which would you buy? A new Model 70 featherweight classic or a Kimber?

[drewball]

I am shopping for a new rifle that will see use on typical North American big game. I want to upgrade from my well used, and still very accurate, Savage 110 30-06. Primarily I want a rifle that is lighter and is more aesthetically pleasing. I am mostly looking at Kimbers and the new model 70, both in 30-06. I really like the Cooper's but prefer CRF. I like the lighter weight and nicer wood of the Kimber, the blue finish and price of the model 70. I have read a bunch of negative stuff about Kimer's quality and customer service which makes me a bit leery. So which one would you get and why: The Kimber or the new Model 70?

 

[TXHORNS]

I just got an M70 FW in 7-08 and its awesome. I also looked at the Kimber for the weight savings but the bad reviews on everything Kimber scared me off. Whether or not any is true I don't know and won't speculate? But I paid less for what I think is a better looking gun anyway that gets great reviews.

I want another in 30-06 too, tell you what, get the M70 and if you want out of it sell it to me!

 

[BushyGuy]

i used to have a model 70 super shadow in .243 wssm it was the best i ever shot- with a chrome lined barrel, it was a real tack driver and had a great trigger.

i am sure the featherweight is alot nicer then my rifle was, i would buy the model 70.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

The 84L Kimbers, specifically made long actions are due out now or soon. You may want to look at those. One would think (hope) that the first ones out would have a bit higher QA check, seeing's how it's a new product offering.

 

[Abel]

I'd hop on the FN-Herstal bandwagon & spring for the M70 Featherweight.

 

[Slamfire]

I have this New Haven M70 Featherweight in 6.5 Swede.

I am very happy with the Featherweight.






I have this FN PBR in 308



I think the machine work in the FN M70's is the best to date.

 

[ArmedBear]

I have a stainless "new" Model 70 in .30-06, and I agree: wonderful machine work. Mine is very accurate, smooth, and I am more than happy with my purchase. The trigger is AMAZING. I looked at pre-64s when I bought mine, and FWIW I'd rather have the new one.

The new 84L is lighter than a Featherweight. It's also significantly more expensive. I'd say that the examples of Kimbers and Winchesters I've handled are very close in fit, finish, and quality as far as I could perceive it.

 

[AKElroy]

I have a 1965 Model 70 .270, and a Featherweight Model 70 7mmRM from the hit & miss 90's. They are both beautiful, and I enjoy them. Both shoot well enough, so I am a model 70 fan. I added my first Savage this winter, love the way it shoots, hate the way it looks. The new kimber 84L looks pretty, but like AB said may not be worth the price premium over the 70's.

 

[bpl]

I don't think you could go wrong either way. Those are two of the nicest rifles in current production. I have the new Model 70 Extreme Weather Stainless in 30-06 (same as ArmedBear, I believe) and also a Kimber 84M Classic Select in .257 Roberts. They are both excellent rifles. If you do a lot of hiking while hunting, the extra weight savings (and increased cost) of the Kimber may be worth it to you. FWIW, I would have no qualms about buying another rifle from either company (and hope to do so in the future).

 

[bpl]

Slamfire,

Maybe 6 months ago I bought a Featherweight Classic in 6.5x55 NIB. I haven't shot it yet. Haven't even scoped it yet. Hopefully I can get it set up before next hunting season. I'm really looking forward to trying the classic 6.5x55 Swede!

 

[NCdrummer]

You can't go wrong with either one! Just pick the one that feels good and looks the best to you. BTW, I don't think the new Model 70 is completely CRF. Close, though. Hard choice! Kimber's sure do smell good...

 

[Maverick223]

The new 84L is lighter than a Featherweight. It's also significantly more expensive. I'd say that the examples of Kimbers and Winchesters I've handled are very close in fit, finish, and quality as far as I could perceive it.

