Gentlemen

I am contemplating buying a new rifle and have narrowed it down to two lightweight ones either a Kimber Montana or a Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight.

Which would you buy?

Thanks

Weatherby!

I've always loved the look of the Weatherbys, the short Bolt Throw, and the silky smooth actions.

Good Luck!

Reloader

A Kimber feels far more comfortable to carry and shoot than a Weatherby.

After owning a rifle with a Weatherby-clone stock, I've come to despise Weatherby's stock design.

Well, you have asked for opinions, so I will throw one out here.

I would certainly rather have the Weatherby Ultra Light.

My dad owns an Ultra Light in 25-06 and it is a very good gun. He has shot an unbelievable number of wild hogs with it. He is 76 years old and likes that light gun to pack around.

On one of the ranches we hunt we have to cross a barbed wire fence to get to part of it. Everytime he unloads that thing and hands it to me to hold while he crosses the fence I tell him that he is "cheating". That darned gun is simply too light!

I readily admit that if you heat up that pencil thin barrel it opens the groups up. But for the first three shots it shoots quite well.

The Weatherby trigger is much easier to adjust than the Kimber. You do not even have to remove it from the stock.

I like the Weatherby stock design much better.

I have never messed with the Montana model, but I did keep a buddies Kimber for a while and tried to work up loads for it. It was a model 84M, I think. A light weight 22-250. I was not impressed at all with that gun.

The grip angle on the stock is all wrong on the Kimber, for me. The trigger was difficult to adjust and would not STAY adjusted the way I wanted. None of my dozen or so bore guides would fit that goofy action. The accuracy was rather poor for a varmint rifle. I even tried switching scopes on the thing hoping the scope was the problem. It was not, the rifle was not very accurate even with match bullets.

Just my experience with the two brands.

R F

Weatherby. .257 or .270 Wby.

I much prefer Kimber to Weatherby. I just don't like Weatherby's "shiny" finish, however I do like his cartridges.
FWIW- I'd look at the Dakotas too.

Take a good look at a Sako Finnlight first. Much better rifle than either IMHO--2MG

If the Weatherby Ultra Light has that barrel with the deep flutes then it looks really cool.

I would have to handle them again but my impression is that they are longer and heavier than a Kimber 84M. That Weatherby might be made in longer cartridges however. Kimber will have a long action out soon.

I prefer the Kimber product by a wide margin.

When is Kimber supposed to come out with the long action?

That will be a gun I will look very closely at... just might have to make some room in the safe!

quote:

When is Kimber supposed to come out with the long action?

October 2005. It will be on the 8400 plan but have a longer feed ramp and be chambered for the 30-06, 300 WM etc.

These two rifles have such a completely different feel to them that the potential buyer will have to work it out for themself.

weatherby

The Kimber is smoother, better made, has a better trigger, is better stocked with a better stock design, and has far superior customer service.
If you prefer a Monte-Carlo stock that kicks more than it needs too buy the Weatherby otherwise the Kimber is a better rifle. I've had both and kept the Kimbers............DJ

Weatherby over Kimber any day.

The reasons are easy. Guarantees. Accuracy, Service and design. The Weatherby stock is well designed, a lot of thought went into this design to help handle the recoil generated by the Weatherby cartridges, although some just don’t care for the looks of monte carlo stocks the Weatherby does do it’s job. While Kimbers are very good rifles they are not in the same class as Weatherby. Lawdog

In my opinion the kimbers are finished better.The weatherby 1-1/2" guarantee is a joke as any decent bolt action will do at least that good.I have owned two mark V's and I find that the 300wby produced more felt recoil than my mcmillan stocked 300ultramag despite the fact that it produced less velocity with the same bullets.On the other hand the vanguard is a very good rifle at a bargain price.

Just ordered a Kimber Montana in .300 WSM. It has not arrived yet, but I can't wait to get my hands on it. I think Kimber has a better quality product, but that is just my opinion. This Kimber will be the first of either Weatherby or Kimber that I have owned. However, I do want to get a .300 WBY MAG at some point in the future.

I agree with 2muchgun. I think the Sako is the best of the genre. The Weatherby has lot to like as does the Sako. Both of these have a very comfortable shooter freindly stock design IMO. Some folks don't like the higher combs with more drop at the heel for large calibers and I agree, to a point. At this recoil level though I think stock design is more a matter of personal preference and most importantly what points well for you. Personally, I think the Sako points the best of all.

