Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Which caliber is most trouble free in Kimber Montana?

I am considering the following calibers and was wondering which seems to have the fewest problems-

308
300 wsm
30-06
300 win mag

I'd cast my vote by way of the 308, followed by the WSM. In all honesty though I've heard hardly anything about the other two cals and they may well perk as well.

Dober

257 Roberts

That'd be my call as well... I've had/have both.

+2 on that. I have both.

I have owned five Kimbers. Four 84M's and the other a 8400. I don't think Kimber accuracy problems are Montana or Classic specific nor caliber specific.

The most common problem I have had is imperfect crowns, one barrel with internal damage and imperfect bedding.

Your approaching your needs at a pretty backwards angle. Perhaps you should post, "which rifle is the most trouble free in caliber _______?" Identify the caliber first and then pick the rifle that has a reputation for consistent accuracy and meets your specs (weight, etc.).

Face the fact Kimbers are unreliable and move on to better options.

My experience with five Kimber Montana's is quite to the contrary...

I would vote for the .308 from my experience and others here on this site (did I mention I have one for sale in the classifieds
My WSM had a bum stock and some feeding issues. I just received it back from Kimber today, and will post range results as soon as I get them.
The 84M, 8400 WSM and 8400 Long Action are very different feeling firearms. I would recommend handling them all before making a decision.

I have 3 Kimber Montanas, 270 WSM, 30-06, and a 300 WM. All three will shoot MOA. The 300 WM had to be bedded but will now shoot .75" with 180 Accubonds @ 3080. They are a joy to carry and the recoil is easy to handle even in the 300 WM.

Brad, I've just seen a few too many posts on issues with Kimbers. For example, see "just received back today" comment above. Admittedly, you've got more first hand experience than I do.

well, i got to handle 2 montanas tonight. the .308, which was almost too light for my taste, and the 300 wsm which felt about right. it balanced nicely and the barrel was not whippy. i am concerned about feeding reliability based on what i have read here. is this a problem that still exists on the newer montanas?

I bought a 300wsm last year for a NM elk hunt and it's the most accurate right out of the box rifle that I've ever owned.
First 4 rounds of blue box 180 Federal power shok went into an inch. Federal Premium 180 Accubonds were even better and I used them on a 6x6 bull in NM. Federal Premium 165 TSX were just over 1 inch and I took a 10 point whitetail in MT and a hog in CA with the TSX and the rifle sure is easy to carry up those mountains.

rusty75, my .325 Montana feeds slicker'n you know what.

Feeding is a function of many things, not the least of which is action length. I would not ASSUME that a .308 is going to feed better than at 300 WSM. Could be the other way around. I know you were not assuming that, just wanted to make the point.

The newer Montana's seem to feed the WSM's pretty darn well. Mine does, and others seem to do OK with theirs too.

I'm with Dober..............again.

My vote is for one that's not on the list, so I'll take my candy home....

Several people have handled my 308 at the range and they all commented on how smooth the action was. Plus it shoots well too.

Considering your locale, I'd go .308 Win.

I'd say pick out whichever one you like, and take your chances. I own two Montana's The 308 had feeding issues, but shoots great. The 338 Federal and I are still getting acquainted. So far, no issues with that one.

Kimbers are no different than any other rifle on the market today. They're just a sweeter action with a nicer stock. They're still a potential "project in a box" though.

How many have you owned m.saenz, if you have no direct experience then let those that have experience post. I have a Kimber 300WSM classic, it is my favorite rifle, I like the balance and it shoots into an inch to under two inches with 5-10 round groups, day in and day out. It will shoot 3 into 0.7 inches if I am having a good day, beyond that I like to hunt with it except that it is loud. Those that have had problems with Kimbers should hear my Ruger .358 Winchester story, its still at the factory. You pays your nickle and takes your chances.