I’m seriously thinking about having Kevin Weaver build my Kimber 300wsm into a full blown custom for my plains game trip to Zambia in 2023. I visited Jim Bisio at Heritage Walnut this morning and looked over several of his blanks, and Kevin suggested a Lilja barrel for the re-barrel. Any reason not to build a full blown custom on my Kimber? Which blank do you guys prefer?

I went with shortactionsmokers Lilja dupe of the factory contour on my .358 when I rebarreled my 84M.

Places a little more weight toward the end of the barrel, shoots well.

Bisio is a great guy.
Since he's a fine gunmaker I'd ask his opinion on his blanks.
Just looking at the 2 pics, I'd select the one on the right with finish on it. Can't see the grain flow on top & bottom though. Grain flow through the grip and along the forend is the most important part of the blank. Color & figure are just fluff. Make sure it lays out FIRST.

I love my Custom Kimber and I'm really glad I did one. I used a Lija barrel 243 8T. and English Walnut for the stock. I did a Kimber Montana in 17 Rem. and now a Kimber Montana in 204. All are Lilja barrels using the 84M contour.

+1

I really like the second from the left and the fourth from the left either would make for a very eye-catching stock. But on the other hand I would likely just use the Kimber stock for the hunt since it is likely to get some bumps and gouges.

drover

Looking at both sides, right blank would seem to offer the better layout. Good luck !

CD

Shortactionsmoker’s Lilja contour is incorrect on an 8400 WSM due to shank diameter. What you’re looking for is Lilja's Kimber mod8400 contour, which is essentially the same concept as the SAS contour, but made for the 8400. It finishes out at .617” at 24”, as opposed to the factory .560” at 24”.

For the guys with an 84L or 84M, check out the Lilja modk84L. It adds a little more muzzle diameter compared to SAS’s mod84m contour, and is something I had Lilja draw up. I prefer it to the SAS contour as it adds a little more weight out front (and definitely prefer it over the factory contour). It fits in the forend on either the 84L or 84M; simply have the smith cut the shank shorter if chambering on an 84M. The modk84L has a muzzle diameter of .631” at 24”.

Second from the left has great grain flow through the wrist and will finish with great presentation . Stable fore end grain is a plus, especially for a rifle that will be travelled extensively IMO....

I’ve been in Kevin’s shop when he was checkering a stock and he was telling about it. Incredible the skill and time that goes into it. I think you’ll be happy with the result, whichever blank you choose.

I like the 2nd one from the far right. As far as barrels...nothing wrong with Lilja (have a 6-06). No reason not to go full custom on a Kimber.

Pay attention to what JRgunmaker says.
Layout, layout, layout.

I would want a quarter sawn blank. To know you need to look directly at the butt and tip. From the rear end of the grip cap also anything ok but forward of that is critical.

Lastly until you have seen lots of blanks turned into stocks you will likely pick the wrong one. Usually plain is your friend.

They are all quarter sawn I believe, and I’m leaning heavily on Jim for the blank. He said the layout on all will be good. I believe he said the 2nd from the right will most likely “finish up.” I did not know what that mean until he explained it will probably finish better than what it shows, and move up a grade.

I've only owned one Lilja barrel, but it was a shooter. No complaints.

I had Pacnor duplicate a barrel for me. It shoots great. Fit was great.

Have owned 3 stainless Lilja's. Two are great, one is crap.

The bad one shoots patterns. My smith sent it back and they admitted it wasn't lapped. The good ones are extremely good, but the dud still doesn't perform to my satisfaction.

I like the third from the left ( or the one closest to the dark blank) I'm a sucker for Marble Cake!

Besides the barrel what else would you do to a Kimber? True the action, trigger swap?

I have an 84L re-barreled w/a SS Lilja factory dupe 1:8, 3-groove, 270Win. Smith trued the action, chambered and installed the bbl. I bedded the stock including all of the full-diameter shank portion of the bbl and free-floated the rest.

I have an 84M re-barreled with a re-contoured to factory duplicate from Bartlein 1:8, 22-250 that got the same treatment.

Both are exceptional shooters.

One of the the two middle…but I’d choose the 2nd from right.

Which one did the OP pick? My leg is starting to twitch!!!

Yep - Lilja's modified 8400 is exactly what I'm doing with my 325 WSM Classic going to 7 SAUM...

Starting from the left I would take the 3rd one. The one next to the stained one. I have 3 Super Americas though so I am not sure I need to look at wood.

Here is an interesting blank for your custom Kimber- this guy seems to have several of this quality

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402700756781?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201018205123%26meid%3D30bcfdeedc354c9fb9208a24d05aad34%26pid%3D101286%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dnone%26itm%3D402700756781%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26algv%3DWatchlistVariantWithMLR&_trksid=p2380057.c101286.m47999&_trkparms=pageci%3A4a3a7d06-5977-11ec-9b54-6642bc887d09%7Cparentrq%3Aa2bea26f17d0a0adb15f028cfffeba7c%7Ciid%3A1