Help me decide

[Weston]

Well, the time has come to do a light/ultra light rifle.... I've got a handful of long range rifles, however they range from 10 lbs on up to about 18 for my .338L and frankly I'm sick and tired of packing around the big guns. I am ready to purchase my next rifle. This rifle is going to be my workhorse (for the few rifle hunts I go on). I've narrowed it down to 3 guns... The Kimber Ascent, Kimber Montana or Forbes 24B. Initally I had my heart set on the ascent, however I found out about forbes through some research and really like the rifles.... but alas I've read some less than stellar reviews on the craftsmanship and they seem to be about as hit or miss as the Montana.

I am just about positive I want to go .280 AI... I reload so I'm not worried about ammo.

This gun will most likely be used for coues deer almost exclusively. I would likely use it if I ever get a goat or sheep tag. I primarily archery hunt now but about once a year I find myself needing a rifle for one tag or another.

I want a gun that I can shoot out to 500 yards comfortably, possibly further if the conditions are perfect and I can get a good shooting position.

I'm very intrigued by the process of shaving weight off a Montana utilizing replacement bolt handle and aluminum trigger guard, however I'm unsure if anyone even makes these trigger guards anymore. However, this route would still allow me to flute the bolt body and possibly the BBL.

To make matters worse there is a BNIB ascent in 270 for sale locally for 1500 which seems to be a killer deal, however I've always followed the philosophy of buy once cry once and I would hate to buy it and then have an aversion to it because the caliber is not the one I wanted..

So the name of the game here is to help me decide between a Montana (and trying to find ultralight replacement parts) a Kimber Ascent, or a Forbes.

I really would like to spend around 1600 on the rifle said and done which is quite doable with any of these guns... I've never actually handled a forbes in person so I'm going off what I have seen online.

For the ease of this discussion lets assume .280 AI will be the chambering.

Thanks for the help!

 

[KINGSNAKE]

I would highly suggest you take a look at a Howa 1500 alpine mountain rifle. 5.7 lbs. Cerakoted with a high quality stock and a detachable box mag . This rifle is well within your budget.

 

[KINGSNAKE]

Only thing is you would have to choose between 7mm08 6.5 creed or a good old 308.

 

[BigTimber]

I have a Kimber MTN Ascent in 280 AI and really like the performance, feel and workmanship of this rifle. When I was looking for a 280 AI I was considering the Forbes like yourself but did not have the ability to actually handle one so I went with the MTN ascent as I already had two kimber Montanas that were flawless. If I were to customize a Montana it would be very comparable to the MTN ascent but when it was in my hands I knew it was a done deal my tears were for joy then all smiles after that. The rifle's performance is top notch. If I had the option of doing it all over, nothing would change, very very happy with my decision on the rifle and caliber. Hope this helps.

 

[mtswampfox]

if such a good deal you can always re-barrel , even to a premium name and have the AI....just sayin

 

[Weekender]

Not to derail this topic…any reason why sako finnlite not in this discussion ? I don't own any of these just curious

 

[Stid2677]

I have a couple Mountain Ascents and have taken game with both out pass 500 yards, one is a 30-06 and the other 280AI. IMHO, the brake is worth the extra cost on the MA over the Montana, the brake really helps with follow up shots, not really needed for recoil. I'm a CRF fan and prefer a 3 position safety so no Forbes for me.

Few critters my 280Ai was taken.

 

[kickemall]

Maybe you saw it but 16bore on the Tikka vs. Montana thread has a Montana 270wsm, scoped at 7.1 lbs. with reloading equipment for $1400.00
Seems like it might fit what your looking for. No affiliation.

 

[luke moffat]

I would highly suggest you take a look at a Howa 1500 alpine mountain rifle. 5.7 lbs. Cerakoted with a high quality stock and a detachable box mag . This rifle is well within your budget.

After seeing on in person and the fit and finish and the true weight of the rifle being 6 pounds 2 oz, I think I would go with a Tikka T3 that true to its listed weight of 6 pounds 3 oz and nearly half the cost.

 

[KINGSNAKE]

Luke I haven't seen the howa alpine in person but I have several other Howa stock and semi custom rifles and like em all. This gun had my Intrest is why I suggested looking at it. It's a bummer that it's not its listed weight.

