Which Kimber should I buy?

track said:
Totally agree! If lightweight rifles were as accurate and easy to handle as light-middle, heavy-middle or heavy weight rifles, I'd be on board to hunt and shoot them. However, that is not the case. Target shooters all have heavy rifles, for just cause................... I hunt with 9.5 to 10 pound rifles for that same cause.
Click to expand...

Match shooters need the weight for stability while putting the shot sequence together and to mitigate recoil over the course of of upwards to 15 rounds per string depending on the discipline..
Hunting rifles are not made for that at all, they have to be carried , sometimes a considerable distance.
My Palma match rifles weigh upwards to 14 pounds and my F/O rifle weighs just under 22lbs.
None of them are set up for carrying anywhere!:p
That is a far cry from what any of my hunting rifles weigh.
Cat
 
chuck nelson said:
That’s a personal problem. Here I am, in the field, shooting a 6.5 lb rifle at 500 yds. No problemo. I’m just heading out to shoot 1000 yards with an 8lb rifle. Wonder if that will work? How much accuracy do we need in the field?

ZXpG1Zc.jpg
Click to expand...

Chuck, I totally agree. The accuracy that is achieved with todays rifles and reloading components is not really require for the purpose of hunting, my style of hunting. Bottom line, it's preference, and I prefer the medium-heavyweight class for hunting, and at the range when shooting magnum cartridges.
 
I think the gist of it is everyone has a different threshold when it comes to rifle weight and accuracy .You have to experiment to find that out.
For example I had a Kimber Adirondack in 7-08 weighed 5 lbs scoped.It was inconsistent to shoot accurately unless I sprawled all over it at the bench holding the scope down.I took off the 18 inch barrel and rebarreled with a 24 inch #2 benchmark in 6.5 creedmoor.The gun weighs 6lbs 11 oz with a Leupold vx5 hd 3-15x44 and is capable of shooting sub 1/2 inch groups at 300 yard without any fancy holds on the gun.6 lbs 2oz with a VX3I 3.5-10 was fine too just like the higher magnification for shooting groups.
The point being is when it comes to light rifles you need to find your threshold for weight and accuracy and everyone is different.
 
track said:
I can shoot a little pea-shooter like the 6.5 Creedmoor ALL day at the range. Apparently this is what EVERYONE is shooting, from what I have read.;););)
Click to expand...

I think you misunderstood what I meant ...target rifles are heavier with heavy barrels to be able to stay accurate for multiple shots in short order...hunting rifles don't need to be built that way because most times its a single shot fired or perhaps one or two follow up shots.

6.5 Creedmoor doesn't have much to do with it, other than just being better than a 270 ... :) :)

I've got (3) 6.5 Creedmoors, the new Montana, a Savage FV (heavy barrel) and a RPR (with a IBI 26" bull barrel). The Montana is just as accurate as the Savage heavy barrel for the first 3 shots...the RPR will stay sub 1/2MOA for 10 shots, even with me shooting it. :)
 
I don't know how Target/Bench rifles got into the conversation, I just talking about the difference between a 5.5 pound rifle vs an 8.5 pound rifle, and iterations between, all up... reasonable hunting rigs. I'm not doing a mountain hunt with a 13 pound 28" barreled bench rifle either... more than simply weight, balance and maneuverability (awkwardness or lack thereof) come into play aswell. If I had equally accurate rifles, and a lot of hiking were in order, I would take the lighter rifle for certain... but if I have more confidence in the consistent accuracy of an 8 pound rifle over a 6 pound rifle on a tough, expensive trip, I would be taking the 8 pound rifle and leaving the flashlight and a pair of socks at home. (Again... hyperbole).
 
I love a light rifle, lighter the better and I have no issues with them at the range or for hunting, mind you I shoot them a fair bit so that probably helps,

I find with rifles regardless of weight they either shoot or they don't its that simple, I hate hunting with a heavy rifle, 7.5 lbs is my likeable weight limit for scoped rifles when Im walking/backpack hunting,

My latest 280AI build from Gary "G.E.FLACH" Flach is 6lbs 3.7oz scoped and to me thats ideal.......I could sell the rest and be happy.....ok thats a stretch but its the one I grab to go hunting every time.





For me a lightweight rifle is a dream to shoulder and quick on target and you can hold it there, anything to heavy its a waste of metal for a hunting rifle !!!!

For an out of the box lightweight rifle its hard not to like any of the Kimbers mountain rifles, all stainless CRF action, an excellent adjustable trigger and a CF stock that you can alter as needed aside from the Hunter which has the injection molded stock,

I have a KMAscent 270 win that Gary bedded and adjusted the trigger and it shoots .25" groups consistently with factory Barnes ammo, I also have several Custom builds on Kimber Montanas (thanks Gary) that shoot crazy good.


 
Last edited:
Heres another Gary Flach built Kimber Montana 8400 6.5 PRC with a Hells Canyon Armoury CF barrel, crazy accurate with factory Hornady 143gr ELDX ammo




Another Gary Flach built 6.5 PRC on a Kimber Montana 8400 with a #1 fluted Benchmark
 
hawk-i said:
Good advice "Both" ... Went back to the store today and bought the Hunter 308 too... :)
Click to expand...

I just bought 2 Kimber Hunters - one in 6.5 CM and one in 308 Win - the 308 has the Factory K Coat on it too ! Just started to play with the 6.5
First - Ripped out the Gel - it was 8 .35 ozs of Goop ! Now its JUST under 80 oz bare - I will Make it under 6 lbs Done ! I'm gonna Bed it and and Paint the stock - Mount up a Leo VX111 3.5-10 in Talleys - then i will shoot it ! RJ
 
LittleBoyLefty said:
Laugh2

You have some very nice rifles put together. Would you mind listing parts and bare weight on this one?
Click to expand...

Thank you

Defiance AnTi Action
23 inch #1 contour fluted Benchmark 1-9 twist 5R barrel-280AI
Alloy bottom metal, Wyatt’s 3.85” mag box
Triggertech Special Trigger
Wildcat CF ultralight stock, high comb and palm swell added
Talley’s holding a VX3HD 4.5-14x40 30mm ZL-CDS
5lbs 2oz on its own and 6lbs 3.7oz scoped
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom