Kimber vs Model 70 Featherweight....GO

[Ringer]

OK, so I have read some bad reviews over the years on Kimber rifles but seems it may be internet myth. I understand there may have been some issues a few years back but how about now?

With Winchester moving it's assembly to Portugal, it's turned me off a bit. The only Featherweights I can find are now in the same price range as Kimber 84M Classic which I have always been drawn to.

I really want a Made in USA rifle. I also don't want to spend $1K on a rifle and then have to have it worked on. Yes Ruger is in the running but in a different ball park. Oh .308 is the desired caliber.

Anyone bought a Kimber lately?

 

[osteodoc08]

I've got the varmint model in 22-250. It's beautiful, functional, smooth, nicely finished. I find it nicer than the premier Remington's, Rugers or Winchesters. I bought it 2-3 years ago. Sub MOA with just about any load. Trigger is fair. It does exhibit some creep and lets off at 3# 4ozs on my Lyman digital Trigger scale. I'd like a Montana in 7mm-08 but am also looking at the a Winchester featherweight vs Ruger Hawkeye. I wanted a Remington Mountain SS but the 2 I've looked at were subpar in my mind with fit and finish for what they were asking. Still might cough up the extra for the Montana. But 3-400 bones can go towards a nice piece of glass. Still undecided.

 

[shadow9]

If you want to stay domestic manufacture, and are looking into a current-build model, I'd take Winch out.
Ruger isn't bad, but can be heavier than others. As far as CRF goes, Ruger doesn't have as much of an extractor presence on the rifle, since their extractor is meant to act like a push-feed as necessary - something you won't find on most other CRF rifles. Likewise, and I'm confirming this with Ruger, my 77 G/G has been having issues stripping a case from the mag and failing to keep it under the extractor - acting like a glorified push-feeder.

I'd look into a pre-owned Kimber if possible. Same price-point as the 70, but better quality (IMHO).

 

[huntershooter]

I have three Kimber bolt guns; their fluted barrel .22-.250 Varmint, a .308 84L and a 7mm WSM "Montana".
As said all are MOA or under, triggers are fairly easily adjustable.
I had bedding issues with the "Montana" which I straightened out, but have had similar issues with Remington's and Winchesters.
Their use and execution of MIM parts is the best I've seen.
I would buy another.

 

[jmr40]

I own both, my Winchester is the EW version. They are really very different rifles with the same operating system. The Kimber is a 5 lb rifle. Mine is still under 6 lbs scoped. It is going to be hard to keep the Winchester under 8 lbs scoped. In spite of the name, it should be considered a standard weight rifle.

If you want a true lightweight rifle the Kimber is the only way to go. I'd expect accuracy to be about equal, BUT, a lot of people simply don't have the skill to shoot a 5 lb rifle. Heavy rifles are much easier to hold steady, not necessarily more accurate. It took me about a hundred rounds through the Kimber along with some dry fire practice to master it. I'm convinced this is the reason for most of the internet chatter about poor accuracy.

Both are good, you have to decide whether you want a standard weight rifle, or a true lightweight. I prefer SS/Synthetic. If you are looking for wood, I've never seen a Kimber with anything less than great wood. Winchesters are hit and miss.

My Kimber shoots just fine. To be honest this is a fluke, typical accuracy is in the .5-.75 range for 3 shots.



The Winchester, this is typical of both rifles.

 

[joed]

Tough choices. I've owned Remington, Winchester and Savage rifles. The Savage rifles in my opinion were lacking, all that I owned had problems of some sort.

If I buy another rifle it will most likely be a Kimber.

 

[MCMXI]

Personally I think that Kimber makes a great rifle, and certainly a better rifle than Winchester. I currently own two Kimbers and two Winchester Model 70 EW SS rifles, and like others here I own or have owned rifles from Remington, Savage and many others.

If you want a true lightweight rifle the Kimber is the only way to go. I'd expect accuracy to be about equal, BUT, a lot of people simply don't have the skill to shoot a 5 lb rifle. Heavy rifles are much easier to hold steady, not necessarily more accurate. It took me about a hundred rounds through the Kimber along with some dry fire practice to master it. I'm convinced this is the reason for most of the internet chatter about poor accuracy.

I agree that lightweight rifles are much harder to shoot well but I found the 84M Montana in .308 Win very easy to shoot. That stock and recoil pad do a great job of reducing felt recoil. My 84M proved to be extremely accurate but I decided to sell the rifle and bought another Win Model 70 EW SS in .308 Win to replace it. I have no intention of selling either of my Kimber 8400 models ... a .300 WSM Montana and a Talkeetna chambered in .375 H&H. I wish that Kimber offered an 8400 Montana in .308 Win ... I would sell the EW for sure.