I have my heart set on a short action kimber. Something in the 243 to 308 range. Can't decide if I want a Montana or a Classic, may just split the differance and try to get a Stainless Classic. Would rather buy used. A new one is on the upper end of what I want to spend.

I have read rumors about certain modles and/or calibers having accuracy and feeding troubles. Should I steer clear of earlier models? And if so, how do I tell the differance without handling the rifle? Also, how is the recoil of a 308 in such a light rifle if my kids wanted to shoot it?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

I have Kimbers from first production to recent 84 M-L 8400. Accuracy some needed a little work or none. But have shot better on the average than any other factory rifle.
Feeding I think other than factory ammo, handloaders cause there own problems with feeding.
On the Montanas I take .06" aluminum cut it to fit in the bottom of the mag well. And with J-B weld glue the spring to it. What this will do is stop the spring from moving in recoil, that can cause feeding problem.
As far as recoil you can load down the 308 for the kids or practice. But the stock design helps a lot also.

I have both in .308. The Montana is the easiest to carry, feather light, my favorite rifle so far. As a result, the wood/blue has never been in the field.

These two are "good ones". I also have a pair of Select Grades in .300wsm, those were not.

If light, svelt, CRF, and American are what you like, you're in the right place.

I have a 7-08 classic in the date range that was suppose to be one of the worst as far as accuracy is concerned, that said mine is a solid half inch shooter with Balastic tip or interlocks but is slightly under an inch with TSX's.

...have been jonesing for the wood/stnlss lately. I have a 300 mag classic that is not at all a burden to carry. Nice weight and I am of the character scratches school of thought.

The Kimber Montanas are my SS/SYN foul weather rifles. I had plenty of the old style walnut and blue already.

Guns come and go. If you liked a M70 Featherweight you will like a 84M. Just buy one and enjoy it.

Thanks fellas. I'm going to buy one, the money is hot in my pocket. I want to wait for a good used deal, but don't know if I can.

I have a two position saftey 84M classic black but pad in 7-08 I picked up used in 2004 and a .22LR classic red but pad two position saftey I picked up used just after that....

Love them!!!!

I have a Montana 8400 in 300WSM. Love it!

She is a bit sassy off the bench when I have her loaded to the max. (That's the only way I load her) I would surmise that the 84M 308 would be likewise, sassy.

With only a few hundred rounds through her and I have never had accuracy and/or feeding troubles. Never.

Would love a 223, 84M, Montana.

Jim

As I inferred if you don't have a SS rifle now then shop for a Montana. If one with nice wood presents itself then grab that.

I have rifles chambered for many cartridges. Of the Kimbers I take the 243 the most. It's good for off season pests and if I had to I could use it on game during the season.

I did it..... Ya'll made me do it...... I clicked the "buy it now" button on a classic stainless 243. I had to do something, my right butt cheek was on fire.

You will not be sorry.

My Kimber Classic .243 likes the plain jane 100gr Winchester rounds in the silver box. Less than an inch at 100. Good going! Mount the Leupold 2.5-8x36 scope .

Thats what I'm planning to put on it, I'll just have to wait on that a little bit.

What loads are you working up with interlocks? I just got the dies for mine. I really like the Kimber Classic in 7-08. Enough that I may trade into another. Maybe a 257 Montana. Already set up to load for it.

Absolutely beautiful rifle. Pics...want pics!

i've owned 2 kimber cf rifles. both are gone now. one was a train wreck and the other took some work but it finally shot ok. not great, not moa, just ok. i would caution you against buying a used kimber UNLESS you could shoot it first. i've read some good reports of the newer kimbers, so i'd save for a while and go with the lastest production. good luck.

Good advice. I asked a guy with a kimber in the classifieds 2 or 3 days ago how she shoots and haven't heard back. I was the last poster too. I guess that means it shoots like chit....

Bought this one used off the classifieds 4 years ago or so. Think it was worth the $700 I paid?



Group shot before deer season last year. This was dad's group, mine was under 3/4". He just sent me pics of a group he shot with it a couple days ago with 165 grain Hornady's and RL-15 that is just as good as pictured here.

I'll try to get some posted when it comes in.

Picked it up yesterday. I have looked at a few Kimbers on the store shelves over the years, but have never had a chance to really sit down and fondel one. There is nothing I don't love about this rifel. The feel, the weight(or lack thereof),the looks, I love it all. I just hope it shoots half as good as it looks. I blew my wad on the gun and have to wait till more $ comes in to find that out. I have a few pieces of brass and a buddy with some 243 dies, still gonna be a week before the bases come in, but at least I've got the gun. I'll get some pics up in a little bit.



Anybody got some loads to start out with that shoot good in there 243?

Sharp rifle! Thanks for the pics.

Very very nice. I just picked up my first Kimber, a 300WSM Montana. By far the best handling rifle I've ever held other than a NULA. I think you will be very pleased.

I used to shoot IMR 4064 with 58 gr. V-Max's in my Montana .243. I was getting a chronoed 3800 fps and 3/4 moa. That rifle was a marmot killing machine and just the thing for the 12,000'+ elevations I hunt them at. I also used it to take a big mtn. goat at 302 lasered yards. I used factory 90 gr Fusion bullet loads. shot him square in the shoulder and recovered the bullet on the inside of the opposite shoulder. Sold it to fund another Cooper. The Cooper is gone and I still miss that Kimber.

Waiting for my 243 montana to come back from a rebarrel job. Had a muzzle brake put on to keep the jump down. It shot ok, but fliers drove me crazy. Always wanted a custom barrel. Will guve complete report when I get some loads down the barrel.
The new Forbes Rifles Inc @ $1400 looked good @ the NRA show in STL.

Great stick on that Kimber!

I like that.

Try 95 Nosler BT's and Hunter. This is the most accurate load in my Sako A7 243 and Kimber Montana 257 with 100 BT. I'm getting an average of 2980 fps with the 95's and tack driving accuracy.

My son and I load 100gr Remington Corelokts with Winchester standard primers and H4350. If I used a dedicated powder for my 243 I'd try Win 780. I bought 8 lbs of H4350 for several rifles.

Try RL-17 in the .243. It works great in .243 and 6mm Rem, giving a velocity boost.

DF

another load you might try. 80 TTSX and H4350. I'm getting 3340 fps and good accuracy. The first shot was a fouler (upper left) followed by three more. (Sako A7)


This is a group from my Kimber Montana 257R. Not too impressive but much better than before I bedded the stock.

Sakos shoot every thing good.I only hope this Kimber shoots half as good as my Sako. Bought some H4350 yesterday. If I can't get what I already have to shoot well, I'm gonna run down some Barnes. Kinda start cheaper and work my way up.