Kimber action sizes

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Rembo

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I've been buying a few Kimbers lately (probably too many) and sometimes there is a bit of confusion on the various action sizes and model designations. I happen to have examples of all 4 actions here so I thought I would do some pics for comparison.
There are 4 Kimber actions, 84M, 84L, 8400 and 8400 WSM.
The 8400 (long action) and the 8400 WSM were introduced first. The 8400 WSM is a shorter version of the 8400 long action chambered in 270 WSM, 7mm WSM and 300 WSM rounds.

The 8400 long action was used for the belted magnums like the 7 Rem, the 300 Win, 338 Win and 375 H&H, as well as the 25-06, 270 and 30-06 until the introduction of the 84L. So, if someone is selling say, a Montana in 270 you have to know which action it is. Big difference in weight and thickness of the stock through the action area. The 280AI was added to the chambering list with the introduction of the 84L.

The 84M is scaled to the 308 size rounds and was also made in 204 Ruger and 223 which obviously has a smaller bolt face and a different extractor as well as a different magazine setup to handle these smaller rounds.

There is one oddball in the mix though, there are some Kimber Tactical rifles in 308 with a short 8400 action. Presumably the 8400 WSM action set up for the 308 round.

Top to bottom first pic.
84M in 308, 84L in 30-06, 8400 WSM in 300 WSM, 8400 in 7 Rem Mag20250413_101624.jpg

Top View, 84L 30-06 vs 8400 long action 7 Mag. Big difference in outside dimensions, bolt diameter and length20250413_101327.jpg

84M 308 compared to 84L 280AI. Same receiver and bolt diameter, 2 different lengths.20250413_101833.jpg
 
Once you've packed a Kimber into the alpine, anything else just seems like carrying a big heavy 2x4. Don't get me wrong, I know there are lots of good rifles out there, and I am a Tikka fan as well, but none compare to a Kimber for size. ( maybe one exception to the rule was the Barrett fieldcraft 308 I had a while back )
I couldn't imagine shooting a Kimber in a large magnum chambering though. In 308 they recoil pretty hard. 338 or something must be brutal. I don't like muzzle brakes but with those it must be mandatory?
 
Love my Kimbers, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7-08, 308, 280AI, and 300wm. The 300wm is a Montana with a Kimber radial brake, recoil on it is a Non-issue.
 
I picked up a 84m classic in 7mm-08 a few years ago and couldn't be happier, smooth action, only weighs 5#7oz and has a gorgeous wood stock which is a non negotiable on my rifles, only thing missing are a nice set or irons but that can be fixed. I've found it just about impossible finding anything similar in a repeater with a wood stock and such light weight. To the OP, thanks for posting pic to see the difference, I've always wondered
 
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Your assortment of Kimbers is similar to my Montanas. I have them in 6.5 Creedmoor, 308, 280AI and 300 WSM. I haven't shot all of them yet but will over the summer.
I've had probably 8 or 10 more over the years. I still kick my butt for selling NIB Montanas in 257 Roberts and 338 Federal. This was back before they dried up.
I carried the 300 WSM last year for elk and probably will again, but the 308 will work as will the 280AI.
 
punkkinen said:
I picked up a 84m classic in 7mm-08 a few years ago and couldn't be happier, smooth action, only weighs 5#7oz and has a gorgeous wood stock which is a non negotiable on my rifles, only thing missing are a nice set or irons but that can be fixed. I've found it just about impossible finding anything similar in a repeater with a wood stock and such light weight. To the OP, thanks for posting pic to see the difference, I've always wondered
Click to expand...
mate to be honest, i handle a T3x woodstocks stainless with 2.5-8x36....... i was having a real hard time trying to bluff old mate my kimber is much lightter :D :D

it also had a better LOP..... didnt feel like a Awesome powered 22lr............ :)

an made me second guess if the Tikkas are still the Ultralight budget rifle!!! it was a 30-06 also.!!!!,,
long action an 22 inch? tube. V my shorty 84m 22 inch montana
 
elKrusto said:
Once you've packed a Kimber into the alpine, anything else just seems like carrying a big heavy 2x4. Don't get me wrong, I know there are lots of good rifles out there, and I am a Tikka fan as well, but none compare to a Kimber for size. ( maybe one exception to the rule was the Barrett fieldcraft 308 I had a while back )
I couldn't imagine shooting a Kimber in a large magnum chambering though. In 308 they recoil pretty hard. 338 or something must be brutal. I don't like muzzle brakes but with those it must be mandatory?
Click to expand...
I’ve got kimbers in 270 WSM, 300 WSM, 7 Rem and 338 Win Mag.
Recoil is a funny thing; these light rifles recoil very fast; and come straight back. At first he speed of recoil seems abrupt; but you soon discover that its over very quickly too, and it really isn’t hat big of a deal. Compare it to a major leaggue pitcher winding up and throwing a potato chip at you😂. It doesn’t amount to anything.
 
I have a 270 win classic select in 84L and a 338 win mag in the 8400 montana. The 270 is one of the nicest guns to walk with on flat land and in the mountains. Not a piece of plastic on the gun, the way it should be. The 338 is my favorite rifle, the recoil is a little heavy, but not violent or obnoxious. The stock on montana's and mtn ascent models soak up recoil very well. Also if a stock fits the shooter properly then felt recoil is perceived as less. I've had model 70's and m77's in smaller calibers that seemed to hit my shoulder harder. It's too bad kimber had to start building the hunter models as that's when quality started dropping off. The budget rifle game with high production was their downfall, they should have stuck to the good thing they built the 84's and 8400's into. Both of my kimbers shoot sub moa as long as I do my part, they've put plenty of meat on the table. Now the new ones are a little too expensive for what I feel I'm getting to justify the cost.
 
I scooped up an 8400 Classic in 270 wsm a few weeks ago topped with an Elite 4200 in 270 wsm. I have yet to shoot it but it feels so damn good. Smooth action, good trigger, shoulders real nice and isn’t real heavy for a wood stocked rifle. I bought it on a whim and thought to myself I’ll end up parting ways with it eventually but I’m starting to think it’s earned a permanent spot in my safe.

Or, I’ll rebarrel it at some point to something different. Maybe a 25 SAUM, 25 PRC, 7 PRCW, skies the limit!
 
I’ve just acquired my second one. A couple of the not so standard models. 84M in 204 Ruger Pro Varmint and newly acquired 8400 308 Police Tactical. The 204 is very accurate and not fussy about bullet or powder combinations. Let’s hope the 308 is the same.
 
Back in Jan I got a note from the new Kimber distributor for Canada , I believe in Ont ..
The story is that Kimber has pretty much stopped production of all rifles to retool and re-design an all new rifle line up ..
Anyone got more of an update or info
 
A re-tool and re-design sounds interesting. I wonder how they could "improve" upon what they already offer? Maybe a carbon fibre wrapped barrel that doesn't heat up so fast but is equally lightweight? Besides that, what is there to improve?
 
I thought they were moving pit of NY to a gun friendly state down south. I've seen new Kimbers at retailers recently. Like everything prices have gone up.
 
Kimbergunsusa has a full rifle line up, but no list of vendors so may be online sales only?
they also don't have an 'about us' page :unsure:
 
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