Rifle: Kimber 84M 7mm/08, 1:9.5" twist

Problem: all 140 gr (or 139 gr) bullets I've tried so far haven't shot very well. I'm gonna try some 150s next.

Question: from your experience, what range of bullet weights work best with this rate of twist in this calliber?

Thanks.

can't understand why the 140's wont stabilize. Have you tried the 140gr NBT federal premium offering? 1:9.5 should stabilize plenty heavy,..up to 160gr or so I would guess.

Try some 150gr as you suggested,..and then maybe try some 120gr BT's just to establish which way the barrel wants to shoot. That is unless you handload

TrademarkTexan,

IF you have a 9.5" twist you have plenty of twist for the 140s and probably enough to even go up to the 160 gr boat tail bullets. The 175 gr bullets may be on the edge of stability with the velocity you will get out of the 7mm08 but then who uses the 175 gr bullets in that round anyway.

As suggested before, try the 150's and see what they do. If I am having a problem with accuracy with a new rifle, I will test the Ballistic Tip or a Sierra bullet. IF these two bullets do not shoot at least decently, generally, they rifle will not be a stellar performer with any bullet.

Good SHooting!!!

50

Well, after trying all the factory ammo I can find (haven't found any Federal Premiums yet), I'm picking up components to start loading my own this weekend.

Any loading experience for a 7/08 would be appreciated, also.

I'll have to wear dark glasses and a fake beard if I buy some matchkings, but it might be worth a try!

Tex,

What level of inaccuracy are we talking about?

Unless you actually see evidence of keyholing I'd troubleshoot elsewhere than twist....like bedding or foreend pressure.

If under 2800 FPS:
1.153" to 1.273" 1 in 10
1.274" to 1.423" 1 in 9

If over 2800 FPS:
???

TrademarkTexan,



What do you mean by the accuracy not being very good?



I happen to have a Kimber 84M Classic in 7mm-08 and it shoots quite well. I did have some grouping problems and it was all traced to the fact that the right windage screw was loose in the rear mount. I had tightened it with a coin held by pliers. That's enough force to bend the coin. It was still loose.



I discovered the loose screw at the range after being somewhat exasperated at the 1.5 to 2 MOA groups. I leaned into it with a big screwdriver and the screw turned! The groups are now in the 3/4 to 1 MOA range.



This rifle shoots the 150 Nosler Partition quite well. I carry various loads just to make things complicated and all of the bullets shot well. The only exception to this is the Hornady Light Magnums which I might retest.



In any case check out all the screws and get back to us.



I replaced those mounts on that rifle and my other Classic with Warne (Weaver style) bases and Burris Signature rings on the 7mm-08 and QRW's on the 260.