Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7mm-08 Kimber Montana

I've been really thinking about taking the plunge.
Would like to get hear your thoughts..
I'll be going for Caribou in Alaska and on several other trekking style hunts in the next few years.
This caliber and rifle combo really has my attention.

What do you like most about the rifle?
What would you change?
The downsides?

Only down side all your other rifles will feel like lead weights after carrying that for a while.

I'd say go for it the 7-08 will work more than fine for caribou and larger.

I took the plunge for a 308 recently. I'm happy with the results. Shoots 150 NABs and TTSXs over Varget MOA.

My 8+ lb rifles feel like anchors compared to this little rig.

J,

although I'm prolly not known as Kimber rifles' number one fan, the three Montanas that I owned (260 Rem., 325 WSM, 308 Win) were just fine with a little tweaking.


325 WSM,
260 Rem.

They were svelte, lightweight and plenty accurate for the type of hunting I do. Yeah they have thin wispy barrels, but how often do you shoot multiple times at a critter. Develop a load that works first shot out of a cold barrel.

You can beat the schitt outta the stocks and a 3 position safety IIRC.

and they are light weight!!!!

As to the 7mm-08. I currently have 4 rifles in that chambering and may soon have a 5th if I can buy it right.

I've prolly killed more stuff with a 7mm-08 and 140 gr. Accubonds than any other between 17 cal and 45 cal.

I'd say if you can find one pre-enjoyed at a reasonable price, go for it.

JAPPF,

GWB

There have been six threads in this Forum within the last two weeks discussing the Montana, just check back through the index....

The thing that concerns me most is the magazine length. I'm not partial to the 160s, but it would sure be nice to shoot them on bigger game. Has anybody had luck shooting the 150s or 160s?

Did an Alaska caribou hunt self guided a few years ago out of Bethel. I used a Model 7 in 350 mag, about 6.5 pounds scoped, buddy used a Model 700 in 7mm mag, probably about 8 pounds scoped. Both worked well, mine was just a bit easier to carry.

Caribou are big animals, so a bit more caliber than 7-08 wouldn't hurt, but a well placed 7-08 in the lungs will get the job done. I would probably use a premium bullet.

I handled a Kimber Montana, liked the feel and balance of it....but I like lighter, barrel light rifles. If you like a more barrel forward feel (and some do, finding them more stable) it may not be the right choice.

Nosler #7 shows 2.770 for the 150 gr.E-tip and 2.800 for both the 150 and 160 gr partitons, and 2.800 for the 160 gr. Accubonds.

What's not to like?

JAPPF,

GWB

Berger shows their 168 gr. VLD hunting at 2.800 OAL.

GWB

I thought about a 7-08 but 270's are just that much better....grin



7-08 Montana would be a great hunting rifle.

Sam, you have such a way with words!! I like my .270 the more I use it..

The 7mm-08 is the backpackers,& B.C. nuts' version of the 270.

guess one could always compromise and go with a 30-06.


GWB

J,

have you thought of the Kimber Mountain Ascent?

chambered in 280 AI.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=476719912

you could fling a 160 gr. Accubond quite a ways.


GWB

I'm jumping the 162 AMAX a tenth (0.100") with COAL set at 2.8". The rifle shoots better than I do. I'm convinced a better rifleman could stack 'em in one hole. I've seen numerous 3-shot cloverleafs and one-holers, but haven't been able to shoot 5 or 10 that well

So far roughly 1-moa out to 670 yards... but the "testing" isn't over yet.

Please tell me you are joking! A 7-08 is about as good as it gets for caribou. Most kids cut their teeth up here with caribou hunting at and a 243 or something else based off the 308 case is usually the rifle of choice. Caribou aren't hard to kill, nor are they that big either.

+1

I've seen them killed with .243 up to .450/400 3". If unwounded they are easy to kill with a well-placed shot from just about anything.

I'm just starting to see what mine will do, but I'm jumping the 162AM 0.160" at an OAL of 2.826". Gonna do a little playing with it tomorrow.

That's the one downside but with mine there hasn't been a problem finding loads that shoot well with a jump to the lands.

I just picked up one of these for my nephew's 8th graduation with a 3x9 CDS on talley UL lows... Waiting till the 13th for the10 day waiting time (damn Cali laws)... What loads should I start with? What's the max distance you would take with this caliber?

My 7-08 MT preferred 150's over 140's by a fair bit. Others could be the reverse. I used the 150 Ballistic Tip and it certainly worked perfectly on the one elk I downed with it.

Regardless, any decent 140 will work perfectly on caribou.

I will never be without a Kimber MT, though my preference is the 308.