I took my Kimber 84 select grade french walnut along with me when I went to see my smith.
I allways try to drive the extra 15 miles out to a little place i know and do a bit of shooting.
I spent 15 minits cleaning up after some sob left a mess in my spot.
My Kimber is a .308.
I took along 3 loads. 2 loads used a 150 grain sierra flat bases bullet ,one was with IMR-4064 and the other IMR-3031.
The 3rd load was a 165 grain hornady interlock flat base.
I Stepped off 85 yards from my truck and put a target on a stump.
I had shot the 150 grain sierra and the 4064 before and just about decided to use that load for mule deer.
I put about 10 of those into about an inch with one flyer.
Then I tried the 3031 load and not only did it shoot better, it printed almost exactly 2 inches over the bull. Right where i wanted them.
And not that it matters much the load was a real pussycat recoil wise. It migh matter to somebody else one day who is recoil sensitive.
I only had 3 of the hornady 165 grain load and they printed into a half an inch.
This off the hood of my truck using a leather rest.
The only problem now is witch load for my mule deer hunting !
I am going to need to let the chrony decide.
This rifle with the 2.5X8 Zies conquest is about as fine hunting rifle for game up to big deer as a guy could ask for inside 300 yards. And its prety too !
I will let you know what the chrony and I decide...tj3006

Told ya she was prety !

Very nice set up, mate.

IMR 3031 is my favorite powder for the 308.
How much 3031 were you using?

TJ,

Glad you posted this..

was loading up some 308 for a friend who just bought one in a heavy barrel Savage package..

he was tickled with some loads using 4064 and IMR 4895 and a 155 grain Nosler Match bullet...

I don't have much 3031 in the powder cabinet, but we'll have to pull some out and give it a try..

3031 is another powder I think gets highly overlooked in today's trendy fads...

its been around for a long time because it works..

with some in a 30/06 and 150/155 grain bullets, one can get some unbelievable velocities...I won't mention loads, as it always attracts the naythsayers like flies are attracted to an outhouse...

but those loads are also accurate as hell..also does the same thing in the 7 x 57...

one of those little Kimbers with a 2.5 x 8 Leupold strikes me as a fine hunting rig... fancier than I normally have been known to carry...

but maybe I need to get out of my Chevy and quantity mindset and concentrate on less rigs and higher quality...

all I have do a good job tho...

that 7 x 57 in a featherweight I have, sure keeps grabbing my attention each year come deer season... good cartridge and carries well..

I agree,
I "gave" one to Mrs Blacktailer and just love it (and her especially when she lets me use it ). Great little rifle and very accurate. I usually load with IMR 4320 with Barnes 150 or 165TSX.

My load was 44 grains.
1st time with that powder. Might have been a little high for a start load but I have shot this rifle with lots of other powders at top end.
I plan to load up 20 rounds with 44.5 grs.
with the 150s and i will load up some more of the 165 grain hornady.
That load would be a great all around load , for game up through Elk.
I have other rifles for elk but the Kimber is just a joy to shoot and to carry...tj3006

I have a Super America I just acquired in 308 and am beginning to become acquainted with. It likes RL-15 and Varget with the 165's...but seems to want near max loads to group best. I've heard some knocks on these rifles lately, but really like mine...other than the refinish I'm going to do on the stock because it's blotchy.

Hey Thomas, That is indeed a fine looking rifle. Always nice to hear when one shoots good too.

Is that a Factory Matte finish? Is it weather resistant?

I have one rifle with a finish that looks similar to that. Mine is Teflon Coated in a SWAT Flat Black. It has absolutely amazed me that my finish has never chipped or peeled after what that rifle has been through. Even caught myself "trying" to rub it down with oil when it was new, but the oil just beaded on it.

Will you actually Hunt with that fine looking stock, or switch to something else for the field?

Knew a fellow once who used the hood of his truck for a benchrest. He had a scope mounted, and got the muzzle a little too close to the ridge down the middle of the hood. Bullet struck it and blew up, parts flying down into the engine compartment. Took out his radiator!

quote:

Originally posted by El Deguello:
Knew a fellow once who used the hood of his truck for a benchrest. He had a scope mounted, and got the muzzle a little too close to the ridge down the middle of the hood. Bullet struck it and blew up, parts flying down into the engine compartment. Took out his radiator!

Glad no one was hurt, and since not

Thomas,

Magnificent rifle!
I sure do like good Walnut for a stock and you have it in SPADES!

Nice looking rifle. It should take care of what ever you shoot!!!

Thomas, I am very happy for your discovery regarding the merits of IMR 3031 with the lighter bullets for caliber in the .308. My "first" real accurate load was 150's with 44 grains of 3031...

My dad's load for my mom's Remington 660 was 43 grains of 3031. I've been looking for an optimal load for a new Browning X-bolt. I had a variety of brass but now have opted for 100 new Remington cases. When they arrive, I'll be able to get back to work. I was disappointed to see how poorly the 4064 did for me. Something like 45 gr. chrono'd only the mid-2700's and shot an open group. So far, 3031 and 4895 have done well with 45.5 gr. of 4895 making around 2900 fps and the tightest groups. When I get my new brass, I'll want to back-off that velocity number. No need to go crazy and sacrifice brass life to kill a deer.

Hot core, it is a factory mat finish.
I don't think its blue, i belive it is what they call Kimber coat.
I am not sure though,That is just cause it looks like the finish on some of the kimber 45s.
I ran ot of the Sierra 150 grain bullets, but I bought some 150 grain nosler acubonds and 100 of the new E-tips.
I loaded the Acubond under 44 grains of IMR-3031 and I called Nosler for advise about the E-tip. Its a all copper bullet (except the plastic tip), and its about 60 thousandths longer than the accubonds.
They Said start with 43 grains.
I also loaded some 165 grain Hornady bullets under 43 grains of 30/31 , I had both flat base and Boat tail so I did 10 each of each of the loads listed above.
soon as we get some decent weather I will shoot and let you know how they do, and I will take the chrony this time.
...tj3006

Hot core ,
The finish is a matt black,I think it is what they call kimber coat. I'm not sure though, but that is what they use on there matt 45 autos and it looks the same to me.
I have 4 loads ready to go for my next shoot.
150 grain acubonds and E-tips from Nosler , 165 grain interlocks both flatt base and boat tail from Hornady. did them all with 3031.
10 rounds of each load. I,ll try them out for accuracy and chrony too soon as we get some decent weather...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by El Deguello:
Knew a fellow once who used the hood of his truck for a benchrest. He had a scope mounted, and got the muzzle a little too close to the ridge down the middle of the hood. Bullet struck it and blew up, parts flying down into the engine compartment. Took out his radiator!

That had to happen in Oregon! I can see some of our southern Oregon Gomer Pyles doing something that swift....

Saw one idiot do close to the same thing, road hunting for elk, got out of his truck to take a 700 plus yd shot at some elk running in a clear cut...

The muzzle blast from his 300 Win Mag with the Factory BOSS installed... well it reduced the recoil, but the guy can tell you the muzzle blast can be hell on a Truck's Windshield...