Kimber Subalpine experience?

[TNHunter]

Anyone have experience with Kimber’s Subalpine? I’ve got my eye on 300 WSM for Muleys and Elk. I’ve been researching the Subalpine and it seems mixed reviews for Kimbers. I’m looking to add to my collection and don’t have a Kimber yet. Thx in advance.


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[belly-deep]

What have people said about them that is bad?

I have a 280 AI. No complaints.

 

[TNHunter]

Some of the reviews say the Kimber’s don’t shot sub-moa as promised and some complain about feeding issues. Kimber’s customer service has really bad reviews as well.


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[belly-deep]

Some of the reviews say the Kimber’s don’t shot sub-moa as promised and some complain about feeding issues. Kimber’s customer service has really bad reviews as well.


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I’ve got 9 Kimbers. All shoot sub MOA. One took a little work to get there though.

 

[Formidilosus]

I’ve got 9 Kimbers. All shoot sub MOA. One took a little work to get there though.

I guess it isn’t impossible... but I would love to see nine Kimber Montana’s/Ascents/SA’s that will hit a sub MOA target on demand, every time without excuses.


I’ve only seen a couple dozen but not one would do that from the factory. Better than half had major issues, all but a couple had minor issues, and Kimbers CS is easily the worst in the business.

 

[danarnold]

Anyone have experience with Kimber’s Subalpine? I’ve got my eye on 300 WSM for Muleys and Elk. I’ve been researching the Subalpine and it seems mixed reviews for Kimbers. I’m looking to add to my collection and don’t have a Kimber yet. Thx in advance.


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I wanted a Kimber in a big way, I found years worth of unhappy owners (it's possible none of the mentioned could shoot?) on multiple forums, but I went Tikka and haven't looked back. I thought I'd trick them (t3 300wsm ul, T3X 7-08) but I'm really happy with them the way they sit

 

[belly-deep]

I guess it isn’t impossible... but I would love to see nine Kimber Montana’s/Ascents/SA’s that will hit a sub MOA target on demand, every time without excuses.


I’ve only seen a couple dozen but not one would do that from the factory. Better than half had major issues, all but a couple had minor issues, and Kimbers CS is easily the worst in the business.

YMMV

Out of my 9, 1 is a hunter and 1 is a subalpine. The rest are Montanas.

Like I said, only one was difficult to get shooting. It was a VERY early model 308. There is no doubt Kimber had some issues at the start, those are over now. The last few I’ve bought have all been easy shooters.

 

[TwoTikkas]

Gotta ask. What is the Rok Stock Ticker?

 

[JeffRaines]

I think it also depends on what you expect from the rifle, and the expected use. They're a niche rifle - they're light as all get out, thats kind of their thing. They're not a thousand yard bench gun. If you want a super lightweight rifle and you're keeping shots within 400-500(with a great rest) it'll probably work out.

 

[elkguide]

I only have 3 Montanas right now and each of them will shoot MOA or better. I did have to retighten all of the screws but I do that with every rifle that I buy. I have had no feeding issues. The .300WSM did take a little bit of time to work up a load to reach MOA but it does it. As to Kimber Customer Service, I've only used it once. The .300WSM I bought used and the previous owner had messed the trigger up so bad that I needed a spring and since for liability reasons they couldn't sell/send one to me so I sent the rifle to them. They recommended I return the rifle to them and projected a 4 - 6 week turn around. Can't complain a bit as I had the rifle back in 2 weeks with a brand new trigger.

 

[Formidilosus]

YMMV

Out of my 9, 1 is a hunter and 1 is a subalpine. The rest are Montanas.

Like I said, only one was difficult to get shooting. It was a VERY early model 308. There is no doubt Kimber had some issues at the start, those are over now. The last few I’ve bought have all been easy shooters.

So you have nine Kimbers that will hit a sub MOA target on demand, first shot every time?

 

[belly-deep]

Gotta ask. What is the Rok Stock Ticker?

A joke I came up with after everyone was ready to boycott Sitka last week. Reminds me of the stock market.

 

[LazyV]

I've had more then a couple used Kimbers, all of which previous owners said didn't shoot sub moa. Every one of them has easily with or an ammunition change or not even that. Maybe I've been lucky but have escaped feeding issues as well. My personal guess is that a most shooters simply suck based on a lot of time at public ranges. A Leightweight rifle simply magnifies their suck at that skill.

 

[belly-deep]

So you have nine Kimbers that will hit a sub MOA target on demand, first shot every time?

Yes. Some required handloading, but I generally don’t mess around with factory loads for very long.

 

[Formidilosus]

Yes. Some required handloading, but I generally don’t mess around with factory loads for very long.

Dang. Most purpose built sniper rifles won’t do that.

 

[belly-deep]

Dang. Most purpose built sniper rifles won’t do that.

MOA rifles aren’t that rare in this day and age. If they seem elusive, you’re doing something wrong.

 

[LazyV]

I'm guessing he's not missing much, his definition of what sub MOA is might be different then others i.e. How many rounds in what amount of time kind of thing maybe

 

[AK Troutbum]

I haven’t owned a Subalpine but I’ve owned 3 light weight Kimber’s, 2-Montana’s and a Mountain Ascent. All have been sub MOA even with factory ammo. My first Montana, a .300wsm was purchased when they first came out, about 13 years ago and it has always been a tack driver. I had a muzzle brake put on it several years ago so my 12-year-old son could use it on a goat hunt, and not get beat up too bad. A year or so ago I decided on get the barrel cut back and just last month I put another muzzle brake on it. I took it to the range right afterwords. Last 3 shot group using factory 165 grain Barnes TTSX ammo.

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[elkguide]

I haven’t owned a Subalpine but I’ve owned 3 light weight Kimber’s, 2-Montana’s and a Mountain Ascent. All have been sub MOA even with factory ammo. My first Montana, a .300wsm was purchased when they first came out, about 13 years ago and it has always been a tack driver. I had a muzzle brake put on it several years ago so my 12-year-old son could use it on a goat hunt, and not get beat up too bad. A year or so ago I decided on get the barrel cut back and just last month I put another muzzle brake on it. I took it to the range right afterwords. Last 3 shot group using factory 165 grain Barnes TTSX ammo.

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Definitely another one of those "can't hit a thing with it" Kimbers you've got there.

 

[mtmuley]

Me thinks form has some different requirements for a rifle that will fire MOA very time. And it don't involve 100 yard groups. mtmuley