Author Topic: KIMBER SVT QUESTION (Read 2080 times)

RAYRAY · « **on:** July 10, 2003, 09:57:47 AM »

Hello,
A few quick questions for all. Is the Kimber SVT competition legal for silhouette? The stock dimensions seem to fit the guidelines I've been able to find online, as does the weight. Also I would like to hear from anyone who is using or has used one of these. :mrgreen:

Thanks,
RAYRAY

hotkars · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2003, 05:20:59 PM »

I use my SVT in NRA competitions all the time. I must say that this is by far the best and most accurate rifle I have ever used ( and I own A 54 Anschutz). I have been able to shoot less than 1/2 groups at 100 yards with wolf ammunition consistently (without wind of course). I am a AAA shooter now but only need one more 34 to be a master. I think both my Kimber HS and the SVT are great guns and should be considered by more shooters. I have three kimbers and all of them are very accurate and very reliable.

RAYRAY · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2003, 01:58:12 PM »

Thanks for the information, I bought the SVT 2 weeks ago. I just started shooting silhouette, 16/40, 19/40. I'm the only one in our club that has one. So right now it shoots better than the shooter, but I'm working on that...

RAYRAY

Turkey Popper · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2003, 03:33:03 PM »

RayRay,

I have been shooting a SVT for almost 2 years as my standard rifle. I has been approved at both the Texas and Louisiana State matches on 2002 and 2003. They are excellent rifles. I made one modification to my rifle to make it handle better. I took it to Brileys (Houston) and had them add a barrel extension tube and weights. This allows me to make the rifle muzzle heavy which makes it easier to shoot offhand. While I have seen a number of HS's on the firing line, mine is the only SVT that I have seen at the matches I have attended. It looks like they are finally starting to catch on.

Turkey Popper

dave imas · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2003, 05:26:38 PM »

keep in mind that there are enough members here that post that if you asked about a slingshot there is probably a couple of people that would tell you they have been shooting them for years and love them. Somebody would also tell you that they shoot 1/2" groups at 100 yards with this particular sling shot all day long. (.22 rifles and ammunition rarely shoot 1/2" groups at 100 yards) Although it is true that the Kimbers are used for silhouette and the SVT is legal for standard rifle, they are not particularly popular nor often used by the higher class shooters. That is not to say that a high level master shooter couldn't win with a Kimber, it just says that they, typically, don't choose to shoot them. That said, if you choose the Kimber, enjoy it. It is a fun game regardless of our equipment.
dave imas

Turkey Popper · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2003, 04:03:11 AM »

Dave,

Your point is well taken. However there are options out there for equipment selection that others should be aware of. I understand that the Kimbers are not as popular as the mighty Anschutz. When I started this game, I purchased an Anschutz 1710 FWT. I had a lot of problems with the rifle so I returned it to the dealer and got another one. It had the same problems. A rifle that costs this much should be perfect when it leaves the factory and to get two of them with problems doesn't speak well of their quality control. At that point, it occured to me that I could buy a Kimber HS and a Kimber SVT for not much more than the price of the 1710 FWT, so I did. Both of these Kimbers are very accurate and will easily shoot well under 1 inch at 100 meters with good Lapua ammo (Multi Match and Ultra). The triggers on the Kimbers are better than the 1710 in my opinion. It is hard to better the trigger on the 54:18 but I am not convinced that one needs a trigger like that to be competetive in MS.

While I am not a state or national champion, I have moved to AAA in less than 2 years shooting these rifles and shot my first master score (35) with the SVT (Standard Rifle) at our August Club Match. I plan to stay with these rifles as I continue to progress unless someone can convince me that an Anchutz will give me an edge.

One final thought on this. The Kimbers are American made. I am glad that we have an option to shoot an American made product in this game. If more people would buy quality American made products, these manufacturers might be more interested in building the products we want for our games.

Best regards,

John B. Stokes
(Turkey Popper)

dave imas · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2003, 05:33:47 AM »

I don't shoot an Anschutz either. Well, not exactly true. I shot the Anschutz 1808 repeater for years and loved it. I tried a 1710fwt for a few matches but just couldn't get comfortable with the stock. I went with the Sako Finnfire and shoot one rifle for both classes.
I am surprised you have had difficulty with the quality of the Anschutz. I agree, for that kind of money they should be perfect. I have owned about 8 over the years and each one was. The only cluster f%#@ I have owned was an American made Cooper M36. Most expensive rifle I have owned, also the worst piece of crap one could imagine. When the Kimbers first came out they had a lot of feeding, extracting, and misfiring challenges. It was so reminiscent of the Cooper problems I wouldn't even consider one. Perhaps those challenges have been resolved.
For another American made option one must consider the Remington 40xr. I've watched Dennis Dadian shoot 38- 40 with one for years.
Regarding the Kimbers, I am absolutely positive you can do well with them. Just let me suggest, that as you reach for scores consistently above 36/40, you may begin to look for answers in different places.
With that said, I will be one of the first to applaud when you win Nationals with Kimber in hand. I applaud you now for knocking on the master door with any rifle. Takes hard work and determination.

Good luck,
dave

hotkars · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2003, 09:48:39 AM »

I realize it is hard to believe that a rimfire could shoot 1/2 groups at 100 meters. However the SVT that I shoot will consistently shoot less that 1" and many times it will group 5 shots into a 1/4" at 100 meters. I have used this rifle to win the last benchrest match at our club where it shot .274", .834" and .676".
By the way I have a purpose built benchrest .22 that will shoot 5" groups at 300 yards all day. You should try long range with the .22 as it is alot of fun to watch your rounds strike the target.
These are the results I have had and may not be true for everyone, I can only pass on what I have experienced.