Ok. I have to take back everything I ever said about Kimber's Montana. I gave in and ordered one in 308. Took possession yesterday, checked the Campfire list of 'tweaks' and loaded some rounds last evening. This is from today's range session. Nothing done to the rifle but checked the mag box to make sure it would wiggle (it did), adjusted the trigger to 2.5 lbs, and made sure the front action screw did not bottom out (it didn't). So here are the results with it fresh out of the box, with VX2 2-7 mounted in Talleys.

150 TTSX over 45 gr H4895: 5 shots into 1.1"
150 NAB over 46.5 gr Varget: 5 shots into .7"

Fantastic! Congratulations!

Perfect scope for that rifle too!

That might just work.

I'm liking it. I think either of those loads will do just about anything needin' doin" in NA.

Both loads read just north of 2800 fps. Not sure if I just got lucky on those book loads from Nosler and Barnes, or if the rifle is just that good.

I'm not sure why that would surprise you. But congrats on having a nice rifle to enjoy.

Not bad for a flyweight rifle!

Owned one previously in 30-06. I couldn't get it to shoot, got impatient with it and sold it.

I continued to hold a grudge until the Montana Clan on here (unknowingly) convinced me to try another. Went 308 this time...

Bedding is never a bad thing with any Montana, especially the forward receiver/shank. Cutting an 84L's barrel an inch or two isn't a bad idea either. Ditto a light trigger.

But a 308 is the no-brainer Montana choice of the century (grin).

Try the 155 Scenar, if only to see the real potential.

Might do a skim bed and try the 155 Scenar. Always like playing with different things.

But honestly don't see needing more than the results realized with the 150 NAB!

I've yet to see a 308 MT that wouldn't shoot several things VERY well.

I wouldn't fret 2,900 from a 22" tube.

I was lobbing the 150 TTSX and NPTG at those speeds this morning. (M77 MkII)

May have to "pull the trigger" on one of the '08 Montanas for a mtn. rifle.

I hope you do give a skim bed. I never wait long enough to shoot it before and after bedding so I don't really know if it has made a difference. I've found the Scenars do shoot real well. But that's out of a rifle that seems to shoot everything well. Put a little Varget behind one and try it.

This rifle seemed to prefer Varget over 4064 with the NABs. Maybe a skim bed will be done tomorrow and hunt for some Scenars.

Appreciate the replies. fellas.

Skim bed it and for sh*ts and giggles try some 165 gr Sierra HPGK's

I'd skim bed it and stick with the Accubond and Varget. I'd most likely touch up the Crown a bit with a pushrod and lapping compound.

Then I'd go shoot critters all day long anywhere out to 500 ish yds.

Shod

There's a lot of people that have never owned a Montana that are going to tell you, you're lucky.



Travis

I think a 308 Montana is as good as it gets for a hunting rifle...

It's funny how people can get in a rut and start criticizing one particular rifle when all the time you could find just as many bad reports about nearly any model or make.

At 6 lbs all up, this thing will be a joy to tote.

Anyone killed game with the Scenars?

Wow.
I'm amazed at what passes for acceptable accuracy here.

He is the luckiest sumbeach I know. Someday I might get to be a lucky sumbeach.

Shod

Yea, he should have only posted the few really exceptional groups like everyone else.

Congrats on your new rifle.

No, Scenar's are match bullets and pencil right through everything from coyotes to bears.

I was happy for the first range session with no tweaking of loads or rifle. 1" 5-shot groups will kill to 500 easily if I do my part. .67" for 5 shots with NABs at 2850 fps is pretty damn good in my book out of this lightweight.

As far as 155 Scenars, I answered my own question here:

Scenars

The target in the picture says 1.1" and 1.2"

Just sayin

Shod

Love it! Mine shoots like a target rifle with 45-grains of Varget and 168-NBT.

Yes. Look closely. 5 shots. One is outside the group. I will work on the 1.1 and 1.2 TTSX groups. Skim bedding today...






Still doesn't shoot better than my 788 in 308 or my 260 Tikker. But it ain't bad, and I'm not done yet.

So, as I understand it, you won't be sending this one down the road any time soon?
Could be you found a new favorite!

yessir. I can't imagine parting with this one. It shows promise. And losing more than a pound off my back when hiking the hills sounds very attractive.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/brad300wsm/P1020117.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/brad300wsm/P1020118.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/brad300wsm/P1020119.jpg[/img]

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we need calipers..

And some RL15.

That's a keeper. Hunt the heck out of it.

I've switched to Varget since then... these Kimbers, what a crap shoot.

Is that a factory tube Brad?

Shod

Yup.

155 Scenars in a 308 Montana are a badass combo....

Tanner

How are they on 900 yard headshots?

Show us what's acceptable.




Travis

Good shooting Brad and 1Deernut. With consistent shooting form, its nice to see how a lightweight can perform.

If that rifle shoots five into .67, I wouldn't touch it. It ain't for benchrest. Nice!

Always amusing to hear from guys that never leave the 300 yard line..

Open invitation to you to come air that POS styer out.I'll grab a Remlin out of the corner and kick your ass with it. You window lickers are a riot.

Looks good to me!!! Heck I am happy with anything inside 1.5" at 100 yards though. I find that "acceptable accuracy" given the distances I shoot game from. Anything tighter than that is a bonus!!!

You don't need a sub MOA rifle to kill any big game animal inside 300 yards contrary to popular opinion.

Congrats on the new rifle 1Deernut!

Thanks, guys. I'm plenty happy with the accuracy of the rifle with both 150 NABs and 150 TTSXs. I've punched enough paper, rang enough steel, and killed enough animals out to 500 to know that 1 MOA is acceptable if the shooter does his part. In fact, I loaded 40 more of the 150NABs last evening. Can't see improving on that load much!

Ordered 100 Scenars last evening after doing a skim bed. The rifle didn't seem to need it, but it makes me feel better that the bedding is tight.

Looking forward to more shooting, and spinning dials for distance. Should be a nice little rig.

Very nice!!! I wish I could shoot that well.

Nice rig, nice shooting 1Deernut.

Thanks, JGR. One of my better days...

It's pretty dang impressive what a 1" gun will actually do when not shot at paper. Lots of guys get hung up on groups, as do I sometimes. But groups are a fools game and hitting stuff is the fun part. Enjoy the Kimber.

Look'n good. After the barrel breaks in those groups should tighten up even more.

I think it was Steelhead years ago that said he'd much rather own a "hitter" than a "grouper".

He won't wrong.

If it will average 5" or less at 500 yds then its a 1" gun. If not then its just another gun being called a 1" gun.

Shod

You haven't figured out that accuracy ain't linear yet?

Tanner

I have never owned a rifle that wouldn't do both.

Sure it is! The further away the bigger the groups! Right?

That's linear!

Kinda like someone on the 'Fire that posts 1 asshat remark per hour only being called an azzhole vs. posting 5 asshat remarks in 5 hours actually being an azzhole?

I'd say you're plenty good to go with that rifle/load combo. Good shooting!

Nice lightweight rig!.......Congrats!....................Hb

100 155 Scenars now in hand. Anybody got a good starting load for this Montucky?

44.5gr's of RL 15.



Travis

Thanks, Travis.

Varget. Work up to somewhere between 45 and 46.5 and I predict you'll find happiness.

I will try Varget too. Thanks,

Unless you can shoot better than 1" 5 shot groups from field positions, this rifle has more than acceptable accuracy.

That's a damn fine looking rifle you got there.