Winchester 70 Extreme Weather SS or Kimber 8400 Montana

[ACLakey]

I am looking for a solid, all weather 30-06 and have narrowed my search to the Winchester 70 Extreme Weather SS or Kimber Montana 8400. I have handled the Winchester a little and it feels a little thick in the stock but not horrible. I have yet to get my hands on the Kimber and may have to make a trip out of town to a dealer. I would like to get opinions and thoughts from those who have owned one or both of these rifles. So what would you choose and why. Thanks in advance.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Tough choice but I would choose the Winchester. Especially one from the new plant. Kimber may have upgraded but there, for a while, they didn't have the best accuracy reputation. I honestly don't know enough about to comment on the 2010 version of Kimber rifles.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[FOTIS]

I would go Winchester all the way. I had2 or 3 Kimbers and worked on more. Never had one that impressed me....even after a return to the factory.

 

[big rifle man]

AC, I've owned a Kimber 8400 Montana for approximately five years and I would suggest before your purchase that you handle one. I've had great luck with my .300WSM (1/2 to 3/4 inch groups) and don't think you would go wrong owning one. I know there's been some negative presss on this forum over Kimbers but I have two hunting friends that also own Kimbers and really like them, plus, over the years there haven't been any rifles at one time or another that a person hasn't had a problem with.

 

[bullet]

Handle both as some have suggested. I have owned a Model 70 and loved it and own a Kimber Montana 8400 in 30-06. Both shot well and the kimber a little better than my Model 70. Now that said, I did not like the stock or the feel of my Montana. I think you will like the feel in your hands of the new Mod 70's. If I was buying today I would opt for the mod 70, they have really setup the quality.

 

[6mm Remington]

I do not own one of the new Winchesters, but all of the comments and articles that have been written on them is that the new rifles being built by FN are better then they ever have been. I like the feel and everything with the Kimber, but I too have heard lots of folks complaining about the lack of accuracy. Some shoot very well while others not so good. I have shot a couple Kimbers at a shoot where manufacturers bring different models of their product for shooters to try out, and the ones I shot I really liked. Same with the Winchesters though!

My son is looking for one more rifle to add to his big-game rifle selection, and he's working hard to earn his money. The rifle that he has fallen in love with is the new Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS in a 300 WSM. We have shot one and we both really like it a lot.

For me personally, I'd lean towards the Model 70. Good luck and whichever one you buy I hope is a real shooter.

 

[DrMike]

I own three of Winchesters from the new production and I have shot a number of Kimbers. I can speak glowingly of the Winchesters as each shoots very well and is a joy to handle. The Kimbers always felt good in my hand, but in fairness, I was shooting rifles that were sent for warranty service. Current opinion from a variety of sources speak well of the present production. For the price, however, I'd still go with Winchester.

 

[FOTIS]

I do not own one of the new Winchesters, but all of the comments and articles that have been written on them is that the new rifles being built by FN are better then they ever have been. ,,,,,,,,,,,,

I totally agree.

 

[SJB358]

That new M70 Extreme SS is a really nice rifle. Alot of features in a factory rifle that make it about as good as alot of semi customs. Big fan of the M70, never owner or shot a Kimber, but they always been nice rifles to look at and hold, just don't know how they shoot. Scotty

 

[ACLakey]

Ok, what are your thoughts on the Thompson Center Icon compared to the new Winchester 70?

 

[DrMike]

Winchester. The Icon is a fine rifle, but the Winchester is a better buy.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Winchester over the Icon all day long.

 

[Wally]

My Dad bought one of the new production Winchester SS Extreme rifles in 308. I was impressed with the qualitly of workmanship. The first load I tried with Varget and a 150 Ballistic Tip shot 1/2". I am thinking about one for myself. All of the other examples I've seen look just as good. Right now it's one of my first choices in a factory rifle.

Good luck and good shooting,

Steve

 

[Oldtrader3]

I own three of Winchesters from the new production and I have shot a number of Kimbers. I can speak glowingly of the Winchesters as each shoots very well and is a joy to handle. The Kimbers always felt good in my hand, but in fairness, I was shooting rifles that were sent for warranty service. Current opinion from a variety of sources speak well of the present production. For the price, however, I'd still go with Winchester.

Dr. Mike, how do you get those new M70's way up there? Here at the Peace Arch in Blight, WA we have not seen more than a couple of the new Model 70 in 2 years anywhere here abouts. I looked for one for several months last year before finally buying a Model 85 Sako .338 Federal.

 

[DrMike]

Dr. Mike, how do you get those new M70's way up there?

I have no idea. I grabbed three of the first four that came into this area. There are at least five in the store at this present time.

Do you live in Blaine? I kept a postal box in Custer for about 15 years.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Yes, I go to the Custer Range every week and am a member. We have been trying to move to Oregon but house sales here are priced 30% under the market because of foreclosures so I think that we are here for awhile yet.

 

[DrMike]

I am surprised that Kesselring didn't have one of the new Model 70s in stock. They were always well supplied during the time I lived in the Lower Mainland (80s and 90s). At one time, Yeagers had a good inventory, as well. However, I have been gone for more than a decade, and a lot can happen, I know.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Yeager's lot their gun license for about 5 years because they missed the filing deadline! They just got it back and have one plain Featherweight in .270 Win. Most of what Yeager's has now is Savage's. Kesselring's has one Featherweight and a .270 Mag in Mod. 70 Deluxe. Kesselring's is soo expensive!

No one has anything exciting locally. There is a new store in Lynden that has good used stuff flowing through the chain every now and then. Maybe because you have more of a hunting centric culture there, that you get more stock to look at in calibers that you don't already have.