Kimber 84L 30/06 Montana

Underthegun

Underthegun

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
140   0   0
Location
Emo,ON
I received my Montana in the mail the other day, and had a chance today to get the scope mounted and put a few rounds down range. I am very pleased with it. I like the color of the stock, and the texturing in the paint. It is actually grippy enough that for doing load development off the sand bags, I have to put a strip of duct tape on the bottom of the stock to keep from grabbing to much on the bags. Having said that, it's not so abrasive that it chews up your cheek or hands. The weight of the whole set up really amazes me. The bare gun weighs 5LBS-7oz. With my Talley lightweight rings and a Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x40 the complete package weighs 6LBS-6oz. It balances a little better than my Kimber 84L Classic 30/06. With the little load development I did with it, I'm happy with the results so far. I still haven't settled on a bullet to use yet, but it sure seems to like 150gr Ballistic Tips, and 180gr Ballistic tips. I plan on trying some 180gr Partitions as an all around do everything load. Recoil is surprisingly not bad. I think it's due to the lightweight of the rifle not having the momentum in recoil to hit you hard, even muzzle jump was minimal. Overall I'm very happy with the rifle, and scope. Now to find more time for more load development and trigger time.





 
Lighter guns will always recoil harder by the #s, it's probably good stock fit to your frame that is minimizing the recoil.

Regardless, that is a very nice, practical, rifle. Enjoy it!
 
A Kimber mounted with a Leupold? I can tell already that you are man of discerning taste and good judgement. :)

My own Kimbers run more to the magnums; but I also find the recoil different. It starts blindingly fast, comes straight back, and then nothing. It's like a major league batter wound up and drove you with a pool noodle or florescent light tube.

If the partition doesn't work out for you consider the 180 Accubond.
 
Very nice, what velocity were you getting with the 150's. I am using that exact load with 150 accubonds and am getting 3030 fps.
Sako 23 inch barrel.
 
Underthegun said:
I've never tried IMR-4350. I've always opted for H-4350. Am I missing out on something? The temp stability has always been the deciding factor in H over IMR
Click to expand...

Rod, my comment was simply based on accuracy. It may suck those groups even tighter. Then again it may not. As for temp stability, as long as you ain't developing your hunting load in 30 degree temps and hunting in cold, then you'll be just fine. That's my take.
 
Dogleg said:
A Kimber mounted with a Leupold? I can tell already that you are man of discerning taste and good judgement. :)

My own Kimbers run more to the magnums; but I also find the recoil different. It starts blindingly fast, comes straight back, and then nothing. It's like a major league batter wound up and drove you with a pool noodle or florescent light tube.

If the partition doesn't work out for you consider the 180 Accubond.
Click to expand...
Just picked up a box of Accubonds today. I'll give the a shot on the weekend. Maybe try some H-4831 or RL-22
 
Had a good day today doing load development. I got 2 loads to shoot great, with both loads shooting some amazing groups. I realize that these are only 3 shot groups, but being such a light barrel, it warms up to much when shooting 5 shots. I plan on using the 150gr Ballistic Tip load as a plinker/practice load. The 180gr Accubond load will be my do everything from deer to moose load. I am posting a couple of the amazing groups as well as the more typical results I was getting from both of the loads I settled on. I think that the flyers in the groups are caused by poor shooting technique. On the groups that had 2 tight shots, then a flyer I felt the difference in how the rifle came off the bags during recoil making me think that my hold, or cheek pressure, or something else was off. At under 6.5lbs I expect the gun to be touchy on how it's handled.




 
Last edited:
Underthegun said:
Had a good day today doing load development. I got 2 loads to shoot great, with both loads shooting some amazing groups. I realize that these are only 3 shot groups, but being such a light barrel, it warms up to much when shooting 5 shots. I plan on using the 150gr Ballistic Tip load as a plinker/practice load. The 180gr Accubond load will be my do everything from deer to moose load. I am posting a couple of the amazing groups as well as the more typical results I was getting from both of the loads I settled on. I think that the flyers in the groups are caused by poor shooting technique. On the groups that had 2 tight shots, then a flyer I felt the difference in how the rifle came off the bags during recoil making me think that my hold, or cheek pressure, or something else was off. At under 6.5lbs I expect the gun to be touchy on how it's handled.




Click to expand...

I've had some luck calming down the light weight Kimbers just by holding the grip harder, and in some instances gripping the forend as well. The round forends like to twist during recoil, and if
You don't dampen that with your hold it can show up in horizontal stringing. Another thing to pay a little extra attention to is keeping the crosshairs dead level. Between the round forend that is designed more for hand fit than sandbags and the light weight cant errors can creep in and show up as mystery horizontal fliers.

On the other hand, you do seem to have the situation under control. :)
 
WOW!!! This Montana keeps on amazing me. I went out today to do a final zero at 250 yards with the load I settled on. My very first cold bore group measured .625". Sort of thinking it might be a fluke, I made my scope adjustment and let the barrel cool. I played around with a couple other rifles for a half hour or so, then I grabbed the Montana to check my scope adjustment. 3 shots later and a group of .920" at 250 yards, my work here is done. Bring on hunting season.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom