Montana Rifle Company is as much a war tale as it is the history of a company—plagued by setbacks, reinforcements, and a surprising comeback.. Familiar to hunters for its reliable controlled-round-feed rifles, the company almost vanished following being burdened with the same issues that have outlasted numerous small gun manufacturers. It wasn’t until it appeared to be complete that Grace Engineering intervened and reaffixed the name with new accuracy, but with a strong grip on the traditions that made it meaningful.
The lineage begins with Brian Sipe, who combined the proven designs of the Mauser 98 and pre-64 Winchester Model 70. His Model 1999 action took hold for one basic reason: it functioned. In rugged country where hunters can barely afford to make a mistake, that dependability was its signature.
Controlled-round-feed, driven by the time-honored Mauser-type claw extractor, was the benchmark rifle bench standard for generations, desired to be able to rely on it at any moment. Montana Rifle Company became known for providing hunters with the same reliable action in a form that was perceived as rugged and functional.
When Grace Engineering acquired the business, they did not just tag old designs. Decades of precise machining in every kind of industry meant they relocated from Montana to Michigan and invested in new, cutting-edge equipment. The change resulted in closer tolerances, greater consistency, and a business that could stand proud on its legacy and look forward with current tools.
The peak of this growth is the Model 2022 action. Rather than being cast, it’s machined from a solid billet of 416 stainless steel and hence is more solid, lighter, and accurate. Its claim to glory is the Adaptive Control Round Feed system, which combines the established reliability of CRF with the versatility of push-feed. Hunters can now have the best of two worlds: controlled feeding or single-load directly into the chamber.
That philosophy is also applied to the rifles themselves. The Junction, with its Monte Carlo walnut stock, will appeal to hunters who like classic lines and a traditional feel. The Highline, by contrast, embraces contemporary expectations, centered on a McMillan carbon fiber stock for lightweight and effortless packability backcountry.
All platforms have the same DNA—hand-lapped, button-rifled barrels, brake- and threaded-ready. Chamberings encompass fan favorites such as 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester, with larger rounds such as 6.5 PRC, .300 Win Mag, and .375 H&H included for bigger game.
Accuracy is not exaggeration here—it’s a guarantee. All Model 2022 rifles are guaranteed to provide ½ MOA accuracy off a cold barrel when fired with good ammo. In actual field use, numerous rifles have surpassed that standard, providing the hunter assurance that the shot counts when the time comes.
Instead of cramming the shelves full to overflowing with every version in existence, Montana Rifle Company does it the more thoughtful way. The model accumulates incrementally, with dangerous-game rifles once more available in the guise of the TSAVO in .375 H&H, and on the future agenda, .458 Lott and .416 Remington. Left-handed shooters are not forgotten, although production will be demand-dependent.
What separates this revival from others is not just engineering—it’s the individuals. Coming to Michigan placed the brand in the middle of America’s manufacturing heritage, positioned among talented machinists and outdoormen who understand the art as much as the endeavor. Each rifle is crafted not as a commodity but as something to endure, the sort of heirloom that bears as much steel as tales across generations.
The return of Montana Rifle Company with Grace Engineering is not just a relaunch. It’s a testament to what happens when tradition, respect for the past, and new technology come together. The result is a rifle that honors its heritage but is ready for what lies ahead—right at home in the backcountry or the hunt of a lifetime.