Lets say I wanted to add a few oz to my Mountain Ascent...and that I like the classic wood look over the olive baby s*it color stock I got (compared to the nice forest green color on Kimber's website), what would I expect to change accuracy wise? I'm very pleased with the rifle, its a joy to carry compared to the heavy, cheap long actions I've always hunted with. It consistently puts 2 shots touching with the 3rd out 1/2" or so with the barrel hot when at the range with factory ammo. Am I going to ruin it if I get a wood stock from Kimber? Any roadblocks I'll encounter?

You aren't going to ruin anything on your current set up. You may have to bed the stock you get to your action to get best accuracy. What does Kimber want for a walnut stock? I would make sure I couldn't just buy a used 84m for $50 more.

Need bottom metal too?

I think I'd do what R H suggested and find a nice Classic for a stock swap.

Then keep or peddle the second rifle.

I suppose I would, the classic's aren't blind like the MA's eh?

Actually been in contact with an owner of an 84M stock that isn't out of this world expensive or anything. If I liked it I should be able to recoup and then some with my MA stock I would think.

One roadblock is that If you call Kimber CS you'll discover that they won't sell you a wood stock. The only stocks that Kimber will sell and ship to a customer are Montana stocks.

A can of paint might make you happy.

Yep found that out this morning, but there is one for sale on Gunbroker. However, thanks to a couple of the above posters spending my money, I just bought a 243 84M Classic Select STAINLESS, I'm pumped. Now i'll be able to have matching grip cap and bottom metal, and sell what is essentially a Montana 243. Figure it'll add about 8-10 oz to my MA, bring it up around 7 lbs 6 oz or so, and be a beautiful frankenkimber.

Oh and it'll have a 13.5" LOP vs 13.75", which is perfect for me.

You might want to hang on to that Montana .243 Win for a year or two since the Kimber Mfg. Inc, Yonkers, NY, USA marked rifles might become more collectible in the not too distant future.

I have the sister to that very rifle, I was watching it on Gunbroker as well. Was actually contemplating offering you a trade for your synthetic stock as I scrolled through the thread...then that. Nice grab hope it gets you where you want to be!

Also interesting that you found Kimber will sell you a Montana stock...I was under the impression they'd only do that if you had a damaged one you sent them for replacement.

That's a good looking rifle. I would probably keep them both and hunt them however I liked. Don't you have a large scope set up on your Ascent? You might set it up a a true light weight and keep the other for everything else. At least try the new one with 80 grn TTSX. It would be plenty for whitetail and a joy to shoot. Keep them both a while anyway. I always hear guys say "I wish I had never sold....."

Yep that crossed my mind a few minutes ago RH. Putting a 2.3-18x56 Z8i on the MA tonight. So it’ll wind up a pretty, very well scoped rifle that is still on the lighter side. Then put a 10-12 oz scope on the 243...how exciting it is to blow money lol.

I didn’t ask about synthetic stocks, but he gave me explicit reasons for why they wouldn’t sell me a wood one. But I will simply drop the 243 barreled action into my 2017 mountain ascent moss green stock, making it essentially a Montana.

How much does Kimber charge for a Montana stock? Is this something new? I thought they would not sell Montana stocks with out trading in a damaged one.

$475 for the stock plus a few $ for sling swivel studs or anything else you might need. You're not required to send in a damaged one or provide a reason as to why you want a Montana stock but you might get the usual disclaimer regarding the fit and no guarantee of performance etc., but that's not surprising.

Thanks MCMXI, that's good to know!

Pm sent

The Kimber 84 ChrisAU showed is the best figure I have seen on a Kimber Classic Select. Maybe with their new Alabama Troy plant some things will change. I saw a number of Classic Selects at a local dealer and was totally unimpressed with the oil finish on their rifles , they were very blotchy! I now buy SS barrels and actions if possible. I have a Winchester Model 70 SS Ultimate Shadow with synthetic stock. It is the ONLY synthetic stock I have been impressed with. I have Model 700s, Model 70s, Browning X Bolts. Most stable stocks we have EVER tested were laminates. Where did ChrisAU get the Kimber he posted pics of?

Just happened upon it on Gun Broker.

Today may be the day my FrankenKimbers are born. Questions:

1) Anyone know the actual torque for the action screws? All kinds of answers out there.

2) Anyone use low strength loc-Tite on action screws?

65 in-lb front and rear.




The action screws typically have a Loctite patch on them from the factory but you could always add a drop of Loctite 242 (blue) to the threads. Personally I would shoot the rifle and check the torque of the action screws periodically to see if they're working loose before adding additional Loctite.

Yikes, I would be scared of cracking the tang area with the rear screw that tight. Kimber recommends 45 in-lb front, and 35 rear.

The wood stocks have aluminum pillars to transfer the clamping force from the underside of the action screw head to the threads of the receiver just like the synthetic stocks, so it's all metal to metal contact.

Well, it’s done. Had to sand the Mountain Ascent stock a decent amount at the forend to float the barrel. 308 fit perfectly in the classic stainless stock, I love the look, the extra weight is still less than any other wood stocked rifle with a Z8i on it, and I do like the hinged floor plate.

Meanwhile, suprisingly, the 243 wound up at 5 lbs 1.35 oz. Thats with a titanium mountain ascent bolt, but no other changes to the action.

And thanks to a slip with the dremel sanding bit and a stripe in the stock behind the tang thanks to my Swaro’s weird ass rear flip cover (left it open with the rifle slung over my shoulder and the rear cover rotated the focus and ground away a nice 1.5” or so of the olive green finish), I just ordered some hunter green krylon, Black webbing paint, and clear. Been wanting to try that. I know it’ll add an ounce or so but it should look sweet and be more durable.

You are right. The wood stock would have no problem with that torque. The OP mentioned a Montana, so that's why I made that comment. I should have made it more clear.

A few years ago, Kimber had a problem with cracked Montana stocks, so they now recommend 35 in-lb for the rear screw.

I tested it by upping my torque screwdriver 5 in/lbs at a time when taking the mountain ascent apart. They both finally cracked at 45 in/lbs, so thats what they went back in at with the 243 action. I did run the 308 up to 65 in/lbs, I didn't feel as if I was stressing anything. It was maybe a 1/4 turn more than the 45 in/lbs.

The synthetic stocks also have aluminum pillars for metal to metal contact. If you call CS these days you'll get 65 in-lb front and rear on all action screws for all rifles.

Kimber sells a 65 in-lb torque wrench if anyone is interested. I have a couple that are very convenient for action screws but I prefer and use Wiha torque screwdrivers for general rifle/optic use.

http://store.kimberamerica.com/65-in-lb-torque-wrench

I believe you. Who do you talk to at Kimber to get these answers? Every time I call, they still say 45/35, and they will not sell me a Montana stock without sending the gun with a broken stock in.