Montana Rifle Company TSAVO in .375 H&H - Shooting!!!

Altitude sickness said:

The .458 Lott is next. Then .416 Rem

When they get caught up with all the orders. They may sell actions for your builder and caliber of choice.

Click to expand...

MMM... .458 Lott!

Thanks Mark, I called one of thier dealers and they are going to get back with me Mon.

Oh my! That rifle in 458 Lott at the same MSRP as the .375 is a great next caliber decision on their part. I see no other real competition.

That will be VERY difficult to say no to!

Is there a rough idea on the timeline for the release to the market? This spring or summer? Next year? Just wondering as I'd like to get one to take on one of my upcoming trips. I have one trip coming up in May of this year, and I fear that it's probably already too late for me to have one in time for that safari. I'm going again in summer of 2027, hopefully they are ready by then.

This looks like a fine rifle, how do the older 1999 Montana Rifles compare do you think ?

My buddy has a bunch of them to move on cheap from a Gun shop closing down, all models calibers, one is a 7mm Rem mag & I was eyeing it up to build another .458Win, a couple of visual things I don’t like but I think if coping a Model 70 design could be a nice big rifle ?

Alex38 said:

Is there a rough idea on the timeline for the release to the market? This spring or summer? Next year? Just wondering as I'd like to get one to take on one of my upcoming trips. I have one trip coming up in May of this year, and I fear that it's probably already too late for me to have one in time for that safari. I'm going again in summer of 2027, hopefully they are ready by then.

Click to expand...

Patience is a virtue. I appreciate that they’re taking their time bringing this new rifle to the market. My understanding from what I’ve gathered is they’re streamlining their manufacturing process in order to ensure reliable output and consistency. I do sincerely hope that I’m not mistaken or offering any sort of incorrect information, just my impression from what I’ve gathered in following this topic. I think this all means they’re serious about going forward with a solid quality product at a price point that’s actually accessible to the working man who knows how to use his money wisely. I too am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to get ahold of one of these new rifles, but I will be patient and enjoy my pre-‘64 Winchesters in the meantime.

Alex38 said:

Is there a rough idea on the timeline for the release to the market? This spring or summer? Next year? Just wondering as I'd like to get one to take on one of my upcoming trips. I have one trip coming up in May of this year, and I fear that it's probably already too late for me to have one in time for that safari. I'm going again in summer of 2027, hopefully they are ready by then.

Click to expand...

I called a Montana Rifle Co. rep yesterday. I was told they might start shipping as early as the end of this month, but the prior shipping dates have already been pushed back 2 or 3 times.

HoosierHunter said:

I called a Montana Rifle Co. rep yesterday. I was told they might start shipping as early as the end of this month...

Click to expand...

Lol

I gave up and bought a model 70 375. Still looking at them but lost faith in production a while back.

I’m not in the market for another 375 H&H or 458 Lott but would love to have one of their rifles in either chambering.

I had a chance to shoot this rifle at Mark's Tally-Ho open house, so I'll give a short review of it here.

I loved the stock probably more than most, as I'm tall and have a long neck. I prefer a raised comb if optics are mounted on the gun, otherwise I'm fine with a straight comb for irons. Wood was attractive. Checkering and inletting were both precise.

One point I mentioned while looking at the rifle was the finish, especially the ebony forend tip. Some stocks are to glossy, and some are flat and don't show the grain very well. I thought this was a nice balance that looked perfect on a hunting rifle. Not flat, but very low gloss.

The trigger was superb.

The Iron sights were well done with a stout looking hood over the front sight.

I thought the smoothness of the action was fine for a new rifle. There was little or no wobble in the bolt as it traveled in the raceways, and this tells me the machining tolerance is bang on tight. It reminded me of a Wilson Combat 1911 slide that runs smooth as glass with no wobble, as it should be.

I could not see or feel a tool mark or machining mark anywhere on the rifles steel parts. This is clearly a very well made rifle.

I'm 6'3", so I'm almost never happy with the stock length, barrel length or all up gun weight. I like e'm big long and heavy, but I know I'm the oddball exception to the rule.

Overall layout and build was exceptional and probably just what most of our crowd wants. There are only two improvements I'd like to see, and they are mostly cosmetic. A jeweled bolt, and a grip cap with the companies logo on it.

I think this is an exceptional rifle that I'd be proud to carry on a hunt.

I called last week and a gentleman named Don said production should be in April. I would love a 404j but realize it probably wouldn’t be the best financial decision for them until they had a firm foothold in the market. I would love to get one in my hands because if they look at production as good as the one that op showed then I’ll be ordering a 375 and probably a 416 when it comes out.

I hope they find a firm foothold because there is little in the price range between a Model 70 Safari Express and a Parkwest or equivalent. A used model Dakota or Ruger Safari, an AHR, or some other custom job shows up once and a while, but that's about it.

I just saw and handled one at SCI, very nice rifle. I think they said serial number 1 is in one of the SCI auctions.

I also have looked at them the last 2 days, and will be ordering a .375 when they are available. I’ll also get a .416 or preferably a .404 when they come out. I like them very much.

Mark A Ouellette said:

@Altitude sickness and I hosted Ian, Brian, and Kristen of the Montana Rifle Company for a “user test” of a pre-production example of the new MRC Tsavo Rifle in .375 H&H. It is a really nice rifle featuring;

• 4 round magazine in .375 H&H
• 23” barrel
• Removable muzzle brake
• Cerakote finish
• Uses M70 Classic scope bases
• Very nice wood with a “vacuum” impregnated finish
• A bunch of other features that I didn’t take notes on… J
• Retail price when available, $3295

We shot at 50 yards off the standing rest and at 15 to 20 yards for rapid fire. We took a lot of videos but for now, I will post some stills.

View attachment 674636

View attachment 674637

View attachment 674638

View attachment 674639

View attachment 674641

View attachment 674642

View attachment 674643

View attachment 674644

View attachment 674645

View attachment 674646

View attachment 674648

View attachment 674658

Click to expand...

Spent time with the team at the booth yesterday as I did last year. I am very impressed with the product they are producing. I expressed my hope that a 404 J be In The offerings coming. Got my fingers crossed.

Alex38 said:

I also have looked at them the last 2 days, and will be ordering a .375 when they are available. I’ll also get a .416 or preferably a .404 when they come out. I like them very much.

Click to expand...

I too absolutely prefer that the build a 404 J

Got to handle their new .375HH today, they got a lot right with this one!

Dang. I was disappointed they weren’t in Atlanta.

Looking forward to seeing these roll out.

I picked up the tsavo today at sci. I might me the only one here but I didn't fall in love. Im sure it will sell for them at their price range, and im happy they are offering a working man's rifle , it just didn't get me excited and I have been looking at them for a while. Maybe I should go handle it again tomorrow but I think i will be keeping my Portugal 70 safari.