The second factor to consider is build quality and here I think the Sako is also the cream. Not to say that the others aren't good just that I've held a few Weatherby's and quite a few Kimber's that have left my expectations unmet. Particularly the Kimbers with such a perfectly designed action often seem almost rough for a gun that's nearly a grand. That said, I could hunt with one the rest of my like and be perfectly happy. Ithink you'll be happy regardless of the path you choose.

Gabe

In my oipnion, the Weatherbys show a higher degree of fit and finish. Although some say the 1.5" guarantee is {sic} a joke, I think Sako is the only other one with such a claim. Both rifles are solid, well-made rifles that you don't have to worry about bolt handles falling off, extractors breaking and "fire on fail" safeties. Incidentally, all my Wetherbys easily best the 1.5" guarantee by a considerable margin and are all very accurate "out of the box" as I stated previously. Also, if you are considering a Weatherby caliber, then get the Weatherby. jorge

Weatherby.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ok hunter:
Gentlemen

I am contemplating buying a new rifle and have narrowed it down to two lightweight ones either a Kimber Montana or a Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight.

Which would you buy?

Kimber

quote:

Originally posted by stubblejumper:
In my opinion the kimbers are finished better.The weatherby 1-1/2" guarantee is a joke as any decent bolt action will do at least that good.I have owned two mark V's and I find that the 300wby produced more felt recoil than my mcmillan stocked 300ultramag despite the fact that it produced less velocity with the same bullets.On the other hand the vanguard is a very good rifle at a bargain price.

The Weatherby 1 1/2" guarantee is far from a joke. Any rifle that comes off the Remington line that shoots groups 4" is "Within Company Standards". Winchester says about the same thing and so does Ruger. These are all from dealing with these companies over problems with their rifles not getting reasonable accuracy. Sure a year or so ago Sako/Tikka started to guarantee their rifle's accuracy at 1" but I know a couple of guys that have had problems from Sako backing up that guarantee(not that Sako's aren't excellent rifles, they are). I only know of one person that had a problem with a factory Weatherby that wouldn’t meet(most beat that guarantee by a large margin) the accuracy guarantee and Weatherby didn’t fix the rifle they replaced it and paid shipping both ways all within 2 week period. It took me almost 10 months to get my accuracy problem with a new Remington M700 BDL settled. I too have fired a factory Remington .300 RUM and the recoil is very much like that of the .30-378 Weatherby. Far worse than either of my .300 Weatherby Mark V Deluxe’s. Lawdog

You didn't say whay caliber, but I like the Kimber over the Wby.

I read in a magazine article not long ago some of the new Weatherby Vangard models have the same 1 1/2"guarantee.

I've never owned either model, but took some serious interest in buying a Kimber at one time. When at the store I dry fired one a few times and the firing pin spring just sounded weak. Now like I said I've never owned one, but the guy that owned the store said he had sent a few back for that very problem. Has anyone ever experienced this first hand?

Terry

I don't own either, but have done some research on both in anticipation of buying a new rifle in the near future. I give a strong lean to the Kimber based on the mechanical design of its action and stock.

As some others have said, the Sako deserves a close look also.

OK Hunter, a lot of interesting opinions here to be sure. For one Mikelravy stated it well in that these 2 rifles are very different and you would need to handle them both to really make the best choice for YOU.

I will agree with many that it is a rare Kimber that won't shoot well. Based on experience that is not the case with Weatherby's--relatively--

Having said that, some others threw out the option of looking at a SAKO. I can say, having shot all three in the same session at the range on multiple occasions, in 2 different calibers--(that is one each of the Kimber, Weatherby, and SAKO in 2 different calibers each at the same range session)
the Kimber kicks the hardest by far and the Weatherby is second and the recoil of the SAKO is clearly less. I don't know enough to speculate why, I can just tell you that myself and 2 other shooters, one of which is the owner of the Weatherby's (the Kimbers and SAKO's are mine) all agree on this completely. Obviously felt recoil isn't a good single reason to buy a rifle, I just thought I would throw that out.

I can also say that my SAKO's shoot more accurately easily (with less tuning or whatever) that my Kimbers. Don't know this from experience with the Weatherby's, but the fellow at the range who is a huge Weatherby fan, has two that surely shoot well, but told us it 'took some doing' with one of them.

