Kimber 84 Hunter

[Newtosavage]

Finally handled one on Sunday. Wow. I handled a 30-06 and even with the 24" barrel that thing is incredibly light. It checks all the right boxes too - Great action, super smooth, high comb for using a scope, and a trigger unlike any other I've ever touched.

Guess I know what my next rifle is going to be.

I'd love to hear from owners about their accuracy before I fully commit.

 

[Bobson]

Kimber rifles have surprisingly mixed reviews, given their prices and "sub-MOA accuracy standard." I'm curious too.

 

[Steve S.]

I have owned an 84M Custom Classic Select in .308 for several years now; very beautiful wood, fit/ finish, exceptional trigger, very smooth action - it will shoot an inch at 100 yards with WW "white box" (150 grain). It is an extremely light rifle even with the Leupold scope and rings; it requires a different bench technique to shoot accurately - initially it seemed to shoot all over the place but I "learned" the light rifle technique (mostly rest position, no body torque, let thin barrel cool) - plan to reload in the near future. Some reviews are poor and my initial review would stink but for my learning curve - now, it is a keeper. I have killed two large deer at 100+ yards (side note, 150 grain .308 PLENTY of horsepower for even large deer). Again, shooting a light Kimber rifle required a learning curve for me. Good shooting!

 

[Captcurt]

If it ever stops raining where I can make it to the range I will post a review. I bought a Hunter in 257 Roberts and stuck a 3X9 Legend Ultra on it.

Nobody has brass, so I grabbed a couple of boxes of Hornady with 117gr SST's. That should get me on target and semi-broken-in. I have adjusted the trigger down to 2 3/4 pounds and ran a few patches of Iosso through it. Now if it will just stop raining.

 

[jonc]

I have one in 280 AI with a vx-3 on it. Accuracy was about 3/4 moa in mine with reloads

 

[gbw]

I have a wood stocked Select Grade 84M, matte stainless, in .308 that I bought 5 or 6 years ago. None were available to look at in my area so I ordered it sight unseen. I mounted a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x silver finish scope with Kimber mounts. Overall it's a surprisingly light, handy, attractive package. Total cost was just under $2000 I think.

Accuracy seems very good. I'm not a good enough rifle shot to comment further on accuracy, but it's surely better than needed for hunting. As someone else noted, it takes practice to get the most from these very light rifles.
Trigger is excellent - medium light, 4-5 pounds, and crisp.
The finish and feel are all very good.
The wood is nice but nothing special, fit is good but not great.
The action is not particularly smooth nor well fitted - bolt is looser than it should be once it's unlocked, kind of wobbly and binding.
The 'match chamber' Kimber talks about is not. It's somewhat rough and looks like it was finished with a worn out reamer. I've seen match rifles, and match chambers. This one isn't. While the brass is re-usable, the chamber leaves rings in a couple places. Disappointing.

Overall it's a nice rifle, but in my view it's overpriced. Kimber could have, and should have, done better.

Around the same time I also bought a new blue .30-06 Winchester M70 Super Grade. It was less expensive, but as far as I'm concerned is a better rifle and a far better value. But it's heavy.

 

[Newtosavage]

I have owned an 84M Custom Classic Select in .308 for several years now; very beautiful wood, fit/ finish, exceptional trigger, very smooth action - it will shoot an inch at 100 yards with WW "white box" (150 grain). It is an extremely light rifle even with the Leupold scope and rings; it requires a different bench technique to shoot accurately - initially it seemed to shoot all over the place but I "learned" the light rifle technique (mostly rest position, no body torque, let thin barrel cool) - plan to reload in the near future. Some reviews are poor and my initial review would stink but for my learning curve - now, it is a keeper. I have killed two large deer at 100+ yards (side note, 150 grain .308 PLENTY of horsepower for even large deer). Again, shooting a light Kimber rifle required a learning curve for me. Good shooting!

Sounds like my lightweight Ruger 77 with the pencil 18.5" barrel. Doesn't take much to throw a flier out there. I learned that it was a complete waste of ammo if I didn't let the barrel cool down between each shot. But if I did, it shoots as good as any other gun.

 

[Newtosavage]

I have one in 280 AI with a vx-3 on it. Accuracy was about 3/4 moa in mine with reloads

That's a caliber I'm giving serious consideration to, since I currently have a .280

 

[Newtosavage]

Overall it's a nice rifle, but in my view it's overpriced. Kimber could have, and should have, done better.

That's why I'm looking at the Hunter. If I want furniture, I'll buy furniture. My rifles are just tools for shooting things to me. And I'd rather carry a 6.5 lb. rifle than an 8 lb. rifle

 

[Gtscotty]

I have a Montana in 6.5 CM and I've been happy with it. It's very light, doesn't kick too much and while accuracy has been good, sometimes I'll get a flier or double group that makes me wonder if it could benefit from bedding. I'm going to try a few things this weekend and maybe bed next week. On the other hand it might just be my shooting that causes the fliers and occasional split groups. I think the machining is pretty good, and after putting 322 rds through it, the action is very slick.

