Kimber rifle action?
- Thread starter Vossman5
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As a general rule Kimber's selling point is a lightweight rifle. I've had an 84M in 308 for about 12 years now. With carefully chosen scopes and mounts I can keep the weight under 6 lbs. With a more traditional scope you can still keep weight just over 6 lbs which is pretty light. If you need or want a rifle that light they are a fine rifle.
Over the years there has been a lot of internet chatter about poor accuracy. Mine shoots just fine, as do most of them. I'm of the opinion that 90% of the inaccuracy claims were really due to shooters not being skilled enough to shoot a 5 lb rifle. A heavier rifle is more forgiving of less than perfect form. The rifle that I have is mechanically just as accurate as other rifles that I own. But even I have to admit that I shoot my rifles that are closer to 7 or 7 1/2 lbs scoped better than I do the Kimber. But that is my limitations, not the rifle's.
The synthetic stock that came on my rifle is very high quality. It is every bit as good as an aftermarket McMIllan or other high end stock costing $600-$700. I wouldn't want to change it.
They have recently introduced what they call the 84 Hunter that takes detachable magazines and comes with a cheaper plastic stock. Since it is plastic it isn't as light as the one on mine. I'm not sure what, if anything is available for that rifle. Their wood stocked versions usually have very good wood on them.
If you want a feather light rifle to carry in rough terrain where extreme accuracy is less important than weight I'd highly recommend a Kimber. They are plenty hunting accurate and are well made reliable rifles. But if you want a heavier precision rifle I think there are probably better options. I don't think it would be economically feasible to start with a Kimber action and try to build from there. But if someone just wants to it is possible.
Kimber does offer heavy barreled varmint, tactical and dangerous game rifles from the factory so a heavier barrel is certainly possible. I just don't see those rifles as the best use for a Kimber action.
Over the years there has been a lot of internet chatter about poor accuracy. Mine shoots just fine, as do most of them. I'm of the opinion that 90% of the inaccuracy claims were really due to shooters not being skilled enough to shoot a 5 lb rifle. A heavier rifle is more forgiving of less than perfect form. The rifle that I have is mechanically just as accurate as other rifles that I own. But even I have to admit that I shoot my rifles that are closer to 7 or 7 1/2 lbs scoped better than I do the Kimber. But that is my limitations, not the rifle's.
The synthetic stock that came on my rifle is very high quality. It is every bit as good as an aftermarket McMIllan or other high end stock costing $600-$700. I wouldn't want to change it.
They have recently introduced what they call the 84 Hunter that takes detachable magazines and comes with a cheaper plastic stock. Since it is plastic it isn't as light as the one on mine. I'm not sure what, if anything is available for that rifle. Their wood stocked versions usually have very good wood on them.
If you want a feather light rifle to carry in rough terrain where extreme accuracy is less important than weight I'd highly recommend a Kimber. They are plenty hunting accurate and are well made reliable rifles. But if you want a heavier precision rifle I think there are probably better options. I don't think it would be economically feasible to start with a Kimber action and try to build from there. But if someone just wants to it is possible.
Kimber does offer heavy barreled varmint, tactical and dangerous game rifles from the factory so a heavier barrel is certainly possible. I just don't see those rifles as the best use for a Kimber action.
Olympus
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I will agree what what was said above. Their niche is a super light, thin, slim hunting rifle. They have very light taper barrels and lightweight slim stocks. I own a walnut Classic stock and the wood is simply gorgeous! The wrist on the rifle reminds you a petite lady's ankle. It just feels fantastic! Their newer Hunter model is geared more towards guys who want a Kimber, but don't want to shell out the money for their higher end models. The stocks are better quality than say the synthetic stocks of Savage, Ruger, Remington, etc, but they are still somewhat cheaply made and that's how they get the costs lower than their other models. The biggest complaint that I have with Kimber rifles is that because they are all so slim and lightweight, their felt recoil is much more noticeable. I would not want to shoot one of their Hunter models in anything bigger than 243.
OP, my 84M Custom Classic Select (.308) is a dandy shooter with hand loads, 5 shots 1 chewed hole at 100 yards is the norm - it has become boringly accurate to shoot sometimes. As stated above, I had to learn to shoot it meaning for me, I had to learn not to death grip/ torque the light rifle in anticipation of the recoil. Once I learned to relax and that the recoil of the scope was not going to contact my shooting eye area, the rifle and I became shooting friends and we both settled in. It is a beautiful and well made rifle that I enjoy owning. I have never thought about any modifications as I think that it is perfect as it is. In turn, it is a dream to carry during deer season. I hope this helps you.
Gary W. Strange
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I have a Kimber 84m classic in 7mm08 and a classic select in 257 Roberts. My 7mm08 will shoot Remington 140 grain corelocks in one hole at 100 yards. I have a 117 grain handload for the 257 Roberts that will shoot 1/2”-3/4” groups. This is from a bench. The way the Kimber stock is shaped and the way it balances, just fits me very well. As a result, I shoot very well with a Kimber. To me, they are some of the most elegant rifles made. They look and feel like nothing else. Give one a try. You will fall in love with them.
Dave DeLaurant
Member
A comment on Kimber 84 series rifle accuracy: most of their models are designed for stalking. They have lightweight barrels that will heat up quickly, and when they do groups will begin to open up. This is part of the tradeoff when you go light, but shouldn't be a problem with a big game hunting rifle unless you are culling a buffalo herd.
BTW, Kimber offers the 84 series with heavier barrels for varmint shooting, if you feel the need to shoot longer continuous strings.
