Recent Kimbers

[Sleepy Creek]

I recently had the chance to handle a Kimber Montana 84L for the first time. What a sweet little rifle! The bolt however rattled something fierce. Is this normal on all the newer models such as Ascent, Adirondack, and Montana? And I've searched old sites, posts, and threads across the internet talking about some of the issues and problems with Kimbers, but I couldn't find much that was recent. Have some of the feeding problems that others have mentioned been dealt with on the more recent productions? Seems like there are quite a few Kimber fans on Rokslide. I was just curious if anyone had any input on a recently produced/purchased Kimber. Thanks

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

None of those issues with mine that was bought last April. Been a great gun so far.

 

[Stid2677]

I had a 2006 model that rattled like that but only when unloaded, I have 2 Mountain ascents and they do not rattle. It bugged the heck out me on the old one.

 

[Sleepy Creek]

Thanks for the input. From what I've read it seems that the majority of the problems were mentioned a few years ago and mostly with the 8400 line. I also read that the rattling (in those that rattled) disappeared once a shell or two was plugged into the mag. Either way, I haven't found a whole lot of recent complaints. I'm toting around a Browning A Bolt Mountain TI in 300 wsm right now and I swear that Montana was lighter! I think my wife needs one…and my daughter also needs one…and my other daughter needs one…

I was also impressed with the trigger on that Montana. Anyone have any complaints on those?

 

[danarnold]

I was in the market for a montana in 300 wsm but found countless people bitching on forums about 2 1/2" groups @ 100 yards, I ended up with a tikka t3 in 300 wsmthat is 3oz heavier than the kimber and I paid a lot less than I was planning on spending.
it's guaranteed 3 shot moa
still waiting on rings for it so I can put some rounds thru it

 

[DaveC]

Got a Montana in 308 last fall. The firing spin spring needed a bit of adjusting to clear up some light strikes. After that, and having the bbl cut to 20", it's been flawless. The balance is phenomenal and makes for a sweet carrying rifle. Shoots just over MOA with minimal load development.

 

[Snyd]

I was in the market for a montana in 300 wsm but found countless people bitching on forums about 2 1/2" groups @ 100 yards, I ended up with a tikka t3 in 300 wsmthat is 3oz heavier than the kimber and I paid a lot less than I was planning on spending.
it's guaranteed 3 shot moa
still waiting on rings for it so I can put some rounds thru it

Guns can be fickle but usually it's the shooter. Makes a guy wonder how many rounds they shot, what the ammo was, how much beer and or coffee and wind was involved, etc. How many is "countless" 3 or 4 guys posting on 10 different forums?? Usually with different screen names.

I had buddy with a 300wsm that was "factory ammo picky". He ended up with some factory loaded 165gr TSX's and that gun shot one ragged hole at 300yds, bone stock.

My 325 shot factory 200gr Accubond Winchester ammo sub moa. I duplicated the velocity and OAL and had a 2 inch group. Seated the bullet to .05 of the lands and it shoots 5 rounds sub moa if I do my part, don't coffee up before the range session, wind cooperates, and have good trigger control.

 

[Shrek]

A lot of the accuracy problems are the shooting style. They are very light and must be held firmly. If you let the fore end go free the recoil has a effect on accuracy. Can't be used the same as a heavier rifle.

 

[hunting1]

A lot of the accuracy problems are the shooting style. They are very light and must be held firmly. If you let the fore end go free the recoil has a effect on accuracy. Can't be used the same as a heavier rifle.

BINGO! I have a Kimber and Remington Ti and you have to use good shooting technique! This does not mean additional bedding, pressure, or floating does not help as well adjusting the triggers.

 

[Sleepy Creek]

A lot of the accuracy problems are the shooting style. They are very light and must be held firmly. If you let the fore end go free the recoil has a effect on accuracy. Can't be used the same as a heavier rifle.

Yeah, this is right on. I went from a 9 1/2 pound (with glass) custom 7 mag that would shoot the lights out-it actually made me look good- to a Browning Mountain Ti where I think I missed the first two animals I shot at. They were offhand shots and that added weight was missed when it came to stability. I have since gotten used to it, but they are completely different animals.

 

[Matt W.]

I have a brother looking for a Montana in .308. New ones are good to go, yeah?

 

[Stid2677]

HC, the new ones seem to be better. I bought 2 new ones a couple years ago, one was flawless out of the box, the other required some dremel work to get it to feed right.

