Kimber for Custom Build

[PathFinder]

I'm in the middle of kicking around a few ideas for a lightweight rifle. It will be a 6 CM, 243 AI, or 22 CM. Haven't totally decided on that. I've been playing around with the WEZ a lot and realized I can give up very little at reasonable hunting ranges with a light rifle and light cartridge to match. My current 11.5lb 6 UM is great, but it's seldom that the extra rifle weight and cartridge capability are worth lugging it around and dealing with the hotrod cartridge. That rifle is basically made up of the parts that were available at the time, and came in several pounds heavier than intended. After packing it around for a couple years, it's time for another option. The rifle is part of a broader plan to cut about 8.5lbs out of my pack between this season and next. It will also be more reasonable to practice with without having to account for $1 or more per shot of barrel life.
The obvious, easy answer is to buy a 243 Tikka compact and have it rechambered to 243 AI. However, the prospect of losing a bunch of weight and maybe gaining some advantages in a Winchester style, UL action makes the Kimber intriguing. There are a few custom/semi-custom builds on here are similar to what I'm looking for.
Uses:

• All N/A game. MER of 1k.
• Will be shot a lot in field type conditions for field practice. Not high round count, but more opportunity to shoot in differing conditions.
• Scoped weight should be at or below 7lbs. The lighter the better. Plan on a max ~24 oz scope.
• Will include a Rokstock style stock. It would be great just to buy one, but with current availability it's no guarantee. Modifying a factory Kimber stock is one reason I'd lean towards Kimber. If I end up doing another Tikka, I'll probably make the stock if Rokstocks aren't available.
• Lots of UL backpack type hunts from 2-9 days. Some that will be very mobile, some geared more towards just sitting and glassing.
• 20" barrel. Willing to go +/- 2"
• .680 taperless type contour
• Probably threaded. 1/2-28 or 5/8-24 is fine

Questions:

• Does the Kimber action bring the same advantages a pre-64 M70 does in terms of reliability, or not? Is their trigger mechanically similar?
• Any aftermarket detachable magazine bottom metal?
• Any reasons to stay away from the Kimber? Certainly no prefits is one disadvantage, as is the lack of aftermarket support.

Odds of ending up with a Tikka are still really high, but the Kimber is an interesting option that I wanted to consider before making a final decision.

 

[RWT]

I have consider the Kimber option as well. The Howa SL looks interesting other than the issue that it doesn’t feed and the magazines are poorly designed. My goal is to be below 8lbs all in. Can, scope, rifle,and ammo. IMO there are a few options

Buy Kimber and cut the barrel. Risk is little after market support and hoping the Kimber shoots well.

Tikka super lite or lite, cut the barrel and move to a Bastion or RS lite when available

Howa super lite and hope it works. Spend another $500 on bedding and action work.

I am going the Tikka lite route as I had one and only needed to cut the barrel. Just purchased a Bastion stock at 21 oz.s. This should get me to the desired weight with a 22 oz scope, 5 oz rings, 10 oz can. Tikka action with 16” barrel should be below 4 lbs. All in I should be 128ozs.

I do not have any experience with the Kimber. If my Tikka doesn’t shoot well then I’ll go the Kimber route. Watching thread for more data.

 

[Couescrazy33]

I love my kimbers. All shoot great.

Kimber hunter is the cheapest and only one with a magazine. Montana and others are all internal magazine.

Im about to send one of the 243s off to have chambered into a 6 creed with the kimber contour barrel. Ill leave it in the kimber stock so no modifications will be needed.

You can pull the stock gel out of the hunter model and that should get you right around 6 pounds with a scope.

 

[handwerk]

Soon, I'll be wrapping up my 3rd customized Kimber 84M. They are sized down versions of all my other rifles, pre 64 M70's of some sort.
The Kimber rifles all have enclosed triggers. I am a devoted fan of the Winchester wing style 3 position safety/CRF which pointed me to the Kimbers. I had collected used Synthetic stocks for them which were inletted for proof CF barrels and in the end I am happy how they've turned out.
Last year I also did have rebarreled two Kimber hunters for my sons with Liljas's slightly heavier 84M contour, both chambered in 6CM and they turned out great.
I think the little Kimber actions are a great format to build a lightweight with, you just have to work a little harder at getting parts.

 

[PathFinder]

This is all good info. I'm starting to watch some used sites for hopefully a decent deal on a Montana or Mt. Ascent. Any leads on bottom metal that will take AI mags?

