Montana Rifle Company’s tale reads more like a soldier’s campaign and less like a business case study—characterized by setbacks, reinforcement, and a surprise return to the fray. A favorite among hunters for its controlled-round-feed rifles, the company fell silent after encountering the types of problems that drown small arms manufacturers. But just when it looked complete, Grace Engineering intervened and gave the brand new life, reforming it with contemporary accuracy while holding onto its heritage.
The groundwork was laid by Brian Sipe, who combined elements of the Mauser 98 and pre-64 Winchester Model 70 into a rifle that hunters soon came to trust. His Model 1999 action gained a reputation for working in the field—a critical quality for anyone following game through tough country.
Controlled-round-feed (CRF) actions, constructed around the Mauser-style claw extractor, were always the gold standard for utterly reliable functioning, and MRC established its reputation by providing that reliability in rifles that felt both timeless and functional.
When Grace Engineering purchased the name, they did not purchase a brand name—they used decades of machining expertise from making ultra-precise parts in many different industries. With them at the helm, critical equipment was relocated from Montana to Michigan, where new investments in next-generation machining centers allowed tighter tolerances and higher expectations than ever. The outcome is a new company born, led by tradition but enhanced with state-of-the-art technology.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the new Model 2022 action. Unlike traditional cast designs, this receiver is machined from a solid billet of 416 stainless steel and is lighter, yet stronger, and more accurate. But the true jump is with its Adaptive Control Round Feed system—a design which brings legendary CRF reliability and push-feed flexibility to one system. Hunters can still rely on controlled feeding, but also single-load a cartridge straight into the chamber, a flexibility not previously available.
The rifle series demonstrates how Montana Rifle Company combines old-school charm with cutting-edge thinking. The Junction, with its walnut stock and Monte Carlo design, appeals to hunters who like the classic look and feel of traditional rifles. In the meantime, the Highline embraces modern expectations, complete with a McMillan carbon fiber stock and lightweight for easy carry.
Both are constructed around button-rifled, hand-lapped barrels, threaded and brake-ready, and come in popular chamberings such as 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester, with big-game favorites 6.5 PRC, .300 Win Mag, and .375 H&H in development.
Precision isn’t a buzz phrase for the re-born company—it’s a promise. Every Model 2022 rifle is sold with assurance of ½ MOA accuracy from a cold barrel when fired with premium ammo. That level of precision isn’t something to boast about; it gives hunters the assurance they need to know that when the time arises, the rifle will perform. Field tests have proved that a lot of rifles not only pass the threshold but go well beyond it, making the guarantee a source of pride.
MRC’s strategy in approaching the rifle market is calculated. Rather than unleashing every conceivable configuration onto the shelves, the goal is to do a little bit of a lot of things extremely well. Dangerous-game rifles are slowly coming back on board, beginning with the TSAVO in .375 H&H, with heavy-hitters .458 Lott and .416 Remington on the drawing board. Left-handed shooters are also considered, although the company weighs customer wants against production constraints.
What distinguishes the new Montana Rifle Company is not just engineering—it’s people. Moving to Michigan placed the company in the heart of American manufacturing heritage, among skilled machinists and outdoorsmen who bring technical acumen as well as a hunter’s eye to each rifle that exits the shop. These rifles are not commodities; they’re heirlooms in the making, meant to be passed down with tales as lasting as the steel and walnut they’re constructed from.
Montana Rifle Company’s renaissance with Grace Engineering is not merely a turnaround—it’s a demonstration of what occurs when American craftsmanship, reverence for tradition, and determination to innovate align. The outcome is a rifle that retains the heritage of its past while pointing directly toward the future, ready for a day in the backcountry or a lifetime hunt.