Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Should I play Kimber Roulette again?

Hey guys,

So I purchased a Montana in 308 about 6 months back, and after shaving down the mag box it’s been a fair shooter often putting factory fodder into .75 and under. No complaints. I won that round of Kimber Roulette.

I know where I can grab a Subalpine in 280 for a smoking deal. I’ve always wanted a 280. It’s new, never fired.

It seems like the Subalpine is a Mountain Ascent without the bolt fluting and brake(and maybe a few other things). Seems to still have the fluted barrel - but maybe I’m wrong.

In any case, has there been a rash of issues with these guns? Anything above and beyond the general Montana issues? Any reason I shouldn’t pull the trigger?

Thanks guys.

Sub alpine is just the camo pattern I believe

Think just maybe some of the "Kimber Roulette" talk is not much more than old internet garbage getting recycled over and over mostly by those with no first hand experience?

I had problems with two Kimber 8400's ( 300 WSM first, 270 WSM second) in the wood stocked models circa 2004 to 2006.




I've owned the Montana's in. 260 Rem, 308(2), 300 WSM (2) 325 WSM (2).


260 Rem and 325 WSM

None were 1 hole shooters, but that most likely was due to operator error.



325 WSM

They did shoot minute of critter at 100 yds.



Grandson & first deer on his 11th birthday, 260 Rem.


If it truly is a smokin' deal, I would say buy it, and if you don't like it, send it down the road. Most likely you'll get your money investment back. If not, education is usually not free.

ya!

GWB

I have bought 5 new kimber rifles in the last year ( 3 Subalpines, 2 Montana's and 1 classic select) no problems with any of the rifles and they have all been sub moa accurate with my handloads....I would buy another one tomorrow ( which i just might 😬) With no worries.....Good luck.....Hb

No!

The older ones had a tendency to have barrel issues (personal experience)..newer ones are great!

Subalpine also has a fluted barrel and skeletonized extractor.....Hb

As does the mountain ascent if I recall correctly. The only difference I can see is optifade on one and sub alpine on the other.

Maybe Va can confirm, but I think Kimber may have changed the Subalpine recently to include all of the Ascent features.

I believe there are some new-old-stock Subalpines out there that do not have the spiral fluted bolt and Ascent-style skeletonized bolt handle.

Like this one?

Subalpine on GB


As opposed to this one:

New model Subalpine

Mountain Ascent come's with a removable muzzle brake.

I haven’t had a single issue with any of the 3 limbers I’ve bought. I’d buy another without thinking twice. In fact I wouldn’t mind having a mountain ascent in 300wsm or 30-06.

Mine in .260 gave me fits until I figured out it only likes flat base bullets. With boat tails it was a 4-5” gun. As long as I shoot sierra 120’s or Hornady 129’s it shoots about a 1 1/4” group. Good enough for our shot distance around here.

Nice pictures GWB. I figured this was the case with a lot of them after my first experience. I'm absolutely sure there are some turds floating around out there(every manufacturer has those), but I think for the most part its the loose nut behind the trigger. I was really just wanting to make sure there wasn't some other glaring issue that I haven't heard of before I took the plunge.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like I'm gonna be the owner of a Subalpine in 280!

The Mtn Ascent has a spiral fluted bolt and skeletonzed bolt handle and also includes a removable muzzle brake, the Subalpine model does not have these features and new for this year you have the option of Optifade camo or Subalpine camo on the Mtn Ascent...Kimber dropped the Subalpine model for 2019 and I have seen a few good Subalpine deals pop up on GB but they dont last long......Hb

Nope

Were yours the really light contour version?

A friend of mine has owned a Longmaster in 308 for a long time and it has been a great shooter.

Hell no! There are so many nice rifles out there!

PM me if you buy the rifle and I will make you a pretty good deal on brass and dies if needed.

Muzzle brakes and threaded barrels are messing up a lot of otherwise nice rifles.