3 years and the pictures don’t look like it. I don’t see hoe a brake can work without blasting the shooter even though some claim to.
2. Yes it unscrews from the muzzle on my 375. I suspect it does from all. You will need a thread protector if you remove it. Also, I found the POI changes after you remove it. It alters the barrel harmonics.

If you get their 404J, I will be very envious!!!

Thank you very much!! I was wondering about the claims I read on their brake as I've never shot a rifle with a brake that wasn't loud and left my ears ringing if not wearing protection. Having one though on a 404J would make range time a little easier on the old shoulder, so as long as it's removable and a simple re-zero before going to the field is done I'll probably add that as an option. Wish there was a brake that wouldn't blow your ears out, but guess it's nature of the beast. Might go with a suppressor some day.

I'm looking at a rifle that would be a cross between the MRC XTH and African models. I like the form factor of the XTH stock, similar to my Daniel Defense Delta 5 308 which I love. Would probably go with stainless and Cerakote finish. Going to have to see what open sights are available as I don't like the ones pictured in their literature. May investigate a Pic rail where I can swap out one of the quick targeting red dot type sites and a scope, both on quick release mounts, and forgo the fixed sights completely....I'm a fixed sights guy, but my DD 308 is setup this way and it's turning out to be a good alternative. I'm definitely stepping out of the box a little with these new rifles, at least for me and my old school ways.

 

[Ridgewalker]

JMO, but I wouldn’t put a picatinny rail on a DG rifle. You may need all the room you can get to reload under pressure. I’m sure someone makes a quick release mount that would work with a Weaver base and red dot.

Muzzlebrake-you might have a thread protector made that is the same weight as your brake. I think that is what Ruger does.

Cerakote- although I like the protection of Cerakote on mine, they coated the bolt and inside of the receiver. This keeps it kind of “grindy” when sliding the bolt. Theirs without are very slick and smooth operating. I believe a nitride coating might be better. I don't think it changes the friction nor dimensions. Just a thought.

 

[Fastrig]

JMO, but I wouldn’t put a picatinny rail on a DG rifle. You may need all the room you can get to reload under pressure. I’m sure someone makes a quick release mount that would work with a Weaver base and red dot.

Muzzlebrake-you might have a thread protector made that is the same weight as your brake. I think that is what Ruger does.

Cerakote- although I like the protection of Cerakote on mine, they coated the bolt and inside of the receiver. This keeps it kind of “grindy” when sliding the bolt. Theirs without are very slick and smooth operating. I believe a nitride coating might be better. I don't think it changes the friction nor dimensions. Just a thought.

Thanks! Good point on the Pic rail...my DD has a clip magazine and you can drop a clip and put another in really quick if need be. The clip release is built into the trigger guard. One of the reasons I'm leaning towards a custom build is I would prefer a clip magazine over the drop box style. That way I can carry a couple of clips with varying grain loads, one with heavy solids, and can pop in whichever is appropriate very quickly. At least that's my thinking....what is your opinion on this train of thought?

Great suggestion on the break and and protector. My DD has a DLC coating on the bolt, a carbon coating of some sort. Think the barrel is coated in Cerakote, but not sure about that and it could be the DLC coating. Their website isn't clear on the coatings used, other than the bolt's, so going to have to check on that. Don't want a gritty anything in the action, so thanks for the heads up.

So many things to consider

 

[Bullthrower338]

Thanks! Good point on the Pic rail...my DD has a clip magazine and you can drop a clip and put another in really quick if need be. The clip release is built into the trigger guard. One of the reasons I'm leaning towards a custom build is I would prefer a clip magazine over the drop box style. That way I can carry a couple of clips with varying grain loads, one with heavy solids, and can pop in whichever is appropriate very quickly. At least that's my thinking....what is your opinion on this train of thought?

