Kimber 84M or Winchester M70?
- Thread starter philthygeezer
- Start date
I've got a deal going on my fifth Kimber, so its safe to say that I like them.
Winchester has cranked out decades worth of "so-so" Model 70s. That seems to have changed when production was moved (resumed) to the FN plant. I've got 4 of the new ones, a Feather-weight in .270 with wood upgrade, a Cabelas sSupergrade featherweight in .270, a .375 Alaskan and a .458 Safari. I'll put the workmanship, design, function and accuracy for type up against anything remotely close in price.
Kimbers can be a little picky about the loads because of the paper thin barrel. That sort of goes with the territory. Many of them seem to have the mag box pinched between the action and floor-plate. Some I had to work a little harder to find a load than others but I got there on all of them. Triggers are better than many aftermarket ones, and rifles come pillar bedded. Design is great, but why wouldn't it be? They copied a M70.
There's not much to say about the M70s except that they got rid of that 2 piece 3 screw action bending abortion of bottom metal and generally got their shyte together on quality control. Its about time. The trigger is changed, some will miss the total simplicity of the old one and some will notice that the new one has a nicer pull. They tend to be a little heavy in the pull, a spring swap fixes that.
What you pick will depend more on what you want than anything. If you want a standard weight hunting rifle look at the Winchester. If you want to shave some weight and know what you're getting into grab a Kimber. If you want a target rifle, don't buy either.
Winchester has cranked out decades worth of "so-so" Model 70s. That seems to have changed when production was moved (resumed) to the FN plant. I've got 4 of the new ones, a Feather-weight in .270 with wood upgrade, a Cabelas sSupergrade featherweight in .270, a .375 Alaskan and a .458 Safari. I'll put the workmanship, design, function and accuracy for type up against anything remotely close in price.
Kimbers can be a little picky about the loads because of the paper thin barrel. That sort of goes with the territory. Many of them seem to have the mag box pinched between the action and floor-plate. Some I had to work a little harder to find a load than others but I got there on all of them. Triggers are better than many aftermarket ones, and rifles come pillar bedded. Design is great, but why wouldn't it be? They copied a M70.
There's not much to say about the M70s except that they got rid of that 2 piece 3 screw action bending abortion of bottom metal and generally got their shyte together on quality control. Its about time. The trigger is changed, some will miss the total simplicity of the old one and some will notice that the new one has a nicer pull. They tend to be a little heavy in the pull, a spring swap fixes that.
What you pick will depend more on what you want than anything. If you want a standard weight hunting rifle look at the Winchester. If you want to shave some weight and know what you're getting into grab a Kimber. If you want a target rifle, don't buy either.
I have both, a Kimber 8400, 30-06 Classic Select which I paid way to much for due the fact they were scarce and the Win. M-70's were even scarcer at that period of time. The Kimber is a nice rifle, well made, light weight, with acceptable accuracy for a hunting rifle. I had trouble with the magazine spring and follower as it would not allow cartridges to feed properly. Called Kimber and they sent me a whole new assembly N/C by courier. Problem solved. Although the Kimber is a nice rifle it is away over priced even in to-days market for what your getting.
I have since bought 3 of the new FN model 70's. A featherweight .243, a Super Grade 75th Aniversary in 30-06, and an Alaskan in .375. Never had a issue with any of the M-70's. I have adjusted the trigger pulls to 3 Ib. the same as the Kimber. I would say the trigger assembles on both brands are equal, both of decent quality and break nice.
The Kimber is essentially a M-70 with a straight bolt handle and a trigger guard floor plate release. The trigger guard floor plate release is the one thing I hate about the Kimber and the reason I don't use it much as I have a hard time activating the release and then the floor plate doesn't swing far enough forward so I can easily get my hand underneath to catch the cartridges. For that reason it hasn't been out in the bush in three years. That maybe termed as being picky by some but I like what I like and if I have a hard time getting it unloaded then I don't like it. The model 70's I have will consistently shoot tighter groups than the Kimber at the range. But the Kimber has been responsible for many dead deer and a nice bull moose.
