Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Kimber Hunter or Howa Alpine in 6.5 Creeedmoor?

What are the pluses and minuses of each?

Caliber is set

One is a good,accurate and dependable rifle. The other is a Kimber...

And Legacy Sports has a military purchase program.

Not so Kimber.

Pretty sure that the Alpine is a coated CM barrel. Might not matter to most, but the bore concerned me and steered me the Kimber route.

Do a search here on the 'Fire. Believe SMACK had the Howa Alpine in 6.5CM and let it go. Shot well, however, I believe he had constant issues with fouling.

Ultra bore Capt will solve that, no?

Maybe, maybe not. I've had good luck and no luck with UBC. Not sure what SMACK truly experienced, or if he tried Ultra Bore Coat.

I bought the Howa from SMACK and when it gets in it's getting the UBC treatment. Will let y'all know how that works. He said it fouled pretty bad but his targets he posted showed a lot of potential

So, I picked up a 6.5 "lightning" from Whittaker's for Black Friday. The rifle came with instructions to do the old "Fire one shot, then wet patch/dry patch every shot for 10 shots, then every two shots for 10 more" routine. Also says to let the barrel cool completely between all the shots.

They say it will aid in cleaning and reduce fouling, as well as keep it from stringing as the barrel heats up.

I have not seen a need to do that crap since I started buying better finished barrels back in the 90's, but I wonder if I should with this rifle? Any of you guys who bought the Howa's do the "break in" that they recommend, and, if so, how is the copper fouling in your tube after doing it?

Also, are you shooting solids or jacketed? I really like the TSX and TTSX in .223, but don't HAVE to shoot them in 6.5.

I think Smack had a bum barrel. I've had a few Howa and a few Vanguards and didn't have an issue wth fouling. My Howa 308 is. Pencil barrel Ranchland Compact and shoots right at 1" and my current Vanguard in 30-06 is shooting sub MOA. I had a 7RM I wish I'd have never gotten rid of that was a tackdriver and a 243 that was also a tackdriver.

Both are excellent choices and proven dependable platforms. I have handled both and own long actions in both. The howa feels more solid, but i prefer the handling of the Kimber in hand. Stricley ergonomics for me... i like Kimbers 3 position shroud safety and the more streamlined magazine. I glass bed everything before i shoot them to give them all a level playing field in accuracy tests both were suB-moa sHooters. Good luck with your decision, there is no wrong choice in m view.

There is no long action Howa alpine.

Never said there was, said i owned long actions by each manufacturer. The Alpine being a scaled down 1500, which i have handled. Thought i was being clear but one finger typing on this tablet is a pita!

I'd be happy with either, but the Howa has a 20" barrel, I believe, and that might mean something to some people. Personally, I don't care for the "trigger guard" on the Hunter either. Alpines I've seen for sale have both DMs and regular floorplates in the box.

The extra money a Montana costs over a Hunter is well worth it to me.

To shoot a rifle wether it be short range or long the rifle must effectively chamber the round first.

The Howa rifle does this.

Personally however Id choose a Tikka T3 Superlite as it weighs in at only 1 ounce more and long-range acccuracy is pretty much a gaurantee. Function is flawless. Trigger is great.

I got in on all the sales and put together a 6.5 swede with a SS 6X42 and warn rings for just under $850 all in. My rifle is not the superlite however for long-range I dont mind the few extra ounces. The Howa might compete accuracy wise but has a copper eating barrel.

Apparently sales of tikka rifles has seen a notable incline in recent years and with the competition it shouldnt be all that surprising. The way I see it is for hundreds of dollars less I set up a great long-range rig that the Howa might compete with.

Kimber and Long-Range in my opinion do not belong in the same sentence.




Trystan

Hahahaha!

Tikkas are great rifles, but I just don't care much for the looks, although the X-models are an improvement. A blind magazine, a flush DM, or one with a traditional floorplate would be a help in that area.

Howas feature forged actions with one-piece bolts and toolless bolt take-down, all features I really like in a rifle. Haven't experienced the copper-eating problem as yet, but suspect there are ways to mitigate that.

Less than two months you started a thread asking advice about starting long range shooting, and now you are giving it?

Im a fast learner 😀 It saves on banging ones head against the wall needlessly and painfully for many years. Im fairly certain 6mm dasher is not a factory Kimber chambering. Ive read enouph of your posts to see you are likely very adept and knowledgable concerning long range. Likely knowledgable enouph to recognize that a kimber factory spout is none other than short range fodder!
Trystan

Apparently not as fast as you think...

You must have done a schit ton of reading on the web and extensive YouTube watching to become so proficient in such a short amount of time Trystan.....

Come back and argue when you have "enouph" proof to prove otherwise. Fast " learner"....

Reading and asking is a great way to learn, but there's no cheating spent primers, and no shortcut, either.

Kimber Montana 7WSM factory barrel





Kimber Montana 7-08 factory barrel

You're killing it Einstein!

Isn't Trystan the name of that f a g that stars in that chick flick?





Dave

You may be right but I think he pronounced it "Trithtan".

Nothing like reading all about it on the Internet. Saves all sorts of time.....and all that shooting! How retro!

I love reading stuff by people like Trystan...instant internet experts. Laughable.

What happened to the Montana in ,260 that used to grace your stable??

Long gone.

Jordan-

What app is that?

Thanks!

Ballistic: AE

I'd like to check out the Howa. None of the locals have had one in stock.

The stock on the Kimber Hunter kinda turns me off.

