Thinking of ordering a Kimber 84. Will probably be in .270. Does anyone else on here have one (any caliber)? What are your experiences and opinions of the rifle? I get a very substantial discount on Kimber as I work for in the gun department of Cabela's, although we do not have any Kimber rifles (only pistols) for sale.
Kimber 84
- Thread starter Bigsky
- Start date
I have had a Model 84 in 7mm-08 for several years. It's scoped with a Zeiss 3x9. I don't have my load data in front of me but I will say that I have tried numerous loads, using many different powders and bullets, seating depths, etc. Most of them shoot poorly. I have a load or two that will group around 1 1/2" to 2" at 100 yards from a solid bench. Most are 4"-5" groups. I have checked the bedding, scope mounts, etc. and have been handloading for 40 years, so I'm not a novice at it.
In reading some handloader blogs, I'm not the only one to experience this problem.
Overall, the 84 is a sleek, easy to carry rifle but I can't recommend them based on my experience with it's poor accuracy.
In reading some handloader blogs, I'm not the only one to experience this problem.
Overall, the 84 is a sleek, easy to carry rifle but I can't recommend them based on my experience with it's poor accuracy.
mnhunter
Active Member
I have an 84L Select grade in 30-06, and it consistently shoots factory ammo sub-moa. Currently, I am shooting Barnes Vortx TTSX 180 grns, and if I do my part it can get them in under 3/4 moa.
AK Aviator might have had a lemon, every gun manufacturer produces them from time to time.
AK Aviator might have had a lemon, every gun manufacturer produces them from time to time.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
Best day of my rifle owning life was selling my wife's Kimber 84. What an absolute p.o.s.
Bullets jammed on the feed shoe relentlessly. Accuracy sucked, 1 1/2 at 100 yards. My junker Rem 700 will shoot 1 minute. My friends Kimber had the same problems. I saw a guy selling an 84 on campfire and mentioning it had been sold a few times, back to the factory and not fixed, re crowned, re bedded, etc, etc. and now it was shooting an inch. yeehaw and they only cost $1200.
Bullets jammed on the feed shoe relentlessly. Accuracy sucked, 1 1/2 at 100 yards. My junker Rem 700 will shoot 1 minute. My friends Kimber had the same problems. I saw a guy selling an 84 on campfire and mentioning it had been sold a few times, back to the factory and not fixed, re crowned, re bedded, etc, etc. and now it was shooting an inch. yeehaw and they only cost $1200.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I only own one factory rifle in it's original config. (early model tang safety M77 Ruger in 25-06). All of the rest have had new stocks, triggers or barrels. Everything I own will shoot MOA or less. I do spend lots of time at the range and talk to lots of shooters there, experienced and inexperienced. From what have learned, if I was in the market for a new rifle today, number one on my list would be the new Savage. Seen lots of them at the range and have never heard any complaints. Savage has done a great job.
My old Ruger still shoots sub MOA after 40 years of hard hunting. Shot maybe 50 deer and more than that of antelope. Also a few Texas hogs. Never had a bad day with it if I do my part. In 2012, I shot a pretty good buck antelope in Wyoming that ranged at 417 before I made a one shot kill. I also shoot nothing but my own handloads (same for all centerfire I shoot).Every one of my rifles has it's own likes and dislikes as far as ammo goes. Powder, bullet, seating depth and primer selection are different for each rifle.
My old Ruger still shoots sub MOA after 40 years of hard hunting. Shot maybe 50 deer and more than that of antelope. Also a few Texas hogs. Never had a bad day with it if I do my part. In 2012, I shot a pretty good buck antelope in Wyoming that ranged at 417 before I made a one shot kill. I also shoot nothing but my own handloads (same for all centerfire I shoot).Every one of my rifles has it's own likes and dislikes as far as ammo goes. Powder, bullet, seating depth and primer selection are different for each rifle.
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i have an 84 in 270 wsm. horrible accuracy. sent it back to the factory, they test fired it and returned it with the target. I believe the group was 1 3/4" at 50yds. They said that was within their specs. I finally found a load to get inside 2" at 100. Never been so disgusted with a gun or a gun manufacturer. would have been better off with a $400 savage
mnhunter
Active Member
xtreme
Very Active Member
My most recent rifle is a Savage, the rest are Rem700 and Browning A-bolts. The Rem have trigger replacements and the Brownings have been adjusted as low as possible but are stock. I don't find anything to complain about with the A-bolts but the Savage has the best trigger of the lot. All shoot from 1/4 to 3/4 moa and the reason they do is ammo selection, they all have their favorite load. I like the Browning guns, they just feel right to me.
Purchasing a new gun I would look at CZ. All the CZ owners I talk to love the way they shoot. I guess I would buy a cheaper gun that shoots well and put a really good scope on it. It would not be a Kimber.