I would say it is a matter of personal preference as they are both nice rifles, but my opinion is Winchester definitely at this time gives you just a high a quality or better a rifle for the money spent than Kimber. The new FN M-70's are from I have seen including the infamous "pre 64's" are the best they have ever put out.
I have since bought 3 of the new FN model 70's. A featherweight .243, a Super Grade 75th Aniversary in 30-06, and an Alaskan in .375. Never had a issue with any of the M-70's. I have adjusted the trigger pulls to 3 Ib. the same as the Kimber. I would say the trigger assembles on both brands are equal, both of decent quality and break nice.
The Kimber is essentially a M-70 with a straight bolt handle and a trigger guard floor plate release. The trigger guard floor plate release is the one thing I hate about the Kimber and the reason I don't use it much as I have a hard time activating the release and then the floor plate doesn't swing far enough forward so I can easily get my hand underneath to catch the cartridges. For that reason it hasn't been out in the bush in three years. That maybe termed as being picky by some but I like what I like and if I have a hard time getting it unloaded then I don't like it. The model 70's I have will consistently shoot tighter groups than the Kimber at the range. But the Kimber has been responsible for many dead deer and a nice bull moose.
I would say it is a matter of personal preference as they are both nice rifles, but my opinion is Winchester definitely at this time gives you just a high a quality or better a rifle for the money spent than Kimber. The new FN M-70's are from I have seen including the infamous "pre 64's" are the best they have ever put out.
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patricksbb391
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ottawa & WMU 62
I own pre-64-s, post-, Classics, and Baco M70s, as well as Yonkers built Kimbers. I think the FN built M70 is STELLAR! Accuracy-wise, I agree with MrGoat, M70 over a Kimber, that said, I would still buy a Kimber Montana in .260 Rem if anyone wants to sell.
- Location
- Lumby Town!!
What Dogleg said. Right on the money. I've got 4. Bought and sold a few. I think the nicest "hunting " rifle out there for the money, if you covet the lighter weight.....which I do
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Kimber knows how to make a top quality rifle. I have owned two and every time I pick them up, I just feel perfection, I can't think of anything to improve an 84M. You will be impressed.
I owned a stainless featherweight in .270 for all of about a week. It was a SHOT show special, new production FN. A chunky,clunky monkey that didn't stand out from any other Remchester product in its price bracket,it went down the road real quick.
The extra 300$ spent on a Kimber is worth every penny. Beautiful hunting rifles.
The extra 300$ spent on a Kimber is worth every penny. Beautiful hunting rifles.
- Location
- AB foothills
I like and own both. If I was buying an off the shelf rifle today, kimber 84L for sure.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
I own a kimber montana 8400 7mm wsm, a kimber mountain ascent 270 win, and a winchester m70 ew 7-08. Both of my kimbers are more accurate than my m70, and a lot lighter to pack. I would go with a kimber 84L.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
For looks, the Kimber is the clear winner IMO, even though I'm not a real fan of laminate.
Do actions speak louder than words?
Until recently I owned a BNIB Winchester M70 stainless/walnut Featherweight in .308
I traded it for a LNIB Kimber Montana L84 in .25-06 .. plus I gave the guy $200 to sweeten the deal.
I adored that Win .. so do I now have 'buyer's remorse'? ... No, not at all.
Buy Kimber. You will not regret it.
Until recently I owned a BNIB Winchester M70 stainless/walnut Featherweight in .308
I traded it for a LNIB Kimber Montana L84 in .25-06 .. plus I gave the guy $200 to sweeten the deal.
I adored that Win .. so do I now have 'buyer's remorse'? ... No, not at all.
Buy Kimber. You will not regret it.
I have a new FN winchester model 70 coyote lite in 308 and all I can say is its the nicest rifle ive ever owned hands down. shoots 0.7" @ 100 yards, smooth action, has the CRF so its idiot proof to jam up, trigger is amazing, and it has the bell and carlson stock which I think is also unreal. Also the price tag was $300 less then a kimber. Not to mention the fluting was very well done. Was a little nervous about it after hearing some not-so-good things about them but overall very happy. In the works of pickin up a M70 Featherweight in 300 wsm to add to the collection!
