Good morning, SigForum! I recently acquired a new Montana 1999 short action custom build rifle (minus a stock). It was built with an Obermeyer 5R featherweight barrel. It still needs a surface finish. I haven't decided weather or not I'm going to blue it, park it or paint it.

From what I understand, the Montana 1999 is basically a Winchester model 70 with a Mauser bolt face. I know nothing about model 70's or Mausers. Does anyone know of a Model 70 guru with a good online "How to" database regarding complete disassembly, trigger tuning and rifle bedding?

In hand-cycling the action, it seems a bit sluggish and tight. I don't know how these things are supposed to feel. My Savage opens and closes super-easy and has a completely different feel.

As far as a finish, I'm really partial to nitriding but I don't know if that's the best for this rifle. I may send it to Brad at CCR and have a good semi-gloss black finish painted/plated/coated or whatever he does.

As far as a stock, I'm looking at a McMillan or a B&C medalist. The medalist looks appealing for price reasons and it appears it doesn't need bedding. I can bed any rifle, but it is labor intensive and a bit of a pain

This will be a true hunting rifle and I may have it ready for the 2018 deer season. I'm a buy-once, cry-once kind of guy, so I don't mind spending the extra coin to get it done right the first time.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Tony.

Sounds very nice. Did you mention the chambering? Barrel length?

The older(standard) Model 70 trigger is a favorite, adjusts easily for most any hunter.

I know there are some online tutorials about adjusting a Model 70 trigger. The stocks you mention would be fine. I do have one 'Manners' stock on a Model 7, another fine choice.

Forgot to mention, the chambering is 308. I forgot to measure the barrel length. It looks like it's around 24".

I snapped some pics last night.







Tony.

What a beautiful set up. I am a huge fan of the Winchester 70, and the Montana set up looks even nicer.

I am not particularly knowledgeable about them. My preference for the design comes from the CRF and three position safety on a practical level, and the classic looks from an aesthetic perspective.

With a classic action like that and a barrel that already looks pretty shiny, I'd go with a high polish blue and put it in a supergrade maple stock for a look like this.

Years ago they sold their actions in the white, which is what you appear to have. I still see them on gunbroker from time to time. I've been thinking of buying a Montana Rifle for several years now. Enjoy it

I'm not familiar with the Montana action. I guess it depends on which Model 70 they based it on. Prior to 1964 it was control round feed with a mechanical ejector. Post '64 they abandoned the full length extractor and fixed ejector. In essence they became a push feed action with a shorter extractor and plunger ejector. I own variations of each and I've never had a feeding problems with my post '64 Model 70.

quote:

Originally posted by swage:
I'm not familiar with the Montana action. I guess it depends on which Model 70 they based it on. Prior to 1964 it was control round feed with a mechanical ejector. Post '64 they abandoned the full length extractor and fixed ejector. In essence they became a push feed action with a shorter extractor and plunger ejector. I own variations of each and I've never had a feeding problems with my post '64 Model 70.

Thanks. This one is a controlled-feed Mauser style extractor.

Tony.

Hey Tony, have you decided what you are doing with this yet?

Not yet. I'm hemming and hawing over weather or not to have the thing nitrided or sending it over to Brad at CCR for black Cera-Hyde.

I'm eager to get it out though.

Tony.

Years ago Jon Sundra in either Shooting Times or Guns and ammo wrote a series of articles on tuning up M-70 Actions. If you have a searchable database at a library with his articles you might be able to find these though it probably would be pretty tough to find.

If nothing else you can significantly smooth a bolt action rifle by working the bolt slightly tensioned. Whenever I get a new bolt gun (after of course making sure it's unloaded) I'll work the bolt back and forth with both upwards and downwards pressure on the bolt. This will start to smooth the raceways. If you are slick with the proper stones you'll see where the bolt is starting a wear pattern and can stone and polish the action of these spots but just a couple good sessions of working the bolt can smooth it a bunch.

Smoothing the cocking cam etc isn't that difficult if you are careful just remember to smooth and polish where you see wear patterns and not remove too much metal or change any engagement angles.

I would suggest at first you just work the bolt a good bit and see if that smooths the bolt up enough to make you happy, anyone can do this. Just lube it up a little work it and relube it. If you want to get into it a little further I can suggest some stones tools etc............

Really neat find there. I do not have any experience w/ that specific action, but it is not exactly like a Pre-64 M70 Win.

The bolt release is different. In function but not in looks, it appears like a SAKO AV. Trigger does look like an M70. Cocking piece is a bit different but similar. Does the safety have 3 positive stops for Fire, Safe {bolt opens} and Safe {bolt locked}? Original M70's have 3 positions but the middle {bolt opens} is not a positive stop.

Is the left lug slotted a la Mauser or does the ejector ride up under it like a Win 70 and Ruger M77 {controlled feed}?

Get these books:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=n...s=Bolt+action+rifles

https://www.amazon.com/Digest-...ds=rifle+disassembly

Just get'em. I can't remember if the Montana action is in de Haas's book or not but get both of those books. They are good references just to have.

{There, spending your money for you... LOL}

As for what to do with it, there is ONE option ONLY.

Nice satin blue and walnut stock.

I'll let you choose whether you want a standard Win M70 rifle stock or the Featherweight shape. For that .308, I'd lean toward the Featherweight.

Whatever you decide to do, keep us posted.

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