Purchasing a new gun I would look at CZ. All the CZ owners I talk to love the way they shoot. I guess I would buy a cheaper gun that shoots well and put a really good scope on it. It would not be a Kimber.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I've got a good friend who runs a gun store and deals with Kimber. He bought a tricked out 1911 from them that has been back to the factory 3 times over feeding issues. He currently wants his money so he can customize a different brand himself.
Anywhere you see Kimber you see both terrible and rave reviews. My friend's store is the same way. His theory is that their quality control sucks. They produce some truly fine firearms, and some real lemons there just isn't any consistency. I expect that I may need some minor modifications or tweaking when buying a Rossi, not when buying a Kimber.
I had a Colt light rifle in 7 mag I really loved except for the safety. If a 3 position safety was available for that rifle I'd NEVER have sold it. I think Kimber has a great idea with their rifles, but if I ever buy one it will be a used one that I can shoot first. I want to verify I have one of the good ones.
Anywhere you see Kimber you see both terrible and rave reviews. My friend's store is the same way. His theory is that their quality control sucks. They produce some truly fine firearms, and some real lemons there just isn't any consistency. I expect that I may need some minor modifications or tweaking when buying a Rossi, not when buying a Kimber.
I had a Colt light rifle in 7 mag I really loved except for the safety. If a 3 position safety was available for that rifle I'd NEVER have sold it. I think Kimber has a great idea with their rifles, but if I ever buy one it will be a used one that I can shoot first. I want to verify I have one of the good ones.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I am Match/League Director in an indoor winter Bulls Eye pistol league. The reason for my statement is that the guys that shoot Kimbers love them. Several also have them for concealed carry. I have heard nothing but praise for theit handguns. I don't shoot one as I shoot a S & W K38 Target Masterpiece for my CF gun, now that is a classic!
mnhunter
Active Member
I don't intend to insult anyone's pistol shooting prowess, but a 1911 is an experts weapon, and I have seen more people return 1911's of every brand because of poor reliability. Many of these cases are due to operator error rather than mechanical issues. They require a more consistent grip (to reliably actuate the grip safety), more break-in time, and a stronger grip (to provide enough back pressure to ensure reliable cycling, this is also the most common reason for stovepipes in all handguns).
People like to buy 1911's because they are sexy/nostalgic, but they aren't for the novice shooter. I cringe when I see a novice buying a mini 1911 for concealed carry, because I am pretty certain they aren't going to practice enough to be proficient. If you need more evidence of this in the last few years the top trigger pullers in the US Army (Delta) have switched from 1911s to Glocks, because when the blood is pumping K.I.S.S. rules.
Full disclosure: I own a modified Kimber, and I shoot it in tactical competitions and in training, but even after putting 5000+ rnds through it I still carry a wheel gun or a striker pistol for defense. K.I.S.S.
People like to buy 1911's because they are sexy/nostalgic, but they aren't for the novice shooter. I cringe when I see a novice buying a mini 1911 for concealed carry, because I am pretty certain they aren't going to practice enough to be proficient. If you need more evidence of this in the last few years the top trigger pullers in the US Army (Delta) have switched from 1911s to Glocks, because when the blood is pumping K.I.S.S. rules.
Full disclosure: I own a modified Kimber, and I shoot it in tactical competitions and in training, but even after putting 5000+ rnds through it I still carry a wheel gun or a striker pistol for defense. K.I.S.S.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
One thing for sure, even as I digress from the original post, in all the competition shooting I do, none of the top shooters shoot out of the box, untuned guns. Everything I shoot has been worked over by an expert 'smith who specializes in the gun and the discipline. you don't win with a stock, factory gun!
Disappointed to learn this about Kimber, but glad I have all of you to steer me in the right direction! I will probably end up buying a Tikka or the cheapest Sako A7 I can pro-deal through my work. I wanted a new Win Featherweight :-/ I also hand load my own ammunition and it shoots sub 1/2 MOA off my shooting sticks. 6.5x55. only thing is, it's an Encore and I am hungry for a bolt gun.
mgriffith80
New Member
I have a 84M in .243 and has been my favorite rifle for years. Hasn't let me down yet and has several pigs under its belt with no accuracy issues at all.
jims
Member
Since you mentioned a Sako A7, I bought one on clearance last winter at Cabela's. I didn't get it scoped until a few weeks ago and then started trying to find a load for it. I was very disappointed with it's accuracy at first when trying to work up a load. After much shooting and trying different loads, I finally found a load that it shoots 5/8" groups with. I am happy with it now. So, if you hand load, you many times can find a load that the rifle likes.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
That my friend is what handloading is all about. Used to be that you could save yourself money reloading. Today you still can, but realistically the benefit is finding that one particular load that your rifle really shoots best. Every rifle is different (even the same brand/model/caliber) and will shoot certain loads much better than others. The challenge is to find it!
xtreme
Very Active Member
I think Kimber has fixed their accuracy problems with their rifle. I read that the guns are very nice and accurate. They did have a problem but it is corrected. Pistols have been good all along. I think Field and Stream did an article recently.