The 84 series action has been described as a Mauser 98/Winchester M70 hybrid, with the best features from both in the smallest possible package. I can't say anything more positive about the design than that. The worst complaint I've heard is confusion caused by the 84M Hunter's detachable magazine being inserted back end first.
There are some aftermarket stock choices for Kimber actions, but they aren't as common as other rifles, probably because the factory stocks are excellent. If you want to restock a synthetic 84M Hunter, you'll likely have to give up the detachable magazine and buy some new bottom metal. Here's a couple of options:
http://www.oregunsmithingllc.com/Pendleton-Composite-Stocks.html
https://www.opticsplanet.com/boyds-...-84m-short-action-factory-barrel-channel.html
Kimber of Oregon originally started out in the bolt-action rifle business exclusively, beginning with high-end rimfire rifles. They became known for 1911 pistols after the company was sold and moved to Yonkers, and there was a hiatus before they reintroduced their rifle line on a larger production basis. It would be nice if they brought out their fine rimfire line once more, but perhaps the market has moved on.
I recall a reading short piece on the back page of Rifle magazine a couple years ago that talked about reviewing rifles for a living -- it included Kimber actions among the few designs that never seemed to break parts during testing.
BTW, Kimber offers the 84 series with heavier barrels for varmint shooting, if you feel the need to shoot longer continuous strings.
The 84 series action has been described as a Mauser 98/Winchester M70 hybrid, with the best features from both in the smallest possible package. I can't say anything more positive about the design than that. The worst complaint I've heard is confusion caused by the 84M Hunter's detachable magazine being inserted back end first.
There are some aftermarket stock choices for Kimber actions, but they aren't as common as other rifles, probably because the factory stocks are excellent. If you want to restock a synthetic 84M Hunter, you'll likely have to give up the detachable magazine and buy some new bottom metal. Here's a couple of options:
http://www.oregunsmithingllc.com/Pendleton-Composite-Stocks.html
https://www.opticsplanet.com/boyds-...-84m-short-action-factory-barrel-channel.html
Kimber of Oregon originally started out in the bolt-action rifle business exclusively, beginning with high-end rimfire rifles. They became known for 1911 pistols after the company was sold and moved to Yonkers, and there was a hiatus before they reintroduced their rifle line on a larger production basis. It would be nice if they brought out their fine rimfire line once more, but perhaps the market has moved on.
I recall a reading short piece on the back page of Rifle magazine a couple years ago that talked about reviewing rifles for a living -- it included Kimber actions among the few designs that never seemed to break parts during testing.
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Gary W. Strange
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I recently found an early model Kimber model 82, .22 long rifle. I have only had it a little over a month. I ordered some Talley low rings and mounted a Loupold VX1 4-12 scope on it. I am getting some very good groups with CCI green tag, a little over 3/4” at 50 yards. It opens up to over an inch with CCI standard. I really haven’t found anything else it really likes. As a whole it is a very nice, well fitted and finished rifle. The wood is not fancy but it looks really nice. Not quite plane by any means. It is a very neat higher end rimfire bolt action. Very smooth cycling. I wanted one when they came out, in the 80’s but just out of college, with a wife and babies, it was out of my reach. I had to sell some of my firearms, during that time, to make ends meet and to put meals on the table. I have been able to find and purchase a lot of the firearms, I read about and lusted for back then. I am glad I added a Kimber .22. I think it is going to work out fine.
That's what I was looking for, as far as responses. The one I have my eye on is a Montana/mountain in 25-06. I'm wanting to get into long range precision, which honestly for me is around 300yds for now. I want to build a quarterbore for precision, but no one really makes any at all so I would need to re-barrel any if I do. The price on this is right, and my optic would probably put the rifle to 7lbs give or take
What is the difference between the 84 and 8400, or what numbers the rifle has? I've been trying to figure it out without much avail.
That's good to know, the rifle looks great as it is, the only thing I'm concerned about is the barrel being too thin/light for my intended future use. But I don't see myself shooting more than 20 shots in succession very much right now, and not on hot days either. I'll have to look into barrel replacement a bit more before I pull the trigger.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Action length (and therefore the chamberings that the action supports).
https://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/action-family
Vossman5 said:
There are basically five receivers for Kimber rifles. The 8400 Mag "Tactical" receiver was designed and tested but never produced.
84M - .223 Rem/.204 Ruger
84M - 6.5CM/.308 Win family
84L - .280 AI/.30-06 Sprg family
8400 WSM - 270, 300, 325 WSM, 6.5CM/.308 Win (tactical models)
8400 Mag - .300 Win Mag family
Interestingly, the order in which the receivers were designed and introduced is as follows:
84M
8400 WSM
8400 Mag
84L
In the early days, cartridges currently offered in the 84L were only available as 8400 Mag models. For example, you might see an 8400 Mag chambered in .30-06 Sprg or .270 Win.
My Kimber 84M Hunter in 6.5CM is showing to be very accurate. However, 20 consecutive shots, I do not know about that. Five or six, sure. It is a hunting rifle for still (walking) hunting and is very lightweight for that purpose. Bench shooting longs strings of shots is not the purpose the rifle was intended IMO.
I didn't mean shooting in fast succession, like 22cal plinking, or mag dumps. I meant like in an hour or so with cooling time between groups. When we go out shooting, the hunting rifles come with just to get shot a few times, fast target shooting is for the ARs and pistols.
I just found out this earlier today. The older models were all 8400(long) or 84(short) then after a while they split down a little again, with 8400 for magnum and 84l for long action, 84m for short. Good to keep finding more info though.
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