Kimber bummer.

[widefat]

Depressed now. I have had Kimber 84M in the safe for a couple of years. Brand new. I finally got around to mounting a scope -
a known Leupold, from another rifle, with Warne rings torqued to spec, so I am comfortable with that aspect not being a problem.
80-100 rounds so far with various ammo, and the best I am getting is ~~4 MOA.
I made the interweb rounds, and there seems to be quite a few folks with similar complaints about their Kimbers.
I found a few suggestions - some I can try, others a gunsmith.
I really had high hopes for this rifle.

Note: Could a mod move this to Today's Gun time? I mistakenly posted it in the Rural Living root.

 

[nybirdman]

What caliber?Just went through a similar situation with a friends Sako (.308 Win.) and finally found a factory round that worked well.One thing;it takes a while to break in a barrel( you should be about there).I would look for pressure points on the stock(may need to be bedded).

 

[oosik]

Well - I'd really be guessing to say I know what 4 MOA would be out at 100 yards. In all my years in Alaska - I hunted and killed 18 moose. NEVER a one beyond - 75 feet. Have YOU ever carried a quartered up moose any distance. Neither have I and by golly - I wasn't about to start. Only three times did I ever have to "pack" moose meat and that was only because I could not back my pickup right smack up to the moose. Each of the three times it was less than a 50 foot pack.

My trusty Remmington model 600 - 308 - a true killer. Every one of the 18 - a head shot. No wasted meat - not even the tongue.

 

[skipperbrown]

I'd try it with a different scope and a few different bullet weights and if it still is that bad, send it back to Kimber and ask them to fix it. Yes, it will be expensive and a pita, but you have a gun that isn't good for much other than shooting moose at 75'.

 

[Jchonline]

Well - I'd really be guessing to say I know what 4 MOA would be out at 100 yards. In all my years in Alaska - I hunted and killed 18 moose. NEVER a one beyond - 75 feet. Have YOU ever carried a quartered up moose any distance. Neither have I and by golly - I wasn't about to start. Only three times did I ever have to "pack" moose meat and that was only because I could not back my pickup right smack up to the moose. Each of the three times it was less than a 50 foot pack.

My trusty Remmington model 600 - 308 - a true killer. Every one of the 18 - a head shot. No wasted meat - not even the tongue.

4 minute of angle. Best to think of it as a 4 inch group, which is absolutely terrible. It should be 1 MOA or less in a well made rifle with an experienced shooter.

 

[shooterdon]

Avid shooter here. The reports of poor accuracy convinced me not to buy a Kimber. In addition, the factory appears unresponsive from the few reports I saw...I wish you better luck

Now...mount a different scope and try it. Check the bedding. Check the crown. Try adding pressure at the tip if the forearm. Ammo will not turn a 4 MOA gun into a sub MOA gun.

 

[oosik]

So I go to the Kimber web site. The site opens - there is a hunter with a huge elk head + rack strapped on his back pack. It should have a sub-title. "Guaranteed way to get shot - with a Kimber??" OR "Only a Kimber will have a one MOA on this elk head". OR "Can you spot the IDIOT on our web page?" OR "Make THIS shot count with a Kimber".

And the gun groups wonder why the anti-gun folks think we are a bit off center. Look at the d a m n ads from our gun companies.

And NO, I AM PRO gun - - but I'm also anti stupid, ignorant, moronic. One might think that Kimber has a "mole" working in their ad department.

 

[MossRoad]

Mount the gun in a stand on the bench so it can't move and fire it a dozen times. That'll confirm it's not the scope.

Sounds like you know what you're up against, though. As you said... bummer.

 

[the old grind]

Seasoned toolmaker/armorer/reloader here and I see no mention of which or how many loads were tried. Top makers with MOA guarantees usually specify 'with premium ammo' not necessarily with our first choice of super bullet or xtra performance ammo. Some 'best shooters' can be very particular about which shoot best. No one promises accuracy with any/every load. Custom builds don't either, just some are more forgiving than others.

Do what gunwriters do! Try several loads, esp those favored by reviewers or those who post on various gun forums. You don't have to be limited to any one load, unless you'll only try ONE. I haven't shot my M84 (a 7mm-08, btw) yet, but won't assume it likes any ammo before trying or loading whatever it takes. We don't choose premium tires and then try to find a car that handles best or gets the best mileage/traction with them. So I suggest you use your experience vs 'popular press' and don't assume 'your/my pet load' will also be the Kimber's.

Side note, I'm about to sell-down some nice and/or new collectible BA hunters, many unfired .. but .... buyers are happy to see groups fired with and mention of loads that performed well. If your not sure you'll keep the M84, start with Rem 'Green Box' or Win 'Silver Box' maybe shooting well with box store ammo that an average guy might like to know works before you set your price. IIRC, Kimber complaints, especially of 'older' ones like my own, have always been about them being ammo-fussy.

Secant ogive, VLD, ruby-tipped, moly coated doesn't mean accurate too if your gun just doesn't like it. Accuracy usually trumps bullet type. I'll take a well placed Cor-Lokt or Fed Power Shock in the boiler room vs a Trophy Bonded Tipped that just grazes a brisket and fills my tag with nothing but a fading blood trail to show for my $55 box of ammo. Did I miss mention of the OP's caliber or quarry? t o g

 

[Sigarms]

Do what gunwriters do! Try several loads, esp those favored by reviewers or those who post on various gun forums.

I have no doubt that you know gun smithing better than I, but to suggest to do what gunwriters do is ludicrious at best.

Please prove me wrong and send me 4 articles written within the last decade on gun reviews where the gun writer says the gun is crap but the manufacturer of the same gun being reviewed has paid advertising in the magazine the article was written in. Long story short, if Kimber pays a shiteload of money on advertising, the gun writer is NOT going to give you his honest opinion if it's negative and it can impact the manufacturers gun sales in a negative way.

Gun reviews by the same gun manufactuere in a paid periodical is a lot like a "Christian" euolgy at a funeral by the minister. No guns are ***** and everyone is going to heaven because money is involved.