customized Kimber rifles

[Lonewolf72]

This 6.5-284 84L build features a benchmark barrel and McMillan stock. Balances very nicely with a NF 2-5-10x32, and is a 1 MOA gun for 10 rounds.

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I wish I would've kept my 270 84L and rebarreled to 6.5-284...cool factor is high here. What projectile are you using?

 

[handwerk]

Bushpilot , what MCM stock is that? Was it factory inletted for the Kimber?

 

[bushpilot]

I wish I would've kept my 270 84L and rebarreled to 6.5-284...cool factor is high here. What projectile are you using?

Currently shooting Sierra 130gr TGK in it, took and elk the other day. Going to test out 140-147gr options this winter.

 

[bushpilot]

Bushpilot , what MCM stock is that? Was it factory inletted for the Kimber?

It’s a flat top Hunter pattern, that the gunsmith inletted for the rifle.

 

[NealMustard]

Lots of great ideas here. I have a clean Montana 84M 7mm-08 that I am considering for modifications. I primarily hunt the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains of Utah for elk and mule deer and would like to optimize it for that purpose. I've recently gotten into suppressors and the 24" barrel seems a bit unwieldy (have an Omega 36M and AB A-10 at my disposal). I am thinking of cutting back to 18" and threading for a can, and hopefully can keep the rifle balanced and retain enough velocity for an appropriate bullet. I handload and am considering the 150 ELD-X as a good all-around projectile, but would think about dropping to a 120 NBT if needed to get the velocity up. Any suggestions?

I wouldn’t shorten my barrel, but then again I have a .308 and need every bit of velocity this silly cartridge is capable of. My gun does a lot of bushwacking, gets caught a lot, and I still don’t want to shorten it.

I’m wondering if the current trend of cutting down barrels just to add a suppressor is going to keep going. You’re paying a lot of money to add weight and length to your gun at the expense of muzzle velocity. I’m not willing to pay more to carry more weight.

Have you started by doing the basic mods to save weight to see if you like a stupid light gun? What do you want out of your gun? Range, weight, comfort? Do you shoot your rifle for fun a lot out of hunting season?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I wouldn’t shorten my barrel, but then again I have a .308 and need every bit of velocity this silly cartridge is capable of. My gun does a lot of bushwacking, gets caught a lot, and I still don’t want to shorten it.

I’m wondering if the current trend of cutting down barrels just to add a suppressor is going to keep going. You’re paying a lot of money to add weight and length to your gun at the expense of muzzle velocity. I’m not willing to pay more to carry more weight.

Have you started by doing the basic mods to save weight to see if you like a stupid light gun? What do you want out of your gun? Range, weight, comfort? Do you shoot your rifle for fun a lot out of hunting season?

I still get over 2700fpa with my 308 shooting 165g ABs out of an 18” barrel, the silencer helps protect hearing and also makes the gun much easier to shoot well. For me, it’s been 100% worth it.

 

[NealMustard]

I still get over 2700fpa with my 308 shooting 165g ABs out of an 18” barrel, the silencer helps protect hearing and also makes the gun much easier to shoot well. For me, it’s been 100% worth it.

Good to know

my gun has the stock 22” barrel. I typically get 50fps below box velocity which is tested with a 24” barrel. 168gr eld-m is 2650 in my gun v 2700 box spec. 178gr eld-x is 2550 in my gun v 2600 box spec.

As far as noise goes I’m not particularly worried because I hunt alone and I’ve always had time to put something in my ears even if it’s just AirPods to stop the worst of the blast.

I’ve heard suppressor folks say that they get better follow-up shots on animals with a suppressor. Sheep and goats don’t spook that far in my experience and it’s never been a hinderance for the hunting that I do.

 

[Lonewolf72]

I wouldn’t shorten my barrel, but then again I have a .308 and need every bit of velocity this silly cartridge is capable of. My gun does a lot of bushwacking, gets caught a lot, and I still don’t want to shorten it.

I’m wondering if the current trend of cutting down barrels just to add a suppressor is going to keep going. You’re paying a lot of money to add weight and length to your gun at the expense of muzzle velocity. I’m not willing to pay more to carry more weight.

Have you started by doing the basic mods to save weight to see if you like a stupid light gun? What do you want out of your gun? Range, weight, comfort? Do you shoot your rifle for fun a lot out of hunting season?

I think I've laid my goals out in a fairly straightforward manner, and not cutting the barrel is NOT an option. I currently own hunting rifles in 6.5 PRC, 6.5CM, 308 Win, 30-06, and 223, besides the 7mm-08 in question. My bases are covered and I am bought in to using suppressors after previous hearing damage. I often hunt with my brother and friends and feel suppressors are a game-changer. There are no drawbacks IMHO other than weight. I know many say that you are defeating the purpose of a lightweight mountain rifle by adding a can. But it will still be much lighter than my Tikkas, Winchester, and Mauser with a can.

As to what I want:
A lightweight mountain rifle that will still be handy with a can, still retain some balance and enough velocity for an appropriate projectile to take game up to elk. To be honest, most of our kills come at under 200 yards in the timber, but would like to be capable out to 500 yards as necessary. Also, I usually hunt between 8k-10k feet altitude, but occasionally have hunted over 11k. As for off-season use...this rifle won't be used extensively because my 3 Tikkas get high-volume use. This will be a bit of a niche gun for me.