So, I made the mistake of doing a little "window shopping" while at lunch this afternoon. I ran across a used but in great shape, Kimber Montana in 325WSM. Just so happens that I have been really interested in purchasing such a rifle, but haven't saved the $$$ to do so yet.

They were offering said rifle for $700 and I thought that seemed really good. Am I wrong in that assessment? I am afraid that I may be getting in a whole lot of trouble at home if this IS as good a deal as I think it is.

Are there other rifles in that price range I should be considering? I have read much good regarding the Kimber, but have personally never owned anything but Model 70 post 64 models.

Thanks for your direction and I hereby declare that all of you would be released from any and all responsibility to my purchasing decisions.

FH

It sounds like a good deal, unless it's a kimber melon I would buy it if I was in the market. Mine is a great shooter, I actually had it listed for sale in the classifieds but I have decided to keep it. if you are in the market...go for it.

I tell you what; if you buy it and don't like it and it's in good/great shape I'll buy it off your hands for that much.

Buy.


Travis

masrx,

Has there been an issue with "lemon" Kimbers? Seems that most I read about them is very positive.

Addicted,

I appreciate your willingness to buy it from me if I changed my mind. That is very nice of you. If I decide to do something different, I will let you know so that you can pick it up instead.

Wife has said (and I know it already, just wished I hadn't bought all those "things" I didn't really need over the past few months) that when the burb is paid off in the summer and the twins' braces in late spring are paid off, then we can move on such an investment.

Help me know that I CAN find another deal such as listed above. I had frankly started leaning back to the 338 WM as my option, but deep down inside, I have always wanted a 325 WSM in a light rifle for my elk adventures (as long as it shoots well). My 7mm Rem Mag is awfully accurate with its 26" Shillen match barrel, but it is heavy.

FH

The deal is a very good one.

You can always buy braces...

I have never had a problem with a kimber....if you reasearch them on the 'fire tho, you will find a number of folks who have...I myself believe these are on the used racks cheap mainly because some folks dont like them from the bench...mine is no worse than a 30-06, maybe just a little more "lively" I would say...

Thanks Fire Hawk, but I forgot to mention that I would need a place to stay because my wife would kick me out. LOL

That is a good deal on one except if the original owner didn't take care of it. The problem with most super light big game rifles is that they are designed to be just that... light. I have gotten several Kimbers to shoot 1/2" groups @ 100 so I know they can do it. Don't be overly discouraged if it won't group better than an inch or so. It saves your body the extra weight of carrying it for hours at a time in the mountains or anywhere for that matter. Sometimes there are vices in life, shaving off 2-3 pounds off a rifle and it shooting around an inch isn't bad at all either.

Good luck on your decision.

While I am a Kimber aficionado and have a number of them including two WSM Montanas the .325 WSM (8mm) does not turn me on.

The rifle will never be easy to sell because of the odd round.

If the seller says you can bring it back if you don't like it (If it doesn't shoot well) or will take $100 off or deal some dies, mounts or ammo.

A Montana WSM does weigh less than a new M70 Featherweight and I like their action and stock better.

The season is on now. Wait till the end of the year and there will be a lot more rifles for sale.

I'd buy it for $700 and then rebarrel it to whatever WSM floats your boat. As long as it's in 7mm flavor...

Me too.

Me three on that one.

For 7 bills, it would make a great donor. I've been looking for one that cheap for that very reason...

I'd but it for that price and spin it into a 7WSM....

+1 I would make it a 358 WSM!Or better yet, traded it for something useful.

I'd take it.

.325 WSM is a good cartridge. If it doesn't shoot, you got a good deal on a donor action.

So.....I now own a Kimber Model 8400 Montana in 325 WSM. I just couldn't pass it up. Seems to be the "perfect" rifle for me to hunt hard with in the wild mountains of Utah. Seeing as how I have 13 bonus points for LE elk here in Utah, I will be hunting a large bull elk in the next year or two. Figure that it will make for a perfect rifle for that purpose.

My 7mm Rem Mag may be a little sad, but it will still be used plenty with my son coming up in age and with it being so accurate with 160 Accubombs!

So...wife agreed and now I am beginning to liquidate my "Net Gear Holdings" as my friend calls them. You know... the extra stuff laying around the reloading bench, gun safe, archery corner etc. to help fund this project. Stevens Model 200 in 22-250 BYE BYE. Reloading dies (7mm-08, 7mm Rem Mag, 22-250) numerous bullets, brass, FMJ arrows etc. will move out of the way to help me make my purchases.

Thank you for your support and encouragement. I feel good about it and most importantly, my wife is good with it too. Means I can still sleep in the bed next to her.;o)

FH

Sweet!! .325 is one of those calibers I think is pretty darn useful, especially packaged in the Montana.

TOM,

Do you own one? If so, I would love to hear where to start regarding bullets. Is there a "must have" bullet for the 325 WSM? I really don't have a clue and no one I know has one. I just really liked the idea of this cartridge from its inception.

As I stated, it is really an Elk hunting cartridge for me, but will probably pull double duty on mule deer on occasion.

Thanks!
FH

What he said (except that "trade" stuff).

George

Good job, Hawk. A $700 Montana is a guilt-free Montana. If I found one that cheap I'd be hard-pressed to pass on it.

$ 700.00 = Good deal for a Kimber Montana.

I don't own one, no. A good buddy of mine had one and killed a couple elk with it. His bullet of choice was the 200 grain accubond. It would be my choice for starters. Next up would be the partition.

So today was my first trip to the range. 200 grain Accubonds pushed my Ramshot Big Game produced some very nice groups (two different loads produced shots touching at 100 yards). I honestly can't believe that someone traded in this rifle. I was so impressed with how it shot and that the recoil was very tolerable.

I even got laughs from my buddy when I did the "Happy Dance".

FH

Hard not like a good rifle deal and have it be a shooter as well. What scope and mounts you go with?

Scope for now is just my Weaver Classic V9 as it is what I have. I am still looking for the "right" scope for it. I used Leupold Dove Tail mounts and rings.

Weaver is a little "shy" in the eye relief department for sure. I had to be a bit judicious in my stock creep today. ;o)

FH

Glad to hear it turned out to be a good shooter! Thats. Damm good deal on a Montana, i would have snatched it up in a half second (even though i don't care for the caliber much)!