$1K Lightweight walking gun: Kimber Montana or Sako Finnlight...?

[warriorsociologist]

Hi all. I'm looking to spend about $1K on a lightweight "walking gun" in .308. I have been leaning towards the Kimber 84M Montana in .308. I like the fact that the Kimber is about 1 lb. lighter than the Finnlight, has about 2 additional inches of barrel (nice, but neither "too much" nor really necessary), and (to me) has a nicer stock. That said, I really want at least a hinged floorplate (detachable mag preferred) - hence the Sako (the Kimber Montana has a blind mag).

Thoughts?

 

[warriorsociologist]

For what it's worth...

now that I've now hefted both, cycled there actions dozens of times, imagined carrying them, shooting them, cleaning them, etc... After some degree of anguish, I have decided to go with the Finnlight. That said, I'd jump on board for the Kimber IF (and only if) it could be had with a hinged floorplate. Also, I know that the track record of the Sako is proven...the 84M series is new (looks good so far) and unproven...yet.

Maybe someday I'll have both, but for now, I'm getting the Sako.

 

[jimbo]

How can you go wrong with the Sako? I'm prone to the Montana, myself. But you can't go wrong either way and I'm sure you are going to love that sweet new shooter. Don't forget to give us a full report when you get it sighted in.

 

[ArMa]

I got my Kimber Montana 308 yesterday, that kevlar stock is amazing, feels good, looks good, and wow is it light. I felt the finnlights they're nice but I dont really have a need for a hinged floor plate when hunting, and its nice to have a good high quality firearm made in USA.

 

[M16]

The Kimber 8400 has the hinged floorplate. Why not just buy it? I prefer the the Montana without the hinged floorplate although I wound up buying both.

 

[larryw]

Artistry in Steel and Walnut

 

[ArMa]

I actually know a guy that deer hunts with a cooper, I cry when I see him crawl through manzanita with it on his back... its in 6.5x284 (great caliber, coeffiencent is >.6)