 

[Unckebob]

I'm in the middle of kicking around a few ideas for a lightweight rifle. It will be a 6 CM, 243 AI, or 22 CM. Haven't totally decided on that. I've been playing around with the WEZ a lot and realized I can give up very little at reasonable hunting ranges with a light rifle and light cartridge to match. My current 11.5lb 6 UM is great, but it's seldom that the extra rifle weight and cartridge capability are worth lugging it around and dealing with the hotrod cartridge. That rifle is basically made up of the parts that were available at the time, and came in several pounds heavier than intended. After packing it around for a couple years, it's time for another option. The rifle is part of a broader plan to cut about 8.5lbs out of my pack between this season and next. It will also be more reasonable to practice with without having to account for $1 or more per shot of barrel life.
The obvious, easy answer is to buy a 243 Tikka compact and have it rechambered to 243 AI. However, the prospect of losing a bunch of weight and maybe gaining some advantages in a Winchester style, UL action makes the Kimber intriguing. There are a few custom/semi-custom builds on here are similar to what I'm looking for.
Uses:

• All N/A game. MER of 1k.
• Will be shot a lot in field type conditions for field practice. Not high round count, but more opportunity to shoot in differing conditions.
• Scoped weight should be at or below 7lbs. The lighter the better. Plan on a max ~24 oz scope.
• Will include a Rokstock style stock. It would be great just to buy one, but with current availability it's no guarantee. Modifying a factory Kimber stock is one reason I'd lean towards Kimber. If I end up doing another Tikka, I'll probably make the stock if Rokstocks aren't available.
• Lots of UL backpack type hunts from 2-9 days. Some that will be very mobile, some geared more towards just sitting and glassing.
• 20" barrel. Willing to go +/- 2"
• .680 taperless type contour
• Probably threaded. 1/2-28 or 5/8-24 is fine

Questions:

• Does the Kimber action bring the same advantages a pre-64 M70 does in terms of reliability, or not? Is their trigger mechanically similar?
• Any aftermarket detachable magazine bottom metal?
• Any reasons to stay away from the Kimber? Certainly no prefits is one disadvantage, as is the lack of aftermarket support.

Odds of ending up with a Tikka are still really high, but the Kimber is an interesting option that I wanted to consider before making a final decision.

My Kimber Hunter action was at least as smooth as my Tikka and Origin actions. My 243 was very accurate for a pencil barrel rifle. The only reason I sold it was I could not figure out a way to get a threaded barrel on it (at a reasonable price) without having the existing barrel chopped quite a bit. In hindsight, I should have kept it.

I don't know if there are any decent replacement stocks out there. Mine fit me perfect so I didn't look for one.

Does a 6ARC pack enough punch for your intended use? If so, my Howa mini is very light with a 20" CF barrel.

BTW - I was at Scheels today and held one of the new T3x Lite's with a threaded barrel. It felt a little heavier than my 223 (older version), but not enough to bother me.

If the new T3x compact is available in 243 and already has a threaded barrel, I think it would get you pretty close to where you want to be in terms of a barreled action. Throw it in a Stocky's CF stock and you are good to go.

I get why the negative comb on the Rokstok is a good idea from a recoil perspective, but I don't think the cartridges you are looking at recoil enough to need it.

 

[PathFinder]

My Kimber Hunter action was at least as smooth as my Tikka and Origin actions. My 243 was very accurate for a pencil barrel rifle. The only reason I sold it was I could not figure out a way to get a threaded barrel on it (at a reasonable price) without having the existing barrel chopped quite a bit. In hindsight, I should have kept it.

I don't know if there are any decent replacement stocks out there. Mine fit me perfect so I didn't look for one.

Does a 6ARC pack enough punch for your intended use? If so, my Howa mini is very light with a 20" CF barrel.

BTW - I was at Scheels today and held one of the new T3x Lite's with a threaded barrel. It felt a little heavier than my 223 (older version), but not enough to bother me.

If the new T3x compact is available in 243 and already has a threaded barrel, I think it would get you pretty close to where you want to be in terms of a barreled action. Throw it in a Stocky's CF stock and you are good to go.

I get why the negative comb on the Rokstok is a good idea from a recoil perspective, but I don't think the cartridges you are looking at recoil enough to need it.

6 ARC won't quite do it. I'm currently torn between pushing a 6 CM fairly hard or going to the 243 AI.

That Tikka compact is exactly the easy button that is so appealing. It will be a Rokstok or homebrew version of the same thing. Had a standard Stocky's and it was ok, but wouldn't buy another one vs having the shorter trigger reach and other geometry of a Rokstok.

