Just handled a new Kimber 84L rifle for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, right out of the box. All I can say is; I want one! One of the sweetest rifles I've ever handled. This one was in .30-06. It has the same dia. action as their little 84 Montana, but stretched out to handle the 06 length cartridges. Matte blued metal, very nice French walnut and a forend tip. Have been searching for another light weight rifle in a mid bore caliber, and have found it!

IMO Kimber has always been good at making rifles that look and feel right.
In my mind they haven't completely shed their reputation for poor barrel and chamber QC. I couldn't buy a kimber unless it was demonstrated to be a good shooter.
I own Tikkas instead. Not nearly as nice a toy but reliable in their performance out of the box.

they sure did get the tactical barrels for their sniper rifles correct -- but then again we only have 3 of em. all 3 are .25 shooters w Fed GMM.

ive always wanted a superamerica but as a lefty im out in the cold.

quote:

Originally posted by Nomo4me:
IMO Kimber has always been good at making rifles that look and feel right.
In my mind they haven't completely shed their reputation for poor barrel and chamber QC. I couldn't buy a kimber unless it was demonstrated to be a good shooter.
I own Tikkas instead. Not nearly as nice a toy but reliable in their performance out of the box.

3 of my hunting buddies that have bought Kimber have had the same problem. Look great doesn't shoot acceptable groups at all. 2 of them have sold their shooters and moved on

Ya, I have 2 of them in the M84s. Had to do some serious load developement, but both will now shoot 3 into about 3/8' at 100. The TSX worked the best. But my old loads I have used in other guns. . . . . not so much. My buddie sent his back to Kimber. They rebarreled it, and now it is a 1/2" shooter as well. But bottom line is; they can be made to work well, and when they do, they are great! Just have to put in an effort.

I just looked at the kimber in 7mm-08 yesterday. Looked great, felt great, barrel was floated well, but the bolt had tooling marks and a loose feel to be desired and at the 1,085.00 price tag how much homework should you really have to do to make it shoot? Especially when right next to the Kimber was a Ruger M77 in .308 for half the price and would probably outshoot the Kimber out of the box. Needless to say i didn't pull the trigger.

I'm glad it's not just me. I had a 308 Kimber that couldn't shoot less than 2" regardless of what I did. For a 308, NOT acceptable. It is gone.

Kimber had some issues with their barrels early on. I sent my .260 Rem back because it wouldn't shoot a consistant 3" group with any load. They put a new barrel on it, and I got it back in 3 weeks. Now it's a shootin' SOB with any bullet weight from 100 gr HPs to 160 gr RN. I love it...

Kimber should chamber the 84L in 338-06. Even if it's just a special run, I'll bet they could sell a bunch.

If they would chamber the 84L in .280 AI I would go to the bank and get a loan.

I am still waiting for a Montana in 358 Win. Looks like I'll have to make it myself.

What does Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation have to do with this rifle? If the rifle isn't any better than RMEC then it's a dud.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Make that RMEF.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
Kimber should chamber the 84L in 338-06. Even if it's just a special run, I'll bet they could sell a bunch.

Ya, I'd be the first to buy that one.

Larry, the rifle was sent to us is to be given away at this Saturdays RMEF banquet.

I handled one at our RMEF banquet tonight and was very impressed.
I agree that the 338-06 would be a real star in that rifle.

Even better if they would make it in stainless syt stock.

My Kimber 84M in 308 shoots honest 5/8" groups. And it likes several loads.

I looked at one of the new 06's at Sportmans a couple days ago. I really liked the rifle.

As mentioned by Forrest and PDS a 338/06 would be perfect. I would love to see one in stainless and a McMillan. That would save me from building planned project.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
If they would chamber the 84L in .280 AI I would go to the bank and get a loan.

Better get to the bank. We have a couple of .280 AIs on the way!

quote:

Originally posted by D B Cooper:
Kimber had some issues with their barrels early on. I sent my .260 Rem back because it wouldn't shoot a consistant 3" group with any load. They put a new barrel on it, and I got it back in 3 weeks. Now it's a shootin' SOB with any bullet weight from 100 gr HPs to 160 gr RN. I love it...

I had the same exact experience with my Kimber Select in 257R. It's also a shooter now.

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
Kimber should chamber the 84L in 338-06. Even if it's just a special run, I'll bet they could sell a bunch.

An 84L in 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 would be cool too.

quote:

Originally posted by DWright:

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
If they would chamber the 84L in .280 AI I would go to the bank and get a loan.

Better get to the bank. We have a couple of .280 AIs on the way!

Unless they are in the classic (NO SELECT GRADE CRAP) I will pass....don't want a Montana either

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
If they would chamber the 84L in .280 AI I would go to the bank and get a loan.

