Purchased this Kimber Montana 280AI and was able to get to the range today. Fired 30shots total (all reloads with new Nosler factory 2nds brass), some checking for pressure and a few under max loads. Shot well with the bullets/powders combo I had on hand. What got me was how the fired brass looked when ejected. There's a visible ring around the body/shoulder area that looks and feels like when you score/cut copper pipe with a pipe cutter. I can feel the groove when running my finger nails thru it. The PO sent a box of 1x fired factory brass (16 Hornady/4 Nosler) with it and all those brass have the same marks.

I guess a bad/worn reamer was used or a chip got lodged when the chamber was cut? I'm the 3rd owner and way past Kimber's warranty period. So I'm not sure if Kimber will do anything. I'll give Kimber a call tomorrow or next week. Maybe have a smith set back the barrel and clean up the chamber.




Pics of 1x fired Hornady brass




Nosler factory 2nds brass, 1x fired Nosler and 1x fired Hornady brass




Target pics with 120gr Nosler B-tips and 150gr Lapua Scenars at 100yds

If it sizes and extracts fine I wouldn’t worry about it.

I would listen to what Shane has to say!

^^^^^^^^ I would not tolerate that sloppy crap and probably why you are the 3rd owner.

Don't mess with a rifle that shoots like that!

I had the same exact issue with a 84 Montana in 257. Sent it back and 3 weeks later it came back with a new barrel. Incorrectly cut chamber. Always shot great but shoots even better.

While I might not be happy about it, I also wouldn't worry about it if it doesn't affect function. GD

I just sent a 257 Classic Select. It’s out fo the warranty period. We’ll see what Kimber says. It has visual chamber marks and the barrel has a messed up thread that is visible from the camber. The action feels fine when cycled empty but is very stiff to operate when loading/extracting.

I had a 243 that marked the same way just lower on the case. Shot well enough and didn’t see a need to fool with it.

All the fired brass extracts fine. I loaded a few more loads with the 1x fired Nosler brass, neck sizing with a LEE collet die. I plan to take a few pieces of brass and load/fire for at least 5-10 times and see if anything changes.

I had the same problem with a Hunter Pro in .308 Win. I sent it back to Kimber and they replaced the barrel. Shoots great now and no more brass issues.

I hate kimbers and other crf rifles, but, you should run it..

Yer killin me Judman...

send it back... I had a montana that was so bad it would not even chamber a factory round... nothing to uncommon for Kimber

Kimber roulette?

That’s awful!
...better send it to me. Heavily discounted, of course!

Seriously though - you could send it off and get it back not shooting anywhere near that well.

At least this one didn't need the extractor bent.

That really screws guys up.

I would run it!!!!!

I sent a Montana in 257 Bob back that had chatter marks in the chamber which transferred to the brass. They sent it back after “polishing” the chamber saying it was “in spec”. Looked EXACTLY the same.....I Rebarreled it....

Now when I buy a Kimber it’s assumed to be a donor....

Wait until you shoot groups.....then you won't want to send it back to Kimber

You will be giving it its 4th home

I’d load those scenars and find something else to worry about.

Shooting like that, I would live with it!

Huh?

Kimber CS is a total joke... They think a bolt should drop closed on a no-go gauge... and a mere 0.100" extra in chamber depth is okay....

I thought Kimber was a premium rifle brand. This entire story sounds bad, very bad......and not just one person with issues.

I suppose they need to slow down and maintain some quality control. I don't think they are made in China, are they?

The motto in China is "just good enough" to get it out the door.

A few have apparently missed those posts....

Selling it......

Huh.
The pictures he posted sure didn’t look like groups representative of a rifle I’d kick out of bed for eating crackers ... but I’ll grant they weren’t up to BSA standards.

I've got a Remington 700 rebarreled with a takeoff factory .308 24R bbl. I picked the barrel up cheap on here from prariegoat. It's an absolute tack driver, but it's got a chamber that produces fired brass marked with it's particular chamber irregularities, much like the OP's. It's one of several 308's in the safe. I never need to worry about keeping track of which brass came from that rifle.