Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Lookin for Kimber 84M Feedback

Being no stranger to Kimbers, I did order a Montana 7mm-08 today.
I've had a couple of bad examples with many more being very good. Even though I am enjoying a couple of 7x57's, I thought it would be good to get an all weather version of the "same caliber".
Many years ago I had a 7-08 and didn't get the best results from H4350. I went to Varget and things tightened up very nicely. I'll be zeroing in on 140's and 160's TSX's, Partitions & Accubonds.
I'll put a 2.5-8x36 on it and get it ready for elk season.

Has anybody else out there done this? What temperature insensitive powders did you use?

I am shooting three 84M's and its usually not the loads. Its something else like guard screw tension, loose mounts, the crown etc. In the 7m-08 its loaded with 120 BT's and RL 15. With 140's its IMR 4350 however each rifle is an individual.

So far I am not using the so called temp. powders much unless that RL 15 counts.

Here is a site with pet loads. Double check these loads as who knows if they are right or safe. Reloaders Nest

Good luck getting a Kimber that shoots, or a 7-08 that will shoot 160 grain bullets. A Kimber 7-08 that will shoot 160s is a double-whammy. For that weight I would stay with the 7x57, assuming it has a much faster twist than the 1:10" that Kimber puts in their 7-08s.
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It took more than luck to get them to shoot.

The Kimber catalog says the 7mm-08 twist is 1-9.5. A 1-10 twist 7mm will spin a 160 Sierra BT fast enough.

I must be really lucky to have 9 Kimbers in a row that have all shot well. I shot my 7-08 the other day at the range and it shot relatively inexpensive Federal Fusion 140gr bullets into less than 3/4" at 100yds.
H-414 seemed to work well with 140gr's but the Fusion stuff shoots well enough that I might have to try it out on a deer. It's inexpensive enough you might want to try it in your rifle too BigWhoop...........................DJ

Always an amusing comment.

FWIW my 84M Classic in 7mm-08 works well with the 120 TSX or the 140 NP over RL15 printing both at about 3/4 if I do my part. No need for me to go to 160 for my hunting and I'll have no qualms with chasing an Elk in 08 with the 140.

For me the rest needs to go much further back off the bench, right in front of the floor plate and I need to be very conscious of keeping the forearm anchored when shooting.

Allen

I have a Montana 7-08 that is very accurate with several different factory offerings. It shoots Hornady 139's and Federal Premium 140 BT's under .75, and Fusion 140's under .5 very consistently. I bought the rifle used from a Campfire member who had sent it to HCR to be accurized, so I can't tell you how it shot out of the box, but it is a dream now.

Allen is spot on about shooting technique on these lightweight rifles - the left hand on the rear bag thing does not work like on medium or heavier guns. My Montanas need a bit of steadying of the forearm to shoot these groups - which is fine since I will be gripping or steadying the forearm in hunting situations as well. Just a steadying left hand atop the scope or on the forearm does the trick - but not with excessive pressure.

Keep the rest position consistent as well when trying to really ring out tight groups, although I have not found this to be extremely critical on mine. HCR really beds everything very solidly and centers the barrel channel perfectly, and I am sure it is better bedded and crowned than it came from the factory.

These rifles are unbelievably nice once slicked up and accurized (if needed) and are plenty nice deals IMHO even if you get a little smithing in them to get them just right.

DJ

FUSIONS ARE ACCURATE IN JUST ABOUT EVERY GUN FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD,AND THEY ARE AWSOME ON DEER....

I have one in 7/08 that has shot two groups under 1" and will not repeat those. E-mail to Kimber and get told their standard is 1.5" at 100 yds. Mine has been rebedded, crown polished, different tensions on the action screws, at least ten different types of bullets and powders. I have had Savages that would outshoot the Kimber without any modifications. For the price of the Kimber and looking at their ads, I would not expect to get blown off when I sent them an e-mail.
Glad some of you'll got good shooters. Guess those of us that didn't can't expect any factory support. Last Kimber I will own and will continue to voice my disappointment with the company and the rifle I purchased.Rick.

Sorry, Rick. That's frustrating, I know. I agree - their customer support is pretty weak - I would count on having someone else work on the rifle if it needs it.

I wouldn't buy a new one - I'd look for a used "deal" and have someone go through it if it didn't shoot.

I do wish their quality control and customer service were better - I just like the rifles so much once they are right...

DJ

I'm exceptionally happy with my two Kimber 7-08s (one a Classic, one a Montana), and I use your basic factory ammo from Winchester and Georgia Arms.