• Update – 12:30 PM EST
    Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
    We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
    Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.

    Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
    smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences

Kimber 84M Hunter

bobcat

bobcat

US Veteran
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
602
Reaction score
584
Location
Great Falls, Montana
I'm seriously looking at one of these in 6.5 for deer hunting, the older I get, the less I like lugging around heavy rifles. I've handled one and love the weight of it, internet reviews ( I know, I know) are mixed. Anyone on here have any real world experience with one and what are thoughts on it? Thanks in advance.
 
I cannot speak to the 6.5 caliber, but I have an 84 Classic Select stainless in 308.
I am very happy with the gun. It is an older production gun, weighs very little and shoots lights out. Definitely a sub 1” gun for the first 3 shots then shots wander very slightly as the barrel heats. This is to be expected with the lightweight barrel.
It is a perfect hunter as I don’t expect to ever shoot more than 1 or maybe two shots at any big game animal.
I was concerned about recoil with the light wieight, but it is comfortable even with 180 gr. Factory loads.
 
I have an early one in 7-08. As mentioned, the first few shots are within 1 1/2 “, then they start to wander. Great hunting rifle, Kimber use to have issues with warranty repairs. Specifically they weren’t fixing problems in a timely fashion. I have no idea what they’re like now. In addition to the 84, I have one of their late model .22 rifles and two 1911s. I’ve had zero issues with them.
 
I have had a few 84M/Montanas in 7-08, 1 in 260 Remington and a 84 Varmint in 22-250. All took several deer, antelope out to 400 yards, coyotes, etc. Not sure why I sold or traded them. Great, lightweight rifles.
Have since contemplated buying another in .257 Roberts, 25-06 or .280 AI.
 
Last edited:
My opinion? Great choice for a hunting rifle. I own more than a couple Kimbers, and all have proven to be very good firearms.

My 7mm-08 84m is a solid 1 1/2 inch, (sometimes less) rifle. Not bad for an ultralight, wood stocked rifle, and plenty accurate for hunting. I don't take 600 yard shots at game animals...

Also have an 84l in 30-06 (slightly more accurate), and a Hunter model in .22 that is the most accurate .22 I own.

My two Kimber centerfires are shown with a pre-64 model 70 featherweight to highlight how much the Kimbers are scaled down to match the caliber.

Larry
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0267.jpg
    IMG_0267.jpg
    182.9 KB · Views: 18
  • bolt actions.jpg
    bolt actions.jpg
    132 KB · Views: 26
Last edited:
I'm one of those with mixed feelings on Kimber rifles. I had a Kimber Montana in 7mm08. I also have several friends that have or had Kimber light weight rifles.

All of us would say the rifles were finicky when it came to finding an accurate loads for our rifles. I found one loud and old one that my Montana would keep three shot groups sub MOA. Great as long as I had access to that load. Other loads didn't group but patterned often like 3 to 5 inch groups at 100 yards. I parted ways with mine because I just didn't trust it and if some how on a hunt I became separated from that good load and I had to rely on what factory load I might find all bets were off. I ended up getting a Zastva Mauser M70 in 7mm-08 that shoots some loads into 1/2 inch groups and most anything into 1-1 1/2" groups. Sure it is a cup[le of pounds heavier but I trust that rifle and I didn't trust the Montana.

My three friends have similar experiences with theirs.

I will say my one hunting buddy won't part with his Kimber Montana .270 WSM until he runs out of his supply of old Winchester 140 grain fail safes that go into little 1/2" groups.

So if you find Kimber Hunter that shoots that right load you might just be happy. If not, you could end up pretty frustrated and not trusting your rifle.

I did at least put one antelope in the freezer at 312 yards with the Montana so it wasn't all bad. With the scope it just broke 6 lbs. and was a delight to carry but shooting a rifle that light does have its issue.

164137736.2A7HJeNI.Bill2web.jpg
 
Last edited:
Bill Bates said:
With the scope it just broke 6 lbs. and was a delight to carry but shooting a rifle that light does have its issue.

164137736.2A7HJeNI.Bill2web.jpg
Click to expand...


I've never shot or owned a Kimber rifle. But IMO, in any make of rifle it's hard to find that "compromise" of weight vs accuracy vs recoil. I lean towards accuracy as long as the weight & recoil is anywhere near tolerable. :)

BTW Bill, that's a nice speed-goat.....thanks for sharing the pic. I like that you were enjoying a "nice kill" cigar too.


Don
 
Last edited:
woodsltc said:
I've never shot or owned a Kimber rifle. But IMO, in any make of rifle it's hard to find that "compromise" of weight vs accuracy vs recoil. I lean towards accuracy as long as the weight & recoil is anywhere near tolerable. :)

BTW Bill, that's a nice speed-goat.....thanks for sharing the pic. I like that you were enjoying a "nice kill" cigar too.


Don
Click to expand...

For sure on the compromise when it comes to weight, ease of shooting accurately and recoil. With the light Kimber rifles holding steady in the field is tough. At the range heating the thin barrel is an issue but not so much in the field.

My Montana had a muzzle brake plus was in the soft shooting 7mm08 caliber so recoil was never an issue. With that said; in the field you sure needed a good solid rest to hold it still. Sitting and shooting off my knees or prone without a rest was tough with such a light setup. Standing it was darn near impossible to hold steady.

Funny story about the cigar and antelope. They don't seem to mind cigar smoke. I've killed two antelope in the late morning while I was taking a break smoking a cigar. The last one couple of years ago was downwind and 60 yards away when a 143 grain ELDX bullet from my Ruger American 6.5mm Creedmoor. He was with a 5 does and I'm sure that cigar smoke had to be in his nose. Of course love will make a guy stupid. Another time my friend and I had a little buck walk up to within feet of us while we bothe were taking a cigar break. They are goofy animals.

I will say that Ruger American Predator did hit that nice compromise of weight for accuracy and carrying. Plus, it shoots way out of its price range. I'm a 6.5mm fan boy... any of the number of 6.5s: .260 Rem, 6.5x55 SE, 6/5 PRC, 6.5-284 etc. all would make me happy.

Here is the record book antelope that my grand son got with the Ruger 6.5mm Creedmoor. He dropped him in his tracks at 129 yards. one and done. (I'm going to miss that rifle. After my grandsons antelope hunt this year I don't think I'm getting that rifle back)

169767962.SP6E4Vpw.dallin_buck_1_913sm.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top