Montana AVR SS 375 H & H

[Franko]

Hi Everyone,

I sold my CZ 550 416 Rigby before firing it - I have a hand injury and figured I should walk before I run as I venture into the bigger calibres - and picked up a Montana Rifle Co 375 H&H. Fine looking rifle, CRF is smooth ( without loaded rounds ) balance is great, although the stock will need lengthening which is normal for me at 6'4". But the one thing I really want to change are the open sights. The rifle mounts well and I can use them, but they are very "fine", not what I would call sights for a dangerous game rifle.

So, I'm searching for opinions here as to what might be an option to replace these sights with. I'm in Australia and may be limited in what my 'smiths can source without breaking the bank, but would love to hear what people think. The sights on the CZ were great and I'd love something similar, all be it in a one leaf rear sight.

 

[BeeMaa]

Welcome to AH.
As a matter of protocol the membership here requires photographic evidence of each and every firearm purchase.

Congrats on the new rifle.
Not sure if NECG is accessible to you in AUS, but they are worth a look.
https://www.newenglandcustomgun.com/

 

[Ridgewalker]

Franko, I have an MRC in 375 H&H and I’ll have to agree about the fine sights. Hard to see with my old eyes. I’m a believer in illuminated reticles in scopes and light pipes in open sights. I haven’t researched them yet, but you just reminded me I need to do that.
Both of these show up well in sun and low light times.

Best of luck in your research!

 

[Franko]

Here's a pic. Hard to see the sights....

 

[Franko]

I’m a believer in illuminated reticles in scopes and light pipes in open sights.
Both of these show up well in sun and low light times.

Ridgewalker, what are light pipes? Fibre optics?

 

[Ridgewalker]

Ridgewalker, what are light pipes? Fibre optics?

Yes fiber optics. Older term for them. Sorry, I should catch up with the times.

 

[BeeMaa]

Have you given any consideration to a Red Dot or Reflex type sight?
I know they are not very traditional looking, but for some they work very well.

 

[PaulT]

Franko, that's a very nice .375.

I have NECG opens on my big bores, not sure if you could get them posted to you and then installed here by a local smith.
Maybe try Rob Devries of Kudu Gunsmithing or Pro-cal trading.

To get the best from that rifle and cartridge I think you need to consider a good quality scope. I recently purchased a Leupold VX5 Hog plex firedot which would suit this rifle very well.
The .375 is a very versatile cartridge.

 

[Newboomer]

Excellent choice in rifles. I have an MRC 30-06 and love it. What are you planning to hunt? Dg, pg? Might make a difference in optics, red dot or reflex. My 375 carries a Leupold VXR 3-9x40 illuminated reticle and works well for all game.

 

[BeeMaa]

Excellent choice in rifles. I have an MRC 30-06 and love it. What are you planning to hunt? Dg, pg? Might make a difference in optics, red dot or reflex. My 375 carries a Leupold VXR 3-9x40 illuminated reticle and works well for all game.

Maybe mount the scope on QD mounts so you can still use the irons or a red dot/reflex.
Best of both worlds.

My 375H&H CZ has a Leupold VX3i 1.5-5x20 in Warne QD rings, but I'll be upgrading to a Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 this winter.
When I was on safari I never took the scope off, only dialed it back to 1.5 power and it worked for what I was doing.
That said, I would have liked a little more magnification for the over 200 yard to 300 yard shots.
And next time I'll be hunting DG, so (most likely) the irons will be getting used.

 

[Franko]

Thanks all. Will definitely have QD mounts with a 1-4 scope. Not looking to use it at range, first step is Buff in Northern Australia, then I hope to head to Africa for the real Buff. One step at a time though!

Paul, I'm in Melbourne so will talk to Kudu. Thanks.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Franko, just an FYI to get you started. In 300 grain factory loads my MRC shoots under MOA using any of the following:
Swift A-Frame (but very expensive)
Federal with Swift A-Frame
Barnes VorTX TSX
If it needs to get done, any of these should do it. But if you reload, lots of other options!
Privilege Partisan (PPU) 300 gr are a good cheap ammo to practice with. The brass seems to work OK for reloading.
Best of luck!

 

[Franko]

Franko, just an FYI to get you started, In 300 grain factory loads my MRC shoots under MOA using any of the following:
Swift A-Frame (but very expensive)
Federal with Swift A-Fame
Barnes VorTX TSX

If it needs to get done, any of these should do it. But if you reload, lots of other options!
Best of luck!

Thanks Ridgewalker! Factory ammo is very expensive down here so I might sight in with some PPU stuff and then reload some Woodleighs.

 

[Franko]

Franko, I have an MRC in 375 H&H and I’ll have to agree about the fine sights. Hard to see with my old eyes. I’m a believer in illuminated reticles in scopes and light pipes in open sights. I haven’t researched them yet, but you just reminded me I need to do that.
Both of these show up well in sun and low light times.

Best of luck in your research!

Ridgewalker, which MRC model do you have?
Frank

 

[Ridgewalker]

Ridgewalker, which MRC model do you have?
Frank

I have the stainless steel synthetic stock version. I think they call it the CBSE (Colorado Buck Special Edition). I ordered it when I got a torn retina because it came with a muzzle brake and Cerakote. I’ve hunted on the coast of Alaska and saw what it will do to a fine blued wood stocked rifle, so I wanted to be ready when/if I returned.

 

[tarbe]

Yes fiber optics. Older term for them. Sorry, I should catch up with the times.

Nah. Catching up with the times is overrated!!

 

[nksmfamjp]

View attachment 293537

Here's a pic. Hard to see the sights....

Very nice looking rifle....nice wood!

Can you post the weight?

Also, how was it bedded? Pics would be great.

 

[Franko]

I don’t have it yet, but should do in the next few days so will report back.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Also, how was it bedded? Pics would be great.

Just an FYI, they are all (synthetic and wood stocked alike) “aluminum pillar & glass bedded” according to their brochure.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Franko,
I agree with you that the Marble sights are not what should be on that rifle, they are fine for a back up sight on your deer rifle but have no place on a DG rifle. The AVR is a great rifle! I have one chambered in 300 H&H. I would like to change the sights also but I cal live with them on a 300.
The price of anything gun in OZ blew me away! Some 300 A-Frames should smash some buff up north perfectly!