Kimber Question - Worth the money?

Worth the money? I don't think so. Quality control problems are too common. Wood can be very nice or butt ugly. I kind of like the action. They are a real nice 600 or 700 dollar rifle IMO. Regards, Bill.
 
I have a montana in a 300 wsm and I like it
it shoots well (as good as i can) moa
I like the controled round feed
love the saftey
if I had to choose a diffrent gun I would look at the CZ or a Cooper
 
If you get one that feeds straight and shoots straight, they'd be a nice little rig - super light, and comfy to handle and carry. However, that feed straight/shoot straight thing is an "if" - many won't. I had an 84M Montana in 308, which I finally sold in disgust and went and bought a Tikka T3. I'm 1000% happier with the Tikka for half the price. The Kimber had accuracy problems and feeding problems (a CRF with feeding problems, LOL!). The feeding problems were resolved to 100% reliability, but the accuracy never was fixable to my satisfaction. After a lot of load developemnt and some fairly extensive work by the gunsmith, we got it down to an honest and consistent 2 inch group at 100 yards. I have since read a lot of stories on the net of folks with similar experiences.

Kimber was very nice on the phone, and even sent me some parts for free, so thumbs up for their customer service, but thumbs down on the rifle.

As a side note - the vast majority of unhappy Kimber stories I hear seem to be about the 84M Montana in standard short action calibers (243, 260, 7-08, 308, 338 Fed). There seems to be lots of happy WSM and long action owners out there (though the WSM's and the long action are significantly heavier actions, if I'm not mistaken).

YMMV.
 
Does anyone know if Kimber has resolved the QC issues with the newly produced rifles??

The features on these rifles are very appealing.

P
 
I have a Montana in 7mm-08. It REALLY doesn't like (2-3") anything I've tried (not a handloader) EXCEPT Federal 140gr. TSX. It will put them into a little over a half inch. But I carry this one a lot and shoot it a little, and it likes TSX's, so who am I to complain? All around, for the money, (unless you go with a NULA, or custom) I couldn't find a lighter 22" barreled rifle (everyone else, Rem., Win., etc. lightens by hacking inches off the barrel). Carries well too.
 
If you can get one that shoots and functions right they are an awesome little rifle. Had an 84M in 7-08 with nice wood that I gave up on, it was the only rifle I have ever owned that I could not make shoot half decently acceptable and I have owned a lot. After redrilling the pillars that were binding and not aligned properly with the action screws, rebedding, relieving pressure on a bound magazine, free floating, recrowning and 700+ rounds of different combinations of handloads, 6 differnt powders, seating depths, many different bullets and weights, three different scopes, adjusting the trigger to a nice crisp 2 lbs, Out of a few hundred groups sure I got a few sub MOA groups, If you shoot enough groups once in a while that will happen with the most innaccurate rifle, but the average was 2"-3" and many 4" - 6" groups up to as big as 9-10 inch groups at 100 yds. When you push a cleaning rod through it you could feel tight and loose spots all the way down the barrel. On the other hand I have a 8400 in 270 win with really nice wood that averages sub MOA with just about anything I load into it and sometimes half that right out of the box, I'm really happy with that one.
 
Sounds like you roll the dice with these.

Too bad as they look like an excellent little rifle for packing day after day.

May have to look into the Winchester extreme series and try to trim off some weight.

P
 
Ive had my Montana in 325 WSM for 2 seasons now. From day one it would shoot factory 220gr Super X sub MOA. Never had a feeding problem and is a pleasure to carry. First load i tried with 200 gr Accubonds were just under an inch at 100 yds.
 
Kimber or Cooper. Handle both (if you have the opportunity) and decide which one feels better for you.
 
brotherjack said:
If you get one that feeds straight and shoots straight, they'd be a nice little rig - super light, and comfy to handle and carry. However, that feed straight/shoot straight thing is an "if" - many won't. I had an 84M Montana in 308, which I finally sold in disgust and went and bought a Tikka T3. I'm 1000% happier with the Tikka for half the price. The Kimber had accuracy problems and feeding problems (a CRF with feeding problems, LOL!). The feeding problems were resolved to 100% reliability, but the accuracy never was fixable to my satisfaction. After a lot of load developemnt and some fairly extensive work by the gunsmith, we got it down to an honest and consistent 2 inch group at 100 yards. I have since read a lot of stories on the net of folks with similar experiences.

Kimber was very nice on the phone, and even sent me some parts for free, so thumbs up for their customer service, but thumbs down on the rifle.

As a side note - the vast majority of unhappy Kimber stories I hear seem to be about the 84M Montana in standard short action calibers (243, 260, 7-08, 308, 338 Fed). There seems to be lots of happy WSM and long action owners out there (though the WSM's and the long action are significantly heavier actions, if I'm not mistaken).

YMMV.
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I witnessed this, so I can attest to the accuracy of this statement. For the money that you pay, you shouldn't have to worry about getting a bum shooter.
Mike
 
I own one in 270WSM, great value for the money. Shoots MOA or better all day long, is a nice light carry rifle for a 24" magnum, and with todays prices....not a bad deal!
 
Kimber

The inconsistent accuracy/functioning levels and the total lack of factory support in Canada have kept me from buying one (when our $ was stronger). Of course, there are few new rifles that I think are worth the asking price!
 
I have an 84M Classic in 7mm-08 and love it. 1st time sighting it in, bought a box of Federal 140 gr premium ballistic tips and a box of Reminhton 140 soft points. The Federal will cloverleaf at 100 yds and to my suprize the Remingtons will shoot to the same. I can switch back and fourth and they hit the same place. What attracted me to Kimber in the first place was the carring weight, 6.3 lbs with a 2X7 3200 Bushnell is a pleasure for this old guy.
Cheers.
 
Pat Brennan said:
The inconsistent accuracy/functioning levels and the total lack of factory support in Canada have kept me from buying one (when our $ was stronger). Of course, there are few new rifles that I think are worth the asking price!
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For ignoring us, Canadians, Kimber should be boycotted. So, should be Coopers. Didn't they donate money to Obama, for him, to win presidency? Gosh, people have really short memory!
 
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