The main thing that makes the Kimber appealing is weight. Not even the most lightened Tikka is anywhere near a Kimber Hunter. Adding the CRF, trigger, and three position safety adds to the intrigue. Tikka is definitely easier, and having had three they have been fantastic rifles. But if it's not too much of a pain, this UL one will probably be a Kimber. Especially if I wind up deciding to sell my 6 UM.

 

[Unckebob]

6 ARC won't quite do it. I'm currently torn between pushing a 6 CM fairly hard or going to the 243 AI.

That Tikka compact is exactly the easy button that is so appealing. It will be a Rokstok or homebrew version of the same thing. Had a standard Stocky's and it was ok, but wouldn't buy another one vs having the shorter trigger reach and other geometry of a Rokstok.

The main thing that makes the Kimber appealing is weight. Not even the most lightened Tikka is anywhere near a Kimber Hunter. Adding the CRF, trigger, and three position safety adds to the intrigue. Tikka is definitely easier, and having had three they have been fantastic rifles. But if it's not too much of a pain, this UL one will probably be a Kimber. Especially if I wind up deciding to sell my 6 UM.

I loved my Kimber. The action was smooth, it fed great, and I love 3 position safeties. I know everyone will tell us that heavy rifles are easier to shoot.

I wonder how expensive it would be to have a gunsmith pull the OEM barrel and ream it out to 243AI?

 

[longrangelead]

you could consider a Sauer 100 in 6.5 Creed or 243.

I recently came into one in 6.5 creed. I had never considered a Sauer before because there is zero aftermarket for them.

I am impressed with it though. it's shooting 130 ELDM @2830 for 1.2" or less @ 100yds.

it uses Rem 700 scope bases, truly adjustable trigger(mine is 2lb) that breaks clean and a good 2 position safety. The bolt runs nice w/60 degree throw/3 lug, dual ejectors.

The thing I like the most is it has a 5 round FLUSH DETACHABLE MAGAZINE. it's a double stack that is truly flush so the rifle carries like a BDL.
There is also a 10 rnd mag available which a will try for S2H type practice.

Also available in 6.5 PRC, it uses a 4rnd mag. A 4+1 PRC flush mag rifle is pretty appealing to me.

The Sauer stock is very shootable but I would prefer it in a Rokstok or something close.

The Sauer is surprisingly affordable too. They can be had for $500-700 today.
In my opinion, the Sauer is the only rifle that rivals the Tikka in quality and price point.
At that price, you can afford to put a top tier barrel on it in whatever cartridge you choose.

If your on the fence about building a stock, I'd build one around a Sauer.

 

[HuntWyld]

The Kimber action is smooth and you can get them crazy lightweight with titanium action screws, bolt handle, and carbon stock. I’ve been super happy with mine. This rifle is sub 5lbs naked and 8.5lbs as pictured fully loaded, scoped, suppressed, with bipod and 2 spares on the side. Pendleton composite stocks can make a custom carbon fiber stock utilizing the detachable magazines from the hunter pro series so you don’t have to go blind box mag.

 

[RWT]

The Kimber action is smooth and you can get them crazy lightweight with titanium action screws, bolt handle, and carbon stock. I’ve been super happy with mine. This rifle is sub 5lbs naked and 8.5lbs as pictured fully loaded, scoped, suppressed, with bipod and 2 spares on the side. Pendleton composite stocks can make a custom carbon fiber stock utilizing the detachable magazines from the hunter pro series so you don’t have to go blind box mag.

View attachment 869696

What’s your BOM for the build?

 

[nm.otter]

Pendleton composite stocks can make a custom carbon fiber stock utilizing the detachable magazines from the hunter pro series so you don’t have to go blind box mag.

I was about to suggest Pendleton. Wayne shipped a samples of the High-Comb Sporter and LRH for me to try out. I loved the comb and cheek swell on the HCS, but settled on the LRH for a more vertical handgrip and fatter forend (also a tad lighter).

BTW, what all does Kimber do differently on the 84M used for the Mountain builds versus the Hunter? The fluted bolt and coating are obvious, but is there more?

 

[PNWGATOR]

Not sure if you’ve seen this or not, but just in case you haven’t:

Thread 'Uberlight Kimber Rifle Build, by Luke Moffat'

Dec 18, 2017

Luke is always pushing the limits when it comes to ultralight gear. In fact, he decided ultralight wasn't good enough and is now going uberlight! In his quest for a lighter pack Luke came up with a plan to build the lightest hunting rifle he could. In this article he details all the changes he made to his Kimber Montana to create a truly uberlight rifle.

Uberlight Kimber Rifle Build

• Justin Crossley
• Replies: 48
• Forum: Firearms

• 

 

[HuntWyld]

What’s your BOM for the build?

