Kimber Montana 84M Question
I have been considering buying a Kimber Montana 84M rifle in .223 Remington for my wife and was wondering if someone could give me some first hand information on it. I've heard from a few people that some of these Montana rifles don't shoot well due to the slim profile barrel and light weight but it has all been hearsay information from third or fourth parties. I have yet to speak with anyone who has actually owned one. Our intended use is for walk around hunting and occasional plinking/target shooting.
Can somebody who actually owns and shoots one of these rifles please tell me what their experience has been as far as quality and accuracy? My wife enjoys shooting sub MOA groups using some of my other rifles so I wouldn't want to give her something that will shoot dinner plate size groups with my best reloads.
Would anyone care to share his experience with me?
Thanks in advance.
BG
Can somebody who actually owns and shoots one of these rifles please tell me what their experience has been as far as quality and accuracy? My wife enjoys shooting sub MOA groups using some of my other rifles so I wouldn't want to give her something that will shoot dinner plate size groups with my best reloads.
Would anyone care to share his experience with me?
Thanks in advance.
BG
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A friend of mine has one in .270 Winchester that shoots 1" groups from the bench. Due to it's light weight, however, it is very difficult to shoot well from the offhand position even when using a sling. The .223 version is 4 oz. lighter than the .270 version so I can only imagine you would have even less stability.
Edit; I agree with rufe-snow's remarks below. A gun like this is designed to be carried a lot but shot very little. It's a
one shot per season rifle and not built for plinking.0 -
A friend of mine had one in 270WSM that was purchased from our LGS. It patterned rather than grouped. Tried lots of different factory ammo and hand loads. Was just an unhappy gun. Talked to the guy at the LGS and he said that he originally had 7 of the 8400's and ended up sending 3 others back to the factory for accuracy issues, the others shot fine. Just luck of the draw. Good luck. 0 -
All guns are individuals, some shoot better than others. Some brands/design don't shoot well ever.
Offhand shooting with a ultra light rifle is harder. Mass helps dampen out your vibrations from stuff like your heart beat and muscle tremors/flinches.
Thin barrels heat up fast and tend to open up to a pattern instead of a group, 2 shot group - 5 shot pattern.
The trigger is most important on my list for an offhand rifle, sights or scope would be next.0 -
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the time you've taken to help.
I realize the Montana is a light rifle and will be harder to shoot well. The weight is the attraction for me. I want something light the wife won't mind carrying around.
I'm calculating a Montana rifle in .223 with my 3-9x36 scope is going to weigh approx 6 lb 8 oz. I know that's pretty light but my wife has been shooting quite well with my old .223 Sako sporter that weighs 6 lb 14 oz. I'm hoping the 6 oz difference in weight will be OK for her. She shoots my varmint rifles and my sporters well and has learned to compensate for weight.
My primary concern was accuracy since I have heard stories of poor accuracy from these rifles. I was hoping to hear from someone who actually owned one and had put 2 or 3 shots into an inch from a cold barrel. I was also hoping to get an opinion on the workmanship since I have also heard some negative comments on quality but it has all been hearsay rather than first hand information.
I have been somewhat cautious of slim barrels ever since a friend of mine decided to change the barrel profile of his rifle. He had a sporterized Springfield that shot pretty well and wanted to take some weight off it so he had the barrel tapered. The finished product with its lighter tapered barrel and custom inlaid stock looked like a million dollars. It was really sharp looking. The only problem was, the rifle no longer shot better than 6 MOA. We tried loading almost every conceivable bullet/powder combination but could never get that rifle to shoot a sub 6" group with the tapered barrel. He finally replaced that barrel.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bottom Gun
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the time you've taken to help.
I realize the Montana is a light rifle and will be harder to shoot well. The weight is the attraction for me. I want something light the wife won't mind carrying around.
I'm calculating a Montana rifle in .223 with my 3-9x36 scope is going to weigh approx 6 lb 8 oz. I know that's pretty light but my wife has been shooting quite well with my old .223 Sako sporter that weighs 6 lb 14 oz. I'm hoping the 6 oz difference in weight will be OK for her. She shoots my varmint rifles and my sporters well and has learned to compensate for weight.
My primary concern was accuracy since I have heard stories of poor accuracy from these rifles. I was hoping to hear from someone who actually owned one and had put 2 or 3 shots into an inch from a cold barrel. I was also hoping to get an opinion on the workmanship since I have also heard some negative comments on quality but it has all been hearsay rather than first hand information.
I have been somewhat cautious of slim barrels ever since a friend of mine decided to change the barrel profile of his rifle. He had a sporterized Springfield that shot pretty well and wanted to take some weight off it so he had the barrel tapered. The finished product with its lighter tapered barrel and custom inlaid stock looked like a million dollars. It was really sharp looking. The only problem was, the rifle no longer shot better than 6 MOA. We tried loading almost every conceivable bullet/powder combination but could never get that rifle to shoot a sub 6" group with the tapered barrel. He finally replaced that barrel.
I don't believe the above, (in red), is realistic. For a off the shelf, light hunting rifle, with a pencil barrel.
Maybe! If you were able to get the pick of the litter, of a number of rifles. And work up a specific handload, or high quality premium commercial load?0 -
While not 223, I gave both my sons Montana's in 300 win mag about 7 years ago. Both are topped with Leupold VX - 3. Both shoot sub 1" groups with quality factory ammo. They really like Barnes. The boys call them blue death. No complaints.... 0 -
I have one in 30-06 that I am sure would shoot into an inch if I were to make the effort, and it does take a lot of effort to shoot any rifle this diminutive well.
I bought mine for deer hunting,it has a VX-3 3.5-10 mounted and you barely can tell that it is on your shoulder when carrying it, the reason for being exactly.0
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