33,500 posts on an internet forum and your schooling me about learning from reading on an internet forum? Ok Bob!

Much of what Ive learned has come from reading posts of fellas likes yourself and then drawing parralels to my own personal experience.

I have much respect for Jordans post as he provided some solid evidence that some Kimbers are capable.

Deflave, hes just drunk and and resorted to name calling

All in all I do love this place and will continue to frequent the forum and it is a great place to learn if your willing to read and pay attention.

Maybe I missed the boat on this Kimber thing I dont know?

Its the reason I stated IMO and certainly am open to learn.

Didnt you try a Montana out once Bob or am I mistaken on that?




Trystan

Only a tool or troll would go from asking basic questions in October then arguing in December with people that know what they're talking about.

So tool or troll trystan?

Hey - it's the three T's...

The latter. And the former.

Went hunter creedmoor last night will see soon

I bought an Alpine in 308. It took some work but it turned into a shooter. Never did get it to feed from the detachable mag though. Spring was way too weak. They sent another but it was still not reliable. Worked great with the bottom metal. I really like their stock.

The 84M is a much more refined rifle. Having owned both, I'd go Kimber.

Are you suggesting I need to read my own posts to learn anything? Ive learned a lot of good stuff on here but the bulk of what I know came from loading, and shooting a lot of rifles, and killing animals with them over a 40+ year span. So...yeah I have 33,000 posts.

What's your point?

I kind of doubt you could generate 33,000 posts worth of intelligent conversation.

A dozen Kimbers (maybe more now I kind of lost count........I only shot and sold two last year alone ;then bought a third. and maybe 7-8 Montana's since they came out, in 7/08 (4 of those I recall), 270, 7mm,and 300 WSMs. Ive slowed down a lot but used to buy rifles like you buy socks or underwear..that enough Kimber "experience" for you Trystan?

Ive probably forgotten more Kimbers Montanas than you've owned. Ive given Kimbers and Rem 700's and M70's to friends as gifts.

I started doing this crap in the late 1960's ......I couldn't take a WAG on how many rifles, more M70's Rugers, Rem 700's, Mausers, Kimbers.....(you name it) than you've likely ever seen or likely handled in your lifetime.Anything that hits my hands gets shot and always has.

Take a hike. Don't waste my time.

I dont know what it is about this place sometimes and all the mental masturbation that comes with it.

The best rifle in the world wont make you a better hunter.

That said, even tho I dont own a kimber 6.5, I dont think you can top it..It comes out of the box equipped with the things lots of us spend a lot more money tryin to duplicate..

Broken leg? Long winter ahead...

Yeah. Not sure what you're getting at tho.

Want to compare falls? Say when

Nothing meant. Just thinking there will be many chances to observe the minutia around here. Heel well.

For sure. And I will try..I missed an epic year for mule deer. Pretty bummed.

I've said this before and I'll say this again.

There is no rifle comparable to a Kimber Montana. None. Zero. There is only one.




Dave

According to Trystan you're drunk Flave...

Trystan, all the reading in the world will not teach you anything like being out in the field and actually shooting. I've gone to the range nearly every weekend and have shot thousands of rounds and I still have a lot to learn. Nothing will humble you more than shooting at small targets from long range. Reading the wind and making adjustments is not something you can learn by reading or watching YouTube.
Each caliber offers its own inherent challenges as well. Not sure which caliber you are shooting but you'd be wise if you don't already to start reloading. I've personally went through a 1k round box of 139gr Lapua Scenar's this year while shooting my 2 260's and already on my second 1k box of 155gr Scenar's for my 308. We won't talk about my 223's, 22-250, 6mm remington.
I don't own a Kimber rifle yet, but from the reports from the guys that have them, there's one in my future I can guarantee you that.
Good shooting young man.....

I happen to enjoy being drunk.

300 + yds. Kimber Montana. That's a three shot group.

Nice Travis....caliber?

3

Oh

Gay.

125gr. BT's.

367yds. One shot, one dink.

Nice bro, where's the can?

On my range toy. I'm too lazy to hump that schit around.




Dave

Lucky shot....

Nothing wrong with the Howa, but I'll take the Kimber all day long and twice on Sunday.

Can't see what the hunter will do Intelafter the fat guy in the suit drops it off😉 But she feels good and the mag has more than enough room for creedmoor


Side note the beer froze solid

I've been through several Montana's and none have impressed me as far as accuracy is concerned. Thats my experience.

Howa, great trigger, great accuracy

Oh, that will leave a mark. Really, lots of hurt come with broken bones.
I hope you heal up.

Take care.

Oh, it's not me with the break, thankfully, and I sure hope to keep it that way. Sorry about the unclear comment, it was late, or early...

At first I thought, "[w]hat a liar. There's no way Clark is too lazy to hump a beer can around". Then I realized you were talking about a suppressor. Carry on.

Fugkin' cyber-bullies.





Dave

Correct.




Dave

Fred,

Have you had a chance to shoot the new rifle yet?



Trystan

No not yet hopefully this weekend dies brass showed up yesterday

Got a SS3x15 MOA MOA quad for it but going to run it little with the tract scope on it.

Nice shooting!

Sounds like a nice setup. I picked up some Norma brass in 6.5 creedmoor and dies that were on sale at midway just the other day. Also picked up an extra SWFA 6X42 MQ from the black friday sale a few months back. I have a SS 10X42 also that currently isnt being used. I have everything I need but the rifle....lol. I guess they call that rifle loony disease.

Good luck with your project




Trystan