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I've been on the fence about getting a lightweight rifle for some time, and only recently have I started looking at Kimber rifles. I've never spent more than $400 on a rifle before, so this could be a little painful for me - but I've been saving and have the budget to probably be able to afford a Kimber Montana if I can find one. I am thinking a short action caliber, most likely either 6.5 creed or 243.

It seems that the only difference between the Hunter and Montana is the stock - is that correct? I've read that the stock on the Hunter is very good as far as injection molded stocks go. But it seems like if I might ever want to upgrade the stock, I should just go with the Montana. I definitely like the looks of the Montana better, but if I painted the Hunter stock green or gray I could probably trick myself into thinking it's a Montana.

Do you think the Montana is worth the extra cost? I am willing to spend more if it's worth it.

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I’ve never handled a Kimber Hunter . I do own a Montana and bought it for $850. It’s awesome. Hunters are Detachable mag while Montana’s are blind mag. I believe the barreled actions are identical plus the triggers.


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My choice of the Hunter was based on my preference for a detachable magazine. I have both Hunter and Montana. Montana is a 270 Winchester and a great gun! Sure do like my 6.5 Creed Hunter best. Lighter, shorter, accurate keeper. I'll be selling the 270 Montana.


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I have both. I have a few Montana's and I have a Hunter and a Montana in a Hunter stock. laugh

The last rifle you'll be able to get away from me will be my Montana in .223


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Originally Posted by human_pine_tree
I've been on the fence about getting a lightweight rifle for some time, and only recently have I started looking at Kimber rifles. I've never spent more than $400 on a rifle before, so this could be a little painful for me - but I've been saving and have the budget to probably be able to afford a Kimber Montana if I can find one. I am thinking a short action caliber, most likely either 6.5 creed or 243.

It seems that the only difference between the Hunter and Montana is the stock - is that correct? I've read that the stock on the Hunter is very good as far as injection molded stocks go. But it seems like if I might ever want to upgrade the stock, I should just go with the Montana. I definitely like the looks of the Montana better, but if I painted the Hunter stock green or gray I could probably trick myself into thinking it's a Montana.

Do you think the Montana is worth the extra cost? I am willing to spend more if it's worth it.


There is a major difference in the stocks IMO. The Montana stock is nothing like a Hunter stock and you'd not trick yourself into it. smile Do I think the Montana is worth the extra cost? To me, yeah. If you like detachable mags, then the Hunter is your gun.


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Originally Posted by Rug3
My choice of the Hunter was based on my preference for a detachable magazine. I have both Hunter and Montana. Montana is a 270 Winchester and a great gun! Sure do like my 6.5 Creed Hunter best. Lighter, shorter, accurate keeper. I'll be selling the 270 Montana.


Your Hunter is lighter?


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I’m sure MCMXI will chime in. If there’s anything to know about Kimbers, he knows it.

The stocks are different obviously and the hunter does have a slightly narrower profile. The Montana also has a threaded barrel while the hunter does not.

It’s blind mag vs. detachable mag really. The hunter stocks are well made.

About it being lighter, the hunter stocks all have 8oz added to them. This can be removed with a few minutes of your time. Rug3 was also comparing his LA to his SA.

Check out ChrisAU’s hunter if you want to see how light you can go while keeping a budget.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/15527684/4


I have Hunters, Montanas, Adirondacks and MAs and many have been swapped into other stocks for various reasons.


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Originally Posted by tzone
Originally Posted by Rug3
My choice of the Hunter was based on my preference for a detachable magazine. I have both Hunter and Montana. Montana is a 270 Winchester and a great gun! Sure do like my 6.5 Creed Hunter best. Lighter, shorter, accurate keeper. I'll be selling the 270 Montana.


Your Hunter is lighter?


If you remove the epoxy/silicone "plug" in the butt of the hunter you can make it lighter than the montana. I did this on mine and it cut 6oz off the weight of the hunter. I also switched the bolt handle to a titanium one which saved another ounce or 2 and shortened the barrel. It is definitely a fair bit lighter than the montana now but I think just removing the crap in the butt will put it on par or maybe even lighter than the montana.

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There will be another 2oz of rubber in the wrist. Remove the end cap from the grip and remove it from there as well.


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I have no experience with the Hunter, but I do love my Montanas. One in 7-08, the other in 257 Roberts. Both older, without threaded barrels. I've heard good things about the Hunter. It has the detachable magezine while the Montanas have the stiffer stock. Whichever appeals to you more is the one you should jump on.


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Originally Posted by tzone
The last rifle you'll be able to get away from me will be my Montana in .223


Same here.


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Originally Posted by AKduck
Originally Posted by tzone
The last rifle you'll be able to get away from me will be my Montana in .223


Same here.

how i feel as well ...


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I have heard good things about the .223. I am leaning towards the Montana pretty heavily - I'm worried I'll get a Hunter an immediately just wish it had a Montana stock on it.

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Get a Montana


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I like my Hunters a lot. The detachable magazine is very handy and much nicer than having to work each cartridge out by hand. I painted the stock on my 6.5 CM, and there’s a world of options available to do that. But I recently bought a dipped stock from MCMXI here on the Fire and have another stock at Stealth Coatings to be dipped right now. I think the Hunters are a great value for the money.
[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]
That’s my 7-08 with a TI Tac handle and SWFA 3x9, next to the new stock.


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Realistically, your deciding on whether your money is worth a stock upgrade and a threaded barrel. Action, barrel and trigger are all the same and of very good quality.
I like the Montana stock, but hate the threaded muzzle protector. I like the detachable magazine.
So my choice was simple and I save several hundred bucks.....

I took the 7-08 out looking for a cow elk to thump this morning... mostly just saw the insides of a lotta low clouds.
[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc][/url]


BT53
"Where do they find young men like this?" Reporter Savidge, Iraq
Elk, it's what's for dinner....


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Is the trigger guard part of the stock? Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? What happens if it breaks?

Last edited by dimecovers5; 02/06/21.
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Originally Posted by dimecovers5
Is the trigger guard part of the stock? Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? What happens if it breaks?



Keep on hunting - a broken trigger guard does not make the gun non-functional. When home from the hunt a little epoxy and spray paint and you are back in business.

drover


223 Rem, my favorite cartridge - you can't argue with truckloads of dead PD's and gophers.

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Originally Posted by dimecovers5
Is the trigger guard part of the stock? Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? What happens if it breaks?



Having hunted with a Hunter for several years, now, it's far from fragile. If you do something that generates sufficient impact or force to break that trigger guard, you've almost certainly got bigger problems and your hunt is over, anyway.

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Originally Posted by dimecovers5
Is the trigger guard part of the stock? Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? What happens if it breaks?


Laffin 😅

There’s no way that trigger guard is going to break unless you have some really major accident. It’s plenty strong.
There’s a pic going around on the net of a guy holding his long action Montana in two pieces.......
He had an accident of some sort and the stock broke at the pistol grip...... stuff happens, but that trigger guard isn’t even on my radar.....


BT53
"Where do they find young men like this?" Reporter Savidge, Iraq
Elk, it's what's for dinner....


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