Great suggestion on the break and and protector. My DD has a DLC coating on the bolt, a carbon coating of some sort. Think the barrel is coated in Cerakote, but not sure about that and it could be the DLC coating. Their website isn't clear on the coatings used, other than the bolt's, so going to have to check on that. Don't want a gritty anything in the action, so thanks for the heads up.

So many things to consider

The only detachable box magazine that I would ever consider for a rifle that may be relied on to save my butt would be the Accuracy International or Badger Ordnance designs, they are made up to 338 Lapua dimensions I believe. I would stick with a good old fashioned drop box. For some reason the Badger bottom metals tacti-cool factor would be misguided on a 404J.

 

[Fastrig]

The only detachable box magazine that I would ever consider for a rifle that may be relied on to save my butt would be the Accuracy International or Badger Ordnance designs, they are made up to 338 Lapua dimensions I believe. I would stick with a good old fashioned drop box. For some reason the Badger bottom metals tacti-cool factor would be misguided on a 404J.

Thank you, another thing to consider (LOL).....I see the Blaser rifles are using a magazine, though they look to be part of the trigger assembly, little different. Kind of a cross between a clip and drop box, sort of. Interesting design.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Thank you, another thing to consider (LOL).....I see the Blaser rifles are using a magazine, though they look to be part of the trigger assembly, little different. Kind of a cross between a clip and drop box, sort of. Interesting design.

Yes the blaser is a great design, might be the way to go if you aren’t looking for a traditional magazine rifle. I don’t own one but have shot a bunch and they are a very neat rifle, plus versatile as all get out with their modularity.
I’m certain one will find its way into my safe one day, just other dragons to slay at the moment!

 

[BeeMaa]

If you are considering Blaser, for that price you should consider a Dakota 76 PH, African or Safari.
This would be a true "turn key" DG rifle.

 

[Fastrig]

Yes the blaser is a great design, might be the way to go if you aren’t looking for a traditional magazine rifle. I don’t own one but have shot a bunch and they are a very neat rifle, plus versatile as all get out with their modularity.
I’m certain one will find its way into my safe one day, just other dragons to slay at the moment!

If they made a 404J option I probably would be considering one of their Safari kits that has a 300 win mag and a big bore barrel, two Zeis scopes and mounts, with the single stock in a custom Pelican breakdown case....price tag is a bit steep though, but guess that's the price of modularity and compactness.

 

[Fastrig]

If you are considering Blaser, for that price you should consider a Dakota 76 PH, African or Safari.
This would be a true "turn key" DG rifle.

If I could get this one in a 404J, SOLD I love that stock/form factor. My Mauser M12 9.3x62 is in that thumb-hole style and my Daniel Defense 308 is similar, both are the best shooting rifles I've ever had. Talked to one of the Blaser dealers a little while ago and he's checking to see if they could do a 404J and 300 win mag combo in that form factor. If they can, I'm probably going to stroke over the price, LOL

https://www.blaser.de/en/products/firearms/bolt-action-rifle-r8/r8-ultimate/r8-ultimate/

 

[Franko]

Just on the sights, they are Marbles sights that are screwed on to the barrel - makes for an easy change but there are as far as I can see, no safari style rear leaf sights in their inventory. Instead, I may replace the tiny front sight - 1/'16" - with a larger 3/32" bead, just so I can find it with the gun mounted! I will also look at producing my own rear leaf as it looks like a dovetail fit so may be able to be replicated. Meanwhile the LOP is way too short. I'll have a kick eeze pad ground to fit and I'll make a spacer of about 10mm to suit - hoping to source something exotic for this. Otherwise, I need a box of PPU ammo and some range time!
Frank

 

[Franko]

Mmmmm, it already has the larger front sight so back to the drawing board.

 

[Shootist43]

Franco, how about using an adjustable ghost ring rear sight? Is your current front sight in a Dovetail? Have you tried looking in Brownells Online catalog?

 

[Franko]

Front and rear sights are in a dovetail. I am starting to think I may have a rear blade custom made in order to get exactly what I want.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Franko, what do you want for a sight shape?