Kimber 84m must not be a sub-MOA rifle

[BluegrassDan]

I have tried and tried. Three or four different powder types, two or three bullet types (not to mention half a dozen or more factory loads).

This gun will not group consistantly below 1 MOA. Yes, it will do the occasional .3" 3-shot group after a few attempts, but to actually put 5 rounds, group after group, into sub-MOA is unobtainable.

I have settled on a hunting load of 165 grain Sierra Gameking over 44 grains of IMR 4320, Federal match primers, and Winchester brass. It groups consistently around 1.25" over and over and over again.

There is only one last thing that I am going to try. Neck sizing only. I have a neck sizing die ordered and on the way. Anyone think this will help?

This rifle has a long chamber and the closest I can seat bullets and still be able to use the magazine is 0.1" off the lands. Quite a jump.

If the neck sizing doesn't work, I'm just going to come to terms with the fact that this gun is not a sub-MOA gun. Over 1,000 rounds later, it's time to face the facts.

 

[rcmodel]

Not questioning your shooting ability.
But have you been able to shoot sub-MOA 5-shot groups with any other rifles??

The other thing is, I believe the Kimber 84M is an ultra-light hunting rifle that weighs a tick over 5 pounds?

Trying to get a tiny barrel to hold sub-MOA after the barrel starts getting really hot is an exercise in futility.
And I bet it kicks like a stud mule on crack!
Both those things can open up groups real fast!

Maybe you should do 3-shot groups.
Or shoot one shot and come back for another one after the barrel cools to ambient air temp.
That is the way a hunting rifle is likely to be used anyway.
One shot, one kill, from a cold barrel, right!

But regardless of all that?
Keep shooting it.
Won't be long till you burn the barrel out and have to replace it.
Maybe the next one will do better!

rc

 

[Abel]

It groups consistently around 1.25" over and over and over again.

I'm not sure why you would complain about that with five shot groups. You should test it at 200 yards and 300 yards to see if it stays on that 1.25" @ 100 yards curve. If you can do better than a 5" group at 300 yards, you are set.

 

[LoonWulf]

My savage .243 will not hold better then 1.5" at 100 for a five shot group, unless i space the shots out by 5-10 mins. It will usually put 3 almost touching, then the next 2 will be out high and right, if i fire 10rnds over 5mins or so group will end up in the 3-5" range. If i let the barrel fully cool after a 3 round group i can usually keep everything inside of 1" for as long as i feel like going thru the hassel of shooting and waiting.

 

[30Cal]

Neck sizing isn't going to make a measurable difference.

Have you tried any match bullets? Expecting match results otherwise is is an uphill battle.

 

[jmr40]

Lightweight Kimbers require much more attention to detail on the bench to get them to shoot well. I also think that they are one of those rifles that shoot better after 100-150 rounds through them.

Mine didn't shoot nearly as well as I'd have liked at first. After about the 100 round mark I suddenly started getting good groups. Not sure if the rifle got better, or if I just finally mastered shooting a 5 lb rifle.

I've had good luck with 45.5 gr of RL 15 and 165 gr Hornady bullets.

If it will shoot the occasional .3 group, it is capable of shooting 1 MOA. I really think you just need to master your skills before giving up on the rifle.

 

[Coal Dragger]

BluegrassDan,

It sounds like you have a wonderfully accurate and consistent light weight hunting rifle. If you were looking for a consistent sub MOA target rifle or a hunting rifle capable of that, you will need to look at rifles with heavier contour barrels. On average those will be a better bet.

 

[dusty14u]

So what is the purpose of the rifle? Is it for hunting or shooting tiny groups at the range? If it is for hunting I really don't see an issue. If it is for shooting tiny groups at the range then I think you are using the wrong platform. Just my .02 worth.

 

[desidog]

Is this an issue of the type of use, or the fact that the rifle is advertised as sub-MOA?

For the price of a Kimber, I'd expect it to shoot sub-MOA with regular ole' factory ammo; and most definitely with custom-tailored loads.

 

[Zerodefect]

Is this an issue of the type of use, or the fact that the rifle is advertised as sub-MOA?

For the price of a Kimber, I'd expect it to shoot sub-MOA with regular ole' factory ammo; and most definitely with custom-tailored loads.

Allmost Nothing shoots MOA with cheap plinking ammo. At least I've never witnessed that. But I have seen factory manufactured premium ammo shoot sub MOA often. But thats at $3 per round.

You also need placebo rifle available. One that you know shoots sub MOA. Shoot the placebo, if it hits a poor 2moa due to field conditions, then expect your other rifle to do the same. It takes the shooter element out of question a little as well.

I once saw a new rifle shooter freak whent the use bolt action gun he just bout ended up 3moa. And he witnessed the previous shooter shoot .75moa with the same ammo and rifle when he bought it.

Then I pointed to my 6moa target. Seems that wind, rain, and snow all at the same time, have an effect on bullet flight.