Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats How good is a Kimber 89 BGR action?

I am about to purchase a local 89 BGR in 30-06 with the thought to have the barrel replaced in the future for a custom rifle.

I have no experience with builds and little knowledge of custom rifles.I thought this might be a good deal since I can get the rifle for $650.It has beautifully figured wood and is in great shape with only surface scratches in the wood clear coat.Metal looks very good.

I have done a little research on these rifles and it seems mostly bad.Is there quality enough in the action,trigger and components to justify a quality barrel and possible refinish?

I am told it shoots 1.5 now but will not be able to confirm.

I did post in hunting rifles and was told to buy it but I would like to get any info on the quality of the action,trigger,etc.

Thanks
Randy

I had a Kimber (of Oregon) M89 BGR in .375 H&H for several years. The action was cast by a shop in Oregon that is still around doing similar projects I understand. From comparing notes with folks, I got one of the good examples. There were some real problems sold. Finn Aagaard had one to review and the rear sight holding screw holes were drilled into the bore.

The action is a knock-off of the Win M70. The stock on my rifle was very nice, and I did not have any problems with it. The trigger came from the factory set at 1.1 Kg. I hunted with it in Africa and killed a leopard and an excellent Cape buff.

jim

It seems they may be a crap shoot.I talked to a local smith today who said he had seen two in which the action was junk.I had the impression that only the barrels were in question.

RH, I have 3 89BGR actioned rifles.IF they have not been over polished to the point of sloppiness,they are an excellent action.My favorite.280 Ackley is built on one, and it will put 3 140gr nosler BTs in 3/4in all day long, at 3270fps

By sloppiness,do you mean the recoil lugs polished so they don't fit anymore?Do you look for rounded corners and such?

How does one determine sloppiness? Does the bolt wiggle too much in the action race ways?

By sloppiness I mean excess play in the bolt when fully withdrawn.Kimber employed some people who were not properly trained in how to polish parts,resulting in overpolishing and sloppy fit in some of the BGRs.A gunsmith friend of mine worked as quality control manager, but was quickly let go, as he was rejecting too many guns for poor fit and function.All this being said, if you get one that is not overpolished or otherwise poorly fit, you will have a fine rifle, and the least expensive double square bridge action around.