Sorry for the rambling post, just wanted to convey some actual experiences that might help.

Regards--Don

Guys

Thanks for the great comments this has helped out a great deal because I will now add Sako to list to look at for sure. I wasn't even thinking that direction and the Finnlight is in the same category.

My Kimber Montana .300 WSM arrived today. It is a nice, light weight rifle. I hope it shoots as good as it looks. I also have a SAKO 7mm STW. Not nearly as light weight, but SAKO makes an excellent rifle. I guess it really comes down to personal preference.

OK Hunter, I have both a Kimber and a Sako Finnlite in 300 WSM. Since you live in Oklahoma City, you could meet me at Oklahoma City Gun Club one of these days and you can shoot them both to see which you might prefer, PM me sometime and maybe we can set it up.
Stock fit is crucial to felt recoil. I think that most will find that the Kimber will kick less in the same caliber than a Sako and especially a Weatherby. I had both the Sako and Kimber 300 WSM's at he range the other day and a freind who is a relatively new shooter fired 2 shots with the Sako and said "I've had all I want of that!". He later fired the 300 WSM Kimber and fired a couple 3 shot groups with it and said that it didn't seem to hurt him like the Sako did. I can't tell a whole lot of difference between them but he sure did.
Again if you can try before you buy, they are both (well OK all three) very good rifles but you may find that one will fit you and feel better to you.............DJ

DJ

Thanks PM sent

Savage99

Where did you hear that Kimber is coming out with a long action? Was it in a press release or magazine article?

Are we talking about a Weatherby in one of their own calibers? I'd hate to be in the bush near one of our small towns up north and have to buy Weatherby ammunition. I doubt that I'd be able to find it. I've never had it happen, but you never can tell. Othherwise I like Weatherby rifles. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

quote:

Where did you hear that Kimber is coming out with a long action?

Somebody in the know told me. The action will be on the 8400 diameter but longer of course. It will also have a longer feed ramp than the early 8400's. I will try to find out what the cartridges will be in a week or two. For sure it will take the 30-06 and 300 WM and cartridges similar to those. I don't know if it will take the Magnums like the 375.

Weatherby

Hopefully Sako has solved the problem of their barrels blowing up. They recalled a bunch.

I live in OKC and am a member @ OKCGC, so if you'll permit me, I'll join you as I have two Wby's to complete the group, 257 & 300, which I would consider selling as I need to trim my safes down. Send me a PM and I would love to share an afternoon with fellow AR members.

I've got 2 Wby's, a 270 and 300, both in Wby mag, the 270 is an Ultralight and the 300 is a SBGM; I love the 270 and have taken several mule deer with it. The last time, and only time, Ive been to the range with it is grouped at 3/8" w/ 150 noslers.. Im sure the Kimbers are nice as well, but Im fond of the Wbys....

Mighty Joe

Great Idea

PM sent

Personanly, I don't care for ultra light rifles in magnum cartridges. But i would not scoff at a Ultra light Weatherby in say 25,06, 270 30,06 , or 280 Rem. As for the Kimbers I would love one of those too. But the only cartridge it comes in that seems right to me is the 260 Rem.
i know the short mags work well, but I am not interested. I just don't like all the hype.
There is one magnum I might like in the Weatherby and that is a 7mm Rem mag. With 160 grain bullets I think you would have to shoot 4 or 5 rounds before you heated it up. With a .257 W. I would think two shots in a minite would heat it up quite a bit. ...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by Cal Sibley:
Are we talking about a Weatherby in one of their own calibers? I'd hate to be in the bush near one of our small towns up north and have to buy Weatherby ammunition. I doubt that I'd be able to find it. I've never had it happen, but you never can tell. Othherwise I like Weatherby rifles. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Certain Weatherby calibers are so popular that they can be found even in dink town Alaska. I have found .257, .300 & .340 Weatherby ammo in some very small towns all over the U.S.. Lawdog


P.S. - The really great thing about the .300 is it uses .300 H&H should the need arise. LD

Buy the Finnlight and thank me later

I own the Kimber 8400 in 270 WSM, I have used Weatherby's and prefer the Kimber by a long shot. It is lighter and CRF all steel quality rifle, it is also very accurate with factory WW 150 gr PP.
BB