It's a fine looking rifle (other than my minor peeve). Is there bolt clearance to lower the scope? I like the talleys, but would like to have them milled lower. I think JimF had a plan to do that a while back. I've started to think I should cut my loss on the Alpha and get a Montana in 7mm-08. The perfect fit for that platform.
Brad, have always thought u had a serviceable rifle, but really like your range man, tis beautiful.
My pard got his .30-06 down to under 7 lbs. by doing the machine work very similar to what the gunsmith did to my 7 mag. It makes a nice sheep rifle and general hunting rig.
Only owned one briefly, but there's no flies on the '06 she gets most things done in admirable fashion.
"This ain't dress rehearsal....it's the life you get to live, make it a good one."
Mine will be (next week arrival) 338-06 on a pre-64 action, 22" fwt barrel, laying in a McM G&H, sporting a leo Vari X III 1.75X6E. Should come in just at 8 lbs ready to hunt.
DJpepper, while it'd be nice to get the scope lower from an aesthetic POV, it's not necessary from a practical POV. Reason being, the Kimber 8400 has quite the negative drop at the comb... it makes a real difference where your eye ends up in relation to the ocular. I'd never thought of that until I actually mounted the scope in Talleys and realized it's "just right" as is. Not sure the 84M has as much or any negative drop in the comb... photos don't really indicate it does but you may want to check.
AK, figured I really need (want) two BG rifles... I've been down to just one before and I really didn't like it (grin). I don't want to tear into the 06 as she shoots so well as is. The Kimber, because of the stock design, recoils (feels) just like the heavier 06... go figure.
Thats cool that they work. Aesthetics are important as well, and the way your leupold follows the barrel contour is very nice. I think Sav99 posted his with a 4x Zeiss - sorry just didn't look that slick.
In the last year or so I've started down the 2 BG rifles path myself. Not a bad idea at all.
Brad I been using the two rifle method for hunting for at least the last 15 years or so.
My 7 mag for sheep hunts and sometimes caribou or moose
my .338 as my general hunting rifle.
But beings they are belted magnums I hate to admit it in public.
Now I see why my daughter is soooooo embarrassed by us, heck even my hunting cartridges are so 5 minutes ago (outdated or old fashioned for those without teenagers)
They probably make more noise than I need, but trouble is they just have always worked well for me in the applications I use them in, so I've never upgraded to their new shorter brethern or back to the classics.
But as said before I've probably not killed anything that an 06 wouldn't have served me just as well.
Used the two rifle battery for a long time till momma bought me a .45/70 but don't hunt with it that often, it's just a general purpose hiking, camping, snowmachine, boat gun.
Did pick up a lh .223 this year and am looking to try and get a few wolfs in the scope this fall, they are thick around our cabin.
"This ain't dress rehearsal....it's the life you get to live, make it a good one."
Brad, will get a pic up of her on her arrival in the great brush country of S. Texas. Plan on breaking her in in the great North however. Come September plan to get a moose/caribou out of her in NWT. I have been told she shoots 1/2" with both 225gr partitions and accubonds. Should be good enough to fend off any griz that gets too hungry as well.
Nice rifles. I actually tried to go cheap and have an H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 that takes-down into a neat little package. I keep it packed on the way into the wilderness areas [pre-season]. The rifle is sub 1 minute at 100 meters, and probably would be at 200, but I am not. Ugly with the long 4-12X and the bipod, but extremely functional. I do not worry about finish or dings.
It is stark compared to the custom rifle I am having made right now that will be 12X the price.
I have not found much that I hunt in MI that I can't take with my Mod 94 XTR Big Bore in .375 Win set up with a Williams peep it light, hits the shoulder fast and drops em where they stand usually. I have a new Model 700 SS Syn in 7mm SAUM that I think will be getting a 2.5-8X36 Loopy with a B&C reticle and Talley lightweights that should fill most of my longer range ambitions for a lightweight rifle. MCS
What part of "Constitutionally !!LIMITED!!" don't you understand?