What do you guys think of the Kimber Montana.

I haven’t shot one but handling many in 7mm08 at the store two weeks ago I wish I had the money to purchase the Montana. I felt that the Kimber Montana and new Winchester 70 were the better rifles on the shelves.

In the last five years I have owned four Kimbers, the first two were the wood stocked 8400 classics in 300 wsm and 7mm wsm. I ended up trading both, due to individual problems.

The 300 wsm was my first kimber. It had excellent wood and great fit and finish. I love heavy barrells but these rifles look and feel great. I had problems with this rifle feeding shells into the chamber. When I would cycle the bolt to put a round in the chamber, the shell would pop up and out of the gun. I missed a great deer because three rounds did this in succession and the animal was gone before I could get a round in the chamber. To make matters worse, it would not shoot partitions worth a hoot. I ended up trading it on a winchester model 70 supergrade in 300 wsm that is one of the finest shooting rifles I've ever owned.
The kimber in 7wsm had one of the nicest pieces of wood I've ever seen on a production rifle. In fact its ther reason that I bought the rifle(other than the fact that I got it for $750) However, this rifle had a problem. When you would pull the rrigger it might shoot and it might not. First time it happened I was in an enlcosed deer stand. I leveled on a buck and pulled the trigger. Click was all I heard. I couldn't believe my luck. I had just lost an opportunity to take a great buck several weeks before with my kimber 300 wsm and here my kimber 7wsm was letting me down also. I lowered the rifle and went to cycle the bolt. As I lifted the bolt the rifle fired, almost deafening me and scaring the shit out of me.
Next time I was at the range and fired it it did the same thing. I decided right there and then to get rid of this dude. Traded it at my gunshop for a Sako 75 hunter in 7wsm.

I have the Montana in 260 remington and love it It is light and almost indestructible. Throw it over your shoulder, jump on an atv in the rain and never look back. It shoots under an inch and kills like the hammer of thor.

Fourth kimber is a montana in 325 wsm. I bought it as a second rifle to take on an elk hunt this november. Have not been able to get it to shoot worth a darn. Sprays accubonds, ballistic tips and barnes tsx's all over the place.

ONE OUT OF FOUR?
I keep buying them and hoping for the best. Guess you could say I have a love/hate relationship with Kimber.
GWB

buying a kimber is a crap shoot - just like any other mass produced rifle. the problem many people have is that kimbers cost more, are advertised as match grade this and that, and they expect them to shoot moa. kimbers are just another production-line firearm which happens to look a little better (the wood stock version). and yes, i have one kimber, but won't be buying another until they get their quality control issues fixed.

Thanks guys, i guess the search contiues. Don't need to waste money on junk.

Bought a Kimber Montana in 7wsm as a lightweight sheep rifle. Ended up taking my old browning 270 instead. Couldnt find anything that would shoot well. Kimber sent me another barrel,re crowned the original etc etc. Was ready to throw the thing away when I tried some Sierra 160's in front of 60 grains of IMR4350.It shoots unbelievable with that load.ie 5 shot .75" 100 yard groups and under 2" groups at 300 yards. I like the Sierras as a deer bullet but would not shoot moose or elk with that load.
My advice; bank for the buck its Savage and if you want a nice factory rifle go with Sako.

The Sako is also in the running.

I think that there are far more excellent Kimbers out there than bad ones. Kimber owners have high expectations and IMHO tend to complain more vociferously than if they had the same problems with a number of different rifles.
I've had 11 of them and all have shot sub-MOA 3shot groups at 100yds except for the 22's which have shot sub 1/2" at 50yds. A few of them have shot sub 1" or better groups at 200yds. Not every group mind you but when I'm shooting properly. I can really tell my shooting errors with the Kimbers.
I've only had to do work to 1 of them, and it needed a floorplate bedded to move it from a 1 1/4" gun to a 3/4" gun.

You might want to check out this thread:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php...2/page/1#Post2513642

One of the posters has had 25 different Kimbers and has an excellent overall perspective due to the number of them he has owned.

I also have several Sako's including Finnlites and while they are indeed excellent rifles I feel that the Kimbers do have advantages over the Sako's and vice versa. Both of my Kimber 270 WSM's are more accurate than my Heavier Sako Grey Wolf 270 WSM for example.

