"The African" Rifle from Montana Rifle Company

[Newboomer]

Chapter 2: I have been consulting with the voices in my head and have decided to wait til my MRC 30-06 comes in March. If the quality is as good as the one I handled at SCI I will order an African in 404J Long Action. Rationale: It will make a complete battery for my next safari next year. What better excuse, uh, reason to go back to Africa. Go while the going's good. The devil and the angel compromised.

 

[nztimb]

Chapter 2: I have been consulting with the voices in my head and have decided to wait til my MRC 30-06 comes in March. If the quality is as good as the one I handled at SCI I will order an African in 404J Long Action. Rationale: It will make a complete battery for my next safari next year. What better excuse, uh, reason to go back to Africa. Go while the going's good. The devil and the angel compromised.

Your deliberations are a reflection on all of us at some time or another. It is more funny when it is someone else though.

 

[Capt_Oscar]

Chapter 2: I have been consulting with the voices in my head and have decided to wait til my MRC 30-06 comes in March. If the quality is as good as the one I handled at SCI I will order an African in 404J Long Action. Rationale: It will make a complete battery for my next safari next year. What better excuse, uh, reason to go back to Africa. Go while the going's good. The devil and the angel compromised.

I have an MRC X2 in 325WSM, it's been a spectacular performer on the bench and in the field. I ordered my 404J a month ago and thought if the recoil is too stout due to the weight. I can always have a mercury recoil reducer in the butt, have a break put on (though I really hate that option), OR... my ideal option, put a heavy Bastogne wood stock on it. I still consider the 404J more of a shove than the bite of a 416 Rigby so I really don't think the lighter weight will be too bad, save extended time on the range working up a custom load.

 

[Jeffrey]

Ron,
Can we get some answers about actual weight, magazine capacity, and where to buy one of the blasted things?? (My wallet already hurts, but probably wouldn't have opened up at all for a custom job that's half the cost of a used Heym double )

 

[TNDave]

I have actually been looking at this rifle in 458 Lott for about 3 months now. I, like others am a little concerned about the light weight but every shot I have taken on game, I neither felt or heard! I just booked my safari for 2020 and am debating on pulling the trigger or wait (no pun intended). I’ve been researching several different rifles and the MRC African appears to be a front runner as far as needed customization for an out of the box DGR. I’m interested in answers to many of the questions already asked above without repeating.

 

[Newboomer]

I think the easiest way to get an MRC rifle is phone them. I ordered mine at the SCI show and have had several phone conversations with them . They are very easy to work with for changes and upgrades.

Recoil in such a light rifle is my main concern but as has been mentioned one doesn't hear or feel it in the field. I have to shorten all my stocks, anyway, so I can adjust for a thicker pad and/or wear a Past Recoil Shield. I would never even consider a brake on such a work of art. I don't like the damn things on any gun.

I just pulled up the full size photo of that beauty and am sitting here trying not to drool all over my keyboard. It is becoming exceedingly difficult to hold off until next month before ordering one. I keep telling myself to wait til after my April hunt and see how things are. Oh, well, we'll see.

 

[outdoorbum]

My MR X2 in 264 Win Mag is one of the best I have ever used. Can't wait to see one of these in person

 

[nksmfamjp]

I like it! How many rounds will the 458 Lott hold?

 

[nksmfamjp]

I like it! How many rounds will the 458 Lott hold?

Well, I called and they tell me 3+1 in 458 Lott.

 

[Rob404]

Would like to see an Express rear sight

 

[nksmfamjp]

Would like to see an Express rear sight

Agree, but when I think about a dgr, I’m ok with 1 leaf....more important to me is having them properly sweated in to the rifle, but that is mostly just my opinion. I’ll bet most shots are 0-100 yds meaning 1 leaf is ok. Quarter rib would be nice.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Does the African model have the extra lug on the barrel? Does it need it?

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I notice the concern in regards to the 6lbs weight of the 404 Jeffery..if the stock design is straight...as indicated in the photos /length of pull is correct according to your physic ..the only way to negate the felt recoil when shooting the 404 Jeffery from MRC is to practice a lot with it..all off-hand shooting and shooting off sticks..stay away from a bench...work on your shooting stance a lot..make three dummies and cycle them through the bolt as fast as possible , this will give you excellent muscle memory and assist you to absorb the recoil without it being uncomfortable at all...this is the only way you will be able to shoot a DGR...

 

[nksmfamjp]

I notice the concern in regards to the 6lbs weight of the 404 Jeffery.....

I was quoted 8.5 lbs on the 458 Lott African.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I was quoted 8.5 lbs on the 458 Lott African.

The same principle apply...building muscle memory by cycling dummies gives you a feeling for the rifle , getting to feel comfortable with the rifle...improving your stance /shooting technique....a great technique is to cycle your rifle using the open hand method..., it is something I saw a friend of mine , Gawie Lindeque use , he is a training officer at Southern African Wildlife College where I did a elephant /buffalo hunting course...it entails using your palm to slam the bolt open and shut..much faster than grabbing the bolt in your fist...even shooting super bores like 600 NE in a bolt action the same principle underscore your shooting of a dangerous game rifle not the weight..

 

[Spooksar]

To sight it in use 2 sets of shooting sticks one for the fore end one for the butt. Stance , fit and balance makes a big difference in felt recoil, take your time and know your limits. Stop before you develop a flinch, go back the next day. I have found with my 505 Gibbs 8 rounds on a good day is max.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

To sight it in use 2 sets of shooting sticks one for the fore end one for the butt. Stance , fit and balance makes a big difference in felt recoil, take your time and know your limits. Stop before you develop a flinch, go back the next day. I have found with my 505 Gibbs 8 rounds on a good day is max.

You really max it out...a .458 WM is my limit...Dr. Kevin Robertson had a 505 Gibbs, he shot it with authority...here is a video of a person shooting his 505 Gibbs who do not know about his limitations or a good stance...
https://www.africahunting.com/media/how-not-to-shoot-a-505-gibbs.84695/

 

[Earle]

Nice looking rifle. I was actually interested as i'm looking about at 458s, but the idea of pulling the trigger on a 6lb-15oz 458 leaves me cold. Way more trouble than what it's worth. Lot's of 8.5 and 9lb rifles to choose from.

 

[Bignut]

I was quoted 8.5 lbs on the 458 Lott African.

I was quoted by mrc 8 pounds with no scope for the 404 Jeffery. Just ordered mine in left hand. Under $1800.00 in left hand anything is a great deal! Sling swivels and lop can be specified.

 

[Earle]

That sounds a little more realistic. I'll take another look at them. Montana should perhaps clarify the weights on their website. The long actions are listed as 6lbs-15oz and the ph models at 9lbs-11oz. Anyone interested in one would, like me, check their web-site and perhaps dismiss them because of their weight.