Best non custom mountain rifle

[Ryan Avery]

Some more pics of it to inspire some folks!

Luke, that thing looks so HEAVY

 

[luke moffat]

The only thing heavy about this rifle is the recoil

 

[colonel00]

Looks good Luke. I was thinking of having Alaska Hydrographics do a Mandrake or Raid dip on my Tikka (whenever I get around to buying one). Anything you would change or suggest?

 

[luke moffat]

Awesome stuff here. Luke you have inspired me to trim weight off my Rem Mtn 270. I have it at the gunsmith getting trued and bedded. I found a couple guys on eBay that flute bolts and skeletonize handles for fairly reasonable prices. Hoping to have the total package under 7#.

Right on man!!! Post up some pics when you are done.

 

[Kotaman]

For the most part, I'm a custom guy, but through the years I've bought and sold a few Kimbers and have always been a fan of the Kimber Montana 84m for a lightweight production mountain rifle. I've always wanted to play with one in .308, but currently the .308 in this rifle is hard to come by. Last week I handled one in a gun shop and just couldn't get it out of my mind, so today I picked it up, slapped on a Swaro Z5 3.5x18x44 and fired a few "warm up shots" out the window of my pickup at 100 yards. This was leaning out the window with the gun resting on the rear view mirror. I think it's gonna be a keeper....

 

[Kotaman]

Here's the target...I know the inherent accuracy risks one takes in buying a Kimber, but this one does not seem to have a problem. With that said, I stand by my earlier post, that you cannot beat a Kimber Montana 84M for a non-custom Mountain Rifle. I don't know that a higher quality, lighter weight production rifle for hunting the mountains exists. Makes me wonder why I own about a dozen custom rifles that cost in some cases 5 times as much!

 

[luke moffat]

Very impressive Kotaman! Both my wife and I own Kimber montanas in 308. Mine is 4 pounds 11 oz now before scope and rings. Hoping to work up some 185 bergers in it to see what it will do. Hard to beat for sure! Though for 3-4 oz more I am certainly digging the 338-06 for a ultalight hammer in a 4+1 configuration.

 

[Kotaman]

Very impressive Kotaman! Both my wife and I own Kimber montanas in 308. Mine is 4 pounds 11 oz now before scope and rings. Hoping to work up some 185 bergers in it to see what it will do. Hard to beat for sure! Though for 3-4 oz more I am certainly digging the 338-06 for a ultalight hammer in a 4+1 configuration.

Yeah Luke...Your build intriques me for sure. I thought about doing some "mods" to this Montana, but I think I will leave well enough alone for now. The rifle is plenty light the way it is. I had a .280 AI in the Mountain Ascent and I actually thought it was too light!

My "test" today was with 168 gr. Sierra HPBT MatchKings. I also have some 168 Gr. TTSX's loaded as well as some 150 gr. SST's...gonna give them all a go off the bench this weekend and see what I get.

 

[luke moffat]

I wouldn't mess with much given how it appears too shoot!

PS.....not such thing as too light

 

[Kotaman]

I wouldn't mess with much given how it appears too shoot!

PS.....not such thing as too light

When I raise the rifle free hand, and I forget I'm holding a rifle...It is too light. (for me, that starts at about 5.5 lbs.)

 

[luke moffat]

Haha I thought that would be a good thing

 

[JG358]

Some more pics of it to inspire some folks!

Nice looking rifle Luke.

 

[elkeaterco]

Got the rifle back from my smith. Still have several things I want to shave on her but it'll have to do for now. Planning 2 trips to the AK in 2015 so funds are stupid low.

Remington Mtn 270, vortex viper hs 4-16x44
7lb 8 oz

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[hntnnut]

Not as fancy as some of the rifles on here, but I like my featherweight in .270 toped with a 2.5-8 leupy.

Richard

 

[teflonhunter]

Not my lightest but my favorite for almost do anything.

 

[Ryan R]

Picked up a Tikka Superlite 3006 this year. Its got a VX2 3-9x33 on it. Comes in a 6.5#. Very happy with it!

 

[Justin Crossley]

That's a perfect mountain rifle Ryan.

 

[birdman1]

I have a Wby 257 ultralight with a Swaro Z3 3 x 10 44. Gun shoots like a lazer and feels lightweight compared to half an elk and head. lol

 

[Beendare]

I just don't know how you can beat those Tikkas out of the box.

I had my choice in a SCI drawing I won for either a Kimber mtn rifle or Kimber pro carry .45- I took the pistol. A friend won the rifle and he says it doesn't shoot well- very disappointed in the accuracy. The .45 shoots great for such a small weapon.

 

[idig4au]

The new sako 85 carbon lite looks to be an interesting contender. I wonder if they will eventually offer in in the wsm calibers?