New Kimber Rifles...
 

I have been on the fence for years now about kimber rifles. I've wanted a lightweight all day backpacker and they have alot of nice features. But I just cant bring myself to spend $800-1000 on a gun that won't shoot. I have no first hand knowledge and no one I know has one but all the forums and posts I have read in the recent years say its a crap shoot. Maybe you get a good one that shoots 1.5 MOA or better, maybe not. Does anyone have any new light to shed on Kimber rifles? Have they gotten better? Did everyone stop buying them?
Bedding and maybe a crown job is not out of the question, out of the box. But I think having to go back to Kimber for a new barrel or trigger or firing pin seems a little unreasonable. Any input would help...

I'm kinda looking for the same thing...though I'm more focused on the Browning Abolt Ti for $1000 in .270wsm.

That greyish-blue stock for the kimbers is pretty gross IMO, not that the browning is a beauty, but I'm liking it more and more as I look at it, and I'd take camo stock over that blue grey thing.

You can always sell the rifle...

I'm kinda convinced that if you want a tack driver guaranteed you need to buy a quality rifle/custom, otherwise you either need to get luck with a factory rifle. But a lightweight tackdriver from a factory rifle may be asking alot...so you may need to get lucky or just do what you can....to help improve the accuracy.

I'm pretty sure most rifles nowadays can shoot some factory load at 1-1.5MOA without much work...doing better than 1MOA is asking alot IMO from a factory rifle with factory ammo.

Build a custom. Won't cost you much more.

Tom

Im not looking for a tack-driving. I guess I was hoping to get a few guys to say, "yaeh, they've gotten better about that accuracy thing".

I own and have owned over a dozen Kimber's in my life time. Not a single probem yet with any of them. My current Kimber LongMaster Classic in 223 will throw Black Hills Red Box 50 grain V-Max in groups under an inch with no problem. And better with handloads.

This has become an age of the internet. And one or two bad stories go 1,000 times farther than the same amount of good stories. Do not believe most of what you read. Some maybe, but not most.

Do not take this personally. But your thread is perpetuating that Kimber's had a dismal period of accuracy in their history. And you openly admit you have no experience with them. But you believe the older ones are inaccurate?? Why?? Tom.

For every thread I have read that claims 3 MOA or worse, there are Im sure 14 more that no one writes on with excellent accuracy. Im not taking it personally, please feel free to speak your mind. I feel that the only threads I have seen has been some guy bashing kimber for the new rifle he spent a grand on. I guess I wanted to try to reach those guys who hadn't chimed in to say, mine shoots great. Most of the threads from the guys who don't like them don't mention handloading, or a bedding job was ever done either.

I've ran a couple---they're tough to beat..

Lots of accurate out of the box rifles available to under $600. Sako, Tikka, Savage. Just saying . . .

Please tell me how I can build a 5.75lbs custom for not much more than $1000?

even for 1500 or 2000 how? most lightweight customs I come across are $3-4k, which to me is a HUGE difference in price from $1-2k.

salukipv1 does raise a good point. And a custom has crossed my mind but I don't like to fathom the waiting time.

Browning A-bolt--
 

I can't add a thing about the Kimbers, never had one, but I was under the impression they were a well made gun. I will say my new Browning A-bolt Medallion in .204 has accounted for several groundhogs and a coyote at various distances, possibly the most accurate rifle I've ever owned and I've had some real shooters over the years. It is not only extremely accurate, but also solid "eye candy" with the contrasting fore end tip, pistol grip, gloss finish etc. so I'm thinking why not consider the Brownings? Of course the Bushnell 3200 series DOA reticle helps with the accuracy---these .204's are little screamers and if you hit the groundhog just right it'll gut it and pretty much skin it with one shot. I know, I've done it. I can say it's the flattest shooting rifle Iv'e ever shot, period------might not be a bad choice, something to think about-------John

I've had two Kimbers. One was great but the other was a little bit problematic. I'm hearing they have gotten their QC in better order so that the late (higher serial #'s over 10000 or such) are better. I'd say give em' a try. Worse case scenario, sell or trade it off if you can't get the performance desired.

Starts with hunting down a real cheap Winchester or Remington Action. I can get a Winchester PF action around these parts for $300 including the stock and barrel. Sell both for $50 and you only have $250 in the action.

Send off to Hart Barrels and they will square the action, threads and lugs with a new tube for $650. Now you're in for eight.

Pick up a used sythetic stock for $100. Now you're at $900.

Pick up an glass kit from brownells and do the glass work and float the barrel. Now you're in around $950.

Might take more time but very possible. Heck there was a guy on the fire that built his daughter one heck of a custom for $750. Took him a while but wow was it pretty.

Tom