Winchester M70 As Compared to the Kimber M8400

International Harvester

International Harvester

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I've always been partial to the Winchester M 70 (especially pre 64's). I like the CRF action, 3pos safety, and timeless utilitarian good looks. My question is; how does the Kimber 8400 Magnum compare? In terms of action, quality etc? I'd never looked at one til recently I saw a SuperAmerica and at first glance it was impressive. It appears Kimber tried to copy the m70 and go slightly upscale, am I wrong?

Also, is there a difference in quality between a Kimber Oregon gun and a Kimber America gun?


IH
 
Trigger on an out of the box M-70 doesn't hold a candle Kimbers.
The Kimber action has a cylindrical footprint same as a Rem 700 with the same type of recoil lug.
The stock on the Kimber whether the flagship Superamerica or the basic Classic will be pillar and glass bedded. The last M-70 I owned be 'dabbin the hot glue.
You can find Kimber classics on the EE for under 1000$, hell of a good deal IMHO and although nowhere near a Superamerica (I'd give my left nut to afford one) the lowly classic has very nice lumber.
The 8400 uses less steel and is both slimmer and lighter by a fair margin...only you can handle and decide for yourself.
 
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First off, are you talking the pre 64, or any of the post 64's?
All of the post guns have bolt handles that are pressure fit to the bolts. The post 64's up to the classic are also push feed. The New model 70 has what appears th be a very complex trigger.
In my oppinion, the original pre 64 action is about as good as it gets for a hunting rifle, and the Kimber is a far cry from it. The action could hold its own against the others though.
Ivor
 
I have an Kimber 8400 in a Montana that is chambered for 338 win mag, and an M70 extreme weather in 7 rem mag. If Kimber made a Montana in 7 rem mag then I would have bought it before the M70. I love the Kimber, its stock is very well designed, well made, strong and soaks up recoil good. The action feels a little "sticky" compared to the M70 but its not a problem. The Kimber is so much nicer to carry and points well. The Kimber is just as accurate as the M70 but only with one bullet type, its thin barrel is a fussy one only liking 210 grain ttsx. The M70 has liked 150 ttsx, 168 vld's and 168 accubond lr's. The Winchester is a lot heavier, I found the trigger not set as good as the Kimber from factory. Side by side my M70 with my brother in laws Cooper excaliber shows me everything that Cooper has done, has been done on my M70. That is a big price difference and a huge savings on my part. The only thing I did to the guns I have was a paint job to get rid of the ugly factory paint. Of the 2 I own, I like the Kimber a little better. Online research has shown me that not many people like Kimber of Oregon, I would avoid them. I think Kimber of America has done a great job of one upping Winchester in fit and finish. If I ever find a Kimber classic select in 7 rem mag then it won't take much to convince me to buy it. Then I might have an M70 to sell. I don't think you could go wrong picking one or the other. Its just if you want to go lighter or not. The Winchester comes with an accuracy guarantee that states if you use premium ammo and glass then you can expect MOA or better, Kimber has no accuracy guarantee, but my Montana is a keeper.
 
I you like CRF Winchesters you'll like the Kimbers. I've got 4 now and they aren't going anywhere.Its important to remember that they aren't bench rifles and the slender and long little barrels like to be cool.

The Kimber 8400s are very much like a M70, with the emphasis on trimming the fat anywhere it could be trimmed while leaving the meat. For instance the meat on my .338 Win Mag is an all steel and walnut rifle that somehow manages to keep a 26" barrel, CRF and 5 shot capacity. The triggers just might be the best factory switchs I own. Oil finish on the stock will remind you of a Pre-64, not flashy but they seem to sneak some nice wood into the basic "classic" grade. Comes bedded and pillared and still weighs less than my .270 Featherweight.They got rid of that stupid center screw and two piece bottom metal but so has Winchester. (Finally) Shot a grizzly and moose with it, and more than few yotes.

I don't have anything as high grade as a Super America, mine top out at a 7mm Rem Select grade. It weighs a bit more because there is a smaller hole in the barrel and has denser dark streaked French walnut. I like to plink with it out to 700 and it seems to kill deer and coyotes about as good as you'd expect. It has a silky feel to it, everyone who touches it grins.

