Bad Plan? Kimber Hunter

[WyoElk]

Hello,

I’m considering buying a Kimber Hunter in .308 to bring my kids up with. The plan would be to cut the barrel to 18-19” and run a Thunderbeast Ultra 7. Any issues with the barrel diameter? I suspect I’ll have to thread it 1/2 and then adapt up to the 5/8?

I’m not super worried about weight so I’ll probably leave the gel in for now but in the future, if weight becomes an issue I’ll have the option to lighten it up.

I’m a believer in .30 holes in elk so I’d prefer to keep with that as opposed to some of the other offerings. I Also like the short action for this one. It will Be a deer-elk gun.

Would it feel super unbalanced with a 30oz. Nightforce on top? Probably put my 3-15 NXS on it.

Thanks for any input and insight to any issues I may run into. I’m sure the nightforce weight will raise some concern but for kids I kind of want it to be a bit heavier (recoil).

 

[bmicek]

I have a Kimber Adirondack in an MPI Microlight in 7mm-08 (18” barrel). My optic is only 13oz and until my TBAC Dominus is approved, I hunt with Griffin Optimus which is a lot heavier than your Ultra 7. So a simple way to put it, my rifle is far more off balanced than yours would be. But it’s very manageable in my opinion. I hunt off a tripod but would feel comfident taking a shot off my knee or a limb. Shot my buck this year at 284yds and it felt like a chip shot for my setup. I’d be fairly confident out to 400yd.

 

[Unckebob]

I have a 243 Kimber Hunter with a light Leupold scope on it. I cannot imagine it would carry/balance well with a big scope scope up tops.

The can might help make the balance better, but I still think a lighter scope would be better.

 

[rcook10]

I’d avoid really big glass like that on your mountain style rifle, it will feel off balanced. I frequently use a two pound 6.5-20 for load development and the kimbers feel goofy as hell with them. Very unnatural to carry and tippy on bags with their slender forends. For the range you’ll get out of a 308 with a butched barrel you really don’t need more than 10x. There are plenty of great scopes in the 10-16oz ramge that easily get you there with good reliability and better balance and handling. At most i’d do a swfa 3-9 or nightforce 2.5-10 but honestly a 2-10 maven, 2-8 leupold, or 3-9 compact swaro would fit the rifle better. I’m a big fan of a fixed 4 or 6x on my kimbers and a leupold, weaver, or zeiss would also be a great choice for a 300 yard gun. They also look great on a trim kimber frame.

 

[packgoatguy]

I've got an ultra7 on a hunter 308, only its cut down to 16 inches. I wouldn't go longer. I'd go for a lighter scope. Swfa 3-9x42 is only around 19oz. I've got an swfa 2.5-10x32 on mine that is only 10oz. With lightening where possible with the stock, it's under 5lbs 12oz with the suppressor attached. It's a fun rifle to shoot. The suppressor tames the recoil quite well.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

You can get your barrel flared and threaded for 5/8x24. I had my Montana 308 cut to 18”, threaded for 5/8x24. It’s awesome.

 

[Unckebob]

You can get your barrel flared and threaded for 5/8x24. I had my Montana 308 cut to 18”, threaded for 5/8x24. It’s awesome.

1) Who did it for you? Looks great.
2) Is cutting it back manadatory?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

1) Who did it for you? Looks great.
2) Is cutting it back manadatory?

I had it down by Shaen custom rifles, I’d imagine you don’t really need to do any/much cutting or shortening of the barrel if you didn’t want to.

Initially my barrel was threaded from the factory and was 22”. It was just too long with the silencer on it. The 4” I got cut off really made a difference. I don’t think I’d go much shorter and I dont think I’d want a silencer that was much shorter than 6.5-7”.