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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 27
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 27 |
Need to crowd source some opinions here. Unfortunately, due to inflexible work commitments and short local rifle seasons I spend much more time archery and muzzleloader hunting than rifle hunting. I have two Kimber Montanas - a 257 Roberts and a 280 Remington. They are great rifles, but expensive rifles to be basically gathering dust in my gun safe.
The Husqvarna 1600 (4000) series are readily available here in Canada and are considered by many to be a very high quality lighweight rifle. I can get a very good condition 1600 (4000) for about $500 Canadian. I could buy a couple of them and have quite a bit of $$$ left over after selling the Montanas.
I do a lot of still hunting, backpack hunting, etc. so I do need a lightweight rifle.
Would I be crazy to sell the Montanas and buy a couple Husqvarnas?
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,014
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,014 |
The Huskies are great guns
Guns don't kill people, it's mostly the bullets
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,575 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,575 Likes: 7 |
The Huskys are great rifles, but you’ll be giving up a fantastic synthetic stock for wood, and SS metal for blued CM, if that matters to you.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,500 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,500 Likes: 3 |
I have three of one and two of the other and I like em all. The weight difference is not substantial but I prefer the Kimber trigger. One of my Huskies has the timney trigger and that is an improvement for sure. The Husqvarnas usually benefit from bedding.
I wish I had access to as many Husqvarnas as you do in Canada.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,473 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,473 Likes: 2 |
If you only need one rifle, I'd keep whichever Kimber you prefer and sell the other ... done. But if you are just foolishly insistent on getting rid of both Kimbers, I would sell the one you like least first, buy the Husky, shoot it and PROVE it is up to snuff, and only then sell the other Kimber. I've made the mistake you are contemplating, swapping known good rifles off in favor of merely hopefully good rifles, and really really sucks.
Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,507 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,507 Likes: 9 |
A 257 R Montana is pretty slick. I lucked into one pretty reasonable. I really like it.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,519
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,519 |
If you only need one rifle, I'd keep whichever Kimber you prefer and sell the other ... done. But if you are just foolishly insistent on getting rid of both Kimbers, I would sell the one you like least first, buy the Husky, shoot it and PROVE it is up to snuff, and only then sell the other Kimber. I've made the mistake you are contemplating, swapping known good rifles off in favor of merely hopefully good rifles, and really really sucks.
Tom Tom, I’ve made that same mistake, and shamefully made it several times. No more!
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Doug
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,034
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,034 |
Keep what you have. Buy the Husqvarna and enjoy it and compare the way the different rifles handle and shoot. Learn from the opportunity. Join a rifle club and shoot more.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,386
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,386 |
Husky's are good, but definitely a step down from a Kimber Montana. And, this is the first time I've heard someone call a Husqvarna a "lightweight" rifle. If you desperately need the cash, then I guess it makes sense to sell. But, you'll be wishing you still had at least one of the Kimber Montanas long after whatever money you make has slipped through your fingers.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,168 Likes: 5
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,168 Likes: 5 |
Sell the Kimbers and buy the Huskies.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,178 Likes: 37
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,178 Likes: 37 |
If it shoots well, keep the kimber in 280 and be done.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,118 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,118 Likes: 1 |
If you only need one rifle, I'd keep whichever Kimber you prefer and sell the other ... done. But if you are just foolishly insistent on getting rid of both Kimbers, I would sell the one you like least first, buy the Husky, shoot it and PROVE it is up to snuff, and only then sell the other Kimber. I've made the mistake you are contemplating, swapping known good rifles off in favor of merely hopefully good rifles, and really really sucks.
Tom Good counsel here.
“Factio democratica delenda est"
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,368 Likes: 43
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,368 Likes: 43 |
Huskies are fine rifles! I wouldn’t sell any of them. Buy more rifles. Everyone need at least 50 deer rifles.
Last edited by hanco; 07/13/20.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,981 Likes: 26
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,981 Likes: 26 |
If you like the Kimbers, think long and hard before you sell them. They're paid for, and who knows what your situation will be in the future? One thing's sure, it'll cost you more to replace them. An old Husky will be a crapshoot. All I've seen on 98 actions have had crappy triggers and split stocks at the tang. By the time you fix that stuff, a lot of that extra Kimber cash will be gone, and you'll still have an old heavy rifle. I love 98s, but lightness ain't their strong point.
Besides, everyone needs at least two rifles. Stuff happens.
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,933 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,933 Likes: 1 |
I’ve had several 1600s with 20.5” and 22” barrels. They’re a small-ring Mauser action, so they’re a lot lighter than a large-ring 98 but they haven’t been a true lightweight since about 1970. Stocks can be beech or walnut.
PRO Minve have been accurate. I find geometry of the Monte Carlo stock ideal for offhand shooting, especially with a 22" barrel. They’re relatively light.
CON They need to be glass bedded because they tend to split their stocks at the web. They need aftermarket triggers. The ejectors come loose in time. LocTite the retaining screw in place and you’ll be OK. They’re blued/wood versus the Montana’s stainless/synthetic. They’re long actions, so they’re great for 30-06-length cartridges but less so for others.
I wouldn’t replace a proven stainless/synthetic rifle with a 1600 that's 60 or 70 years old. Once you add the cost of glass bedding, trigger work, scope mounts, and components required to work up new loads, they’re not such a bargain.
Let me know if you have questions.
Okie John
If Montana had a standing army, a 270 Win with Federal Blue Box 130's would be the standard issue.
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 27
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 27 |
Thanks everyone. I took both Montanas to the range today and was reminded how much I enjoy them. Even though I'm not able to use them afield as much as I would like, I definitely would miss them if sold. They are the perfect rifle for how I hunt in many ways. They'll be staying in my gun safe.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,500 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,500 Likes: 3 |
My 1600 in 30-06 weighs in at 6.3 pounds. My 4100 in 30-06 weighs in at 6.4 pounds the Kimber Montana in 30-06 is listed at 5.7 pounds
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,612
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,612 |
Husky's are good, but definitely a step down from a Kimber Montana. And, this is the first time I've heard someone call a Husqvarna a "lightweight" rifle.
Last edited by Joe; 07/14/20.
Shew me thy ways, O LORD: teach me thy paths. "there are few better cartridges on Earth than the 7 x 57mm Mauser" "the .30 Springfield is light, accurate, penetrating, and has surprising stopping power"
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,386
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,386 |
Wow, an actual gun store located in Hollywood, CA. Looks like it was a good one, too. Those were the days . . .
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,375
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,375 |
I’m very fond of my Montana’s and 700 Ti’s.
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
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