Has anyone had any experience with one of the 8400 Montanas? I am interested to know how accurate they tend to be and how reliably they feed, function etc. From what I can see, they seem to be a pretty nice rifle for something that only costs $1100 or so. I would appreciate any input.

Chet

Can't speak to the Montan version but I just picked up an 84M in 243. It truly is a jewel of a Rifle. I was truly impressed with the glass bedding job done by the factory. Even with a light 22" barrel it will place three shots well under 3/4". The trigger pull is like many have reported - like snapping a glass rod. Wood quality is exceptional. I would expect the Montana should be similar in quality

I got one of the first ones last October. It's a 270 WSM Montana and it weighs 6.3 lbs sans scope or mounts. I don't think there is a rifle like it for less than $2500.

Mine shoots quite well from the bench but once in a while groups open up and so far I trace this to the position of the forend on the bag. More important than groups is where the first and subsequent shots go and this one seems to stay sighted in. As I say I just got it.

I used the 140 gr Ballistic tip over the max. listed load of 74.5 grs of MagPro in Win. brass. This made 3210 fps at the chrono.

This rifle feeds very well. Sure the feeding is abrupt but on the other hand it's perfect and so is the extraction and ejection.

Quality wise the Kimber is made to the old manufacturing methods. By that I mean that every once in a while somebody might get one that is not perfect. This works out ok if the company cares and Kimber does.

The mounts that Kimber sells for their rifles are the old Redfield design. The only other game in town is the Talley which is not much better.

I paid $1000. Ask for a discount as there should be no shortage now like there was when they first started shipping.

Here is a pic of it before the Talleys went on.

Chet

I've got the Montana in .308Win. Excellent rifle with MOA accuracy. $1100 seems high. They go for about $950 here.

savage:
What does your 270WSM montana weigh as a finished rig? What kind of scope do you have installed? I guess i would like a 4-14x just for more mag on longer shots. Would you consider this rig, with appropriate loads a 500yd+ capable hunting rifle? I guess what i mean is in the hands of a capable shooter, do you feel the gun has the accuracy to make effective kill shots out to 5-600 yards?

Chet
Read the post on feed promblem's It is a post on
the magazine being to narrow to feed the short mags.
I own a couple of Kimbers, and it would be hard to
find a finer shooting rifle!
hysider

I've had 4 Kimber 8400's and every one has fed just fine out of the box. Like almost every new rifle they can be smoothed up a little by working the bolt etc.. Every one I've had has shot 1/2 Minute or better with the right load.........DJ

257 Roberts,

My 270 WSM Kimber Montana weighs 6.3 lbs sans scope. The 3-9 Conquest weighs 15 oz and the Talley detachable rings and bases go 4 oz. All together it is about 7.5 lbs.

Put on Weaver mounts or another light weight set like the promised Talley aluminum one piece with a 12 oz scope and your at about seven pounds which is a lot less than a scoped Pre 64 M70 Featherweight!

If you want a 4.5-14 then get one. I see no big takebacks. I would get one without AO for big game however.

As to the combination of the cartridge and rifle to make long shots in terms of accuracy and power I can say that for a $grand this rifle will run with the big dogs accuracy wise.

As far as power goes I like to be able to rip them a big hole. Thus I would shoot quite far with this rig at deer sized game. For tougher game I might carry more gun.

With a full charge and the 140 gr bullet the recoil comes back quite fast. So does it on a M70 in 7mm WSM. The rifle in 300 WSM with heavy bullets is going to really kick. The "Montana" has a superior pad and excellent stock but don't think it's a 243!

For smaller big game a 150 gr bullet could be shot in the 300 WSM and the recoil should be similar to the smaller cartridges.

Not many of the factory rifles come with a composite stock that's a keeper. I learned this with the M70 and now I have way more $$$ into it than the Kimber and I still don't have pillar bedding. When you consider the fact that Kimber cares about what they are making it alone sets them apart from many other manufacturers.

My Montana in 270 WSM weighs 7-1/4lbs--sling, 3.5-10x40 Leupold, caps and all.