A Kimber Montana Story

[Antares]

I've owned a few Leupold VX3HDs in 2.5-8X, and they were once my favorite scope. "Wandering zero" is not exactly the reason i jettisoned them. Wandering adjustments, however, drove me crazy. I can't say they ever lost zero, but they certainly didn't track as they should have, and that frustrated me to no end.

PS: The Kimber 84m is a factory rifle, so they have a few issues, but in my mind, they're tough to beat. The Montana stocks fit me perfectly.

Mine was an older VX-3i. I never had terrible problems with it, but it didn’t seem to like being bumped around.

 

[Antares]

I would in a heartbeat put a Leupold VX3HD 2.5-8x on a Kimber, about the best combo I could think of.

A TRUE wandering zero should have been sent back to Leupold.

The zero retention and tracking was too weird on my Leupolds for me to go that route again. I had several VX3-i, VX3-HD, and VX5 scopes at one time, but I’ve since moved them all along.

 

[Lonewolf72]

Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40mm is on my 84M with Talleys, but I haven't hunted much with it yet. Lightweight, bright and like the tritium in the reticle. Otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate to try a Trijicon Credo 3-9x40mm with illuminated reticle, for a few ounces more.

 

[Antares]

PS: The Kimber 84m is a factory rifle, so they have a few issues, but in my mind, they're tough to beat. The Montana stocks fit me perfectly.

I’d love to peal the buttpad off mine and glue a spacer in, but I’m hesitant to modify the stock because they’re hard to find and there’s so few aftermarket options. I dislike the extra weight of that Velcro/leather buttpad I have on mine but that’s what I’ve landed on to get the stock to fit me without permanent modification.

 

[Antares]

Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40mm is on my 84M with Talleys, but I haven't hunted much with it yet. Lightweight, bright and like the tritium in the reticle. Otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate to try a Trijicon Credo 3-9x40mm with illuminated reticle, for a few ounces more.

Yeah, it still seems like the Accupoint is the closest to what I’m looking for, weight wise.

I’m not sure what to do about rings. If I’m upgrading the scope, I want to reassess the mounts too. I haven’t had problems with my Talleys. I’m trying to figure out if I should stick with the Talleys or try the Leupold or DNZ. Don’t seem to be many other options with out going to a rail.

 

[Lonewolf72]

Leupold Backcountrys if you can find them. I've liked DNZ Game Reaper 2-piece mounts in the past. Not sure they are made for the Kimbers though. The one-piece mount would be a solid choice if you were OK with the crossbar.

 

[coiloil37]

Put me in the talley lightweights and vx3 leupold camp. I typically mount the 2.5-8x36 but I’ve used and own plenty of others too.

In 25 years I’ve never, not once had a leupold lose zero, wander or get bumped. This would be across a few doz scopes and a hundred plus rifles. I don’t dial anything so I can’t speak to that but my guess is this “wandering zero” BS is what happens when you spend to much time on this website.

I’m more a minimalist now so I’m down to 6 kimber centerfires and two Cz .22’s and they’re all wearing leupolds in talley rings.

 

[prm]

I’ve been happy with a Trijicon Credo 3-9 on my 84M.

 

[Antares]

my guess is this “wandering zero” BS is what happens when you spend to much time on this website.

I simply stated that I’ve had some issues and I’m exploring other options. No need to be rude.

Enjoy your Leupolds. Lots of animals have been killed with them, including some by me.

 

[Tanner]

That is sweet. It’s pretty tough to whoop an 84M Montana bobbed short with a light can.

Also incredibly jealous of the backpack black tail hunting, it looks incredible.

And also you couldn’t give me a Leupold for free anymore. SWFA UL’s track and RTZ better than any Loopy I ever had, out of probably a dozen.

 

[Antares]

Also incredibly jealous of the backpack black tail hunting, it looks incredible.

Yeah, man. It’s the best thing ever.

 

[Antares]

And also you couldn’t give me a Leupold for free anymore. SWFA UL’s track and RTZ better than any Loopy I ever had, out of probably a dozen.

My UL seems to adjust correctly and has held zero so far, but I’m finding it to be pretty hard to make out the reticle on deer in poor light.

I think I’m going to go with the @thinhorn_AK recipe and try a 3-9 AccuPoint in a one piece DNZ mount.

The US OG can is great on this 16” barrel, such a short overall package. I think it’ll be on this rifle for awhile an I’ll start looking for a dedicated 6mm can for my 6CM Tikka.

 

[Tanner]

My UL seems to adjust correctly and has held zero so far, but I’m finding it to be pretty hard to make out the reticle on deer in poor light.

I think I’m going to go with the @thinhorn_AK recipe and try a 3-9 AccuPoint in a one piece DNZ mount.

The US OG can is great on this 16” barrel, such a short overall package. I think it’ll be on this rifle for awhile an I’ll start looking for a dedicated 6mm can for my 6CM Tikka.

If you trip that UL, let me know!

Running a Resilient Jolene S on my 16” Montana 6.5 CM with a NF 2.5-10 on top, but dropping another 5-6oz and 2” of length would not suck at all!

 

[MTMeatHunter]

Don’t forget the Trijicon Huron 3-9x. I think it’s one of the lightest scopes to pass the drop tests.

 

[Antares]

Don’t forget the Trijicon Huron 3-9x. I think it’s one of the lightest scopes to pass the drop tests.

I looked at that, thanks! I was intrigued... I wish the AccuPoint had been tested. Maybe I'll send one in for testing.

Edit: now I'm looking at the Huron more closely. Two-ish ounces more than the AccuPoint isn't much, although I am trying to prioritize light weight. I like the price of the Huron, I like the reticles better, and I like that it passed the drop test. Maybe I can deal with an extra 2 oz. Thanks again!