Kimber 84L Montana

^^The DD's work great, many thanks!! :cheers:

I was just doing some more reading on the Kimber 280AI and it appears it has 4 groove rifling instead of the 6 groove of other calibers. Anyone have an idea why that would be? I did read some time ago they had accuracy issues with some of the older 7mm barrels, would that be their fix perhaps?
 
bearkilr said:
Yeah, I'll get flak from the westerners for using that scope, but it's what I wanted on there for my type of hunting and right now it still only weighs about the same as an average weight sporter does bare.
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Not from this westerner - that is one of the best scopes out there (sadly no longer made).
 
bearkilr said:
^^The DD's work great, many thanks!! :cheers:

I was just doing some more reading on the Kimber 280AI and it appears it has 4 groove rifling instead of the 6 groove of other calibers. Anyone have an idea why that would be? I did read some time ago they had accuracy issues with some of the older 7mm barrels, would that be their fix perhaps?
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I wouldn't think four or six make much difference, not compared to ROT anyway.
Nugget's looks to be shooting 5/8" groups with factory Hornady ammo so it would seem he is going to be keeping it for some time, and might not share it either.
 
Has Kimber made changes to it's barrel supplier or quality control? I seem to be seeing lots of positive reports, especially with respect to accuracy, as compared to the earlier "hit and miss" rifles - no pun intended.
 
1899 said:
Not from this westerner - that is one of the best scopes out there (sadly no longer made).
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Nope, still made. Victory Diavari 2.5-10x50 T* with #44 Ill. reticle.

Noel said:
I wouldn't think four or six make much difference, not compared to ROT anyway.
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Not sure what if any difference there is, but there has to be a reason for it, perceived or actual. I would suspect they did some testing to arrive at that odd number.

1899 said:
Has Kimber made changes to it's barrel supplier or quality control? I seem to be seeing lots of positive reports, especially with respect to accuracy, as compared to the earlier "hit and miss" rifles - no pun intended.
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AFAIK, Kimber makes its own barrels, button rifled. The old Oregon Kimbers used Wilson Arms barrels, who now make them for Cooper (or perhaps they even own Cooper?).
I don't know what if any other changes were made, but I'm pretty sure that the 7WSM and 7mm-08 Kimbers of the past used a 6 groove rifling. Maybe it's a 280 AI only thing.
My personal opinion is that the guns use a light contour barrel and the overall weight is feathery, which makes for a difficult combination to shoot accurately. I've owned guns by NULA, Rifles Inc. and RMR which were all super light and none of those were tack drivers either, but they're not intended to be. Lightening the Kimber trigger to around 2 lbs. from the factory set 3.5-4 lbs.makes a world of difference for accuracy as well, at least for me. The trigger feel itself ranks with the best I've tried for hunting rifles, including aftermarket ones like Timney and Jewell.
 
Yes, you are correct about the 2.5-10x50, for some reason I was thinking about the 2.5-10x42
 
1899 said:
Has Kimber made changes to it's barrel supplier or quality control? I seem to be seeing lots of positive reports, especially with respect to accuracy, as compared to the earlier "hit and miss" rifles - no pun intended.
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Still hit and miss...I had a Kimber 84M Select Grade in 7mm-08 while back that patterned, rather than gouped...I also thought they fixed up the issues, and was playing with the idea of having another go at Kimber..

That was before my brother sent two rifles to get accurized @ Hill Country Rifles..This is headlined is in red atop their home page ''Due to inconsistent results, we no longer service Kimber rifles. This is not intended as a negative statement about Kimber products. It is merely a decision based on the inconsistent results our Accurizing service has on these rifles.''..I called and they talked me out of my Kimber idea in short order...But they look so good!
 
captonion said:
Still hit and miss...I had a Kimber 84M Select Grade in 7mm-08 while back that patterned, rather than gouped...I also thought they fixed up the issues, and was playing with the idea of having another go at Kimber..