Bill of materials? You looking for what all went into the rifle parts wise?

I was about to suggest Pendleton. Wayne shipped a samples of the High-Comb Sporter and LRH for me to try out. I loved the comb and cheek swell on the HCS, but settled on the LRH for a more vertical handgrip and fatter forend (also a tad lighter).

BTW, what all does Kimber do differently on the 84M used for the Mountain builds versus the Hunter? The fluted bolt and coating are obvious, but is there more?

All short actions are 84m and my understanding is the ascent has fluted bolt/barrel and carbon stock that’s dipped with blind magazine. Montana has standard components carbon stock and blind mag. Hunter/hunter pro is standard components and plastic stock with detachable magazine but this route gives you the ability to canabalize the stock and build a carbon stock using the detachable mags.

 

[nm.otter]

Thanks.

I'm in the midst of a Howa Superlite build, but will keep an eye out for anything with an 84M going forward.

 

[PathFinder]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Kimber is looking more and more like an ideal action for this build.
There are a couple of main questions left.

1. Caliber, which is going to depend on the two questions below:
   1. What's the length of the port top and bottom on an 84M? Is 2.9"+ COAL achievable?
      1. As far as I can find, there's no AICS DMB for Kimber. Designing and making that is an option. Which factory stocks have a floorplate that could be swapped for DMB?
   2. Recoil. Running recoil numbers for a 6 UM in that light of a rifle make it look like a less desirable option. I'm going to play with the WEZ more, it's likely that a lighter cartridge will be more at home in this build. Lots of WSMs on the used market that could become 6 UMs though.
2. Stock. Along with the question about the bottom metal above. @nm.otter how much did that Pendleton LRH weigh? Not too many details on their site. I'm not a huge fan of the look of Kimber's Hunter magazine design, though it's been years since I handled one in person. If they work really well, maybe cannibalizing a Hunter stock is the easy button for DBM.

 

[HuntWyld]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Kimber is looking more and more like an ideal action for this build.
There are a couple of main questions left.

1. Caliber, which is going to depend on the two questions below:
   1. What's the length of the port top and bottom on an 84M? Is 2.9"+ COAL achievable?
      1. As far as I can find, there's no AICS DMB for Kimber. Designing and making that is an option. Which factory stocks have a floorplate that could be swapped for DMB?
   2. Recoil. Running recoil numbers for a 6 UM in that light of a rifle make it look like a less desirable option. I'm going to play with the WEZ more, it's likely that a lighter cartridge will be more at home in this build. Lots of WSMs on the used market that could become 6 UMs though.
2. Stock. Along with the question about the bottom metal above. @nm.otter how much did that Pendleton LRH weigh? Not too many details on their site. I'm not a huge fan of the look of Kimber's Hunter magazine design, though it's been years since I handled one in person. If they work really well, maybe cannibalizing a Hunter stock is the easy button for DBM

There is no hinged floor plate on the Montana/ascent it is a blind insert top fed internal box mag. The magazines for the hunter models have fed and functioned great for me over hundreds of rounds but COAL is limited to roughly 2.83 with the magazine. The Pendleton stock in the photo is one of their ultralight options and is in the 20oz range, I believe Wayne said the LRH was closer to 30oz. No available aftermarket DBM yet unless you canabalize a hunter stock and build a carbon stock to utilize the Kimber proprietary mags.

 

[mtwarden]

I love my kimbers. All shoot great.

Kimber hunter is the cheapest and only one with a magazine. Montana and others are all internal magazine.

Im about to send one of the 243s off to have chambered into a 6 creed with the kimber contour barrel. Ill leave it in the kimber stock so no modifications will be needed.

You can pull the stock gel out of the hunter model and that should get you right around 6 pounds with a scope.

My experience as well. Pretty easy (and inexpensive) with a Hunter to be sub 6 lbs with a scope/mount

The actions are identical to the Mountain and Ascent (the Ascent has a slightly lightened bolt).

 

[PathFinder]

Looks like the COAL might be a little on the limited side with factory magazine options. I'll mock up some 243 AI and 6 CM cases tonight to get a ballpark for those, then start figuring out what to do next.
The Hunter stock looks very easy to modify. At first I wanted to be picky about the magazines, but there's no way they're harder to insert/remove than factory Tikkas. COAL is very limited though, so depending on cartridge that may not work out. How were the LA Hunters when they made them? That may be a good match for the 243 AI.

 

[mtwarden]

I'm guessing they were just fine (all of mine were 84M's) ; the 84L Hunter magazines are still available