I want a new rifle in 270 WSM. Any opinions on the Kimber 8400 vs. the Winchester Model 70 featherweight?

while i have never owed a 270wsm, i've owned a couple kimbers and m70s. i sold my kimbers. if i were making the decision today, i'd get the south carolina model 70. others may differ.

quote:

Originally posted by LBGuy:
while i have never owed a 270wsm, i've owned a couple kimbers and m70s. i sold my kimbers. if i were making the decision today, i'd get the south carolina model 70. others may differ.

+1

Why?

stevie,
Having owned 7 Kimbers (IIRC) Montanas in 260 Rem, 308 win, 325 wsm and classics in 300(2)wsm, 270 wsm(2), I have a love/hate relationship. I love the ones that shoot,(and feed correctly). I hate the ones that don't. Seems like its a crapshoot with kimbers these days. If you can buy one around $650 to $700, you can get out of it, if its a dog, and not lose to much money. Myself, I would not pay retail for one of the classics or the Montanas (and I love the Montanas). I've not owned any heavy barreled Kimbers (such as the Longmaster) in the small calibers so I can't comment on those.
I've yet to meet a Sako I could not get to shoot. Buy a used one and knock you're lights out. Or a used Cooper. Can't go wrong there either.
Or for that matter, if accuracy is all your after, buy two Savages.

GWB

Geedubya

any stock issues with the Montanas in the Magnum calibers? I have a Montana in 260 that I love-when the GF or the kidlet hasnt hijacked it -and found a Montana in customised,rebarrel, thats interesting. With the bitchen and moanin about Kimber I am wondering about moving up in power-BTW the rebarrel is to 416 taylor
Thanks

SSR

Both are very nice choices with the fit and finish edge going to the 8400 but I have always like the featherweight's styling.

I appreciate all the responses thus far. Ilove the idea of a Sako, but they are just a bit too pricey for me right now.

Cross L,

not shot anything heavier than the wsm's. No problem with stocks on the ones I owned.
The Montanas are great for the area I hunt.

Stevie,
take a look at gunbroker.com. I do believe you can own Sakos up through the 75 Hunter in the WSM's for about the same price as you can the Kimbers ($650 to $1,000). You might look at the Browing A-Bolts, a Winchester Supergrade in a CRF or even Tikka's. Savage are also very accurate.
Also, if you are value conscious and aren't in a big hurry look at the older Sakos in the 270, 7mag, 30-06, 300 win mag chamberings.

A while back I picked up a AV Deluxe chambered in 270 Winchester for $550. The metal was perfect. The stock was not. I stripped it, refinished it.
Here is how it turned out.










I currently have two Sakos on lay away at a gun shop. Both are 7 mags. Both have the l61r action. One I got for $459. The other I got for $419. The stocks will have to be refinished, but that can be a project and a labor of love. I planning on rebarreling one in 300 H & H. The other I'll probably do a 338-06.

Anyway, try the classifieds here, at 24hourcampfire, gun broker, your local pawn shops etc. Never can tell what you may find.
Best
GWB

While I've never owned an 8400, I have owned & shitcanned a POS (aka, Montana) in .270 WSM. Got rid of it this past Oct. & got a Win. Extreme Weather to replace it in the same chambering. Haven't fully wrung it out yet but so far after trying 3 separate powders, it looks like a keeper. BTW, FYI, I got 3225 fps with a near max charge of Retumbo & a 150 Sierra. I do think the .270 WSM is a handloading propositon since the one & only factory load I tried only chrono'ed about 3000, as I recall.
Just what I found and I'll never allow another POS (aka Kimber) to grace the inside of my fine home.
Bear in Fairbanks

Winchester Model 70.

I vote Win on this one. I've heard to many bad things about the Kimbers from friends that have owned them.

Seems like a pretty lopsided contest. Thank you all for the responses.

I currently have a Kimber Montana and Winchester 70 Stainless Classic. Both are very accurate and funciton and feed great. I would say it comes down to weight. If you want a lighter gun, go with the Kimber else go with the M70.

Lou