If I can get my Montana to shoot to the level I think the barrel is capable of, I might be interested in picking up a Hunter in .280AI or maybe a 7mm-08 as a backup to the backup Elk rifle. I'm not one for oddball cartridges, and certainly don't need another rifle, but I want a 7mm, and the .280AI has some allure for me, seems like a perfect power level for elk. The 7mm's are also twisted right for my purposes at 1:9. I do think you get a lot of barrel and rifle in a decent utilitarian stock for $699 with the Hunter, that's about what my Tikka Superlite cost, and if you want a very light weight rifle, those are both great values.

A few pics of loads I've worked on, it also likes 129gr Hornady whitetail and Hornady 143 ELDx Precision Hunter factory loads.

 

[Llama Bob]

I have an 84M (classic select if I remember right) in 7mm-08 but not a Hunter. I got it for a lightweight mountain rifle for deer, antelope, sheep, goats, and black bear plus a potential hog gun. I haven't shot it a lot, but it did meet the MOA accuracy guarantee with 120gr fusions out of the box no problem. So far I'd give it an A.

 

[Newtosavage]

gtscotty - I get groups like that from my 77 international when I don't let the barrel completely cool. Lately, to accelerate the cooling process, I've been blasting the A/C in my pickup cab and setting my rifles in there with the vents blowing on them. What used to take 10 min. to cool down now takes about 2. Saves me a lot of time and frustration at the range even if it does waste some gas.

 

[jmr40]

I've had an 84M in 308 for 8 or 9 years now. In my opinion the short actions are where the rifles shine. At that weight the long action cartridges just have more recoil than it is worth. My rifle weighs just a hair under 6 lbs. including a Leupold scope in Talley mounts. Calculated recoil is almost exactly the same as a 7 1/2 lb. 30-06. Which is certainly tolerable, but I don't think I'd enjoy a 30-06 in a rifle that light.

Most of the negative reviews are from people who cannot shoot a 6 lb rifle accurately, not due to the rifles inability to shoot well. They tend to be a little picky about loads that shoot well also. Once you find a load they like they can be surprisingly accurate. I like mine, it ain't for sale, but it ain't my go-to rifle either. While the accuracy potential is certainly there I do tend to shoot a rifle just a bit heavier better. And my other two 308's tend to shoot a wider variety of loads well, not just one.

The stock on the Hunter version is injection molded plastic and a fair amount heavier than the fiberglass stocks on mine. That may well add just enough weight to help steady them without excess weight. I've chased lightweight rifles for years. I've come to the conclusion that somewhere between 7 lbs. to 7 1/2 lbs. scoped is just about perfect for an all around rifle. Hard kickers need to be heavier and the true lightweights have their place. I still hunt with mine, but only in the most rugged terrain where every ounce helps.

 

[Newtosavage]

I've come to the conclusion that somewhere between 7 lbs. to 7 1/2 lbs. scoped is just about perfect for an all around rifle.

I've noticed all my favorite hunting rifles fall into that weight range as well.

 

[Bobson]

The comments about a lightweight rifle being difficult to shoot and takes time to become accustomed to make a lot of sense. Thanks for addressing that, folks.

 

[FullClip]

84M Classic here in .308. Very pretty little rifle that replaced my Remington Model 7. I like it a lot, light to carry and comes up naturally. Little Leupold 1.5-5X VX3 on it. As others have said, it heats up after a couple shots and starts stringing, but it's not meant to be a battle rifle or varmint gun for extended shooting sessions. I'd buy one again...as for deer hunting I do a lot more walking than shooting.....a WHOLE lot more walking.

 

[mshootnit]

I've a Kimber Classic 8400M 270 WSM. That is my Go-to rifle, the one I would absolutely grab if I knew a big buck were on the line. And my 1A is a Weatherby Vanguard (not G2) stainless in 257 Weatherby mag. AFAIK it came with the world's only perfect factory Vanguard trigger.

 

[zb338]

Good honest groups Scotty. Good shooting, and good luck in the future.

Zeke

 

[Newtosavage]

84M Classic here in .308. Very pretty little rifle that replaced my Remington Model 7. I like it a lot, light to carry and comes up naturally. Little Leupold 1.5-5X VX3 on it. As others have said, it heats up after a couple shots and starts stringing, but it's not meant to be a battle rifle or varmint gun for extended shooting sessions. I'd buy one again...as for deer hunting I do a lot more walking than shooting.....a WHOLE lot more walking.