Pony up & get out your check book!

Check out their website - they do offer .280 AI!

I wonder it would be worth the fuss, vs. just a standard 06?

friar

My Montan 7mm08 is a tack driver - 0.5 inch groups are not rare with TSX or Rem Core lokt bulk bullets. A real joy to carry in the bush.

How ever I would not want one in 9.3X62 or 35 Whelan simply because of the recail one would have to handle in such a light rifle. My mauser 98 9.3X62 by Simson is perfect a just on 9 lbs with scope. My Montan is just on 6 lbs with scope.

quote:

Originally posted by pinotguy:

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
Kimber should chamber the 84L in 338-06. Even if it's just a special run, I'll bet they could sell a bunch.

An 84L in 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 would be cool too.

They don't offer it in the classic and I won't have a "select" with the black tip and engraved floor plate....yuck!!! IMHO

As to the question about the AI vs. -06 there is no real discernible difference in the two apples to apples or say .280/140 grn. vs. .308/150 grn. The 7 mm has a slight BC advantage but they are both 3000 fps loads.

I would just like to have one. But in the classic and nothing else....so I can wait.

I have an 84M Classic in .243 and a Pro Varmint 223, plus three of their pistols in .45, and (lucky me!!) they all shoot as well as they look.

So far I have a lotta love for Kimber.

Regards,
Scott

For reasons unique to me, I don't care for the three-position Model 70-type safety (but I'm clearly in the minority on that point.) The M8400 I owned for a while was chambered for a caliber for which I had little use so I sold it, but its fit, finish, and accuracy were top notch. I suspect that Kimber is offering the best quality rifle available in its price range and wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to a friend.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
For reasons unique to me, I don't care for the three-position Model 70-type safety (but I'm clearly in the minority on that point.)

+1 on the two position "love" both of my Kimbers are either "on" or "off" pre 3 pos and thats the way I like it!

While I own a Kimber Montana and like it for other reasons, I think that Kimber could improve on their action by straightening out the rear sear slot. Its at too much of an angle, and therefore makes the stock go down at too much of an angle. Kind of like the problem you have when customizing a 1917 Engfield action. to do it right you have to cut off the rear sear slot and weld on a new one.

ForrestB
I agree Kimber should chamber a.338-06. I fussed withn the factory man at the Dallas Safari Club convention and he stated some cock & bull story about Weatherby had problems with theirs because someone told a mutual friend that tale. Cooper and and multiple custom chamber and do not have trouble(I have three). I offered a deposit on the spot, he refused. I called the factory about three months later and he told me the same thing.
We must be on the right page and some one has not turned the page yet.
Good luck.

my Montana 7mm08 shoots into .5" consistently. I hand load but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I have owned or at least shot an example of just about everything Kimber USA has put out. All of the rifles fired MOA or better with one exception. I had an 8400 in 300 Win Mag that shot 5 shot groups just inside 2" at 100yds but it held them inside 2" at 200 and 300yds as well. I have had similar experiences with more than one 300 win mag. I have an 84L in 30-06 (with beautiful wood) that shoots Fed Premium 180gr TSX inside an inch at 100yds. I have returned 2 guns (both 1911's) to Kimber and they were fixed and returned the same week. I am a big Kimber fan.

Well, we got a few of the 84Ls in stock now. Think I will grab one of the .30-06s with the Kevlar/Carbon fiber stocks. 5 lbs 10 oz. Will match my .243. and 7-08!

I can never have enough 358 WCFs.

Picked up a select grade Kimber 84L in .30-06. I love it! Shoots my old 180 gr. Hornady load into 1/2" at 100.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
If they would chamber the 84L in .280 AI I would go to the bank and get a loan.

+1 Big fan of the 280 AI. I have one in a Cooper, and it's set on go for opening day of Antelope season. 140 accubond!

I have had an 8400. I dont know if there is a difference between that and the 84L. I sold mine because the damn thing wouldnt pick up the cartridges from the mag. It happened with about 10% of the rounds and I care less for so nonreliable rifles...

Mine feed so well, that I have to look to make sure it did pick up the round. It does; very smoothly.

I wanted on real bad but the dealer told me the 2 he had sold shot 2" groups and Kimber refused to do anything about it. "Acceptable accuracy" was their reply.
I bought a SAKO.

Just bought a Montana 8400 in 300 Win Mag for an upcoming hunt. Made up a generic, close to max load with Nosler 180gr partitions and the final group shot a nice sub 1 inch group. Feeds smoothly, so far so good:

quote:

Originally posted by packrattusnongratus:
I can never have enough 358 WCFs.

AMEN BROTHER!!!

Been wanting to make a 358 Win out of a 243 Montana for a while, because I am certain Kimber won't.