One thing that greatly helps with accuracy on light rifles is to control muzzle flip. I have some that are ported and a couple with muzzle brakes, these shoot better than the light rifles I have that have slick barrels. Just my experience, yours may vary.

Steve

 

[Matt W.]

HC, the new ones seem to be better. I bought 2 new ones a couple years ago, one was flawless out of the box, the other required some dremel work to get it to feed right.

One thing that greatly helps with accuracy on light rifles is to control muzzle flip. I have some that are ported and a couple with muzzle brakes, these shoot better than the light rifles I have that have slick barrels. Just my experience, yours may vary.

Steve

thanks Steve. Do you feel the Ascent is worth the extra $$ over the standard Montana? (in .308)

 

[Stid2677]

thanks Steve. Do you feel the Ascent is worth the extra $$ over the standard Montana? (in .308)

I guess I do since I bought 2 of them. Just to get a lighter version NO, to get a lighter version with the brake already installed,,, YES.

I know I have a safe to choose from and Miss Kimber seemed to end up in my hand for every hunt this year. Always makes me smile when someone picks it up,, without fail they all mention how skinny she is.

 

[7stw]

I've got two of them. A 8400 select in 300 win mag and an 84m in 308. The .300 shoots great the .308 took quite a bit of load development to find the sweet spot. It's a win model 70 clone action of course it's gonna rattle a little unloaded. (I own several crf actions and they all rattle some) haven't had any issues and have my eye on a Montana if only I could find one in .280 I'd own another kimber. I don't shoot the .308 as much but I still wouldn't hesitate if I didn't have other options. My old rem Mohawk fits the short light easy carrying part all to well. And the .300 kimber kills exceptionally well.

 

[Becca]

I have a brother looking for a Montana in .308. New ones are good to go, yeah?

I have nothing but good things to say about the one Luke picked up for me last spring. Grouped well with factory ammo pretty much from the moment we sighted it in at the range, and hasnt given me a single issue since I started using it.

We lightened it up some with a Ti bolt handle and I believe an aluminum trigger guard, I will let Luke chime in with the details, but I know we have been able to get the Montana weight down significantly to very near that of the Ascent for less money.

Now we each have one, and I don't see either of them getting sold anytime soon.

 

[Matt W.]

Thanks Becca. My bro wants me to duracoat that stainless action / barrel black or dark gray, so maybe the Montana with a few Moffat tweaks is the way to go. You guys buy them locally?

I found this post in my searching:
http://www.thealaskalife.com/guns/kimber-rifles/

 

[danarnold]

good stuff
I haven't been hunting with my Tikka yet, I hope to do so when firearms season open in nov. till then I'm whacken em with my bow

 

[luke moffat]

Thanks Becca. My bro wants me to duracoat that stainless action / barrel black or dark gray, so maybe the Montana with a few Moffat tweaks is the way to go. You guys buy them locally?

I found this post in my searching:
http://www.thealaskalife.com/guns/kimber-rifles/

Yup I bought Becca's .308 for $875 shipped. It shoots less than 1" every time with standard Nosler Custom 165 accubond factory loads. The TI bolt and aluminum trigger guard are not needed but give it some flair and saves 2-3 oz. Also have had both our .308 Kimber Montana's cut down to 20" to make them handier in the brush. It's hard to beat a Kimber. I have 4 now...have owned a 300 WSM 8400 Montana but they are not nearly as sweet as the 84m and 84Ls. IMO if you want a WSM you are better off just going Tikka. Kimbers come into their own the '06 or .308 case.

I haven't had trouble with my Kimbers at all out of the 4 I have. I purchased a 270 Montana in fact its at my FFL and its going to be sent off to turn it into a 338-06 as this winters project. That little devil should thump on both ends, but not any worse than my 18" barrled Browning 325 WSM Mountain TI. Also the Kimber "stainless" seems to be much more stain/rust resistant than the Browning stainless which is nice.

But 5.56 pounds scoped rifle is pretty sweet:


For me I don't need the muzzle-brake as mine are in .308 and even with a 200 NPT at 2500+ fps the recoil is still manageable. We shall see if I think the same thing with the 338-06 but that one should be about 6 oz heavier due to the longer '06 action and 2" longer barrel plus the scope I am putting on it is 6 oz heavier as well so it should come in around 6.25-6.5 pounds.

 

[dreamingbig]

I want to go out and buy a kimber now.