Montana Rifle Co AVR - American Vantage Rifle 375 H&H

[Franko]

I have a chance to pick one up at a discounted price, but I know nothing about them. The rifle has a monte carlo cheek piece and open sights with a 3 + 1 capacity. CRF and top load.... So, are they reliable, accurate and strong? I could buy a tried and tested CZ550, but then this came along........

 

[Shaneb]

I have no firsthand experience with it but a quick google search yielded many favorable reviews. One complaint about the sights. But as far as the rifle itself, it appears to be a strong, reliable, accurate gun. Cz 550 reviews however would keep me from ever purchasing one. Hundreds of poor reviews and extractor/feeding issues. Last thing I would want to deal with on a DG hunt.
Regards, Shane

 

[Ridgewalker]

Franco, I have owned an MRC for a while now in 375 H&H. Mine has been great. Accurate enough with factory loads and very accurate especially with handloads. I have fired around 2,000 rounds through it. Most factory loads are 1 1/2” groups. Barnes TSX and Swift A-Frame factory 300 gr is 3/4-7/8” and are the best of the factory loads. Handloads can drop that in half.
Full disclosure here before the new ownership of MRC when I purchased mine I did have an issue. The firing pin seemed to have some soft strikes particularly on PPU ammunition. I simply soaked it while in the bolt with Kroil and it seemed to go away. Again in full honesty I have had the same issue with the same ammo in a Kimber Talkeetna. So take my whine with a grain of salt.
I do really like the new ownership of MRCand have a couple of other rifles of theirs I am considering. Wish they would have had them before I purchased my granddaughter’s rifle.
You didn’t say what caliber the MRC was?
Best of luck in your decision!

 

[Shaneb]

Franco, I have owned an MRC for a while now in 375 H&H. Mine has been great. Accurate enough with factory loads and very accurate especially with handloads. I have fired around 2,000 rounds through it. Most factory loads are 1 1/2” groups. Barnes TSX and Swift A-Frame factory 300 gr is 3/4-7/8” and are the best of the factory loads. Handloads can drop that in half.
Full disclosure here before the new ownership of MRC when I purchased mine I did have an issue. The firing pin seemed to have some soft strikes particularly on PPU ammunition. I simply soaked it while in the bolt with Kroil and it seemed to go away. Again in full honesty I have had the same issue with the same ammo in a Kimber Talkeetna. So take my whine with a grain of salt.
I do really like the new ownership of MRCand have a couple of other rifles of theirs I am considering. Wish they would have had them before I purchased my granddaughter’s rifle.
You didn’t say what caliber the MRC was?
Best of luck in your decision!

It says in the title of the post. .375 HandH

 

[Ridgewalker]

Oops! Sorry, I’ve got 404 Jeffrey on my mind!

 

[Shaneb]

Oops! Sorry, I’ve got 404 Jeffrey on my mind!

Don’t get me started! I’ve been dreaming of one ever since I joined this sight.....lol

 

[CTDolan]

It looks like the price of at least some of the offerings from MRC has risen with new ownership. As far as I am concerned that is quite alright, provided that the level of quality has followed suit (something that appears to be the case from all that I have heard).

The action is of very sound design and well made. Honestly, put on a better set of sights (if you're into that) and call it good. I'd not hesitate myself, not for a minute.

 

[Nkawu]

+1 on the sights, and maybe some more weight on the 404 and 458 etc

 

[colorado]

I have no firsthand experience with it but a quick google search yielded many favorable reviews. One complaint about the sights. But as far as the rifle itself, it appears to be a strong, reliable, accurate gun. Cz 550 reviews however would keep me from ever purchasing one. Hundreds of poor reviews and extractor/feeding issues. Last thing I would want to deal with on a DG hunt.
Regards, Shane

You should read Ganyana' article on rifle's used in the Zimbabwe Professional Hunter's Exam. BRNO's and CZs rated pretty highly. That article convinced me to buy a CZ 550 and it's become my favorite rifle.

 

[CTDolan]

You should read Ganyana' article on rifle's used in the Zimbabwe Professional Hunter's Exam. BRNO's and CZs rated pretty highly. That article convinced me to buy a CZ 550 and it's become my favorite rifle.

The thing I don’t like about the CZ is the way that it handles (it’s ungainly). As far as being reliable is concerned, it’s a good platform from which to start.

 

[5shot]

I'd want to be able to run a box or two of shells through it before I spent my $$$. Hit and miss on QC, but I do hope that changes with the new ownership.

 

[colorado]

The thing I don’t like about the CZ is the way that it handles (it’s ungainly). As far as being reliable is concerned, it’s a good platform from which to start.

I think in the little calibers that's a fair criticism. In the larger calibers (450 Ribgy, 505 Gibbs, 500 Jeffery) I think the shape and weight of the rifle is just right. But to each his own.

 

[buckcurtin]

Franco, I have owned an MRC for a while now in 375 H&H. Mine has been great. Accurate enough with factory loads and very accurate especially with handloads. I have fired around 2,000 rounds through it. Most factory loads are 1 1/2” groups. Barnes TSX and Swift A-Frame factory 300 gr is 3/4-7/8” and are the best of the factory loads. Handloads can drop that in half.
Full disclosure here before the new ownership of MRC when I purchased mine I did have an issue. The firing pin seemed to have some soft strikes particularly on PPU ammunition. I simply soaked it while in the bolt with Kroil and it seemed to go away. Again in full honesty I have had the same issue with the same ammo in a Kimber Talkeetna. So take my whine with a grain of salt.
I do really like the new ownership of MRCand have a couple of other rifles of theirs I am considering. Wish they would have had them before I purchased my granddaughter’s rifle.
You didn’t say what caliber the MRC was?
Best of luck in your decision!

