I have been looking at several light weight rifles and have narrowed it down to these two. The caliber I'm wanting is 300 WSM. I have also considered the Tikka T-3 Lite but that magazine has got to go.
How is the accuracy on either of these rifles? I am leaning toward the Kimber as it is a semi custom type rifle. My only complaint with it is the shape of the trigger. I don't have fat fingers but it sure seems to have quite a curl to it. With gloves on it wouldn''t seem to be good. (Northen Minnesota deer hunting ussually requires gloves.)
Haven't had a chance to handle the Browning yet. So really don't know if it will fit me.
Comments Please.
Thanks,
Keith

The Kimber trigger is the finest I've ever used on a factory rifle. Brownings are, IMO, junk.

I have no experience with the Kimber, but I do have some with Browning A-bolt, and I share Brad's assessment in that area. If the workmanship of the Kimber is good, it's got to be a better bet, as the design is light-years ahead of the Browning. When the first A-bolt came off the assembly line, John Browning had to be screaming in his grave.

I have a Browning Safari grade .30-06 made in 1961 and had identical rifles in both .375 H&H and '.06; to use these and then see a A-Bolt is enough to make me puke. I have other Japanese Brownings such as a Mod. 7500 combo gun in .308-12 ga. and an 1886 SRC repro that are just superb pieces, so, the A-Bolt is not typical of Browning, but, evidently it sells like dambusters....go figure.......

Here's the first group ever fired from my Kimber 8400 FW in 300 WSM, it was fired with some odd ammo I had tried in another rifle and was the 2nd,3rd and 4th shots I put through the gun:




The first group was the best that day but all of the 100yd 3 shot groups were under 1" and most were 3/4" or better using several different loads. Kimbers shoot.

Another rifle you might consider if you haven't already is a Sako Finnlite. Here's a 200yd group that I have shot several similar too:




If you are dead set against a removeable magazine that go with the Kimber. If you like wood stocks go with a Kimber. If you prefer Stainless I would choose from the Sako or Kimber Montana depending on which fit you best. Sako has gotten the earlier Finnlite problems sorted out and the new ones are fine, accurate rifles. IMHO the browning isn't in the same league with either....................DJ

quote:

Posted 06 September 2005 19:34
I have a Browning Safari grade .30-06 made in 1961 and had identical rifles in both .375 H&H and '.06; to use these and then see a A-Bolt is enough to make me puke.

my exact sentiments Kutenay

Thanks everyone. I had pretty much set my mind on the 8400 Stainless before posting this. I also am not a big fan of A-bolts. Due to an injury is why I am looking for something light. And the browning is very light. I have looked a several custom lite-weights put they are all out of my price range. By the way the dealer here is trying to talk me into the 325 WSM instead of the 300 WSM, but I can't really see the difference in the two. Plus I know the 300WSM will be around for a long time.
Thanks again,
Keith

A bit after the fact maybe, but I can whole- heartedly endorse the Kimbers, from practicle experience, and discourage the Browning from the same. I currently have two Kimbers, a .300WSM, and a .243. They both consistently shoot .8", with a variety of bullets. The fit and finish of mine are excellent. Triggers are nearly as good as my Coopers and 'smith tuned Remmy 700 trigger. I recently took delivery of a custom "ultralight" .338 that shoots the same groups as my Kimbers, weighs the same, and has an inferior fit and finish to the Kimbers, yet cost more than twice as much...OUCH! I sent it back. The only reason I didn't buy another Kimber is because they don't offer a .338, and IMO the .325 doesn't compete. The only problem I've had with the Kimbers is that neither of them would feed from the magazine and have had to send them both back. The .243 now works flawlessly, and I expect the .300 will as well when it gets back. Customer service has been good. Whew! thats my $.02