Kimber hunter weight VS Tikka

MHWASH

WKR
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
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S.E.WA
Having spent 5 days in the wilderness this spring bear hunting, I've decided I need to lighten my load. I'm currently shooting a 20" Tikka w/ Nomad can @ 8#13oz. I've already decided I'm going to ditch the can for these grueling back country hunts. This will bring down my weight to 7#14oz. I'm considering buying a Kimber Hunter to use on these more demanding hunts, but I'd like to see some real world weights first. I'll be using my SWFA 3-9 which weighs about 19oz. By my calculations, this will put me in the 7# range? Please tell me if I' way off, or just plan dumb to think 1# is really going to make that much difference.
 
Joined
Mar 31, 2019
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Weiser, ID
I wouldn't give up the suppressor, ever. Either rifle will work fine but I've got much more experience with the Tikka's and they've been good for me as far as factory rifles go. I'd buy a lighter suppressor before I'd ditch using one if weight was a huge issue.
 

Fred

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 24, 2020
Messages
126
I'd keep the money of buying another rifle... You surely have a lot more ways to save weight I'd think. Look at some of the ultra-light weight backpacking forums etc. Just my opinion. I changed my Mountain Extreme boots +4lbs to Under Armor HVOR 17ozs For me that was a HUGE noted difference.

I know it's not what you are asking about regarding the 1# weight difference by buying new rifle but for your goal of reducing fatigue of a demanding hunt better to look at changing something else of your gear.

Good Luck
 

Macintosh

WKR
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Feb 17, 2018
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2,760
For me kimber is too light. Yeah, carrying a rifle at ready gets tiring after a while, thats true whether its 7# or 9, just shades of grey past that. So install a set of flush cups and use a sling across your chest if you need, but that pound or two makes it noticeably easier to shoot accurately. You want less weight, change your boots and lighten some other gear, havent met more than a handful of people for whom losing a pound or two out of an overnight pack wasnt a simple excercise.
Ive also had feeding issues with my wifes kimber and seen several others with the same—not a hunter model. Even when the kimber feeds my tikkas are noticeably smoother action and easier to be smooth and fast without losing sight picture. Tikka trigger, at least out of the box, is better and easily adjusted. Barrel twists are standard saami. Tikkas maybe not perfect—plastic is soulless even if it is durable and functional— but I greatly prefer over the Kimbers Ive used.
 
OP
MHWASH

MHWASH

WKR
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Aug 21, 2016
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S.E.WA
I do really like my Tikka, feeds like silk and accurate too. I'd hate to spend that kind of money and not be satisfied. I will look into other ways to reduce weight. I think a lot of the issue this year was the heat. It was in the 90s all week long plus we were hiking bare ridges in the middle of the day. It's hard to train for that. I am also looking into lighter boots as well.
 
Joined
Dec 16, 2020
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782
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Idaho
You can get the kimber hunter down quite a bit more weight-wise if you are willing to tinker. My kimber hunter 308win is at 5lbs 11.6oz including TBAC ultra7, 2.5-10x32 swfa (bdc reticle), and a small arca rail so it can mount to my tripod if needs be. Bare rifle is about 4lbs 2.8oz last I checked (started at about 5lbs 6.6oz). Barrel was cut to 16 inches and threaded, gel removed from stock, diy foam recoil pad, forend trimmed down, and replaced the bolt knob. It is under MOA with cold barrel impacts (waiting several minutes between shots for the barrel to cool). It's not the rifle I grab if I'm intending to shoot beyond 400 yards, but it could do the job. A swfa 3-9x42HD would put the total weight at around 6lbs 5.6oz. As has been pointed out, the kimber bolt is not nearly as smooth as those on my tikkas, but it's plenty serviceable and a lot lighter.
 

rcook10

WKR
Joined
Nov 17, 2018
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409
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Wyoming
I can shoot my kimbers to 600 at about or just over 1moa to 600 off a spartan bipod with a rear rest like a backpack. Practice in field positions makes a really big difference for these ultralight rifles. I will agree that if you are gassed from scooting up a hill quickly, there is more input than with a heavy rifle but it quite manageable if you practice. I also have zero interest in carrying or hunting with anything but them anymore and i have several custom built rifles and other factory options too. They really are superb hunting rifles if you are able to shoot them well.
 

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
11,225
Location
Alaska
Having spent 5 days in the wilderness this spring bear hunting, I've decided I need to lighten my load. I'm currently shooting a 20" Tikka w/ Nomad can @ 8#13oz. I've already decided I'm going to ditch the can for these grueling back country hunts. This will bring down my weight to 7#14oz. I'm considering buying a Kimber Hunter to use on these more demanding hunts, but I'd like to see some real world weights first. I'll be using my SWFA 3-9 which weighs about 19oz. By my calculations, this will put me in the 7# range? Please tell me if I' way off, or just plan dumb to think 1# is really going to make that much difference.
I wouldn’t ditch the silencer, I’d drop that 10oz somewhere else or just suck it up.
 
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