Montana Rifle Co. Opportunity, Yes or No?

Status
Not open for further replies.
sisyphus

sisyphus

Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2020
Messages
582
Location
Iowa
I am a paycheck away from placing my order for an ER Shaw in 280AI. I just came across a new Montana Rifle Co American Standard in 270. The price is good, and you may be able to imagine how tough it is to find good but relatively inexpensive left hand rifles.

You guys always have good advice. Stick with my plan for the ER Shaw? Should I be interested in this Montana Rifle Co that I can get for 2/3 the price of the Shaw or keep my heart set on the Shaw? 270 doesn't put me off. Brass would be cheaper than 280AI and the ballistics aren't too far off.

ER Shaw- push feed, walnut stock, polished bluing, Timney trigger, 280AI, just over 1200 shipped
MRC- controlled feed, walnut stock, matte bluing, 270, 850 plus tax

appreciate any thoughts you have on this, thanks once again
 
I dont know anything about the ER Shaw rifle. I do have one of their AR barrels in 6.8 and it is a very pleasing shooter.
I did own a Montana Rifle Co. in 270 WSM. The rifle was a good shooter, near 1 MOA. Though it was a good rifle I personally will not buy another at their current asking price.
If I were to buy another 270 I would look at Sako, Tikka, Kimber, or a custom order Weatherby Mark V non-magnum 6 lug rifle.
 
Montana Rifle Company is out of business. And for a reason. I've never shot one, only handled one, but have read mixed reports on them here and on other gun forums. Chances are that it will be fine, but I'm a little shy about buying one I know it is hard being a lefty. Good luck
 
For me it would come down to the blueing. I love polished and blued steel. The price difference isn't that bad, and if you're not hunting something that will kill you the crf isn't critical. IMHO, YMMV. Sleep on it and pull the trigger.
 
I ordered my custom 308 Norma Magnum from Montana Rifle Company as my retirement gift to myself 10 years ago this year. It's absolutely the finest rifle I've ever owned, and I've owned big game rifles for 57 years. My MRC 308 Norma is accurate, rugged and reliable. Mine is matte stainless with a custom MRC synthetic stock, and it wears a 3X9 Weaver. It's my "dream rifle," and neither my wife nor I minded one bit that I used my first two Social Security payments to pay for it.;)
On the other hand, I've heard bad things about Montana Rifle Company rifles in the last few years, and I'm pretty sure that even if they are still in business, they don't build custom rifles anymore. Things change, and it sounds to me like Montana Rifle Company changed for the worse.:(
 
mlankton said:
I am a paycheck away from placing my order for an ER Shaw in 280AI. I just came across a new Montana Rifle Co American Standard in 270. The price is good, and you may be able to imagine how tough it is to find good but relatively inexpensive left hand rifles.

You guys always have good advice. Stick with my plan for the ER Shaw? Should I be interested in this Montana Rifle Co that I can get for 2/3 the price of the Shaw or keep my heart set on the Shaw? 270 doesn't put me off. Brass would be cheaper than 280AI and the ballistics aren't too far off.

ER Shaw- push feed, walnut stock, polished bluing, Timney trigger, 280AI, just over 1200 shipped
MRC- controlled feed, walnut stock, matte bluing, 270, 850 plus tax

appreciate any thoughts you have on this, thanks once again
Click to expand...

Stick with your dream rifle. The Montana Rifle Company M1999 used to be really good, but they have been through several acquisitions the past few years. They were bought by the group that ran Remington bankrupt, then purchased by Montana Outdoor Group in 2019, and recently announced they were closing for "financial restructuring."
https://www.shootingsportsretailer....-company-closes-amid-finanacial-restructuring
These type of financial problems are almost always accompanied by quality control issues. It is rarely worth it to compromise on a dream.
 
I would stay away from MRC, too many mixed reviews and I believe they are going through another financial hurdle.

What’s your purpose for the gun? While the 270 is fine in its own regard, go with the 280ai, such a sweet cartridge. And .284 > .277 in all aspects.

The fact that you were already wanting a 280ai tells me don’t settle as well.
 
Last edited:
As a lefty and having owned left handed rifles from: Ruger, Remington, Winchester, Browning, Savage, Tika, and Weatherby.
I would go with your EW Shaw custom in 280AI.
For many years 270, 30-06,and 7mm mag were the only cartridges that were regularly available for lefties. If a 270 is something you want, you should be able to find one in a standard rifle.

A custom rifle should be in a cartridge that is as unique as the rifle.

Good luck in your decision and safe shooting!
 
Varminterror said:
Why?
Click to expand...
In the 80s & 90s several different cartridges gained or regained popularity. Such as 280 Remington, 35 Whelen, and others. These chamberings were offered to right handed shooters in standard rifles. The only way a lefty could buy a rifle in these cartridges was a custom rifle or take on the additional cost of rebarreling. So if you want a custom rifle (my opinion) why not order it in a cartridge that is not available in standard rifles.
 
@WisBorn - I can appreciate that all quarks are quirks but not all quirks are quarks. When you want something unavailable, the only options are to go without or have it custom made. But if you want something available - but better - why paint yourself into a corner?

Some of my favorite custom rifles have been chambered for exceptionally common cartridges. It’s fun building weird stuff, but the ocean is wide and deep.
 
Varminterror said:
@WisBorn - I can appreciate that all quarks are quirks but not all quirks are quarks. When you want something unavailable, the only options are to go without or have it custom made. But if you want something available - but better - why paint yourself into a corner?

Some of my favorite custom rifles have been chambered for exceptionally common cartridges. It’s fun building weird stuff, but the ocean is wide and deep.
Click to expand...
I respect that. Custom these days is the double edged sword. With great factory rifles that can shoot like a custom built rifle you really are looking for special features and aesthetic elements.
 
The Shaws are based on Savage actions, if they haven't changed. Very reasonably priced for semi-custom rifles, if they haven't raised prices. Mine is accurate.
20171224_163031_HDR.jpg

20171224_161914_HDR-1.jpg (3 shot group, and 1 to test adjustments.)


I have a custom rifle on a Montanan action. It won't fire, and the gunsmith who built it has retired. :fire:

John
 
JShirley said:
The Shaws are based on Savage actions, if they haven't changed. Very reasonably priced for semi-custom rifles, if they haven't raised prices. Mine is accurate.
View attachment 949884

View attachment 949885 (3 shot group, and 1 to test adjustments.)


I have a custom rifle on a Montanan action. It won't fire, and the gunsmith who built it has retired. :fire:

John
Click to expand...
Shaw has something now that isn't a straight 10/110, but in haven't looked into it all that hard. It still uses mostly savage parts from what I could see in the pictures tho.

"Gun no go bang" is about as frustrating a thing as can be! I just worked on a nearly pristine tang safety 77, that was previously worked on by someone else for that exact reason. The guy got that fixed and broke the ejection system lol.
Hopefully the owner of the rifle is happy now.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Opinions of Montana Rifle Company
Replies
0
Views
472
sleepyone
S
E
  • Locked
New rifle, optic help + breakin ?
Replies
9
Views
413
Shoney
S
BigBlue 94
  • Locked
Old 10/22 getting new life
Replies
16
Views
1K
BigBlue 94
BigBlue 94
D
  • Locked
Fantastic Value rifles from CDNN
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
leadcounsel
L
LoonWulf
  • Locked
My small T99 Arisaka Sporter Family....
2
Replies
38
Views
3K
LoonWulf
LoonWulf
Back
Top