That was before my brother sent two rifles to get accurized @ Hill Country Rifles..This is headlined is in red atop their home page ''Due to inconsistent results, we no longer service Kimber rifles. This is not intended as a negative statement about Kimber products. It is merely a decision based on the inconsistent results our Accurizing service has on these rifles.''..I called and they talked me out of my Kimber idea in short order...But they look so good!
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Hill Country's accurizing guarantee is sub MOA, which may not be achievable with a pencil barrel like Kimber uses, hence the disclaimer.
Ask them why their $4000 Custom Sheep rifle weighs 6.5-7 lbs, hardly a lightweight by todays standards. I'll save you time; it's the lightest they can make it to meet their accuracy guarantee. ;)
 
bearkilr said:
Hill Country's accurizing guarantee is sub MOA, which may not be achievable with a pencil barrel like Kimber uses, hence the disclaimer.
Ask them why their $4000 Custom Sheep rifle weighs 6.5-7 lbs, hardly a lightweight by todays standards. I'll save you time; it's the lightest they can make it to meet their accuracy guarantee. ;)
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There are numerous folks on 24hr Campfire posting sub 3/4" groups with their Kimbers. I think the quality of the barrel is at least as important, if not more so than weight.
 
1899 said:
There are numerous folks on 24hr Campfire posting sub 3/4" groups with their Kimbers. I think the quality of the barrel is at least as important, if not more so than weight.
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Perhaps, and let's keep in mind that any rifle available with features comparable to that of a Kimber Montana will cost at least double. Stick a Lilja,etc. on a Montana and accuracy may improve, but is $600 worth 1/2 MOA on a true lightweight hunting rifle?

If Cooper comes out with a rifle the weight of a Montana that meets their accuracy specs, I'll eat my words. :D
 
The accuracy reports on the Forbes 24B seem very good. That rifle has a lighter action and stock, but heavier barrel.
 
1899 said:
There are numerous folks on 24hr Campfire posting sub 3/4" groups with their Kimbers. I think the quality of the barrel is at least as important, if not more so than weight.
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So you know from the Campfire that there are many very positive reviews of the newer production Kimbers.

Both my newer production Kimber 84M 257 Roberts and 84L 06 Montanas will do under MOA with handloads but it most certainly took a while to figure them out, especially how to hold them when firing. They are not as easy to shoot as heavier rifles for obvious reasons.

I have witnesses(members here who will attest to how well they shoot).
 
I don't think the accuracy guarantee has anything to do with the light barrel on Kimbers, but more to do with the fact that the odd barrel from Kimber seems to be a lemon. Some guys report that bedding, cleaning up the barrel channel, or re-crowning fix their Kimber accuracy issues, but more often than not, most guys say that the issues are resolved after Kimber installs a new barrel. Which tells me something. Most are great, but the odd barrel is fubar.
 
Jordan Smith said:
I don't think the accuracy guarantee has anything to do with the light barrel on Kimbers, but more to do with the fact that the odd barrel from Kimber seems to be a lemon. Some guys report that bedding, cleaning up the barrel channel, or re-crowning fix their Kimber accuracy issues, but more often than not, most guys say that the issues are resolved after Kimber installs a new barrel. Which tells me something. Most are great, but the odd barrel is fubar.
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That could be part of the reason but one thing I've noticed is that no gun manufacturer producing an ultralight will give an accuracy guarantee, so there must be reason for it. The closest would be Weatherby's Ultralight at 1.5 MOA, which isn't really much of an achievement.

But back to the 4 groove rifling? Any thoughts? :confused:
 
bearkilr said:
But back to the 4 groove rifling? Any thoughts? :confused:
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Pretty sure 4 groove runs lower pressures..

crazy_davey said:
I have witnesses(members here who will attest to how well they shoot).
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Wish that would have been the case with the one I had...Groupings were around 4'' at best...The groups wouldn't have bothered me at all it it would have put the bullet spot on with a cold bore, but no such luck....I have an Ithica that won't group, but will take the center of the target out on the first shot every time if I do my part, and I am OK with that...If the Kimber did that I would still have it..
 
bearkilr said:
It's close, but with push feed action and chrome moly steel. Most seem to prefer stainless/synthetic in a lightweight mountain rifle, myself included.
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The 24B should be available in SS by the end of the year. MSRP is $1499 (includes Talley bases/rings) vs $1359 for the 84L Montana. I am really curious to see how they will stack up to each other.
 
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