I know Kimber is already selling every gun they can make. But I have an almost irrational desire to buy a lightweight, accurate, classy bolt action chambered for 7x57. I know you already have the 84M in the more modern 7-08 and the 84L in .280AI will out perform the old Mauser 7, but come on- that classic rifle is crying out for the most classic of all - 7x57. On second thought-I don't want one-I want two. I would buy a Classic Select and a Montana.

Am I the only one?

I have discussed this with Kimber folks at the SCI show more than once. The response: Why do people keep asking for this? We already have the 7-08. Sorry, nothing again the Remingtion, but I want the real thing, not an imitation.

I understand the passion we get for a certain round.

I have some Kimbers and to be frank I never wanted a 7-57 all that much. The 7-08 and 308 Kimbers I have are about the same.

Just buy a Kimber in some reasonable chambering and shop for an old 7-57.

maybe they shoulda done the 7 ackley instead of the 08.
old gun's couldn't shoot the "new" load and the new guns could shoot the old ammo.
if i run a business and got phone calls asking for a product i am pretty sure i would make and sell it.
especially since all i'd need is a 75 dollar reamer.
wait i allready have the reamer, maybe i could just loan it to them.

They make a 257 Roberts. You could rebore a Roberts unless the mag length won't work.

They were the same way about a .338-06

Kimbers seem to have a so-so reputation accuracy wise. I too was thinking of getting a Kimber Classic Select in 257R. Decided against it.
Peter.

I gave up my hope for a LH bolt rifle in 7x57 and just bought a Ruger No 1 instead. Even though i already had a 7mm-08 LH bolt I still wanted a gun in 7mm Mauser.

Build a light weight 284 Win & you will forget about the grand old 7x57. At least that what happened to me. The rifle will look the same on the outside. If you hand load the 284 rocks! My best group to date in my 284 & 140 gr Noslers is .750 at 3051 FPS five shot average useing RL-17.

my x57 icl will already push a 140 to 3k.
i prefer it at 2875 anyways.

and if i get a 284 what brass will i neck up for my 284x30.

i best stick to the the x57 icl and ackley for 7mm bullets..

there are a few light 7x57s to be had.
If you don't mind a single shot I have a 31 a ruger that is a grea shooter.
Also you vould get a Ruger rl (ultra light and have it rebarreld,
An old brno would be another choice but a bit more money than a kimber,
...tj3006

I am with Peter above. I had a very sour experience with a 270 WSM Kimber Montana. That experience included sending it back to the factory with no resolution to the terrible accuracy.

quote:

Originally posted by df06:
I am with Peter above. I had a very sour experience with a 270 WSM Kimber Montana. That experience included sending it back to the factory with no resolution to the terrible accuracy.

Me three. Exact same rifle & chambering. Never again.
Bear in Fairbanks

To address the accuracy of Kimbers I offer my experience. I go to the range about once a month and hunt weekly. I have shot and collected M70's since the 1950's and shot other hunting and target rifles in competition. They include 40X's, Schuetzen and M52's in outdoor and gallery.

I have five Kimbers now. I got them because I wanted lighter weight hunting rifles due to my age. I already had some light Brno's and M70's but the Kimbers are even lighter.

At the range April 11, 2012 the Kimber 270 WSM Montana was the last one fired. It put 3 into 1.5" at 200 yds from a bench rest. The bullet was the 150 SST.

The 243 Montana put 2 into 1" at 200 yds but even more important it was zero'd just as I want it. This is a go to rifle what with the warmer weather. Right now its sighted with the 80 sierra.

The Kimber 7mm WSM Montana put 2 touching at 100 yds but then 2 in 3" with vertical dispersion at 200 yds! The primers were not flat, just rounded. The bullet was the 140 VLD over R22 with WLRM's. I just got this rifle and its a current 'favorite'. Got to get it going!

The wind was 10-15 mph from 12 o'clock. I use a soft folded towel over the front rest. I have extensive target shooting experience.

Thanks, but I don't want a 7-08, .284 or other 7mm. Been there, done that. After decades of using a wide variety of cartridges, I have settled on 7x57 as my go to choice. Come on, where are all the AR 7x57 fans?

And thanks for the No.1 advice, but I already have a No.1 RSI and a No.1A in 7x57.

Also have a CZ - nice gun but heavy. Looking for a light weight classic bolt gun to go with them. I think the Kimber 84L fits my idea of a match for the 7x57 than any other gun currently available.

I suppose I could buy one and have a new barrel screwed on it. I could the have it labeled .275 Rigby.

Thats the fun of guns, to have some favorite cartridge and make it work and work well.

By chance I came across a 99F in .358 Win. back in 1966 and it became my woods rifle. Most of the hunting was done from my camp in Southern Vermont. Now, as you expect, I have a number of .358's.

I could have used some other round but what fun is that?

The .358 never really caught on and neither did the 57mm rounds even though they had military use. They really don't fit the common long and short actions. Not just right anyways.

One of the 84M's I have is a 7-08 Classic. It will do about what the 7-57 will. I have a 21H Brno in 7-57 and thats ok but to be frank the 84M Kimbers are a special rifle to me and I have them in other chamberings. One in 308 is a universal rifle.

Cooper now offers the M22 in 7x57 and IMO a far better rifle then the Kimber.

I think you need to get a nice M98 action and have a custom rifle built for the 7x57...

Not absolutely sure of the exact number but I think it was ten.
Ten different owners of Kimber Montana's that I had the opportunity to chat with at our local range all complained of poor accuracy and the occassional failure to feed. Calibers were the 7mm/08 and the 308. To be fair, these observations happened about 2-3 years ago. Some returned them to the factory, some did not. The ones who returned them said nothing changed. Not sure if Kimber has changed anything since then. Always loved how they looked, how light they were and how the action was built. But if they don't shoot, they don't shoot.

My first hand knowledge of Kimber rifles comes from owning, shooting and hunting with them.

Not from the words that others say or write.

I went to the range again today and shot some of my rifles. The Kimbers shot very well.

FWIW,
as a converse to Savage99,
I've owned (note, past tense) 7 Kimbers, 3 Montana's and 4 Classics.

GWB

quote:

Originally posted by AK Hunter:
Thanks, but I don't want a 7-08, .284 or other 7mm. Been there, done that. After decades of using a wide variety of cartridges, I have settled on 7x57 as my go to choice. Come on, where are all the AR 7x57 fans?

And thanks for the No.1 advice, but I already have a No.1 RSI and a No.1A in 7x57.

Also have a CZ - nice gun but heavy. Looking for a light weight classic bolt gun to go with them. I think the Kimber 84L fits my idea of a match for the 7x57 than any other gun currently available.

I suppose I could buy one and have a new barrel screwed on it. I could the have it labeled .275 Rigby.

I am a fan of the 7x57. I bought a Tikka T3 and had Pac-Nor rebarrel it in 7x57. As far as I know, it's a one of a kind. It's super light and stacks 140gr Nosler AB pushed by 43.5gr of Varget. 2750fps 22" barrel 5 shot one hole group at 100yds. The only thing I don't like are the AB's performance on whitetail. i think they are too tough. I've not found a load yet it likes pushing partitions. Stick with the 7x57. It's classic