Looking for a nice light rifle for hunting deer both mulies and whitetails. The Kimber seems pretty nice, and I have read some good reviews. I am not familiar with the 7/08. Has anyone had some experiences with this combo that they might share? I mostly hunt eastern whitetails, but make occasional trips to Wyoming, so I am mostly concerned with the performance out to 300/350 yds. Thanks

i have one and i would have to say that i like it very much. it is light and more importantly well balanced, the trigger is easily adjusted and very crisp. BUT. there always seems to be one. my particular rifle is very finnicky with handloads. it will either shoot .750" groups or 2.00" groups and not much inbetween. the confusing part is that .5 grain of powder can make all the difference in the world, but all in all i approve of the rifle.

bounty hunter

My Kimber seems to like regular 140 grain corelocts for some reason. Have not had it long enough to handload for it but it is a very nice rifle and after carrying it around for a few days a real pleasure.

I have 2 of them, one Classic and one Montana. Took one caribou hunting and also to New Zealand. The performed great on Tahr and Chamois, as well as deer here in Texas. I'll take one on an elk hunt next year and a sheep hunt in 2 years. I would say 300 yards is the max I'd like to shoot it, as the trajectory gets pretty steep after that.

I have an older model (old style safety) one in 7-08 and I love it. Mine shoots great with both 139 and 154 Hornadys with Varget, H414 or H380. 300 yard shots are within the range of the cartridge and rifle. the rifle is light and you have to pay attention when shooting it. Long strings are out of the question with the light barrel. Mine will reguarly shoots 3 shot groups under an inch at 100 yards with 139s and Varget.
It's made to carry a lot and shoot a little. The 7-08 shoots flat like a .270, kills like a .308 and recoils like a .243. Did I mention I love this rifle?

7mm-08 is a real good cartridge. I wouldn't plan on shooting 350-400 yrds with it on a regular basis though.

I haven't seen the specific Kimber you are asking about, but Kimber builds really good guns in my experience. I had a kimber 22 hornet that was stolen from me.

I have some friends that have no reservation at taking blacktails at well past 400 yds. A couple of them have Kimber Montannas thus chambered, and they are very happy with them.

I hadn't given the 7-08 much thought until I looked at the balistic charts and realized how far out the little 7 will keep a 140 gr doing over 2000 fps. Yes you need a lazer and a elevation turret on your scope, but so does every rig past 400 yds.

People that shoot the 7MM08 really love them including myself. I have taken deer out to 350 yds with not problem. Never shot one twice either and never lost one. Hard to find a caliber better for deer.

I have the 84m classic in 7-08 I have had my problems with cust. servise but I love the gun and it has a great triger and is ultra light. The 7-08 has great punch with any 140 grn. bullet you want.. You will love the combo. Dont buy one from Gander Mountaian or any chain stores.

Why would buying a Kimber from Gander Mtn be any different from buying one anywhere else?? Don't say Kimber makes one rifle for specialty shops and another for chain stores.

If Kimber put the right twist (8) in 260 AND a heavier contour, I'd buy one, also a 7/08 if the barrel was heavier, action/trigger/stock all seem nice.

I can't bring myself to use a gun with such a light barrel as I missed a NICE whitetail having to shoot offhand about 150 yds and then he ran, which made my chances less-the wind was HOWLING in Texas so holding offhand was a challenge (Model 7).

I know the marketing feature is lightweight, but I think sometimes too light is a negative.

Just my opinion. I also am not convinced of barrel quality either as Kimber would NEVER clarify if they mfg there barrel blanks, or outsource them but I doubt they are on par with other barrels just from eyeballing, I believe they are low cost blanks that possibly Kimber chambers. Just my hunch, not trying to bad mouth Kimber but I hear mixed things on accuracy and if you had the best barrels always used, I doubt accuracy would ever be an issue.

Lastly, I shot a deer years ago with a 7mm TCU pistol with a fireforming load-2,000 muzzle 140 ballistic tip at around 20-30 yards. Either the deer moved or I hit the brush in front of the buck but the bullet hit the paunch. 2000 fps was enough for that bullet to expand, damage sufficiently and exit with ok blood trail to find him after 100 yards.

Point is, the 7mm 140gr at UNDER 2,000 impact will kill deer with shot placement, and out of my 7/08-2960 in a 21", I can get that speed much further than most people need to shoot.

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I can't bring myself to use a gun with such a light barrel as I missed a NICE whitetail having to shoot offhand about 150 yds and then he ran, which made my chances less-the wind was HOWLING in Texas so holding offhand was a challenge (Model 7).

My 84m is one very well balanced gun and holding offhand is not a problem it points beautifully.

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Just my opinion. I also am not convinced of barrel quality either as Kimber would NEVER clarify if they mfg there barrel blanks, or outsource them but I doubt they are on par with other barrels just from eyeballing, I believe they are low cost blanks that possibly Kimber chambers. Just my hunch, not trying to bad mouth Kimber but I hear mixed things on accuracy and if you had the best barrels always used, I doubt accuracy would ever be an issue.

Based on how my 7-08 shoots and others I have seen at my gun club I am thoroughly convinced they have a quality barrel. I am sure their barrels are outsourced . Makes no difference to me as long as the gone shoots. Improper bedding and fitting may have been a problem with some of the earlier ones but not the ones I have seen.

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Originally posted by iwzbeeman:
Why would buying a Kimber from Gander Mtn be any different from buying one anywhere else?? Don't say Kimber makes one rifle for specialty shops and another for chain stores.

Because they have a contract that buys in huge bulk and yes there is a HUGE !!!!! difference look for yourselve if you get the chance and ask your local small dealer and listen to what he tells you. Ask him about Wal-Marts deal with Remington for huge saveings there were many things droped of on all Remington rifles ordered for Wal-Mart to cut cost all in final inspection, final finish and quality control. One was test fire!!!!! Your Remington gun from Wal-Mart has never been fired. Ask your dealer.

Naaaah. Walmart sells the ADL models of Rems to the ADL market. If you want a BDL, they can order it for you. You have some bum info. "course, If I made my living selling guns from a small shop, I'd say the same stuff.