Project Kimberly is done!

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I copied my posts from another forum I'm on to here, figured the build might interest some on here who like light rifles.

6-26 I got a call from the gunsmith yesterday to ask a couple final questions about the project he is finishing for me. I had a Kimber 84L Montana I bought in 280 Ackley that I could never get to shoot like I wanted it to. I bought it used and worried that it might not shoot and that's why it was for sale. The price was low enough I figured it was worth a chance but it ended up not shooting anything I tried, factory Nosler or handloads, much under 3". I really like the feel of the rifle and the lightweight action that is so similar to my Winchester M70 rifles so I kept it around.

I also had a Winchester M70 rifle around with a Pac Nor #3 fluted barrel in 270 win that shot great. I never tried anything except 130 and 140gr Nosler Accubonds in the rifle because it shot both so well. The first load I tried with the 140gr Accubond shot as good as I can shoot, and I took my best elk with it. The factory Nosler 130gr loads shot even better so I went to them for deer after the elk hunt. The only problem with it was that's its heavier rifle than I want to pack around in the mountains. Also the gunsmith had left the barrel at 25.5" which is more than a 270 needs I think. In the scabbard of my Eberlestock it stuck up past my head further than I liked and caught limbs.

Talking to my gunsmith I came up with the idea of putting this 270 barrel on my Kimber rifle and cutting it down to match the barrel length of the Kimber factory barrel, it's stock sits flush with my head in the scabbard. I think the finished product will be called Kimberly, a re-barreled Kimber designed to fit in my Eberlestock. As an added bonus the gunsmith had been sitting on a #4 contour 24" 25-06 barrel he ordered in for a customer that backed out. He cut me a deal on it and I now my Winchester 70 is a 25-06 that shoots 100gr TTSX bullets really well my wife has claimed for her next antelope hunt. I bet it gets packed coyote hunting on some windy days also. He has the Kimber about done now and ready for me to start shooting, can't wait to get it home and ready for this fall.

 

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7-30 Got her home today. Kimberly weighs 6lbs 14oz with the Leupold VXIII 4.5-14x in Talley rings and bases. Hope to shoot her soon!

7-31 Got a little shooting done today, it was to hot to put to many rounds through the rifle. I got it on paper and close with some cheap Winchester ammo. I then let it cool and put 6 of the Nosler 130gr Accubond loads the barrel had always done well with through it. I shot 2, adjusted, shot 2, adjusted and shot the last 2. The 2 shot groups were all under 1/2". I had to adjust it for windage, overcorrected, and got it perfect with the last 2. They landed on top of each other 2" high and dead center. While not the same as shooting cold barrel 3 shot groups for accuracy I am confident that the barrel still shoots as well as ever on the new rifle. I'll check it one of these days when it cools off with a cold clean barrel, then start trying it out at distances and from field positions.

I came out good on this little endeavor. I shot a 3 shot group from the 25-06 while out today too that measured .6" with the Barnes Vor-TX 100gr load. I might play with handloading for it after hunting seasons this fall just to save money but I know what bullet it likes.

The Nosler 270 load averages 2964fps from my barrel so it's not a screamer. Really though I'm fine with that, it is pretty mild on recoil too. I tried some leftover elk handloads I had after my earlier post out of curiosity, they were 140gr Accubond loads over 4831 that had pushed the heavier bullets almost as fast. They definitely make the little gun jump. I think the 130gr load that doesn't stomp as hard will help me shoot the rifle better. My other project gun came in this week too, a Rifles Inc 300 win mag in a lightweight 70 design of theirs I modified some. With the 300 pushing 180gr accubonds for elk, moose, or black bear the 270 pushing the 130's should be just right for deer and maybe a ram someday. Having the two light rifles they can be each other's back-up rifle on hunts now too.

I got my rifles built now and the gunsmiths aren't getting any more of my money. Haven't drawn a tag since 2013 so I've upgraded gear, glass and guns with my hunting budget. I'm burning points for the next several years and spending the hunting budget on hunting!

 

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Pics!

 

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I'd love to post some but I can't get the ones taken with my Fujifilm 16mp camera to load. Is there some way I need to downsize files or something?

 

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Got Kimberly out to shoot the gong today. Wind was light and blowing directly at me and temps were in the low 70's so I figured it was a good day for it. I shot over the hood of my truck from sandbags to verify my turret out to 500yds. I shot one shot each at 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500yds and hit every one. All my hits were at the center or below on the gong and especially my 450 and 500yd hits were a little low so I dialed up 2 more clicks and re-shot those distances. After that the hits were perfect. I'm using the same CDS turret and the gunsmith shortened the barrel 2" so I'd bet my velocity is a shade slower now resulting in the lower hits. I don't think it's enough of a difference to justify a new turret for the ranges I'll use a 270 at though. 600yds would be the absolut max under perfect conditions and I don't go looking for long shots so most will be much closer.

Also shot my 264WM, new Rifles Inc 300WM, and a battered old 243 Sako I picked up a year ago for a truck gun. The Sako spent a lot of time in a rear window gun rack, the stock is really faded on one side. It shoots darn good though. I made hits with all the guns at all the distances. The 243 and 264WM I just wanted to verify the scopes were still on, the 300WM is a new rifle. I think I'm going to like it also and should for what it costs.

Both the light 270 and 300WM are much more pleasant to shoot out in the pasture where the gong is over the truck hood than off the bench. I can take the recoil on the front of my shoulder instead of the top and it makes them fun to shoot. Also there isn't a bunch of buildings for the sound to bounce off of, makes the noise and blast from the brake on the 300 seem much less severe. I'll practice with them all a lot more before hunting season, but I'm very happy with how they are doing so far. Time to start shooting from field positions.

 

[elkguide]

Let the fun begin.