I agree completely, they are very similar in quality but Winchester wins hands down WRT pricing, so that would (and will) be my choice. Both have had a few problems with QC (just ask Geno who had issues with both), but without spending much more for a custom rifle, it would be hard to best either's fit, finish, and overall smoothness of operation.

BTW, I don't think the new Model 70 is completely CRF.

Why do you say that, it is very closely based upon the Mauser Gewehr '98, the father of the modern CRF bolt action rifle, and the one by which all others are judged.

 

[jmr40]

My 2 favorite rifles.

Both are good, but the Kimber is better in almost every way, except price. If you want wood/blue it is a close call. The Winchester is considerably cheaper, but I have yet to see one with wood or checkering that is not below average. The internet rumor is that FN is building the actions and barrels and they are having the stocks done off shore. May or may not be true, but I have not seen a good one yet. I've yet to see a wood Kimber that was not absolutely perfect with much better than average wood and excellent checkering. It depends on how much the better wood is worth to you, and the lighter weight of the Kimber.

Accuracy would be about a tie in my experience, which means above average for either rifle.

I have yet to hear of a Winchesters having problems. I have 3 pre-FN rifles that are flawless and have yet to hear of any problems with the new ones. Some of the early Kimbers did have issues, but as near as I can tell newer production rifles have been fine for some time now.

If you want stainless/synthetic the Kimber wins hands down. The Winchester is only around $150 cheaper and uses a much cheaper Bell and Carlson stock. The Kimber uses a much lighter, stiffer synthetic stock that is every bit the equal to a McMillan Edge which will sell for almost $600 for the stock alone.

I really like both of these rifles, but if I could keep only one the Winchesters would be gone and I would keep the Kimber.

 

[tc54]

i'd get one of the new fn model 70's.

 

[Uncle Mike]

I have read a bunch of negative stuff about Kimer's quality and customer service which makes me a bit leery

You read correct! Nuff said....get the Winchester.

 

[HuntAndFish]

FN Model 70.

 

[Maverick223]

If you want wood/blue it is a close call. The Winchester is considerably cheaper, but I have yet to see one with wood or checkering that is not below average.

It is true that the Winchester wood isn't great, but I don't believe it is sub-par by any means. It is a good field grade stock on a working rifle.

 

[Savage99]

drewball,

You have good taste in rifles. I also admire the M70 and Kimber designs. Their three position safeties that control the firing pin are the safest.

I have been big game hunting since 1953 and I bought my first new M70 in 1957. Presently I have a battery of pre 64 M70's and now four Kimbers. I got the Kimbers as I wanted lighter weight and also now SS and Syn stocks.

My Kimbers are accurate and reliable. Their safeties articulate easier and quieter than a M70's.

If I am correct the only 30-06 Kimber made now is in the 8400 model which is heavier than other Kimbers. Word has it that the outstanding Kimber 84M action will be stretched to 30-06 length and called the 84L model. This is the one I would want and I would wait for it. They should be out this year.

 

[Leaky Waders]

I recently purchased a featherweight in 7mm08 - my 18 year old son instantly claimed it after shooting it.

I've searched around at many other brands and will be replacing my featherweight with another featherweight.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive got two featherweights a 257 and a 280. I allways tell people that that stock fits me better then any other but if someone walked up to me and offered to trade me even for a kimber in the same caliber id do it in a second. Fit and finshish is superb on the kimber and it weights at least a pound and a half less. Buddy has one in 308 and i druel everytime i handle it!!

 

[dubbleA]

So which one would you get and why: The Kimber or the new Model 70?

Get the Cooper, it's betterer all the way around other than CRF and they have prettierer too.

 

[rodensouth]

Dang I just have to get a Cooper, that wood is crazy nice. DubbleA, did you use your Cooper in the rimfire match last month?

 

[ArmedBear]

I don't think the new Model 70 is completely CRF.

I've got one. I've fooled with it. It's UTTERLY CRF.

 

[Balrog]

If you buy the Cooper, some of the proceeds will probably go to Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I recently purchased a featherweight in 7mm08

that one....in that chambering!