This wasn't my first choice, but I have a chance to pick one up in 308 or 7mm-08 for a great price. I'm torn, as I already have a 30-06. Question is I've read that the 7mm-08 Montana's have some accuracy issues and that the 308 is the one to get. Not sure about the 308's twist rate.
I'd appreciate any info from someone who has either.
I had an 84M .308, since re-barreled and it shot MOA with 168 TSXs and 165 Partitions. Can't recall the twist, I'd have to check.
Edited to add, their website says the twist on the .308 is 12.
An 84M in 7-08 that shoots well would be pure candy. They are twisted 1:9". I had a couple 7-08s earlier ones before winding up with my current 308. I asked the 7-08s to shoot 160gr bullets but the best groups they gave me were 2.5" at a hunnerd. My 308 will shoot 165gr Speers into an inch. I asked it to shoot 180s but it refused. Maybe I ask too much from these pencil-barreled little sporters. They sure are pretty, but if I want to take a one-hundred-yard deer rifle, I grab my Marlin 30-30.
.308 montanas sometimes have accuracy issues, too. No caliber is immune. Since you have one in '06 I'd grab the 7mm-08 over .308.
Tom
My Montana 7mm-08 is nail head accurate. I am actually looking for another one. I gave the first to my son and have a young daughter thats a couple of years awat from hunting. I am gonna get one for her. If you choose not to go with the 7mm-08 id be interested. But truthfully I think you would be crazy passing on it.
I tend to be more of a 7mm/08 fan than a .308 fan, but if you reload for your .30-06, then picking up the .308 would mean you only have to buy .30 caliber bullets. Might not be a big enough selling point to matter to you, but something to consider.
I have both! The 7mm/08 is a better shooter it will easily shoot 0.75 and I am still working with it!. I am still trying to get the 308 under 1 in groups. My last batch of reloads I got two groups at just over .9. This has been a very difficult rifle to find the magic for!
My Kimber Montana in 7-08 shoots as well as can be expected from a light sporter ... around 1". I have had standard weight rifles which do not do near so well.
It seems that most of the people who have problems with Kimbers are those who have never owned one.
Yeah since you have an 06 already I'd go 7mm.
That is a fine round, and w/ that ROT you'll be able to stabilize anything.
Had one 84M and couldn't get past that loose rattling bolt and sold it without ever shooting it.
Had one 84M and couldn't get past that loose rattling bolt and sold it without ever shooting it.
That's funny. With rounds down the magazine (like when you're actually hunting) there's no rattle.
I prefer the 308. I've had two and they both shot great.
Get the 7-08. The 308 is too similar to the the 30-06.
If it will shoot well, you won't be sorry.
dons70
All this Montana gack has me wanting one. Then one turns into 3, then 6 or 10. Only thing saving my azz is being a poor man.
Oooohh�.. I'd go with the .308, run 165's or 180's and commence filling lots of freezers. my 2 cents
They sure are pretty, but if I want to take a one-hundred-yard deer rifle, I grab my Marlin 30-30.
Seriously?
The accuracy should be about the same, in theory, for either a 7-08 or a 308.
I have Kimbers 84M's in both along with a 243. I use the 308 more however I shot the 7-08 last summer and the first two from a cold fouled bore made a 1.5" group at 100 yds and it had stayed sighted in. Again from a cold barrel it put two more into one hole at 100 yds!
The load is the 120 NBT over RL 15.
gunnut, You only need one. Get it in the weather proof version. Load your 165's (my choice) and have fun. Its good for everything here in the lower 48.
All this Montana gack has me wanting one. Then one turns into 3, then 6 or 10. Only thing saving my azz is being a poor man.
Oooohh�.. I'd go with the .308, run 165's or 180's and commence filling lots of freezers. my 2 cents
Go 7-08; you already have an '06.
I'd have a 7-08 84M but 'cept I have a Rem mountain rifle in 7-08 that shoots great... damn the luck <grin>.
Man,
What's the campfire gotten to when we have a Kimber Montana thread and only 20 replies??? grin
It's kinda eerie, really...
The topic is a bit of a dead end. We have been thru this before - many times.
The OP has a 30-06. Ok, load that with 180's and load the .308 with 150's and 165's. Plus you have a better chance of a very accurate rifle in the .308 than a 7-08. Of course your experience may differ.
Kimbers are cool. I like mine. Looking to buy another. Will be a 308 or 25-06.