Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Mountain/Backpack rifle - mid - longer range

So I have an itch that I have been wanting to scratch for a while and the fix is the following...

Kimber Mnt Accent - 280 Ackley w/ a SWFA 3-9X

Idea is a mountain rifle/backpack rifle that could be used in longer range when needed (6-700 yards max for me)

Could i do any worse?
Rifle - 5 pounds/5oz
Scope - 19 oz
Rings - 2-3oz

Puts me at 6 pounds 11-12oz...not too shabby

Sounds good, if you get one that shoots. Lots of bad reports on Kimber rifles.. Seems like there are more bad ones than good. Good luck.

The odds are that you'll get a Kimber that shoots just as well as anything else. The problem is finding shooters who can shoot a rifle that light accurately.

I have one in 308. With Leupold VX-2, 3-9X40 on it in Talley lightweights it is still a hair under 6 lbs. Like most Kimbers it shoots great if I do my part. Not the rifles fault, but I tend to shoot some other rifles in the 7-7.5 lb range better. I don't seem to shoot anything over 8 lbs any better than the 7.5 lb rifles.

You're looking at about 3/4 lb more than my rifle, almost 7 lbs. I think it'll be fine.

Lots of reports of Kimbers shooting amazing too....

Is there a reason you would go with the 280 AI? Brass is more expensive than 270 or 30/06? Just curious?

Im not a 30/06 guy and have no interest in owning one so that's out. I would be fine with the 270 as that has always been my go to round, just thought the 280 ackley would offer a better selection of lower drag, longer range bullets.

19 oz scope? What you going with?

The setup is fine as long as it shoots and you can shoot it. The concept of an ultra-light and long range don't go well together. In reference to long range this would be considered ultra-light...imho.

SWFA SS 3-9x42hd...

I don't want to make this a dedicated LR rig, but if I needed to reach out for a sheep or goat, I want to be able to dial in and reach out to say 5-600 yards and dial it in then back out. I feel that 5-600 yards is just to long to trust to a bdc reticle and just hold over.

The Leupold VX6/VX6HD in 3-18x44 with CDS, zero locks on both turrets, and illumination clocks in at 19.2 oz. It's what I'm putting on my 308 mountain Ascent (if it ever comes in). Just a thought.

Good choices all the way around.

David

I've offered to buy those "terrible shooters" in alibers I'm interested in many times on this forum for a fair price for a "terrible non-shooting rifle" and the owners seem to never want to get rid of them, or they want to sell at "as new in box" prices. Think about it... I put my money where others mouths are and they wouldn't follow through. It tells your the story on it's own.

Light rifles like the montanas, adirondacks, and mountain ascents have some kick even in calibers like 308, they also are designed to kill critters in rough conditions after being toted for a long time. They aren't benchrest guns, and tehy aren't built to choot tiny groups. But with good technique and patience at the bench and a good ammo combination they willl shoot 1" 5-shot groups alll day long. It just might take you all day to let the barrel cool between shots.

;]

All 6 of my Kimbers shoot MOA or better, and most of them have pretty low power scopes. I've got new production, guns and guns dating abck to 2004 in both 84M, 84L and 8400 (short action) Actions. They all weigh less than other guns designed to do the same thing, and they bite a little bit on the back end, but they work perfectly for my needs in their intended direction.

For 600-700 yard shots you need more scope power wise.
The Kimber is plenty accurate enough if you follow the BRAD tune-up protocol.
The big unknown is your ability to shoot well.
Actually I think 600-700 yards is just to far. Learn how to stalk.

I simply could not disagree more...

How much game or how many targets have you shot at 600+ yards with a 9x scope my friend? It's really hard to make blanket statements like you have made, especially to experienced riflemen. 600-700 yards is a chip shot for lots of folks. Come hunt coues deer in the AZ Backcountry and you'll love the ability to potentially shoot that far.

Have you ever wanted to take an animal that was 600+ yards out and there was literally no topographical way to get closer unless you spook them into the next county and then have to pass because it's 300 yards out of range but conditions were perfect?

I'll simply say that I suspect you hunt in country back East for the most part. Where do you do most of your hunting?

Thanks....

I was thinking of getting a kimber ascent in 7mm or 300wm at one point but decided not to. I just don't have much use for such a gun since I don't take such long shots at animals and I don't really shoot many magnums.

In fact the only magnum I have now is a few 375HH rifles which are just for bear stuff and because I like them. 99% of my hunting happens with 308, 06 or a 270.

I have that setup with about 80 rounds through it I'll sell you for $2000 shipped and insured.

I can't speak for kimber rifles, as I've not used any. But that 3-9SS sounds perfect for what you want to do. The more I use mine the more impressed I am with it. It's tough, dials correctly, and returns to zero. The Milquad reticle is extremely user friendly and useful. I just put mine on a 308, had it dialed in in 4 shots. Checked 250 yard zero, 500 yards, 700 yards, then to 1100 yards. They were all on. Can't ask for more.

It's a good idea.

NF instead of SWFA




I imagine you'll get one that is fine, but this one was an epic chit show. Horribly cut chamber, stock really jacked up, and needed every trick. It started off shooting terrible... and never got much better..... until a new barrel.


Took a lot of work to go from 4+ MOA to this...




Then a lot more to get to this and it's the best it ever got...

Now I've only shot a dozen or quite a few more.... But ULA/NULA's are light as well, correct....? Wonder why you don't hear about them not shooting good.... Nor do the same people that have bad shooting Kimbers because they "don't know how to shoot light rifles" have any problems shooting the exact guns once they get them rebarreled...


Kimber has an awesome package with the Montana/Ascent /etc, but their QC sucks.

I'd be all 7-08.

Screw that 24" bbl and the long action.