Montana Rifle Co, Shoot2Hunt, and Rokslide Rifle

[mxgsfmdpx]

How will this rifle compare to the sako 90 quest?

I have a Sako 90 Quest pre-production model. It's an excellent rifle and is very reliable and shoots great. Other than action length being shorter/longer based on cartridge, flush mount double stack mags, factory bottom aluminum, and better stock design, there isn't a ton different about them than a Tikka.

 

[HighUintas]

You have no idea what you are talking about- I make $0 from anyone in the industry, and have never been paid by anyone.

You don't get paid for your services as a trainer in the shoot2hunt classes? you're donating your time for them?

 

[Formidilosus]

You don't get paid for your services as a trainer in the shoot2hunt classes? you're donating your time for them?

No I do not. I do not know how to make this more clear- not one single penny has ever been paid to me from any company in the hunting/gun industry.

Maybe one day that will change, and if it does I will be open about it.

 

[Formidilosus]

How will this rifle compare to the sako 90 quest?

I do not have enough experience with the Sako 90 to say. My supposition is that it is a very reliable, well functioning rifle.

 

[darkhunter6.5]

Sounds like a great rifle.

 

[Formidilosus]

It's the "in house barrels" and the ability and or care to detail of the guys who are machining them for fitment. Where are they dialing in at, to what degree of acceptable(or preferred 0.0000) run-out. How often are reamers being replaced? I hope this rifles a success and its all we want it to be,

(Underlined section)

If the rifle is shot for precision with a 10+ round group before it arrives to you- and you get to see the target that it shot before you buy it; why do you care what that number is, or how often the reamer is replaced?

but I'll always the the skeptic to off the shelf rifles.

Sure. Hell I’m skeptical of the rifles that I currently own and use.

 

[Bluumoon]

(Underlined section)

If the rifle is shot for precision with a 10+ round group before it arrives to you- and you get to see the target that it shot before you buy it; why do you care what that number is, or how often the reamer is replaced?





Sure. Hell I’m skeptical of the rifles that I currently own and use.

Can I pick my rifle based on verification target? Asking for a friend.

 

[Brontosaurus]

Can I pick my rifle based on verification target? Asking for a friend.

I think allterra does this… but with three shot groups

 

[RockAndSage]

Start at the start.


Why do so many “custom” and “semi-custom” rifles have so many functional problems? Feeding and function issues are common out of the box, precision issues are not uncommon. Incorrect assembly is common. Etc.
So what do you get for your money when you buy a $2,00 to $4,000 (and higher) semi custom rifle? A painted stock? Maybe it’s spot bedded? (but so many are going in chassis and aluminum bedding blocks that’s not even a thing). It has a “custom” $100 Trigger Tech trigger from the factory? An accuracy guarantee* that they never proved? A barrel length/weight that isn’t ideal for the task, but is threaded?

You certainly aren’t getting a rifle that has any more attention to correct cycle of operation- feed/fire/extract/eject/feed; than any factory rifle. They didn’t proof the precision on each rifle by actually shooting it. They didn’t cycle ammo through it (through multiple mags if DBM) to ensure correct function. They didn’t assemble it in any way different than a $500 rifle.

So what is it? From what I see and have experienced the $2,000 plus common “upgraded rifles” are a poorly thought out stock, with a mismatched to application barrel length and weight, In optimum twist rates and magazine COAL, a sub $100 common trigger, and some paint splattered on it. Quite often there are basic function issues that either can’t be remedied by the user, or require significant knowledge of how to do so.
When people spend $3,000-$4,000 on a rifle, they expect that they are paying for that rifle to be free from problems- to function correctly and to group without issue. Unfortunately, that isn’t what you are paying for.

Right now there is not a single rifle offered beyond standard factory, by any company that I could suggest to someone that wants to buy a made for purpose western backpack and general hunting rifle and know that it is ready to go out of the box. The best option currently available for a no nonsense, well setup rifle is a Tikka T3x cut and threaded if needed, with a correctly designed stock, assemble it correctly, and go.


All rifles should, but especially semi-custom and custom rifles should:

- be designed correctly- action/barrel/stock
- be reliable
- durable
- function correctly without fuss
- group consistently and acceptably without fuss
- be assembled and torqued correctly

AND all of that is proven by the manufacturer on the rifle that you purchase- not just guaranteed* . Yet there are no off the shelf options that offer that.

Enter MRC.