When I got my 22-250 I knew it would shoot because my buddy who traded it too me had shot it. When I got it I tried a very popular load that had shot very well in other 22-250's of mine and others. The Kimber shot more patterns with it than groups 2 1/2 to 3 1/2" groups. I switched bullets and seating depth and the rifle immediately shot 1/2 to 3/8" groups! I'd never seen such a dramatic, repeatable difference from such a small change - but it did happen. My 325 didn't shoot well at first but after a couple hundred rounds it settled down and now shoots at least 4 different loads well under 1" at 100yds.

In the end don't think for a second that Kimbers are junk rifles, they are not. They are light rifles that can be difficult to shoot well and I've seen that they sometimes can be a little picky about the loads they like. But when they have a load they like they shoot very well and handle in the field better than just about any other rifle made. If you have any doubts just buy a used one from someone you can trust that can tell you how it shoots, they are excellent rifles......................................DJ

I've posted this several times before, here goes again. My Kimber Montana in 260 Remington shooting hand loaded 125 Nos Parts is a very accurate quarter to half inch rifle.
These light Kimbers take some getting used to but once mastered are bloody marvelous.

A continuation of my thoughts this early AM. I have said before, I like my Kimbers, but I love my Sako's. Perhaps I came across as too negative in regards to Kimber rifles.

I really enjoy the montana. I hunt in the texas hill country where every thing sticks bites or scratches. Dust is terrible. I can take my montana sling it over a pack and not worry as it is impervious to the elements. Weight is perfect for walkin' and stalkin'. I did not buy it to use as a beanfield rifle.

Here are the two montanas that I currently own.


Here are a couple of photos of what I consider acceptable groups for a fast light hunting rifle. I load for thirty eight differnt chamberings and many times do not try to wring out the absolute best groups. Most of the game I shoot is at 150 yds or less. One inch groups are acceptable to me in a hunting rifle.
Kimber 325 wsm

Kimber 260 Remington


Here is the type of accuracy I expect and have been rewarded with my Sakos.
Sako vixen-222

L61r varmint in 7 mag

Sako 75 varmint in 260 Rem

A-II Sporter weight 220 swift



I currently own a dozen or so Sakos. I recently purchased a model 85 stainless synthetic in 338 Federal. This was the first Sako that I have ever owned that I could not get to shoot groups under 1 inch at 100 yds. I took it back to the shop where I purchased it to be returned to the factory.
GWB
PS: Although I have a wood stocked ruger hawkeye in 257 roberts, I plan to order a kimber classic select in 257 bob in the next couple of weeks. Perhaps I'm a glutton for punishment.

Gary Surko,

I really like the Kimber of NY rifles. I have four of them and three are Montana's.

I already had a complete battery from 50 years of collecting and hunting with pre 64 M70's, 99's etc.

The thing is that I have got older and I wanted a lighter rifle and the Kimbers are nice and light.

The real three position safety that locks the firing pin, control round feeding, state of the art stock, stainless steel, made in the USA, nice soft Decelerator pad, free floating barrel and they are accurate and shoot well.

I hunted with my 243 Montana today. Its a walking varminter to me.

Well that sure puts me right back were I was. You can't look at the Montana's list of features and not conclude that it has everything.

Just yesterday I had my first "nonsighting in" day wiht my 8400 Montana .300 Win Mag.
All i have to say is WOW.
I have fallen completly in love with this rifle.
W.

quote:

You can't look at the Montana's list of features and not conclude that it has everything.

I love mine... no equal as a factory rifle for the coin IMO.

Is that top rifle a 325wsm Brad?

MHS, 300 WSM. Lower is a 308 Win.

Hey Brad,

I like the way you think!



Best of luck to you this season and enjoy!
GWB

I have a .243 & a 7-08 in the Montana. Both will shoot 1/2" with the right handloads. I know more then a few people that have them and have had feeding problems. I easily fixed both of mine by filing down the curve in the bottom of the feed rails where the case would teeter totter. Problem solved. The second problem here in the wet N.W. is the stocks are too slick in wet weather conditions. I solved that by painting the stocks with an epoxy paint that has a sand in it. Now it feeds like lightning has great grip in wet weather AND will shoot 1/2" 100 yard groups. I'm now thinking about one of their new .375 H&Hs. Most production rifles have some minor problems that simply take a little hand work to make work just right. But at current American labor rates, it work jack up the cost of rifles to where we would simply buy something cheaper; then bitch when it does not work flawlessly. I have Sakos as well, and have had to tweak them at times to get what I wanted. I figure if you want to be in this game, you need to learn a little about them so you can do your own tweaking, or pay a fortune for a nice custom, hand built rifle.