Had the same issue with my MRC 404 Jeffrey. First and third shot on Cape Buffalo with Norma African PH ammo. Never happened with Hornady ammo which I had practiced with because it was cheaper. PH and assistant PH took bolt apart and cleaned in camp that night and no further problem. Have the last miss fire still. First one fired the second time after reworking the bolt.

 

[TOBY458]

I had one in 375 H&H. It shot and functioned well. They're just a little heavy for a 375 for my tastes. Mine also had a very sloppy bedding job, and the stock to metal fit was sub par for such an expensive rifle. Hopefully the new owners are bringing the quality up.

 

[johnnyblues]

I would also recommend Hill Country rifles. The built both my 270 wsm and 300 wsm . Absolute tack drivers.

 

[CTDolan]

I think in the little calibers that's a fair criticism. In the larger calibers (450 Ribgy, 505 Gibbs, 500 Jeffery) I think the shape and weight of the rifle is just right. But to each his own.

The only one I have ever handled and shot was a .375 H&H (had my hands on a .458 Lott and .416 Rigby but never pulled the trigger on either). Nice rifle for the money, just too long and heavy. That'd be easy to fix, though.

 

[BeeMaa]

I don't own a MRC, but do have a CZ550 in 375 (customized by AHR) and I'll add my .02 on the subject.

What I have learned is that for right around $3K you can get the job done with a 375 in a typical "African" style rifle.
Assuming you buy the rifle for around $1.5K (new cost) and spend about that much having it made the way you want it.
A lot of folks here on AH can do much of the needed work themselves, but I'm not one of those people.
In that instance, you could save a good chunk of change.

Move up to around the $5-9K mark and you will avoid most of the post-purchase gunsmith bills.
For that price you will have a barrel length you want, quarter rib, barrel band front sling swivel, express sights, FO front hooded sight...etc.
Makers like Dakota, Cooper, Jarrett all have options like this, along with American Hunting Rifles who specializes in custom CZ work.

Move up from that and you are in the $10K + range of looking at "bespoke" rifles.
For me, these rifles are but a dream.
They are truly beautiful works of art that are custom fit to the owner with engraving and wood that are truly amazing.

It depends on your budget and what you value most.
You can spend time to make your rifle the way you want it, or pay others to do so.

MRC is under new ownership now and is correcting a lot of previous problems.
They are moving in the right direction from what I have seen and I would not hesitate to buy one of their new products.
Best of luck with your decision.

 

[BeeMaa]

I could buy a tried and tested CZ550, but then this came along........

When you say "tried and tested CZ550" what exactly do you mean?
Is this a used firearm that has been worked over by a professional, or maybe a friend owns it now and you are considering buying it?
Or do you mean to say that CZ as a product is "tried and tested"?

 

[TOBY458]

I don't own a MRC, but do have a CZ550 in 375 (customized by AHR) and I'll add my .02 on the subject.

What I have learned is that for right around $3K you can get the job done with a 375 in a typical "African" style rifle.
Assuming you buy the rifle for around $1.5K (new cost) and spend about that much having it made the way you want it.
A lot of folks here on AH can do much of the needed work themselves, but I'm not one of those people.
In that instance, you could save a good chunk of change.

Move up to around the $5-9K mark and you will avoid most of the post-purchase gunsmith bills.
For that price you will have a barrel length you want, quarter rib, barrel band front sling swivel, express sights, FO front hooded sight...etc.
Makers like Dakota, Cooper, Jarrett all have options like this, along with American Hunting Rifles who specializes in custom CZ work.

Move up from that and you are in the $10K + range of looking at "bespoke" rifles.
For me, these rifles are but a dream.
They are truly beautiful works of art that are custom fit to the owner with engraving and wood that are truly amazing.

It depends on your budget and what you value most.
You can spend time to make your rifle the way you want it, or pay others to do so.

MRC is under new ownership now and is correcting a lot of previous problems.
They are moving in the right direction from what I have seen and I would not hesitate to buy one of their new products.
Best of luck with your decision.

Let me start by saying I LOVE the looks of beautiful walnut stocks, quarter ribs, blued finishes, ect. But, when bouncing around in the back of a bakkie or dragging your rifle through the thorns, I'd be crying every time I saw a new scratch or ding mark on that beautiful wood stock. Especially on a rifle that costs over $10K. But that's just my nature.

 

[BeeMaa]

Let me start by saying I LOVE the looks of beautiful walnut stocks, quarter ribs, blued finishes, ect. But, when bouncing around in the back of a bakkie or dragging your rifle through the thorns, I'd be crying every time I saw a new scratch or ding mark on that beautiful wood stock. Especially on a rifle that costs over $10K. But that's just my nature.

I feel the same way.
All of my rifles are synthetic of some type.
Mostly because I view them as tools to be used and in some cases, used hard.
I have two O/U Beretta shotguns that are wood, but nothing exceptional to keep me from hunting with them.