New Kimber Hunter in 30-06

Bartledan

Bartledan

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All you Tikka haters out there will be delighted to hear that I bought a Kimber Hunter, brand new from a site sponsor, for about $10 more than a stainless T3X. :)

Thank you Ellwood Epps!

I have a Kimber Montana in 270 that I've had a difficult relationship with, but for all it's warts, it's very accuate, and very light, so it's a keeper.

I've only had it for a day but my first impressions:

1) That magazine and it's retention mechanism is very well thought out. Solid, and clicks in positively, with big, strong engagement nubs.

2) The stock feels great but the forearm is flexy. Flexier than a T3 light, about on par with a Finnlight. I don't care about this at all. The barrel is centered in the barrel channel (thank god!), and the trigger is centered in the, um, trigger hole.

3) Fit and finish is superb, of course.

4) Smoothness... Compared to my montana 270, the Hunter bolt runs more smoothly, the safety is smoother, easier to move, clicks more positively and is quieter. When stripping the bolt, my Montana "grinds", but the Hunter is as smooth as my Model 70s.

I am enormously pleased with this rifle.

I haven't weighed anything, yet. I have a scale, but it's cord is Australian. I've been lazy about getting a new adapter.

I need to get out to shoot it, but between the darn kids, ground school and my company's year end, it will be a couple weeks.
 
islandhunter said:
This has to be the best gun for the money these days?
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hometownhero said:
If not it is one of the top 5
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I'm inclined to think so.

Oh, interestingly: Talley lightweight lows for the 84M and 84L are identical *except* the front ring is an extended ring in the 84L set. The packaging and website don't say this, but the Talley SKUs do: one is ######, the other is ###X###

The 84M set has an extra-low option, but the 84L doesn't (if I recall correctly), and that extended front base would be an explanation why.

In the Lows, a VX-3 3.5-10 just barely fits, with a measured center-to-center offset of 1.4905
 
SuperCub said:
Are they "one action fits all" like the Tikka?
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Kimber has at least 3 action sizes, but I think it's 4.

308 size and length (84M)
30-06 size and length (84L)
300 Win Mag size (8400)

I suspect a short mag action size exists, but I've never troubled myself to find out. Each is super stripped down, to the point where a debate in action strength between Remingtons and Winchesters is completely pointless... if the Kimber doesn't blow up, those boat anchors sure won't... if you know what I mean.

All the complaints Tikka haters have are absent in the hunter except the plastic stock, and the plastic trigger guard. I'm fine with both of those, but then, I fired something on the order of 60,000 rounds through a Glock 17, so plastic is fine by me.

I think I found a screeching deal at Epps ($1118.35), but if Hunters and stainless T3Xs are close in price ($1099 everywhere I've seen) , Tikka is screwed... provided supply can be maintained and the warranted sub moa accuracy is there.
 
Bartledan said:
Kimber has at least 3 action sizes, but I think it's 4.

308 size and length (84M)
30-06 size and length (84L)
300 Win Mag size (8400)

I suspect a short mag action size exists, but I've never troubled myself to find out. Each is super stripped down, to the point where a debate in action strength between Remingtons and Winchesters is completely pointless... if the Kimber doesn't blow up, those boat anchors sure won't... if you know what I mean.

All the complaints Tikka haters have are absent in the hunter except the plastic stock, and the plastic trigger guard. I'm fine with both of those, but then, I fired something on the order of 60,000 rounds through a Glock 17, so plastic is fine by me.

I think I found a screeching deal at Epps ($1118.35), but if Hunters and stainless T3Xs are close in price ($1099 everywhere I've seen) , Tikka is screwed... provided supply can be maintained and the warranted sub moa accuracy is there.
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Could be major competition for Tikka for sure. Now if Tikka offered rings (like they used to), free or cheap bolt stops and mags, one can change them out and go to long action, which can be a real advantage for handloading. No advantage if its a long action already but a second mag or free rings maybe might sweeten the deal.
 
Ltbull01 said:
Could be major competition for Tikka for sure. Now if Tikka offered rings (like they used to), free or cheap bolt stops and mags, one can change them out and go to long action, which can be a real advantage for handloading. No advantage if its a long action already but a second mag or free rings maybe might sweeten the deal.
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Bolt stop kit is $85 tax and shipped I just got the kit

nomad 68 said:
Think I just found my next rifle.
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I am seriously considering as well.
 
bearkilr said:
Is the trigger guard molded as part of the stock or is there a separate bottom metal/plastic? I've never handled one.
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It's moulded as part of the stock. Doesn't bother me.

sherlockbonez said:
Is that leftover 2014 price or is that this years stock.
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It has to be new, long action hunters are super-new, I think. Like... weeks. I was astounded to find this one, and delighted by the price.
 
Last edited:
hey mate nice one, down under they are about $300 more than a T3x.... $1600 ishh

what was up with your Montana 270?
you mention the safety etc, mines a little notchy to come off "unsafe" fairbit of work to slip it back to Safe or Safer.. but flawless in going forward.

my paint on the stock is wearing off under the action where I carry it.. minor.

WL
 
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