Kimber 84L Montana
- Thread starter mcseal2
- Start date
MC, I have no experience with Kimber rifles other than handling a few and bench shooting a buddies. They look very well built and the one I shot was very nice. Shot fine as well. I have heard alot of grief on the WWW about them, but I think I would give one a try should I ever find one I want. I heard they may be chambering the 35 Whelen this year, so maybe it's my year to try one. They are some very smooth actions and look like great rifles.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,578
- 6,734
My experience would be terribly unfair as I did considerable testing of the various rifles for the repair depot designated for Kimber. This was during a phase when QC of Kimber rifles left much to be desired, and even the replacement barrels were not exceptional. In any case, the experience has left me leery of the rifle. However, the experience of others has been positive.
big rifle man
Handloader
- Dec 21, 2005
- 850
- 0
I've owned my Montana in .300WSM for six years and I have nothing but praise for it. It shoots well under an inch with handloads and works very well on Elk. The quality of my rifle is excellent and my hunting buddy recently purchased one after shooting mine. The weight of the rifle makes it a pleasure to carry.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for the replys, I'd also read lots of bad about Kimber and lots of really good also. It seems that people who have one either love it or hate it. I've been looking at the Kimbers and the Browning TI rifles for a good light mountain gun. I heard lots of good about the brownings but wanted to get some more reviews on the Kimber before I did anything.
My uncle owns one and it is a very nice rifle. I have also seen the extremes of either negative or positive reviews of this rifle. Our vote would fall in the positive column. He says the only rifle company that ever burned him bad a few years ago was Empire,
ridgewalker
Beginner
- Feb 7, 2012
- 83
- 0
I have a Kimber 84M Montana in .243 topped by a B&L 2.5x10 scope. I have taken antelope over 430 yards. The 85 gr load I have used in several .243s for years will shoot 3 shots into 3/4" at 100 yards which is all I can ask of the thin barrels.
I also have a Kimber 84M Classic Select in .308 topped by a Leupold VXII 2x7. The trigger wasn't as good as the .243, but a little work and it is fine (3 1/2 lbs and smooth now same as .243). Using 165 gr load with Varget it will also do better than 3/4" with 3 shots at 100 yards.
For light guns I believe they are very good. Prices are not that high compared to most other comparable guns and they are GREAT to carry in the mountains of Colorado. I'd like to get a Kimber 84L Montana in 30-06 to replace my 1950 Winchester Mdl 70 30-06, but I guess there really just isn't that much difference in the .308 and the 30-06. I have just used the 30-06 since around 1965 or so and it has always done the job when I do mine.
I also have a Kimber 84M Classic Select in .308 topped by a Leupold VXII 2x7. The trigger wasn't as good as the .243, but a little work and it is fine (3 1/2 lbs and smooth now same as .243). Using 165 gr load with Varget it will also do better than 3/4" with 3 shots at 100 yards.
For light guns I believe they are very good. Prices are not that high compared to most other comparable guns and they are GREAT to carry in the mountains of Colorado. I'd like to get a Kimber 84L Montana in 30-06 to replace my 1950 Winchester Mdl 70 30-06, but I guess there really just isn't that much difference in the .308 and the 30-06. I have just used the 30-06 since around 1965 or so and it has always done the job when I do mine.