I'm the same way. I get all the sitting I want during bow season. By the time rifle season rolls around, I am ready to be on my feet, moving slowly which means I'm carrying my rifle all day. A few years ago I scored a great deal on a great shooting sporterized Swede 6.5x55. It was a lovely rifle with a great trigger and was MOA to 400 yards. But it weighed almost 9 lbs. and after one day in the woods I started looking for a lighter gun. I grew up toting a pre-64 Winchester 30-30 and that was my expectation for a deer rifle - light and quick. Not everyone needs such a light rifle though.

I have plans to hunt elk in the mountains of Colorado this fall. Last year I hunted with my (unscoped) muzzleloader which weighs in right at 7 lbs. That was all I wanted to carry at 10K feet all day long.

I'm happy with how my Ruger 77 (.280) is shooting now, but even with a 10 oz. scope on it, it's still over 8 lbs.

 

[MCMXI]

Finally handled one on Sunday. Wow. I handled a 30-06 and even with the 24" barrel that thing is incredibly light. It checks all the right boxes too - Great action, super smooth, high comb for using a scope, and a trigger unlike any other I've ever touched.

Guess I know what my next rifle is going to be.

I'd love to hear from owners about their accuracy before I fully commit

Newtosavage, I recently recommended a Kimber 84L Hunter in .30-06 Sprg to a coworker and he's thrilled with the rifle. See my thread HERE. I only shot two groups using factory Federal ammunition but the rifle shoots great. The first group was with 165gr Trophy Copper and the second using the same aiming dot was with 180gr Trophy Copper. Despite only weighing 5lb 11oz the .30-06 Sprg is a soft shooting rifle due to the design of the stock and recoil pad. If more people shot Kimbers and experienced how soft shooting they are for such a light rifle I think we'd see more Kimber owners. I shot a Tikka T3 chambered in .270 Win and it punched me way more than the Hunter in .30-06 Sprg.

There's a very good review of the Kimber 84L Hunter (.30-06 Sprg) coming out this weekend in the New Zealand Rod & Rifle magazine. The author shot a 0.5" group with a Hornady 150gr SST handload and a .75" group with factory Winchester Power Point 180gr and really likes the rifle which only weighs 5lb 11oz.

https://www.rodandrifle.co.nz/

The stock on the Hunter version is injection molded plastic and a fair amount heavier than the fiberglass stocks on mine.

For the record, the average Hunter stock with the magazine weighs about 3/8 lb more than the average Montana/Mountain Ascent/Subalpine/Adironack stock with the equivalent parts.

 

[cougar1717]

Most of the negative reviews are from people who cannot shoot a 6 lb rifle accurately

This is one of the most important lines in this thread. The generic name is a "mountain rifle," which has a thin barrel and a lightweight stock. It's for carrying far and shooting a few. It is a hunting rifle and not a benchrest rifle. You can't slap the trigger and get good groups. You can't lean into the stock and get good groups. You usually can't shoot more than three shots before flyers happen. And anyone who says they can shoot one of these "sub-moa all day if they do their part" isn't mentioning that it took them all day to shoot 40 cartridges! Maybe I'm exaggerating a little on that one. These Kimbers can be very accurate, but I've also seen one person shoot 3 shot 1 moa groups and another person shoot the same rifle later with 3 shot 3-4 moa groups. The first would consider it gold, the second "junk."

 

[Poper]

Well, Newtosavage, if you want to buy a Kimber 84M Select Grade in .308 Win., drop me a PM. I have one I am willing to part with.
JMHO, but I have found Kimber's rifles to be overpriced and their CS is marginal at best. Before you buy one, I suggest you try calling their CS.

 

[Casefull]

I have a couple of them in 308 and one in 300 WSM. If you want a lightweight rifle for half the price of a custom then kimber is a good way to go. As someone has said they are for hunting and ease of carry all day, not for screwing around at the range.

 

[MCMXI]

I have found Kimber's rifles to be overpriced and their CS is marginal at best. Before you buy one, I suggest you try calling their CS.

Yes, it's really bad customer service when a rifle company rebarrels a 10 year old rifle at no charge to the customer.

 

[Poper]

Yes, it's really bad customer service when a rifle company rebarrels a 10 year old rifle at no charge to the customer.

And it came back misfiring. More times than not, it will misfire the first round of the day to start and I often have 4 or 5 out of 28 that don't go. Light primer strikes appear the culprit. But it is probably because I don't know how to shoot a light rifle.
After spending 48 minutes on CS ignore, I gave up. A buddy tried to do me a favor and make the call for me. After about half an hour he fell asleep and woke up an hour later. He was still on hold. CS to be proud of, for sure.

I'll gladly sell it back to Kimber. I would much rather have part of my money back than a gun that is unreliable. Do a google search for "Kimber 84M misfires" or "Kimber 84M light primer strikes". I ain't the only one with a problem child.