Author Topic: Kimber (Read 659 times)

Kentone · « **on:** May 15, 2004, 12:37:07 PM »

Hi Guys,

The local gun shop has a Kimber 22LR I have been looking at for
the past couple of weeks. I was going to buy it this coming Friday.
But I sure have been hearing/reading alot of bad stuff about the
new kimber rifles and might back off.

Everybody makes a bad one once in a while,If the company stands
behind it all is good.How is the new Kimber.

Thanks

TNrifleman · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2004, 01:17:44 PM »

I bought a Kimber Hunter .22 rifle last summer. I scoped it up with a Burris 3X9 rimfire in Kimber mounts. Wow, what a great rig! I sighted it in with Wolf Match Target ammo. It will shoot groups well under .400" at 50 yards with this ammo. It has accounted for many impressive 50 yard targets and quite a few squirrels. Obviously, I am well pleased with this Kimber rifle. If you choose to get one, I expect your experience will be similar. Kimber makes great rifles!

mgann · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2004, 03:14:04 PM »

I bought a Kimber SVT this spring and I couldn't ask for a better gun.

Can put a clip of 5 scoremaster rounds in the bulls eye the size of a dime
at fifty yards from bench. Don't know what it would do with some really good match ammo, haven't tried that yet.

longgun · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2004, 12:29:39 AM »

Fellows, I'm not trying to put you down nor trying to elevate myself in any manner. Most any 22 should shoot good groups at 50 yards. The real test for accuracy with all 22's is how well will it shoot at 100 yards. This is the test that separates the good shooters from the "so-so" shooters. I have a Chinese Norinco jw-15 ( $150) that will shoot under a half inch at 50 yards, also a surplus Brno #1 ( $ 99) that in also in this category. I expect that most factory guns with good properly mounted scopes will do 1/2" at 50 yards. However I know some won't.

Some advice on shooting for groups at 100 yards would be to try for group size an a calm day. Otherwise you probably will be frustrated with the group size. Don't necessarily try to his a target, but use the target as an aiming point. The Kimbers are a quality rifle and with good ammunition you should be able to get groups under 1.00" at 100 meters. Kimbers cost enough they should be in the same category as Anschutz, Sako Finnfire, etc......... Expect more from your rifle than .5" at 50 yards. Don Weathersbee

mgann · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2004, 03:29:59 AM »

Hi longgun

I didn't say I was a good shot. I have seen what my gun can do at fifty yds and 100 meeters by some of the top young men in our club. They all wanted to try out my new gun and It is capable of a lot better than what I can do. All three of the guys shoot anshutz and they are quite impressed with my SVT.

I am retired and can practice a lot so they had better watch out for me because I will get better this summer.

They tell me my goups will tighten up if I put the round in the chamber by hand instead of using the clip, so I will try that today. So maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks. :-)

Thanks for the reply

mgann

TScottO · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2004, 09:03:52 AM »

I ordered a kimber classic a few months ago but had been unable to shoot it because I was waiting on my scope to come in. My scope arrived last week a 3x9x33 Leupold EFR. I carried to the range yesterday but didnt have a lot of time because I had other guns to test as well. The factory target for my guns shows .25 at 50 yards. I shot one group with federal gold match and one group with Winchester superX. The wind was blowing and my bench set up is much less than perfect. The god match shoot a 5 shot .40 group at 50 yards. Four shots in one hole and 1 flyer. The Winchester shot a 5 shot .43 groups 2 shots in one hole, 2 shots in another hole and 1 flyer. I believe with no wind and a better bench set up this gun will do much better. I also consider myself an average shooter off the bench.

The only negative thing about the kimber is the rounds dont feed well from the clip and the bolt scratches the lead of the next round while feeding the previous round. You also have to briskly work the bolt for the controlled round feed to clearly eject the spent round.

Be Safe,
Scott

mgann · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2004, 02:33:22 PM »

Hi Scott

I haven't had those problems with my SVT, but I did have to send one clip back because it was hard to insert but the other one worked fine and they replaced the bad one.

I am sure you will like your gun, Kimber makes fine rifles, but I would call the custom shop and ask about the bolt scratching the next round. It may just be the magazine clips are not right and letting the round's stick up to high, any way they will take care of it for you.

Yes you do need to work the bolt briskly to eject clear but I think that is true with most bolt actions, I know it is with Anshutz because I shoot with several guys who use Anshutz and I see them turning the gun to the side to clear out a spent case.

Good luck and happy shooting.
mgann

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2004, 05:05:49 PM »

Hey there Shooters.

Wow, I wish it was as Longun states, but I had a .22 rifle advertised as having a match grade barrel and trigger and able to do 1/2" groups. It couldn't and wouldn't even after a trip back to the company with a list of the problems.

This rifle was not a Kimber, and frankly without a major redo by the factory, never would have done what the factory claimed. I personally have my doubts that it would have done as claimed EVEN with a major which should have included a new barrel.

If this rifle, advertised as able to shoot 1/2" groups at 50 yards, wouldn't meet the grade even after a trip back to the factory, WHICH INCLUDED TEST FIRING, just how many of all the different .22s produced could be expected to shoot that well? I would venture that IMHO there are very few that will give a consistent 1/2" group even with the best ammo.

Now I have read my share of posts about problems with the Kimber, but by and large those problems were solved and the rifles lived up to expectations.

After I got rid of the worse rifle I have ever owned, I looked hard at Kimbers and Coopers and probably would have gone that way if I hadn't found a new Clark Custom built on a Ruger 77/22.

Yes, I looked at the CZ, but even with the reputation for grouping held by this rifle, the total package just didn't make the grade

Once I get the testing done that I need the proper time and conditions to perform, I'll let you all know just how well this CRuger performs. From what little I have done, it is a true 1/2" at 50 yd. rifle and possibly, I hope, a bit better.

However, yes there are standard production 1/2" rifles BUT, they are not the average or norm, unless it is one of the few like the CZ or one of the higher quality level offerings from some of the manufactures. For those who have been able to find one of these rifles, good for you. Better hang on to it or be prepared to look at lots of rifles or spend the bucks for a rifle in the quality level of the Kimber, Cooper or some of the custom make overs such as the Clark custom.

Yep, this is just my humble opinion, but it comes with a goodly amount of years and shooting under the belt and I will stand by it.

Keep em coming! :wink: