Kimber Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor - Let the Project Begin!

Unckebob

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Joined
Aug 21, 2022
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1,034
Well I spent the morning cutting and pulling the goo out of the stock. It took me about 2 hours, but when all was said and done, I shaved. 5.5oz off the rifle. After cutting as much out as I possibly could, I shoved some closed-cell foam in the stock to deaden sound, adding back maybe .2oz. I also, cut about 1/3" off the rear sling stud as had about 1/2" of insertion into the hollow of the stock.
View attachment 63827

That brings the weight of the bare rifle down to 5lbs 2.3oz, which I believe is on par with the Montana in 6.5 Creed. This has me thinking if there isn't an understandable secondary motive (besides sound dampening) for the silicone fill - namely keeping $500 extra value in the Montana.

Scoped, the rifle now weighs in right at 6.0lbs.
View attachment 63828

You people trying to lighten up your Kimber Hunters a crazy ... in a good way. I won't do it to my 243, but the ideas and determination you show is awesome.
 

Wapiti151

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Joined
Nov 14, 2020
Messages
975
Reviving this one! Finally found the new 6.5CM i was looking for. Gets here on Tues. Let the games begin.

Question for those that have chopped the barrel on your CM. Have you put it through a chrono? What speeds are you getting with a 19" (or shorter) bbl compared to the factory 22"? Am I accurate in guessing about 20 FPS per inch?

I am seriously thinking about chopping to 18", and if I can only lose 80ish FPS it would be a no brainer. Found a really good article on it, but it's obviously not the Kimber bbl so I'm curious. Article here: https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/08/6-5-creedmoor-cut-down-test-velocity-per-inch-revealed/

I am sure this would still make for a very viable deer or elk gun out to 300 if I can do my job at the trigger. I don't need this to be a long range gun, have a Waypoint in PRC and 308 for that.
 
OP
BigWoods

BigWoods

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Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
390
Location
NH
Reviving this one! Finally found the new 6.5CM i was looking for. Gets here on Tues. Let the games begin.

Question for those that have chopped the barrel on your CM. Have you put it through a chrono? What speeds are you getting with a 19" (or shorter) bbl compared to the factory 22"? Am I accurate in guessing about 20 FPS per inch?

I am seriously thinking about chopping to 18", and if I can only lose 80ish FPS it would be a no brainer. Found a really good article on it, but it's obviously not the Kimber bbl so I'm curious. Article here: https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/08/6-5-creedmoor-cut-down-test-velocity-per-inch-revealed/

I am sure this would still make for a very viable deer or elk gun out to 300 if I can do my job at the trigger. I don't need this to be a long range gun, have a Waypoint in PRC and 308 for that.
With my handloads that almost exactly emulate the Hornady American whitetail, I get 2650 out of my 19" pipe.

I'm excited to see what you so with yours!
 

Wapiti151

WKR
Joined
Nov 14, 2020
Messages
975
Thanks for those numbers, make sense. With precision hunter (if it likes it), ~2700 MV out of 24” test bbl, I figure it’ll sit in that 2550-2570ish MV range…which will keep me above 2k fps out to 400ish yards at 8k’. That makes me feel good about 18”.

Definitely chopping, pulling gel and bedding…haven’t thought beyond that but I’m excited.

I hadn’t planned on painting, but after reading this thread again…I may have to add that to the list.
 
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
696
Location
Oregon
My dads weighs 5.7lbs. 16.5” barrel, swfa ultralight (can’t remember what rings), and a brake. Just waiting for his ultra7 to clear.
 

kad11

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Joined
Jan 14, 2014
Messages
941
Location
Billings, MT
For reference, here's an 18" Hunter strapped to the side of a T1.
 

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Usi05

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Joined
Jan 7, 2019
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1,465
Location
Michigan
Pulled mine out today after drawing moose tag. Still loving it.

f4c0b20f31c4941bbe74f8920be7edf6.jpg



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