Anyone have any experience with Kimber 82 rimfires? (got mine....PICS)

[410bore]

I just bought a Kimber of Oregon 82c with stainless non-fluted barrel. havent got it yet but i cant wait! I read that the non fluted stainless version was a short run of 600 or so? at any rate i should have a class act squirrel slayer

pics when i get her.

 

[RonJ]

I've owned two of them, both in standard blue. The first was a very early one with the skeletonized butt plate. Both were first class shooters with the right ammo. The first one had a light but funny feeling trigger that's hard to describe. The second rifle had a trigger like a good match rifle, I had to increase the pull weight before I felt comfortable carrying it in the field. Squirrels out to 60 yards were in deadly danger. Probably even further but I never took shots that far away. They are great little rifles. Check RimfireCentral. They have a good Kimber discussion group.

 

[410bore]

i checked out RFC...had some good reviews and pics of them....it should be a shooter for sure...i've always wanted a classy .22 bolt gun...this one has some usage dings so it will be a shooter and not a queen...exactly what i wanted

 

[RonJ]

The Kimber of Oregon is a bit more desireable then the later Kimber, New York guns. Magazines are difficult to find. If you run into any mags for a Winchester 320 they will work.

 

[brucev]

Owned one from 1985-1988. Excellent rifle. Had a Beeman scope on it. Back then I had a garden behind the parsonage. My idea of fun was to put some shotgun shells up on a 2x4 that was part of the fence and then knock them off with the Kimber firing from the standing position. The distance was a little over 50 yds. Fine rifle.

 

[410bore]

The Kimber of Oregon is a bit more desireable then the later Kimber, New York guns. Magazines are difficult to find. If you run into any mags for a Winchester 320 they will work.

i have seen a few mags on gunbroker...a little pricey but i will need another i think...

 

[Smith357]

I had a blue 82c for a time and it was a fine rifle, at the time I was into .22 BR so it sat in the safe while the Walther UIT Supermatch and Win 52d got all the attention, so like a bonehead I sold the Kimber, something I have regretted for years. I sort of made up for it a few years ago when I bought a Kimber of NY .22 Hunter. While the KoA is not as pretty as the KoO but it sure shoots.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a 82 stainless fluted varminit, serial in the 30'S, there were 3 batches of 250 made instead of 1 batch of 250 due extreme demand. It shoots 1/4 inch at 66 yards (200 feet) with the old Federal T-arget 711, the factory target was at .354 at 50 yards with RWS R-50. This was back when my eyes could use the Leopould 2x7 R.F. compact scope, 2 summers ago I upgraded the scope to a Leopold 4.5x14 40mm A.O., shooting Ely Team, blue box (EPS style bullet) I had 2 groups in the 0'S and 5 or 6 groups in the 1's. When you can find an Oragon gun: you won't be disapionted.
My brother bought a used New York gun- stainless fluted varminter, grey lam. stock- it shoots the old Fed. Target 711 as well as my Oragon ( He won't pay $8.00+ a box for Ely team, as he says he has no real need for ground hogs to be deader than dead).
I found that early Fed. Target 711B from around 1999 to as late as 2005 did not shoot well at all! After 1998 there was a change to lead free primer compound (EPA mandated) and it took some time to get it worked out and the early ammo off the shelves. Keep track of your Lot numbers and when a lot stands out, buy every brick and box you can. That is how I had about 7000 rounds of great shooting 711. If you can find Ely Club Extra (make sure it is extra!) at around $6.50 a box it is real good too( it became Team ). It was a batch of rejected black/red box,that didn't shoot like $18.00 a box ammo!
Enjoy you Kember, Ivan

 

[410bore]

thanks,

i will experiment with different ammo when the gun arrives...should be today or tommorrow...i have a 3-9 and 4.5-14 burris ffII lying around..one of them will go on the Kimber.

 

[ASA335]

I was a plant manager for Kimber of America. My plant (Colton) primarily did the sporting conversions of the Swedish Mausers. The other plant (Clackamas) made the .22's, but Colton had the indoor range so we did the final QC and accuracy testing and then shipped them out to dealers. Colton also handled most of the customer complaint issues.

Each of the .22's came with a laminated card with the group we fired during testing. I, besides being the manager, was a back-up shooter for testing accuracy. Some of those cards have my signature on them. The accuracy standard for the .22’s was five shots in less than .25” (center to center) at 50 yards.

 

[Rule 303]

Its really intresting the folks on this forum.

Great to have folks who have first hand, hands on knowledge on so many subjects.

Rule303

 

[reddogge]

Here's my Kimber of Oregon I've had since the 80s I guess. Great rifle and it's my go to groundhog rifle.

 

[sceva]

Thats a nice early "A"model Kimber Reddogge.

410bore: Kimbers are excellent: The 82B Kimber of Oregon rifle is probably the most refined but I have a preference for the earlier 82 (the "A" model). Mine is one of the rare (535 made) S-Series Supergrades made in 1981. This was the original Kimber Supergrade before the SuperAmerica. I picked it up at the Hilliard (Columbus) Ohio gunshow about 1991 or so.

The 82C's from Kimber of America in Oregon were good rifles too; the earliest ones were using up 82B actions and parts. The main thing I don't like on the 82C rifles is the bolt handle threaded into the sleeve instead of being machined in one piece. It always seemed like it didn't belong on a rifle of it's pedigree.

 

[410bore]

very nice looking guns...cant wait to get mine...

 

[410bore]

well finally got the kimber and got it mounted up with a burris 3-9x40 bal plex scope....like it said before, its in shooter grade shape but i love it!
to the range this weekend i hope......

 

[glenncal1]

Nice grain in that wood, I have a Savage-Anschutz model 54 and it is scary accurate, I think your Kimber will be the same. Enjoy it.

 

[RonJ]

I love the lines on that gun. They handle very nicely and shoot well. I hope you're pleased with yours. Merry Christmas!

 

[410bore]

i was impressed by the feel of this gun when shouldered...its amazing

 

[jyo]

I had the privilege of taking one of my old motorcycle buddies shooting for the first time in 15 years---had great fun---got to shoot his unfired Kimber "Super America" 22 with scope (not sure if this was an "82" or not)---super neat rifle with an outstanding trigger and amazing wood. Shot great---like one hole groups at 50 yds. Good stuff.

 

[Sprefix]

A rimfire of Oregon is DEFINITELY on my short list. I'm not totally in the know about their rifles, but a Super America sounds like just the ticket. Been some time since I even laid eyes on one. Seems it was around $1300 even then. You simply can't have too many .22's. The one posted by sceva is darn near exactly what I'm itching for.............VERY NICE!!!!!!