A Kimber Montana Story

Great thread, and love that blacktail country! Nice to see a Tarptent Aeon out in the field (I had one briefly).

As a small aside, not totally related to this thread, I started on Kimber MT's back in 2004, where I subsequently discovered the feedramps were too steep. Fortunately a friend was the brand new Chief Design Engineer there (formerly at USRAC) - I called him about the feeding issue, he looked into it and got back to me a week later. Indeed, turned out both the 8400's and 84M's were 10* too steep. He changed them on CAD (he inherited the 8400/84M designs from the previous designer) but it took almost 2 years for the supply of 84M's on the market to run out before the new ramp was available. Sooo, in 2006 or 7 I finally got an 84M in 308.

I've taken everything from coyotes and antelope to elk with the 308 MT. I've had a pile of MT's over the years in all sorts of chamberings (257 Rob, 6.5CM, 260, 7-08, 308, 270, 30-06, 270 WSM, 300 WSM), but the 308 is my first love when it comes to all cartridges. However, as I've aged, I find it a bit too much of a good thing recoil-wise and am considering cutting it to 18" and putting a can on.

This post certainly has inspired me to cut it and get a can... I've got an NXS 2.5-10x42 NF that will go on top.

Question - for that scope, what 30mm Talley LWT's do I want - Low or Med?
 
I zeroed the new scope on this rifle last night (Trijicon Huron 3-9x40). I zeroed it 0.5" high at 100 yards which lined my drops up with the BDC reticle pretty well (see table below). For reference, I'm still shooting the factory Hornady Black 168 gr A-MAX load at 2500 fps. I confirmed by shooting a 10" plate at 300 yards and all the shots were nicely centered. This scope is so much nicer than the SWFA UL I started this season with, much better image, bright and clear.

I'm headed out again tonight. Hopefully I can catch a deer, but if not, I can at least get a couple "glamor shots" of the rifle in the field. Will report back. Standby.

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Chilly night with ptarmigan calling and a full moon. Drank coffee in the dark and waited for the light to come up.

Spotted a big bodied, young deer in a good spot right off the bat and decided to try. First spotted him at 400 yards, but then I went around the back of a little hill and had a shot over my pack at 280 yards. Spent the rest of the day packing two loads back to the truck (there may or may not have been a nap mixed in there too). Great trip. Five stars.

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Chilly night with ptarmigan calling and a full moon. Drank coffee in the dark and waited for the light to come up.

Spotted a big bodied, young deer in a good spot right off the bat and decided to try. First spotted him at 400 yards, but then I went around the back of a little hill and had a shot over my pack at 280 yards. Spent the rest of the day packing two loads back to the truck (there may or may not have been a nap mixed in there too). Great trip. Five stars.



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What a great looking trip, some stunning country and a nice fat deer.

I spy a little Victory knife there, how do you like it?
Ive got a few of the little orange ones and a range of white handled butchering knives, I find them easy to sharpen and great slicers.
 
Snuck out after work and got set up. Didn’t see any deer on the way in, but I wasn’t really looking either; had to hustle to get into the alpine before dark.

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Discount KitKat bars are buck killing fuel.

You got some good looking hunting spots thanks for sharing. I feel fortunate to be able to hunt and see the ocean from 90% of my spots. It’s great when you get critters + a view.
 
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