Author Topic: kimber accuracy (Read 1644 times)

neon frizzen · « **on:** March 13, 2004, 02:58:46 AM »

Bought a new kimber custom 2. (I think its the cheapest one). Kimber claims their target models have shot 5 shots into an inch at 25 yards. I didn't expect this but something maybe close. My first outing I'm doing good to keep it on 2x2 foot cardboard at 15 yards. Today I'm gonna buy some different brands of ammo and try again. What kind of accuracy should I expect out of a coustom 2? TIA

BamBams · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2004, 03:48:44 AM »

Is this benchrest or freehand shooting? Anyway, if it keeps up, send it to Kimber and I'm pretty sure they'll fix it for free and have it back to you pretty quick. To my knowledge, there is no accuracy guarantee on the basic, Custom models, but 2'x2' is totally unacceptable. At that range, you should be able to make one, ragged hole.

skpp108 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2004, 03:54:47 AM »

I have the same gun you do. Got mine about a year ago and I love it. I have a mil-spec type Springfield 1911 also. That Kimber is so nice it makes the Springfield seem like junk. Anyway, my Kimber will shoot one ragged hole all day at 10 yds. Thats about as far as I am half way decent with any hand gun. I suspect that your problem may be in technique or in ammo or any number of things. I've always thought that 230 gr. ball ammo was the least accurate. I reload and have develped a nice target load I am happy with. Anyway maybe have a buddy shoot it too and see how he does. I don't think its the gun. If you can locate some "target" type ammo, try that as well. Once you wring it out though, your other guns will start collecting a lot of dust...

XP1900 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2004, 12:15:00 PM »

kimber's claim is done from a bench. freehand you should see at 2" or smaller at 25yds if you have the technique down.

neon frizzen · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2004, 03:23:25 AM »

Thanks for the responses.
Got some different ammo (umc). Still not up to what I expected. I'm not bench shooting, I'm "Pickup bed" shooting, which should be good enough for 15 yards. When one shot hits 1 inch below the bulls and the next holding the exact same way hits to left of the cardboard in the dirt. (Something has runith amuck). I have a 125 dollar pietta black powder pistol that will put all 6 in the bulls at this range. At any rate, I'm gonna put at least 300 rounds through it before I start thinking about sending it back. Which probably won't be very long :lol:

Savage · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2004, 11:48:00 AM »

Neon,
Have someone else shoot the pistol, someone that you know is a decent pistol shot. I have shot a number of 1911s including a dozen or so military issue. ALL were capable of better accuracy than you are reporting with your Kimber. If you still find the accuracy unacceptable, get that thing back to Kimber post haste!!
Savage

EdinCT · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2004, 03:25:14 PM »

I have the same gun and with Winchester hardball and handloads with 200 gr. XTPs I get about 2.5 inch groups at twenty yards. Kneeling with my left elbow on my knee. Have someone else try it and if doesn't do alot better send it to Kimber.
Ed

neon frizzen · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2004, 02:23:06 PM »

Thanks for all the input. I have talked to kimber coustom shop and the man said the one year warranty was just a formality. I believe it. I asked about accuracy and He as the manual said put 500 rounds through it. I am about 300 rounds . The gun at last outing grouped all below the bulls (New it realy was unreal). After the last outing I cleaned the gun and the recoil spring retainer recoiled into thin air! I called all over town and nobody had one, so I called kimber. I have a new one coming in the mail, ( Free of charge). Its been awhile since anyone said that to me. At any rate I believe that this gun is gonna do what a kimber is supposed to do and if not its gonna do what its supposed to do!
Can anyone recomend a bullet mold?
I know this is probably a question for the cast bullet board but I see this one isn't turning over very fast and I'll bet someone here casts there own bullets. I like target shooting

Savage · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2004, 01:57:48 AM »

neon,
If you live anywhere close to Bynum, AL, I can reccomend the bullets cast by:
Valiant Cast Bullets
PO Box 696
Bynum, AL 36253
Quality and price are both first rate! If you want to cast your own, then order molds from Midway USA. I like the Lee molds.
Good shooting,
Savage

Alice Cooper · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2004, 02:50:34 AM »

neon, i just got finished casting for my kimber.i have a cheap aluminum lee mold,the 200 gr. tumble lube semiwadcutter.these are ugly , sticky rounds when lubed with liquid alox, but they group and feed just perfect in my gun.and using range lead, i can shoot very cheaply.you can buy a much better built mold than the lee brand, but if you're careful and don't beat it up, you will be pleased with them...i wore out a two cavity lee, (it was used when i got it) and ordered the six cavity from midsouth.had to do some filing and drilling on it to get the handles to fit! but now that six cavity will just rain bullets! i have more expensive , more durable molds,but none that shoot better...

neon frizzen · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2004, 03:09:27 PM »

Wow ! I havn't been a fan of lee bullet molds but 2 endorsements has my midway catolog out, and I have a six cavity mold 232-646 34.99. in my sights. I live within 100 miles of midway and almost always get my order the next day. But that doesn't matter because Its spring Cut the grass Paint the house etc etc Oh well. Plus my spring retainer probably wont show up till saturday.
PS Don't fry ANYTHING Naked

BamBams · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2004, 06:23:46 PM »

Quote from: neon frizzen

Can anyone recomend a bullet mold?

I use the Lyman 200g SWC mold in 4 cavity style and size to .452. I get great accuracy over 4.5g of Bullseye. These are my target & plinking loads.

Tom H. · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2004, 02:40:23 AM »

Hey there Neon.

I have a Kimber Custom with the fixed sights and it is easily a 1" gun.

I found that the most accurate cast slugs are the 185-200 swc regardless of who made them. I actually came across 1000 of the swaged speer 200swcs and I save them for special occasions when money is at stake.

If you want a good jacketed round, find the Rem golden saber 230 heads with some power pistol.
They should group under 1"
Cast round nose slugs seem to be the least accurate in my gun.

For factory, the Armscorp 230 ball ammo is quite accurate, as is the wolf, but I don't trust the steel cases.
I have 3" 50yd groups with the wolf off of a rest.

I have been shooting Green dot for target stuff and Power Pistol for heavy loads.
I went up to a 20lb spring (the factory is 16) and that was about it.

Oh yeah, a lot of times I'll take the cast slugs and coat them with Lee liquid alox to reduce the already minimal leading.

My 18 cents.

Good shooting.

Tom

skpp108 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 01, 2004, 09:38:46 AM »

For whatever reason I have had outstanding accuracy with the Rainier plated 200g flat points in my Kimber. I decided to try them in an effort to cut down on lead exposure and bullet lube getting everything gunked up. Even my buddy's race gun ate em up with with no problems and his gun is very picky. I think my recipe is 4.2 grains of BE but don't quote me. I will post it when I have the info at hand. Anyway, they're cheap and no barrel leading. I think I have found a new favorite bullet for .45. I do like the lead SWC, 200g, though. Hard top beat for a target round :grin:

seanwall · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2004, 05:06:03 PM »

It sounds like you really need to get some instruction from someone who really knows 1911 style pistols, I personally own 4 Kimber 1911s that range from 8 years old to a few months and all of them will shoot 2in groups at 25 yards on a bad day. The Kimbers are some of the most accurate and reliable 1911s on the market today, to be getting group sizes like you are there almost has to be something wrong with your handling of the weapon. I personally carry a Kimber Team Match 2 every day and much like the other 3 have never had any problems with reliability or accuracy. :eek: