Wanting a new rifle. Kimber or build my own?

[Daniel_M]

I would own a Kimber, as soon as, they get rid of that useless control round fed action. For a rifle company that is touting light weight rifles, you'd think that would've been dropped years ago.

I'm a bit confused by this. Are you saying Kimber CRF doesn't work as designed, and should be dropped or that they would save a few ounces going push feed?


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[N2TRKYS]

I'm a bit confused by this. Are you saying Kimber CRF doesn't work as designed, and should be dropped or that they would save a few ounces going push feed?


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CRF actions work fine. However, I've never had any use for them. My disdain is not with the Kimber, it's the CRF actions. I have a push fed M70 and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[16Bore]

M70 PF's are sleepers. Shhhh.....

 

[Muttly]

Different strokes, had a push feed Featherweight, accurate little rifle, just never could warm up to it.
Sent it down the road, CRF is big selling point in the Kimber for this kid.

 

[Schnee's]

Hey guys I've got the itch for a new rifle, I've decided on a 6.5 creedmoor....

If I could, I'd get a new Kimber Mountain Ascent without thinking twice. They are fantastic rifles, very well built and I havn't seen one that didn't shoot well. Having said that, buying a new Tikka T3x Lite Stainless, putting a B&C stock on it and a new Nikon Monarch 3 FFP 3-12 would be a hard package to beat for the price.


Matt

 

[16Bore]

I'd pass on the BC. Piss poor stock and you get nothing out of it.

 

[luke moffat]

CRF actions work fine. However, I've never had any use for them. My disdain is not with the Kimber, it's the CRF actions. I have a push fed M70 and wouldn't have it any other way.

What is the advantage of a push feed over a CRF? Personally I don't prefer one over the other as I haven't had a problem with either. Just like to hear why you dislike the CRF and prefer the push feed. Why is it better?

 

[TBossHSauce]

Only clear advantage I see with a push feed is to be able to load a shell at a time through the ejection port. I like the concept of my bolt controlling my cartridge from start to finish. I've seen too many times where a cartridge gets stuck in the chamber on a push feed action and the user has to use a rod or bang the butt of the rifle on the ground to disengage.

Different strokes for different folks and one isn't better than the other in terms of functionality in my opinion. However, if I'm in a situation where I have to load on the move (i.e. running down the mountain or back pedaling from a big and ugly) I want to know my gun is going to cycle properly when I work the bolt and that that nothing is falling out of it when it counts.

 

[16Bore]

I can't comment on "better" but I will say that swapping back and forth between the two takes a little getting used to. On the bench you gotta mag feed the CRF and give the bolt a bit of a yank to clear the empty. PF has a built in slinger.


(even though the question wasn't directed to me)

 

[Yellowknife]

What is the advantage of a push feed over a CRF? Personally I don't prefer one over the other as I haven't had a problem with either. Just like to hear why you dislike the CRF and prefer the push feed. Why is it better?

Can't speak for the other guy, but personally, almost every single feeding, extraction, or ejection issue I've ever had or witnessed was with a CRF gun. Several mauser sporters that didn't like to feed smooth, a short stroked and jammed Pre-64, a Ruger that dropped empties, and the same gun once "fixed" had trouble feeding, and even a goofy "CRF" .375 H&H Savage that gave me fits. When they are put together right, they work perfectly, but there are more moving parts and critical tolerances involved in a typical CRF gun for sure. Or maybe I'm just unlucky.

That said... I don't dislike them myself. Hunted this season with that troublesome Ruger (which is tuned perfectly now). The design is generally great, but the execution can suffer sometimes. I just realize at this point that a long claw doesn't a holy grail make.

Some of the other features that come on classic CRF rifles I am a fan of though. Simple triggers and swing safeties being the major ones.

 

[N2TRKYS]

What is the advantage of a push feed over a CRF? Personally I don't prefer one over the other as I haven't had a problem with either. Just like to hear why you dislike the CRF and prefer the push feed. Why is it better?

Didn't say one was better than the other. I said a CRF is useless. Personally, I don't like the looks of all the extra, useless metal running down the side of the bolt, either.

 

[Daniel_M]

PF and CRF are certainly debatable. Claiming a CRF is useless is a rather bold statement, especially if your basing that off looks and extra metal. It's design serves a purpose. Whether that is up your alley well that's personal choice.



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[luke moffat]

Didn't say one was better than the other. I said a CRF is useless. Personally, I don't like the looks of all the extra, useless metal running down the side of the bolt, either.

Gotcha....I guess I don't get hung up on something such as that as easily or as picky about my rifles. I just want a really like rifle that can shoot 1-1.5" groups with whatever I want to feed it and call it a day.

Other guys want pretty lines and such. If both function just fine I look at other things like rifle weight, magazine/no magazine, stainless not stainless far before I would care if its push feed or CRF. But thats whats to great about having choices we all can usually find something we prefer.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Sighted in another new Tikka for a friend last night. I am always amazed how well these things shoot. This one is a new T3x in 300wm with a VX6 scope. These are shots 4, 5, and 6 with factory Barnes 165 grain bullets.

 

[16Bore]

That's some serious load development.

 

[Daniel_M]

That's some serious load development.

Heart breaker.

 

[Blockcaver]

Just to clear up a misconception by some posters above.....a Kimber bolt action CRF (controlled round feed) can be single loaded by dropping a shell into the chamber and closing the bolt over it, as the extractor will snap over the rim, just like a push feed such as a Remington M700 or M7. A M70 Winchester CRF can also be closed over a cartridge without feeding it from the magazine.

As per the custom versus the Kimber, I'd go Kimber if you like the Montana/Mt Ascent stocks, as it makes the purchase a no-brainer for value. Or build off a used Kimber MT if you want a custom rifle.....the basic action, trigger and stock are excellent in my experience. Past complaints being about the barrels and accuracy and weak firing pin springs are easily corrected by your smith in the build process if you go this route.

 

[mtswampfox]

Just to clear up a misconception by some posters above.....a Kimber bolt action CRF (controlled round feed) can be single loaded by dropping a shell into the chamber and closing the bolt over it, as the extractor will snap over the rim, just like a push feed such as a Remington M700 or M7. A M70 Winchester CRF can also be closed over a cartridge without feeding it from the magazine.

As per the custom versus the Kimber, I'd go Kimber if you like the Montana/Mt Ascent stocks, as it makes the purchase a no-brainer for value. Or build off a used Kimber MT if you want a custom rifle.....the basic action, trigger and stock are excellent in my experience. Past complaints being about the barrels and accuracy and weak firing pin springs are easily corrected by your smith in the build process if you go this route.

Maybe some will but, my 84M 22-250 will not unless maybe you hit the back of the bolt with a 2 1/2 pound sledge. Dont mind pushing a round into mag well , just have to remember to do so.

 

[Blockcaver]

My .223, 7mm-08 and .338 Federal Kimber Montana all close easily when a cartridge is single fed into the chamber and the bolt is closed over it. There is no real difference in closing force whether I single load this way or feed them out of the magazine. I was shooting two of the three Kimbers two days ago, single feeding them at the range to check zero for coyote and wolf calling. Anyway, i wonder what is up with your .22-250 and if any others are like yours?

 

[luke moffat]

Maybe some will but, my 84M 22-250 will not unless maybe you hit the back of the bolt with a 2 1/2 pound sledge. Dont mind pushing a round into mag well , just have to remember to do so.

Weird I single feed all my rounds when working up loads at the range directly into the chamber and close the bolt without issue....works for 2 84Ms (308s) and my 84L (338-06)