In our first conversation they appeared to be genuine, honest and upfront- even about less than perfect things. They too lamented that they could not get honest assessments and feedbacks on their rifles from the industry. They did not have long term, heavy use and abuse on their rifles that they wanted.
The first conversation started about a stock, and ended with “before we go any farther we need to send you/yall a rifle to use heavily and harshly for you to give honest feedback”. They wanted it public- open and honest regardless of how good or bad the outcome.
Ryan and Jake did not want to put the ROKStok on a companies rifle if they didn’t know that the rifle was legitimately good; and MRC didn’t want the stock if they didn’t believe in the rifle.

The MRC Junction in 308 was sent with the direction that it would be shot as is, then modified as it went to make it optimum for western backpack handling bring and general shooting. It was a randomly selected rifle off the shelf. It had some issues that can be read about in the eval that Ryan linked to. Once those issues were identified, MRC immediately found the root causes and corrected them across the board- no excuses, no hiding from it. Just fixed it. That rifle is over 3,000 rounds currently, and since abut round 100 or less when the issues were discovered and corrected, it has been flawless. The most dramatic example is during the last Shoot2Hunt class this year where witches somehow made nearly all rifle have constant malfunctions and problems, the MRC functioned without a single bobble.
So much so, that when the conversation finally came up in earnest about doing an MRC/S2H designed rifle, Jake was dubious asking “really, a CRF?!”. Ryan who historically dislikes CRF stated “well, those problems at the class- wouldn’t and didn’t happen to that rifle”. Ryan’s last question to me was “if they make this rifle exactly as we lay out, would you personally choose to purchase and hunt with it?” I stated that I would pay full retail for the first one that comes off the line.



The MRC and S2H rifle project approach:


1). The MRC action with integral Picatinny rail.

2). Barrels of optimum length, light contour, and threaded. 18” and 22” inch models.

3). Bolt handle redesigned for optimum control and rapid bolt manipulation.

4). ROKStok

5). All chambering’s with optimum (fast) twist rates and ample COAL in magazine

6). AICS bottom metal, designed for carrying in the hand. To be as smooth and low profile as possible, with a slightly enlarged trigger guard for gloved shooting.

7). 2x magazines included with every rifle. 1x flush fit, and 1x 5 round extended.

8). Actions and barrels nitrided (if possible)

9). Every rifle and screw is degreased completely, thread locked, and torqued to the maximum spec.


And most important of all- every single rifle is function checked for 100 rounds of cycling from the included magazines, and shot for a 10 round proof group.


Included in the box with the rifle are cards with QR codes that explain each aspect of the rifle, design, and build.

I am 100% in for one of these in 22 or 6 CM.

As much as I genuinely love tinkering with and modifying my guns, I'm also at a stage of life where I value competence a hell of a lot more than saving money and burning time. I happily pay for competence.

I don't want to burn time or frustration on piecing together the ideal Tikka and sending it off for work. I'll only do that if it's the best option.

This project sounds like it will be competently thought-out. And that it has a high likelihood of being competently executed, with those involved putting their names on the line with it.

If I can be guaranteed to have my gun in my hands by early summer to prep for next deer season, let me know where to send the deposit.

 

[khuber84]

how often the reamer is replaced?

I'm sure these will be tested with factory ammo. Tight chamber issues never show up on first firing. Dealt with several undersized chamber issues over the years, Christensen rifles and Proof prefits. Run a reamer too long, chambers and freebore get small. It's a simple fix with an in spec reamer, but something a guy shouldn't have to remedy when paying $1500-4000 on a rifle.

I for one really hope the arc line of cases comes through on the crf action. That will prevent a lot of possibilities for feeding issues. Especially with running hawkins or mdt arc mags. Be a handy lil setup.

 

[fwafwow]

If the rifle is shot for precision with a 10+ round group before it arrives to you- and you get to see the target that it shot before you buy it

If you don't video the 10 round group and match it to the target and corresponding QR code, there will be someone out there who still complains.

 

[SloppyJ]

Will the CRF mechanism be similar to what MRC offers now with the mauser style claw extractor or will it be more of a modern hybridization like a Zermatt?

I ask because taking prefits would be my only stipulation which you already confirmed. As far as I know, model 70s have to be barreled by a smith so they can cut the groove for the extractor. Does the machining tolerance of the action fix that issue? I was in contact with LRI to complete a M70 project that I've been wanting to bring to life. I was going to be into it around $2500 for the work and parts so I'm putting it on the back burner again. If this comes to fruition it's a no brainer and it will be much lighter.

The CRF resurgence of the 21st century is a beautiful thing to see. I can't explain how thrilled I am about this and I feel the need to shake someone's hand, I guess it's MRC. Where do I send money for a deposit on a lefty 22creed? I'm 100% serious. If someone can make that happen and bring it to the first June S2H class, I'd be forever grateful and send cash right now!