Kimber 8400 Montana

[Cactus]

8 years of Cabelas VISA points has been turned into a new Kimber Montana in a .270WSM. I have yet to put a bullet through it, but with a scope on top and the magazine loaded it is already my favorite gun just because of the weight. Hopefully it shoots as straight as they say.

I did find one problem though in tinkering around with it. I loaded 3 lead-tip Winchester shells into the magazine and in racking them through felt the tips really drag on the bed leading into the chamber. Repeatedly I racked shells to test the problem and the lead tips will hit the ramp, hang up, and force you to push harder to get the bolt forward. Not terrifly smooth. Besides that when I open the bolt and remove the shell you can see where the tip has been deformed from hitting the bed/ramp. Cant imagine that is good for accuracy.

Fortunately I did buy a box of the much more costly .270 WSM Federal Premium Ballistic Tips. Little buggers have a teflon tip installed. With these bullets the bolt slid right home no problem.

Anyone else notice loading problems similar to this in your gun?

Cactus

 

[huntindude]

The short mags do have a few feeding problems in many guns but what you're seeing can happen on just about any rifle, weatherby's are bad for it. I've had guns do what you're saying and if you target shoot those bullets you'll find it makes no differece, I thought it would also but it really doesn't. your Kimber is the best gun for the money made in my opinion and I'll bet you'll love it.

 

[chasendeer]

I have the same gun and was not impressed by it. Did not shoot varry good about 3". Sent it back to them and have not had a chance to shoot it yet.
Jay

 

[Cactus]

You sent it back to Kimber? Was there something determined to be wrong with it? Did you try different ammo? Nosler / Ballistic Tip / etc.? I just went to the range with a buddy who has a good quality Browning, and his gun had a clear bullet-to-bullet variation. I was never a believer in this until I actually saw it happen. He fired the cheap price Remington ammo to get it sighted onto the plate, and then switched to the $40 per box stuff. The high dollar bullets performed markedly better and zeroed in an entirely different place than the cheap stuff. I went out and bought both bullets for my new Kimber. Plan to shoot tonight and see if there's a difference.

I'll let you know what happens.

Cactus

 

[HiMtnHntr]

I looked at the Montana. I liked the stock and the weight of the rifle. However, I cycled the bolt a few times and was extremely disappointed. I'd take my old Savage over that any day. IMO, save a few more bones and buy a Sako!

 

[Slide]

I have a Kimber 8400 Classic in a .270WSM and have problems with accuracy. Long story short Kimber ended up giving a new rifle. I shot the new one a little and it shot OK, I have not had time to dial it in. This winter after season I'm going to try and work up a load and get it to shoot. If you get your's to shoot I would appreciate it if you could let me know. I have spent alot of money on powder and bullets trying differnet loads with the old gun and had no success, so if you don't mind please let me know how your's shoot.



Thank you and good luck

 

[300MIKE]

I too am very disapointed with the Kimber rifle. Not so much for the accuracy but the lack of smoothness in the bolt. The rifle punches tacks so I kept it. Had the ramp/throat cleaned and the bolt polished, it helped very little. Now It feeds fine but just dosnt seem smooth. I guess im just spoiled with the old Fin Sako my Grandfather gave me 20yrs ago. I dont think Kimber puts the quality into their rifles as they do handguns.

Mike

 

[Slide]

Both mu Kimber rifles fed very smoothly, it was just the accuracy that was a problem. But I agree with you that Kimber is not putting the quality into their rifles that they advertise. I had to call Montana and complain to the head guy about my first rifle explaining to him that I have had to send this rifle back to NY three times in one year. Not only was the accuracy a issue but also the trigger was dragging on the trigger guard and not cocking. Then, I sent it back the third time when I received the rifle back there was a large chunk of wood missing out of the forearm. But, I will give them this they did make it right and sent me a new rifle. I just hope this one will shoot. The last Kimber rifle I will ever buy, for that knid of money I expected alot more.

 

[creepingdeath]

Cactus, I noticed that winchester's 160gr Accubond in 7mm ammo is not seated nearly as deep as federals in the 160 gr accubond. Maybe that's why your .270 wsm ammo hangs up worse when you don't use Federals stuff?
CD

 

[wmidbrook]

LAST EDITED ON Sep-04-06 AT 06:41PM (MST)[p]Kimber started going downhill when they moved production from Clackamus, OR where there was pride in workmanship and a good ethic over to Yonkers, New York. You'll see a big difference in price for the older rifles/pistols that were "hand made" (all were) in Clackamas. The Clackamas standard bolt action rifles were about on a par with the pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters.

A good thing with a brand name, sold out its name to a production facility with problems...