Author Topic: Kimber Rifles (Read 662 times)

Zachary · « **on:** June 30, 2003, 10:36:30 AM »

I am thinking about buying a new Kimber 8400 bolt-action rifle. Yes, I know that I have too many guns already, but I am really interested in these rifles - particularly because they have "actual" WSM receivers. Specifically, the receivers were built "from the ground up" to precisely fit the WSM length. Yes, I love my Tikkas - but the New T3's are all long action.

Have any of you every owned, or shot, a Kimber Centerfire bolt-action rifle? What are your thoughts?

Thanks,

Zachary

John (Rojo) · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2003, 05:39:47 PM »

Hi Zachary, I haven't spoke with you in a while. I have the Kimber 84M in 22-250. It is the "walking varminter" with a stainless fluted barrel. I believe it weighs 7 1/4 lbs., or a little more. The receivers are built according to caliber and case size - not one size fits all. They are generally more compact then other other rifles of the same caliber. Wood is nice, and the wood to metal fit is above average. The action is aluminum dual pillar bedded.

Reliability has been excellent. It has never failed to feed, extract, or eject with hand or factory loads. The action is tighter than my Tikka Deluxe, but not as smooth. Accuracy is what I expected, it shoots as well as my talent will let me. None of the people I shoot with own Kimbers, so, I cannot compare it with others.

I believe Zachary you can do possibly do better for the money, but, I also think you can do a lot worse with whats out there in the market place.

John (Rojo)

Zachary · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2003, 04:50:31 AM »

I read some mixed reports on the net about Kimbers. Apparently they have very thin barrels and accuracy is not exactly uniform throughout the production (like, say, Tikkas).

I wish Tikka or Sako would make a stainless synthetic rifle in 300 WSM.

Zachary

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2003, 01:59:30 PM »

I called the Kimber factory yesterday and asked them about their new 8400 Montana. I told them that I was concerned about the thin barrels, and they told me that the contour was #2. That doesn't sound like a thin contour to me. Is it?

Additionally, Kimber said that, on their wood model 8400, they got .71" groups WITH WINCHESTER FACTORY 180 GRAIN FAIL SAFES. :eek: The Fail Safes are generally not considered to be accurate bullets (like the Nosler Ballistic Tips, Sierra Boat-Tails, etc.), so .71" groups sounds fantastic. In fact, in their on-line brochure, they also show these factory bullets (although not necessarily the .71" group target.) Yes, I know that each gun likes different ammo, but it's a good sign.

I spoke with several Kimber dealers and I decided to place a deposit on one of these rifles. Availability will be sometime after January 1.

Zachary