Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Kimber Montana .223

Hi everyone. Does anyone have or shoot a Kimber Montana in .223? I'm wanting to buy one but can't seem to find much information on one, accuracy, function, etc. I know there are more accurate 223's but I'm handi capped & need the light weight. Thank you for any information or opinions.
Jim D

There's quite a few people on here who have them, myself being one of them but I haven't spent much time with mine. Been happy with how's it's done though and no complaints on accuracy or otherwise.

Look up the Montana tweaks thread on here somewhere or other.

Great little rifles. Can't do better off the shelf if you're looking for light.

I bought one from Whittakers back in October when shortactionsmoker had them on sale. I didn't play with it till yesterday and by the end of a box of ammo I'm pleased.

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Light weight with Talley L/Ws Leupold VX2 3X9 CDS and Butler Creek caps.

Here's the sighters in the middle @25yd and the first group @100yd. My first thought was uh-oh Kimber roulette [img:center][/img] .

First group was way low and right so after a bit of adjustment group 2 improved some. [img:center][/img]

Some improvement seen in next group. Either the rifle or shooter is settling down.

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After letting the barrel cool I picked off a couple of golf balls I found en-route to the target frame. Sorry no pics of that but I didn't find any pieces any way.

This group I was playing with my hold and it didn't work.

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The last group I know is a fluke but I'm taking it. The ammo is Fed American Eagle 50gr varmint tip. Would've liked to shoot five on the last one but dinked some rounds on golf balls.

I will need to start building some loads for it looks like it will shoot.

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It will probably shoot even better after you get a few hundred rounds down the tube. Have fun......

The 223 Montana is in a class by itself.

Thanks guys, I needed that. JLimbo, that last group is awesome! I think I'd just leave my reloading stuff alone if I could repeat that group. Thanks,
Jim D.

Hi Jim. I think you would like the Montana. That Amer Eagle varmint tipped load also shoots well in my Tikka T3 and a couple of ARs. However the fast twist just begs for playing with heavy pills.

The Montana finished up well for it's first outing. It should be noted that the only mod done was to shorten the front scope ring screw which is a Talley fix rather than a Kimber fix. I haven't had the action out of the stock. Only cleaned the barrel lubed the bolt lugs and mounted the scope.

If you can't find one local shortactionsmoker at Whittakers will do you right. He and Eric are good guys and provide great service and a fair price. You can't go wrong.

Thanks JLimbo. I just happen to have a case of 500 of the AE. I don't know Kimber prices real well but I found one at Scott's for $999.99 + $20.00 shipping. I think that's a good price. Thanks,
Jim D.

That's not a bad price, they're a touch cheaper than they were a year or two ago. At that time there weren't many on the market and if you wanted one it was going to be 1050-1150.00 on the low end.

Big fan here.......Love mine.

What twist rate is Kimber using now in the .223? Anyone running 60-75 grain bullets?

Thanks...Bob

mine will stabilize the 75 gr. Amax, but I've read some won't. it is a few years old, and it is 1:9"

I have had a couple they were nice but i tried something different for the next .223 bolt. The first was great and I should have kept it, the next One had a real rough bolt through and had to go back and was mostly fixed. I just picked up a new m7 stainless in .223 weighed in at 5lbs 11oz and cost $580 after rebate.

Yes, the twist still is 1-9 but for the newer ones coming out they come with the MOA guarantee and a threaded barrel with thread cap. I've got several hundred Berger M/V 60's and 64's I'm going to try.
Wrangler13: I like the M7. I had the M7 predator in 22-250 & wish I still had it. If I ever find a nib or lnib discontinued M7 predator in 204 Ruger, I'm buying it. Thanks fellows,
Jim D