Kimber 84M opinions

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phinton81

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I am considering one of these in 308. A google search doesn't yield the most encouraging feedback, still I am drawn to them. Feedback/opinions please,

Thanks,

Patrick
 
Well I bought a Montana in .338 Federal only to discover a very rough cut chamber, so rough it caused sticky extraction. After a year and a half of waiting I finally received a complete new rifle from Kimber with THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!! The second chamber wasn't nearly as rough though so I just decided to live with it. It would seem Kimber had/has some poor quality control.

Now the rifle itself is a great design and an absolute joy to carry all day in rough terrain. Accuracy from the factory was poor but with a pressure point bedded in to the barrel channel it now shoots close to 1" groups with my handloads. It's definitely a rifle I won't sell and I plan on using a lot. So far I have managed to take 2 elk with it.

My recommendation is to inspect the rifle carefully before purchasing if possible. I know a lot of people have bought these and have no problems with them but my experience was less than positive.
 
I just got my 84M classic select grade in 338 federal and it's a beautiful rifle and finish is top notch. I'll give you the range report tommorrow after I sight it in :)
 
I recently purchased a new Montana in 7mm-08. Bolt / action clearance is generous (read: sloppy) - typical of CRF actions based on my experience. As such, working the bolt back and forth was bit rough and it can bind easily. I also had some grief feeding the 3rd round from a fully loaded mag. However, it did not take much effort to smooth the bolt guide rails and bolt lugs, feed rails and feed ramp to get the action nice and slick, and seemingly working well - we shall see. It did shoot subMOA right from the very first range session with less than 50 rounds to-date, so its appears to be a shooter.The trigger breaks like glass and I like it. And it is way light, well-proportioned and one hand carry without a sling is very comfy.
 
Feeding, extraction, and ejection on my replacement rifle has been flawless. Bolt travel is smooth and non-binding. The trigger is one of the best factory ones I've used. Other than the slightly rough chamber I have no complaints with it.

I would definitely buy another Kimber but would really prefer to inspect it in person before paying. I know my issue is fairly uncommon but not unheard of either. Maybe the more recent ones are put through a more thorough QC?
 
I own a Kimber 84M ProVarmint in .22-250, this has proven to be the most accurate .22-250 that I have ever shot. .3 MOA with factory Hornady ammo

Overall design of this rifle I give a 10 out of 10, materials again a 10 out of 10. Action is perfect for this round, trigger is great, match grade chamber.

The internet will tell you that Kimber is sh*t, the internet will tell you Cooper is superior and worth twice the price. Former Kimber executives moved over to Cooper years ago and with them they brought Kimbers ideas/designs and with them they pulled over Kimbers customers, all the sudden the Kimber bashing began....not a coincedence, Kimber sales down - Cooper sales up.

Kimber is making very impressive rifles that are made to shoot and feel superb in hand, you will be very pleased with an 84M.
 
phinton81 said:
Beautiful indeed, but I can't justify a pretty rifle that can't shoot. My biggest concern is accuracy as its the hardest problem to remedy.
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What's your definition of accuracy in a hunting rifle? I've had quite a few Kimber's over the years including a couple of 84M's and the only one with issues was an 8400 in 270 WSM.
Remember, these are first and foremost super lightweight hunting rifles that although most are quite accurate, they are difficult to shoot accurately due to their low weight. If you're expecting 1/2" groups @100, you're probably going to be disapponted. All the ones I had were capable of MOA with a little tinkering.
If you want a target rifle, look elsewhere. If you want a light hunting rifle with excellent fit and finish, one of the best factory triggers out there, decent hunting accuracy, a proven lightweight action, and great wood, then the Kimber is a superb buy.
 
bearkilr said:
What's your definition of accuracy in a hunting rifle? I've had quite a few Kimber's over the years including a couple of 84M's and the only one with issues was an 8400 in 270 WSM.
Remember, these are first and foremost super lightweight hunting rifles that although most are quite accurate, they are difficult to shoot accurately due to their low weight. If you're expecting 1/2" groups @100, you're probably going to be disapponted. All the ones I had were capable of MOA with a little tinkering.
If you want a target rifle, look elsewhere. If you want a light hunting rifle with excellent fit and finish, one of the best factory triggers out there, decent hunting accuracy, a proven lightweight action, and great wood, then the Kimber is a superb buy.
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Thats just it, I am not expecting a target rifle and MOA with some tinkering in a super lightweight is exactly what I am looking for. I have just read a lot of negative feedback on these rifles and that has me somewhat spooked, not to mention the Kimber support seems to leave a lot to be desired. I am very interested in a lightweight hunting setup and trust my expectations are managed. What I am concerned about is a 4 MOA safe queen with a rough bolt and the occasional misfire and yes, I have probably been reading too much on the internet.

Patrick
 
I believe we have a Kimber warranty service in Canada now, Korth in AB, the same guys that do Leupold repairs.
I really do think a lot of the inaccuracy reports stem from their light weight and making it tough to shoot to its full potential, the very reason benchrest/target guns are heavyweights. The one I did have issues with was not accuracy related, it was feeding (270 WSM). Also have a look at the newer 84L(long action) I've heard nothing but good reports about them.
 
I've got 4 Kimbers now, a 22/250 heavy barrel, .338 Win Mag in a Classic, 7 Rem Mag in a Classic Select grade and a Montana in .270 WSM.
All shoot better than MOA, function perfectly and make for easy carrying 500 yard capable hunting rifles. I can't see any of them leaving anytime soon.

Load development might have taken a bit longer than some other rifles, but that is the nature of shoving magnum powder charges through milk-shake straw barrels. Trigger pulls are as good as you're likely to find, including some custom jobs.
 
phinton81 said:
I am considering one of these in 308. A google search doesn't yield the most encouraging feedback, still I am drawn to them. Feedback/opinions please,

Thanks,

Patrick
Click to expand...
I owned a Montana chambered in the 270 WSM and couldn't get it to shoot. I tried 130, 140, and 150 grain ballistic tips and the best was about 1 1/2 inch. Now that is a three shot group, let alone a five shot group. After over thirty years of reloading this was the first gun ever that I could not get to shoot under 1 inch. The only thing that shot well was factory ammo and it was the Remington 150 grain Accupoint. Not a very good confidence builder, however your choice, your buck.
 
I'd like to find one of these poor shooting Kimbers cheap so I can stick something like a #2 or #3 Gaillard on it. An all steel, controlled feed, 5 shot magnum, walnut stocked rifle with an extra pound in the barrel would suit me just fine, and still weigh about the same as a "standard" rifle. To hear people talk there should be thousands of donor rifles around.
 
Mine is an 8400 classic select. Beautiful rifle. Light to carry. Handles well due to the well designed stock. Had a feeding issue where it did not want to pick up and feed cartridges from the left. Called Kimber, explained the issue, they had a new mag spring and follower in the mail immediately, no more feeding issues. Accuracy is acceptable for a hunting rifle consistant 1 1/2" groups, with handloads. Sometimes 1" groups. Anyways it has been a lucky rifle for me. Moose and deer just seem to appear when I take it out.
Depending upon what the intended use is you probably will not be disappointed. Then again you certainly would not be disappointed witha new M-70 either. I have 3 of them.
 
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