Kimber Montana

[HighDesertSage]

I am lookin for a backcountry rifle and was holding one of these yesterday. I really liked it alot, but I am wondering if they are worth the hefty price tag. I am lookin at one in either 7mm-08 or 270. I like the performance of the 270, but the 7 is a half a pound lighter. I will be using this for elk, and I don't shoot past 300. Any Montana owners out there that would be willing to share their experiences with this rifle? I don't have a problem paying that much if they perform. Also, thoughts on the 7mm-08 for elk? Thanks!

 

[Corax]

The only Kimber I have (so far) is a DCM .22, but have drooled over several Montanas at outdoor shows. I am hoping to take a nephew elk hunting this year, and plan on him using a 7mm-08. The velocity difference between a 7mm-08 and a 7 mag is worth about 140 yards, so you should be fine.

 

[noharleyyet]

Probably one of the most praised and maligned rifles on the net but I wouldn't hesitate owning one. Virtually flipped a mind coin when I chose Sako over Kimber for synthetic rifles.

 

[schmalts]

Just hope you get a good one. It seems the magnum calibers are a coin toss for accuracy going off of the magnitude of comments on 24hr campfire and also from my own 300WSM that I sold after spending a lot of time and money trying to develop a load that would group under 1". When I sent it back they said they only would stand by a .750" group at 50 yards. I bought the Sako finnlight and had no trouble with the first batch of handloads getting .750 at 100 yards
My Montana fed rounds very rough as well. I will say it had a very nice feel and stock but in the end accuracy is what I want in a rifle. I know some guys get accurate guns, but like I said, it seems to be a crap shoot.

 

[WapitiBob]

Best day of my rifle owning life was getting rid of a Kimber Montana 7-08. Absolute junk.
Google Kimber problems then, if you're a betting man, buy one. If it shoots, go buy a lotto ticket. If it doesn't, sell it because Kimber won't fix it. They'll take a dremmel and grind the feed ramp then tell you the 1 1/2" groups are within spec.
My best friends Kimber was an identical POS to mine. 24hr campfire is also good to read about non shooting 7-08 Kimbers.

 

[1_pointer]

I bought one. You won't get a fully stainless rifle, with a comparable stock, at anywhere near the weight for even close to that cost.

'Course I bought mine cheap enough that even if I have to rebarrel to get it to shoot how I want, I'll still be at or below MSRP!

24hourcampfire is also a great place to get info on some very simple and easy tricks to improve a Kimber rifle.

 

[belly-deep]

24hourcampfire is also a good place to read lots of praise for Kimbers

There were a few bugs, but if you look closely at the dates on most of the posts, you'll see that recently there have been very few complaints about their rifles.

A lot of the bitching was unfounded.

I have a Montana 84 in .308. It is the best handling rifle I own, and I also bought a Forbes FWIW.

 

[HighDesertSage]

Thanks for the replies. I have done some research and they do not seem like they are worth the money. I am going to take a look at the T3 Superlite and Browning. What does the Sako Finnlite weigh in at?

 

[1_pointer]

Thanks for the replies. I have done some research and they do not seem like they are worth the money. I am going to take a look at the T3 Superlite and Browning. What does the Sako Finnlite weigh in at?

I'd be interested in the attributes vs cost that led to your determination. Not a knock, just curious as we all favor different attributes of things. For instance, I'm not quite sure I'd like a Tikka in a short action cartridge as they only use on action size.

 

[HighDesertSage]

I'd be interested in the attributes vs cost that led to your determination. Not a knock, just curious as we all favor different attributes of things. For instance, I'm not quite sure I'd like a Tikka in a short action cartridge as they only use on action size.

Basically just word of mouth reviews. Now that I have looked into it a bit it seems that the Kimber MT has had problems here and there. If I am going to drop that much $ on a rifle it had better be flawless and not a maybe. I have heard enough complaints to cause me to look elsewhere. I have heard nothing but good reviews on the Tikka, and the standard browning xbolts are pretty lite weight anyway.

 

[WapitiBob]

Good choice.

 

[schmalts]

Thanks for the replies. I have done some research and they do not seem like they are worth the money. I am going to take a look at the T3 Superlite and Browning. What does the Sako Finnlite weigh in at?

only a few OZ more. But damn... they shoot!! Silky smooth feeding, and worth the coin if you ever had to deal with the other brand that did not shoot.

 

[Redwood]

I bought a tikka t3 when they came out in .300wsm, then I bought a montana in .300wsm. I no longer have the mt. However, one of my favorite rifles is a kimber 84 in 7-08. I'm partial to the sako's though. Sold all my Brownings, their customer service is bs.

 

[belly-deep]

Thanks for the replies. I have done some research and they do not seem like they are worth the money. I am going to take a look at the T3 Superlite and Browning. What does the Sako Finnlite weigh in at?

Dude, make sure you actually handle one before you write them off. There's a lot more to what constitutes a great hunting rifle than shooting 1/2" groups. The Kimbers are a damn fine rifle, especially for the money.

 

[danr55]

KImber Montana is a great rifle. I've owned two of them and they were both accruate, lite and extremely easy to shoot. The LOP may be a bit short if you have long arms, but not having that affliction, I found them to be really great rifles. I have, however traded both of mine off and replaced them with a Sako and a Dakota.

 

[MKotur325]

I can definitely agree with what's been posted above. If you get a good kimber, you get a good kimber. I had an 8400 Classic that started out life well, but deteriorated quickly. Feel free to PM me if you want details. Long story really short, I traded mine out on a Winchester Model 70 Sporter that is more accurate than the Kimber ever was.

That being said. My biggest gripe with the Kimber Montana is the blind magazine. That is a deal breaker for me.

I also can vouch for Sako's 85 series. They are rock solid actions, accurate, and reliable. My Sako 85 is a sub 1" 200 yard firearm with factory ammo. I'd expect better yet with handloads.

 

[TheTone]

I love my Montana, granted I haven't spent a lot of time with it. I was able to sight it in quickly and I loved the lightweight and handling while hunting with it. I'm liking it enough that I'm considering picking up more of them.

 

[noharleyyet]

...have a sub minute Kimber Classic 300 win mag. Carries light, great trigger, slick feed.

 

[Bambistew]

I'm liking my little 308 Montana so far. It seems to shoot good enough for me, and I wasn't afraid to pop a brown bear with it. I've a bunch of rifles to chose from in the gun closet, and have honestly thought of selling most of them since I got the Montana. I don't see myself using much else in the near future, but I said that before.

I was torn between a M7 with a syn stock and the Montana. Ended up with the Montana, based solely on weight alone.

 

[jryoung]

It should be noted that the early Montana's had issues with the mag box binding and or the front action screw bottoming out. The guys on 24hourcampfire figured this out checking these two items plus skim bedding the lug has turned most crappy Kimbers into fine shooters.