Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 18 ounce 30mm diam scope too much for Kimber Montana?

I can only recall one kill in the last 4 or 5 years that was from prone, and I've killed A LOT in that time, but keep telling yourself whatever you need to hear.

Funny how every single person so far that seems like they actually shoot and have tried it, doesn't find it to be so hard.


PG, please regale me with what scope worth a phugg should go on a Montana.....

List of scopes I've mounted on my Kimber Montanas, off the top of my head:

Leupolds:
6x36
6x42
3-9x40
2.5-8
Mark 4 10x M3

SWFA:
3-9x42
10x HD
12x

As I've mentioned in another post, the 3-9 SWFA isn't too bad. It works best on a smaller caliber where the little bit of extra steel in the tube helped the balance. Anything bulkier than the 3-9 was a no-go at this station.

What have you killed recently, other than southern whitetails and two elk?

So which is it? Does a 1.5-6x42mm scope that weighs 18 ounces make a Montana handle like a POS or not?

Did you read the entire post?

Not a Montana, but I had a Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 on my ULA 7RM the last few years. 15.9 ounces of optical goodness.

If all a guy does is shoot off his stomach, a heavy bulky scope isn't going to be a bother. A really top heavy rifle with weight back is not doing anybody any favors for position shooting. [/quote]

+1

Those with an affinity for the finer characteristics of shooting learn to appreciate a well balanced rifle.

In off hand shooting at 100 yds I shoot my best balanced rifles the best. A top heavy rifle for off hand shooting is the worst.

Shod

I'd like to see some pics from the gentlemen who I believe stated that he's killed more BG animals than most living mortals. I'm always interested in seeing pics of other Campfire members successful hunts.

Shodd,



What "top heavy" rifles have you shot? What makes them "top heavy"?

I probably wouldn't put this one on a Kimber Montana...

The Zeiss Diavari the OP is contemplating mounting to his Kimber is a rather svelt scope. I've had a couple of the 1.5-6x42mm Diavari's, and the last one I had tripped my digital scale at 15.4oz (It now resides on one of Dirtfarmers rifles). Add a set of Butler Creek flip-up caps and it might be around 17oz

Conversely, I have another Kimber Montana mounted with a Leupold FX3 6x42mm with an M1 turret. With a set of Butler Creek flip-up caps, it weighs almost 16oz.

The Leupold 3.5-10x40mm I once had on a Kimber weighed a touch over 14oz with Butler Creek flip-ups.

Based on my first hand experience, the particular setup the OP is contemplating will not overburden the rifle, nor throw it out of balance.

I was waiting (to long) to buy a 2.5-10x42 Diavari for my 300 WM and then they stopped making it. I prefer 2nd focal plane reticles in scopes w/o mil or other range finding reticles too. Then Leica came out with the ER scopes that had more eye relief (4 inches vs 3.5 in the Zeiss), SFP reticle, hydro coatings that only weighed an ounce more than the Zeiss, if that. Hopefully it will have Leica's well earned rep for durability. If it breaks, I can always use it for digital picture scoping .........

I wouldn't put that on anything! What kinda bet did you lose?

Ringman, I've played around quite a bit lately with a few tikkas that are normally topped with 12 oz scopes.

I like to play around with some longer range shooting so occasionally I will throw on my SWFA 10X42 and shoot for groups out at 625 yds....the farthest our rifle range goes.

For shooting off a bench it works great. For standing shots my 100 yds groups flat suck with this setup and I believe there are two culprits.

One is the 30 MM tube requires medium ring mounts instead of low making for a piss poor cheek weld

Two increasing the length of leverage from hands positioned on the stock to the furthest point up top. All of this along with a scope that is double in weight.

For 100 yds throw the rifle to the shoulder and shoot offhand my lighter low mounted scopes I shoot a lot of 3" 100 yds groups as apposed to 5-6" groups with the SS atop.

Shod

Let me guess misplaced Observatory Telescope

Nice rifles! What scope are you running on them? Can't tell on my phone.

He finally saw the light and went with the SWFA SS's. I seem to recall him saying that he has over 20 of them so far. He Used to be a 6x42 Leupold whore until he discovered the 6x SS's with the MilQuad reticle.

Not mine but another member here who's name escapes me at the moment. Two of those scopes and mounts probably weighs more than a Kimber Accent.

Nice. I think It is time for me to try a 6x out.

His name won't escape you now.