Rebarreling Kimber 84l

conor_90

conor_90

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Hello, it’s me again, with a question (what a surprise!) about a potential “build” on a kimber hunter long action

Curious about guys who have rebarreled their kimber 84l actions of various types; what contour did you go with?

I see lilja has a slightly “ heavy” kimber contour that matches the factory barrels chamber. I’m wondering if it’s possible to go slightly heavier without having to hog out the chamber area/ barrel channel excessively. I don’t have a hunter in my safe at the moment to do any measurements unfortunately. Anyone rebarrel with a #1 or #2 barrel?

I would likely go with a jury barrel; he has had no issue in the past doing a custom contour for me and I think his work is very well done. Also prefer a domestic producer.

Not my intention to add a ton of weight; but a few extra ounces wouldn’t hurt; I already have a ~5.5lb bare setup for backpack hunts. I am just a fan of the build quality and design of the kimbers and think this is a better plan than spending several kimbers worth to build a Mauser. Light is good but I would not be chasing ounces on this one.

Thanks
 
I have a benchmark mod84M contour that is identical to the factory 84M to the end of the Forend then slow tapers to a 0.6@23 instead of .55@22 like factory and it’s perfect.

Order that contour with an extra inch of shank and it will work perfectly with the 84L.

KS arms will do it too


I’ve done an 8400 with a #2 benchmark and it fits surprisingly well, but not an 84L.

All the Montanas benefit greatly from a little extra barrel weight for balance and shootability. If you don’t want to go with the modified contour then I’d pick a #2 over #1 all day every day.

Bob should be Able to twist up anything you like
 
Thanks

Any pics of your 8400 with the #2? Guessing you didn’t have to modify the barrel channel?

For the modified 84m contour did you gain a lot of weight? Guys online seem to be saying they only added a few extra ounces with the lilja barrel dimensions

I’ve heard some good stuff about KS but have no experience with them

Out of curiosity did you rebarrel to add weight/ improve balance or to get them in non factory chamberings?
 
I have used lots of #2 benchmark with minor sanding no issues and turned down the shank when chambering is done .My personal Adirondack I rebarreled from 7-08 18.5 inches to 6.5 creedmoor with a #2 benchmark 24 inches long, gun is far more shootable in field position with just a bit muzzle heavy .It has hang time now when shooting off hand.I know it doesn't need 24 inches but it balances much better than the 18.5 inch factory barrel .I have also used IBI mountain light contour just turned down the shank and opened the barrel channel up to suit.
As far as 8400 goes I have put in #3 with minor fitting hell I have even fit carbon barrel in them with some glass work.
 
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G.E.FLACH has built a cpl dozen different Kimbers for me,

We’ve used several different stainless Benchmark contours, #1, #2 on 84M/84L actions and #1,2,3,4 contours on 8400s as well as different Carbon Fiber barrels on the 8400 actions,

IMHO the best compromise for a barrel replacement on a 84L action is a #2 Contour Benchmark barrel 22” to 24” long, (.575” muzzle) I like a 23 inch barrel length.
 
Thanks

Seems like the solution is a #2 with a modified shank, should be no concern to order that contour from Bob
 
Most of my sporter barrels have been custom profiled, from .610" to .675" at the muzzle, all conducted by Canadian barrel makers. None of my rifles have short barrels, I want the utmost potential from the cartridge, with the longer barrel. My last two rifles had a different "twist" to their barrels, 26.5" and 27" in length. One is a 1-10 left twist, the other a 1-19 to 1-10 gain twist. Don't ask me how they shoot, I haven't been to the range.
Yes, I did have a Kimber long action re-barreled by Dave Jennings, a 26" Lother Walther chambered in the 240 Weatherby Magnum, .610" at the muzzle.
 
conor_90 said:
Thanks

Seems like the solution is a #2 with a modified shank, should be no concern to order that contour from Bob
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chuck nelson said:
#2’s are not all the same. My all time favourite contour is the #2 Douglas. My last barrel was that contour ordered from Benchmark.
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I had Bob jury spin me up a #3 douglas contour a few years ago. It was pretty close, but mr Leeper still had to tune it up a bit.

That was a fine shooting barrel that was more accurate than I could hold a 7lb 9.3x62
 
Was that on a Montana?

7lbs is definitely my minimum weight for medium bore cartridges these days. Any lower and quick follow up shots are impossible not to mention the mule kick recoil making load development a chore

Now for the hard part; making the money

:dancingbanana:
 
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No that was a pre-64 m70 in a mcmillan edge. A Montana would be closer to 6 lbs.

I have an 8lb scoped 358 Norma and I think that’s a perfect weight. 7lbs for a 3006 is about right.

My Kimber 280ai is about 6lbs with a 6x36LRD and aside from chasing sheep I think 7lbs balancing on the front action screw is about the where you wanna be.

One of these days that one will get the modified 84M contour or a benchmark #2 in 6.5x55 and it’ll be about perfect
 
I remember that one from the e.e, nice gun


If I ever get back in the sheep game the Haenel is getting the nod for sure, style counts :D


There was a time when a 6 lb 9.3 would have sounded appealing to me but that time has long passed.

Think my 338 is ~8lbs with scope, a lot nicer than firing it bare for sure.


I’d agree that 7lbs all in for a scoped rig in a non magnum chambering is a great compromise
 
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Style definitely counts. I’m having an 84L classic select rebarreled to 7x57 for the ultimate classy sheep rifle (in my eyes). It will wear a 6x36 and a pair of S&K rings
 
^ nice

I was thinking 8x57 for the ultimate “ modern Mauser”. My bank account screams in pain whenever I price out an actual Mauser build to my specs.

Great minds think alike… how does the rest of that go?
 
I’ve gone down the same rabbit hole and realized the baby Kimber is basically an (gasp!) improved modern small ring Mauser. The 3.34” mag box works great for the intermediate length cartridges and as you know you’ll spend a fortune building something almost as good.

An 8x57 Montana would be a hell of a rifle with just enough kink to keep a gun pervert interested. Spend the difference on a fly in sheep hunt
 
Problem with that is I am now a *gasp* Alberta resident. Need to work on that. Covid and moving spoiled the caribou hunt I had planned

Yeah kimbers hunters are going for a little less than stock blank, safety and bottom metal for my planned Mauser. At some point you just have to admit the modern CRF actions you’re trying to imitate are a better buy

The mag box on the 84m hunter I had was my only real complaint, besides a 308 that is basically perfect out of the box being way too easy and boring for my tastes
 
This project has been brewing for awhile Jim, different wavelength than the tikka! It’ll be 23” and 1-8”
 
Slimbo said:
This project has been brewing for awhile Jim, different wavelength than the tikka! It’ll be 23” and 1-8”
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I LOVE the Kimber action too - JUST not a FAN of the WINNY style winged safety - i like a Rem or Tikka style safety better for ME ! Factory Kimber triggers are Excellent too - I like my 84L 30-06 ! jmo RJ
 
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