 

[GKPrice]

I think that for a "light/ultra light" what it has come down to is the $1600 and then take your chances - I also think that, as time marches on, the gamble is surely getting better but you'd best figure in the cost of a custom barrel (or rebore if the goal is 338 or larger bore stuff) which should TOP $700 and normally a bit less - Actually, compared to a NULA, CA, PROOF, etc ... $2200 MAX isn't all that bad - I'm a diehard optimist so I'd gamble on the Montana or MA - The "Forbes 24 series put me off when they shifted to a 2 function safety hardly out of the gate - you can't beat a 3 function safety and to get it with a model 70 style is a BIG DEAL to me and a lot of others - .280 AI is a great chambering but don't sell the "plain ole" '06 short either (with the great bullets and powders we have today)

 

[DaveC]

I bought a alu trigger guard for my Montana off these folks: http://www.ebay.com/usr/cvmw?_trksid=p2047675.l2559. Fast shipping and perfect drop-in fit. A much nicer overall product than the PTG trigger guard I just put on my 700.

I own a Montana and am very pleased with it. The local gun shop has a few Forbes' last month, and while they seemed nice the stock and huge cavern of a safety cuttout were off putting.

 

[mtluckydan]

My vote would be for the Forbes. If you were willing to spend the money I would tell you to get a NULA in 284 win. I have handled the new Forbes rifles, but have not fired one. However, they feel exactly like a NULA. Melvin Forbes builds the actions and the stocks for the Forbes rifles. They vary from the NULA rifles in that the barrels are not made by Douglas and Melvin doesn't assemble them. Also, they are about half the price. I know of several local guys with them and they are shooting well. As far as the safety - I also like winchester style safeties like the Kimbers have. However, the safeties on the Forbes are essentially like a Remington model 700 and you can open the bolt with the safety on. The NULA safety is slightly different in that you have to push down on the safety in the on position to open the bolt. I think the Forbes safety is a little better in that respect.

 

[Weston]

I think that I'm between the Montana and forbes now. Just makes more sense to lighten the Montana myself then pay for an ascent. Of course I am still torn between the two. Forbes seems to have a lot of bad reviews for being "semi custom" but Kimber sure isn't much better!

 

[luke moffat]

I have owned 5 Kimbers now and shot one Forbes.....between the two I think the Kimber is the better deal so long as you stay in standard (non-magnum calibers). If you want a magnum than I'd say neither Forbes or Kimber are the best option and just save the coin and get a Tikka.

 

[Weston]

Thanks for the heads up Luke.

I just got off the phone with Rick at Fobes, after I sent him an email with some of my concerns as far as what I have read about the rifles.... he was professional in explaining the problems that they have had and some of which they remedied, such as the gritty action, where they changed the gritty phosphate coating to a smoother (and less durable) coating as well as decreasing the diameter of the bolt very slightly.

I was impressed by the way he handled himself over the phone, granted he is trying to sell his product but he was honest about the big cavity around the safety and explained that it is the same one melvin has used since '84 they have never had an issue with it so decided not to change anything.

Of course he also gave me the bad news that the catalog is outdated on line and that msrp has increased to 1599$ on the phosphate guns and increases with stainless upgrades, He did not offer to work with me on the price to the listed MSRP despite the website being wrong. He was also adamant that he had a couple dealers in Az but could not locate any for me as they weren't in his log.... Which was a disappointment as I will have to order directly to my FFL without seeing one.

The accuracy reports of the forbes are incredibly intriguing as the coues deer I will hunt with it typical shots can be 600 yards and our deer are much smaller targets than most regions big game.

I really value everyones input and I still have not made up my mind yet. I overanalyze everything and the accuracy reviews on the Kimbers do scare me.

 

[GKPrice]

Luke is a good sounding board, I've owned a few Kimber Montanas in 308 and 2 were absolute standouts for accuracy, not the chambering you are looking for feedback on but it speaks to the inherent accuracy of the rifles (those 2 were both pre-owned) Owned and worked with 2 in 325 WSM and those 2 were also standouts with 220's (like 4 shot 3/4" groups at 100 consistently) I'll not hesitate "taking a chance" on a Kimber Montana when the time again comes .... BUT for a Coues rifle you could do a heck of a lot worse than a Tikka T3 superlight in 7mm RM and build a 140 load

 

[Weston]

Those Tikka super light's are what I had initially planned on, however Something about the even lighter rifles intrigues me, The plasticky stock really doesn't bother me, but a carbon/kevlar stock seems even nicer

 

[Weston]

ended up picking up a T3-superlite today, couldn't justify paying 1500 bucks for a gun with mediocre reviews, and figured if I went with Tikka the magnum made sense since there was no weight savings for SA

 

[TylerW]

what chambering ?