Thoughts on Kimber 8400/84/89 series rifles?

[Nicaburns]

So I am planning my first hunt in summer of 26. I own mostly synthetic stock firearms with the exception of a Ruger African in 300win that I plan to take. In order to have something my wife can shoot, I am planning to pick up a .308 and would like to get a walnut stocked rifle. The Kimber seems like a nice choice but they seem to be a mixed bag on reliability/accuracy. Any tips/hints or should I just get an M77? (budget is under 2k so I can’t really jump up and get a truly fine grade rifle)
Thanks in advance!

 

[USN]

Might I suggest a Benelli Lupo. Find one and go hands on and it will probably leave with you. I have one in 300 winmag and a true .5 inch off of a bench. Much better than I can shoot, but, the confidence has improved my shooting tremendously. Good luck on your search!

 

[thriller]

I have several of them and they are good rifles but the barrels on the newer ones are not as good as the barrels on the older ones. I am not sure what they changed but they are not as consistent as they once were.

 

[mdwest]

I’ve got an [emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] mountain assent in [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] WM and an [emoji[emoji6]] Adirondack in [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]…

Both have been exceptional rifles.. so accurate they are boring.. and [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]% reliable to date.. never a problem out of either of them…

 

[AimSmall]

For me, the Kimbers have demonstrated good accuracy, reliable feeding, and dependability. Wood stocked, they are a nice looking rifle for the money. I would not hesitate to buy more of them.

 

[Muskox]

I have had 3 Montanas. A 257, a 7mm-08 and a 270 WSM.

Pretty rifle, mostly shot ok. Never great. 1.5-2 inch groups.

I was changing rifles like people traded underwear back then. I never worked on them, just sold them and moved them down the line.

I'd like to mess with a Talkeetna and a Caprivi some day.

 

[BeeMaa]

Maybe give Tikka a close look. Incredibly accurate rifles. They have several stock options along with different barrel materials. If you get her a wood stocked model, it can be easily adjusted to properly fit her LOP.

https://choose.tikka.fi/usa?caliber=308WIN

Should run less than $1200. Here's a laminated stainless one on GB.
Tikka T3x GB

That should leave a little wiggle room for rings, optic and ammo.

If you are really concerned about recoil, take a look at the 7mm-08 or 270WIN as viable options.

 

[MontanaPat]

I wouldn’t think you could get a Kimber in your price range. I bought a Winchester Model 70 featherweight in .308, cost is not much more than half your budget. Nice wood stock, light and shoots great with 180 gr Swift A Frames or 168 grain Barnes TSX, less than 0.75 MOA. Took mine to Africa last year and 10 animals taken all with 1 shot kills from Kudu down to steenbok.

 

[Bush Buck]

I've had good luck with Kimber 84M - especially in 308.

These are the rifles with the floor plate - not the recent stainless version with a drop mag. The wood stock rifle will need to be sourced used.

The "disadvantage" is the very light rifle with its lightweight barrel.
I have to hold the forearm of these rifles when I shoot them rather than allow free recoil at the bench. With proper technique you can probably get under 1.5" for the first three shots with ammo it likes. You may get lucky with the rifle and do better.
Then you have to fully cool the barrel before the next group - bring a 22 or 223 bolt rifle to play with while it cools.
They make great hunting rifles but they do give up something at the bench - which is how most shooters judge a rifle.

It might be easier to source a Winchester 70 Featherweight which will be a little easier to shoot - weighs almost a pound more than the Kimber.

One more thing about Kimber 84. Because of the light weight they are less forgiving of shooting inconsistencies (hold and rest) and they do recoil a bit more. Both of which might be an issue if your wife is a less experienced shooter.

Bush Buck

 

[Nicaburns]

If you are really concerned about recoil, take a look at the 7mm-08 or 270WIN as viable options.

Is .270 considered “viable” for plains game? From reading here, .308 seemed to be the lowest acceptable cartridge.

 

[thriller]

Is .270 considered “viable” for plains game? From reading here, .308 seemed to be the lowest acceptable cartridge.

That would depend on who you ask I don’t consider 270 viable for anything but many others do.

 

[mdwest]

.270 will kill most plains game effectively… I’d be very careful with notoriously tough PG like blue wildebeest and zebra.. it will certainly kill then.. but you’re going to need to put the bullet exactly where it belongs… and I’d hard pass on something like eland… although I’m sure many eland have fallen to .270 over the years..

I personally prefer something a little more substantial.. every trigger pull has a price tag associated with it, and tracking an animal for hours takes away hunting time (although I must admit, watching African trackers and/or dogs do their magic is a very cool and interesting experience… they are masters of their craft)…

But if an outfitter handed me a .270 as a camp gun to use on a pg hunt, I wouldn’t hesitate.. it will certainly get the job done…

 

[BeeMaa]

Is .270 considered “viable” for plains game? From reading here, .308 seemed to be the lowest acceptable cartridge.

I agree with @mdwest...yes, with limitations. I wouldn't recommend it for wildebeest, zebra, eland or giraffe. However, I've seen it effectively used on a number of PG. Not to mention the number of elk in NA that are hanging on walls because of this little cartridge. My wife was planning on hunting kudu and sable with a Savage Lady Hunter in 270WIN. She was unable to go on the sable hunt, but took this kudu with one (high neck) shot. It never took another step. DRT.

Our PH had absolutely no reservations that the 270WIN was capable. He also said that the 7mm-08 and 7x57MAUSER were also popular with hunters, both male and female. Yes, you may have to wait for a perfect shot and possibly pass on some, but there's a lot to be said about being confident with a rifle.

If you wife is a little recoil sensitive, I'd choose something smaller than a 308WIN until her skills are up to the task. BTW - After this hunt, my wife started shooting a 300WM...because she had the skills and experience to be able to move up.

 

[KCSafari]

I have a 8400 in 300win, 25-06 and a 84L in 270. All three shoot very good groups and their wood stocks are VERY nice. You’ll be very happy with your purchase. I see some really nice 84M’s in 308 on GBroker so good luck on your search.