Kimber Hunter or Bergara rifle

[mtantelopehunter]

Wanting to buy a new 30-06. I kind of like the Kimber Hunter but getting lots of mixed reviews .
Some people are having trouble getting them to shoot good. I have heard nothing but good about the Bergara.
Anyone shoot these rifles?
Thanks

 

[zpooch]

I've got a Bergara B14 in 6.5 Creedmoor but I haven't shot it yet. Got it around Christmas, I know that isn't much help haha

 

[Timberstalker]

I have a Kimber Hunter in 280AI. I have it shooting 3/4" groups and feel I can improve. When I shot factory ammunition it was 1 1/4". I knew when I bought it I was going to reload so I didn't try finding a factory load that it liked, there are not many factory options for it anyway.
Cons about the rifle are, when I first got it it would not eject. I had to send it to Kimber for repairs, they did repair and zero cost to me but it was gone for over a month. I personally do not care for the clip, I would rather it had a mag box. I'm now having issues with it feeding, it could be my seating depth, But if I hold the clip tight they feed without issue. I'm going to call Kimber today abut it. So far this has not been a wonderful experience and if I were to have bought this rifle intenting to hunt with it right away I would be livid.

I do like the rifle and once I get the bugs worked out of it I think it will be awesome.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have a Kimber Hunter in 280AI. I have it shooting 3/4" groups and feel I can improve. When I shot factory ammunition it was 1 1/4". I knew when I bought it I was going to reload so I didn't try finding a factory load that it liked, there are not many factory options for it anyway.
Cons about the rifle are, when I first got it it would not eject. I had to send it to Kimber for repairs, they did repair and zero cost to me but it was gone for over a month. I personally do not care for the clip, I would rather it had a mag box. I'm now having issues with it feeding, it could be my seating depth, But if I hold the clip tight they feed without issue. I'm going to call Kimber today abut it. So far this has not been a wonderful experience and if I were to have bought this rifle intenting to hunt with it right away I would be livid.

I do like the rifle and once I get the bugs worked out of it I think it will be awesome.

Wow...was not aware Kimber rifles were having problems. Their handguns are really great guns. Lots of my friends use them and really like them.

 

[6mm Remington]

Go to the Montana Rifle Company site and look at some of their rifles. They build a nice product.

 

[Timberstalker]

Update: spoke with Kimber and it seems there's a right and wrong way to load the magazine...I did as they suggested and it seemed fine. I'm to quite sure what I was doing wrong and honestly don't understand how it's possible to load it wrong. I will have to experiment with it more, sure hope I don't accidentally load it wrong when I go hunting, I shouldn't need a second shot anyway right?

 

[Tim McCoy]

Wow...was not aware Kimber rifles were having problems. Their handguns are really great guns. Lots of my friends use them and really like them.

With their rifles, there are plenty of accuracy and customer service horror stories, they were very hit or miss rifles for a while, maybe still. Some great, then lemons. I'd hoped they would have had it fixed by now. Myself, I would not buy a used one off the rack, I'd be very concerned it was someone else's problem.

 

[mtantelopehunter]

Thanks for the replies.
If i buy one it will be brand new

 

[AKaviator]

I had a Kimber in 7mm-08. I never could get it to shoot well enough to want to carry it. I did once in a while and shot a couple wolves with it. I sold it cheap and replaced it with a Savage in the same caliber and never looked back. I have other friends that are less than satisfied with Kimbers.

I would go for the Bergara personally.

And C.C. yep...Kimber makes great pistols!

 

[mcseal2]

I had a Kimber Montana in 280AI. Love the caliber but with factory ammo it was a 3"-4" gun. I used both types Nosler makes. I bought it used and reasonably cheap. With that accuracy I didn't try to load for it, just had the gunsmith move a great shooting 270 win barrel from a M70 to this rifle. Really like the gun now. I did have to have him full length bed the stock though. With it floated it shot 2 distinct separate groups with or without forend pressure.

I love the idea and feel of the Kimber, but I'd think twice about buying another. I would maybe look at a Montana or LAW. I like the 3 position safety.