I've got a Montana in .270 WSM. It weighs more than a .308 or something on the small action but is plenty light and weather-proof. It seems to kill coyotes too.

The last is a 22/250. I got that because I wanted a heavy barrel that weighs like a sporter. That all worked out for everyone but the coyotes.

I'm liking the new FN manufactured Winchesters too. I've always liked the design, but they've been a little lack on the execution for a few decades.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I just sold my FN Win M70 before even shooting it, I was thinking of replacing it with a Kimber but not so much now. My pre 64 '06 is my favourite rifle. Fits me perfect, and it's solid, I like a 9lb gun w/ scope. I just wish it was brand new.
 
I was in the market for a CRF short action. I compared closely the new M70 and Kimber 84M. I had opportunities to handle and shoot both, and determined the extra $$ for the kimber was worth every penny. It ended up with a Montana 7mm-08.
 
jpappy said:
pSide by side my M70 with my brother in laws Cooper excaliber shows me everything that Cooper has done, has been done on my M70. That is a big price difference and a huge savings on my part.
Click to expand...

I beg to respectfully disagree on this part. I own a FN Winchester 70 FW 30-06 and two Coopers (.223 Varminter and 280AI Jackson Game). I love all three rifles and think that the Winchester is a fantastic rifle for what you pay for it. However, it is not a Cooper.

Whether or not a Cooper is worth 2.5-3x the money, that is a different story. For starters the trigger on my Coopers is WELL beyond the Winchester (and like I said I really like the Winchester). Both Coopers are more accurate than the Winchester; again whether or not 0.3-0.5 MOA gives you anything real over a hair under 1 MOA for a hunting rifle - that is a different story.

I think this talk of a Kimber 8400 being a refined Win 70 will have me considering a Kimber if the accuracy is as good (within an MOA) and the trigger much better. The price that used Kimbers come up at seems reasonable for a slightly refined Win 70 and may be more worthwhile than having some trigger work done on my Win 70. The thing that has always caused me to shy off the Kimbers are the occasional reports of the rifles being quite inaccurate. I'm sure there are lemons from any manufacturer so I hope that is all it is.

Edit: P.S. The wood on the Cooper is much nicer than the Winchester 70 as well. Although the wood on the Winchester 70 is pretty darn good and more than I can expect for what I paid.
 
I've owned 3 coopers and 2 FN winchesters and agree with what canoetrpr said. I am a big fan of both as well.
I think a kimber Montana in 7mm08 will be my next hunting rifle I buy. It's time I try one for myself!
 
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Those who are Kimber aware, can you tell me what the difference is between Kimber 8400, Kimber 84M/L and the LongMaster classic. Also, is Kimber Montana made by the same company?

Any particular rifles or models that are best avoided?

Edit: Quickly firgured out that 84M is short action, 84L is long action, 8400 seems to be magnum calibers. Montana is a the stock style (synthetic) vs. Classic, Classic Select Grade and SuperAmerica which are wood. Still don't know what a LongMaster is and if there are any particular models or years one should avoid.
 
Used Kimbers are often 'as new' and can be had for under $1000 at times. In my opinion the best deal out there right now.
Match chambers, CRF, crisp adjustable triggers, quality barrels, solid stocks etc etc

The Longmaster is just a different short action model, different barrel - stainless fluted heavy sporter. Very much the same as their Varmint model...not to be confused with the ProVarmint. Confused yet?

You will be impressed
 
By no means did I say cooper is the same as an m70. I just stated that everything from factory on my brother in laws cooper has all the same stuff as my m70. The cooper has more time put in to finishing their rifles and the end result is a higher price. Winchester does all the same stuff but as stated before the glass bedding is the bare minimum, but it gets the job done. The paint job on the m70 stock was ugly. My Winchester shoots as good as his cooper, its just cheaper made.
 
There is a Longmaster Classic in .308 Winchester as we speak on EE. I'm a sucker for wood stocked rifles with stainless barrels. This is just MY thing. Too bad the wife put me on a budget. DANG! It sounds sweet.

The specs say factory trigger is set at 3.5-4 pounds and is adjustable. Anyone know what it can be adjusted down to?
 
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