Kimber has a new model out - it's called the 8400. It is a rifle that has an action that is specifically made for WSM cartridges - no bigger, no smaller. As such, Kimber built this action from the ground up.
The Kimber I am looking at is the 8400 Montana in .300 WSM. The Montana is a stainless synthetic gun. However, it is not just any ole synthetic stock. Rather, it is a special synthetic stock (I think McMillan) that is very slender. This is consistent with the original WSM theory - power in a small, lightweight rifle. The action is bedded and the barrel is 24" long and is free floated. In addition, the barrel and chamber are match grade, and so is the trigger. Total weight is a 6 pounds 2 oz. This should make for a great Elk/Mule Deer gun for hunting that requires a lot of hiking in the mountains.
In addition, a Kimber rep told me that, with regards to accuracy, the 8400 Classic (the blued wood model) acheived .71" groups with Factory Winchester 180 grain Fail Safes. The Fail Safes are generally not considered to be "accurate" bullets - like the Nosler ballisitic tips. As such, I can only imagine (or at least hope) that using other factory ammo should prove to be more (or at least the same) accurate.
The thing is that the gun will not be produced until the end of the year. In addition, each Kimber dealer is only allocated a certain amount of rifles - like 5 or 6 or so. I have painfully discovered that demand on these rifles is outrageous. So much, in fact, that about 8 or 9 of the Kimber dealers that I have spoken to told me that they have already pre-sold these guns on back-order AT FULL RETAIL PRICE OF $1,089.00!! :eek: I'm not one to buy ANYTHING at retail, and almost gave up.
However, I ultimately spoke with a Kimber dealer who sold it to me at $868 including shipping. Now that's more like it. :grin:
Yea, I may have to wait 6, 7, 8 or more months to get this gun, but I think that it will be worth it. I'm not planning on going elk hunting for at least another couple of years anyway, so I'm really in no rush.
That notwithstanding, I can't wait to get my hands on it. :grin:
Zachary
