Kimber 8400

[375shooter]

Hello all:
I'm thinking of getting a Kimber 8400 Montana in 300 WSM as my next rifle. Anybody have any experience with them?

 

[jmr40]

No 1st hand experience with the 8400, but since no one else has responded I will say I have been extremely pleased with my 84M in 308. Once finding a load it likes mine is amazingly accurate, and is a joy to carry around. 1" groups are normal and 1/2" are quite common.

Kimber really did a good job designing the stock and they use a good recoil pad. This 5lb. 308 seems to recoil less than my 7lb. 30-30.

I would imagine the 300 WSM would be no different. The 8400 has a slightly different feel to it, and has a bit of a pot belly under the magazine that I do not like quite as well. Those are minor issues I'm sure I could live with if I wanted the power of the WSM.

 

[375shooter]

No 1st hand experience with the 8400, but since no one else has responded I will say I have been extremely pleased with my 84M in 308. Once finding a load it likes mine is amazingly accurate, and is a joy to carry around. 1" groups are normal and 1/2" are quite common.

Kimber really did a good job designing the stock and they use a good recoil pad. This 5lb. 308 seems to recoil less than my 7lb. 30-30.

I would imagine the 300 WSM would be no different. The 8400 has a slightly different feel to it, and has a bit of a pot belly under the magazine that I do not like quite as well. Those are minor issues I'm sure I could live with if I wanted the power of the WSM.

That's the kind of information I'm looking for. I'm glad to see you are extremely pleased with your 84M. I'm actually also considering and 84M in 223, 22-250 or 257 Roberts. There are no Kimbers being sold in my local guns shops so I'm unable to actually handle one. I will have to order one in. How is the action and the feeding? Smooth? Any tendency to bind? Is the safety quiet?

 

[Horsemany]

I had a 300wsm 8400 and sold it cause I couldn't get it to feed smoothly. The gun shot very well though.

 

[jmr40]

Mine feeds and functions perfectly. The safety is typical of Kimber and Winchester. They are not as easily operated as a Remington or other rifle with the tang safety, but I like the 3 position type and am used to it on my Winchesters.

I have read that some of the early Kimbers had a few more issues. Once again I have no personal experience, but it seems that several companies have had a few problems getting the short magnums to feed as well as traditional rounds. This also seems to have been corrected with later models by all of the manufacturers.

 

[steven58]

Cabela's usually carries the Kimber rifles if you want to handle one. I was looking at the 84M in .308. Loved its fit and finish, light weight and how the stock design makes it just "fly" to your shoulder. This is a gun that wants to be shot. I don't know if that makes any sense but that's how this rifle feels Throw in accuracy, controlled round feeding and it was almost perfect.

ALMOST... Unfortunately I'm left handed and Kimber does not make the 84M leftie :banghead: Does do the 8400 but I wanted a light trim .308.

I wound up buying an Ultra Light Arms model 20 as it is available left handed. turns out that Melvin Forbes of ULA helped in the design of the 84M. I wound up getting higher build quality and accuracy, a custom fitted stock and paint job, my birthday as the serial # and great customer service. I gave up the controlled round feed, Winchester safety (ULA is a Remington style) and about $1000.00 more cash.

MY ULA is my favorite rifle bar none!