Anyone on here got a Kimber Montana in 6.5 Creedmoor ?

[gunsbam45]

A friend and I have both been thinking the same thing for a couple different reasons, one of which is ammo availability. Has anyone on here got or had a Kimber Montana in 6.5 Creedmoor? I wonder if it might make a good light walking rifle with a 160 grainer...I absolutely love my .223 Montana. I was thinking about a 7mm-08 Montana at one time, and a lot of folks were all saying they had trouble getting theirs in 7mm-08 to shoot. I'm curious to hear reports on the 6.5 version if there's a report to be had.

[potatojudge]

Can't help with the 6.5 version, but I have the 7-08. It's the rifle I tend to grab the most. I would recommend it in any caliber, but check the specific weight by chambering because there is variation and you might be getting extra ounces going from 308 to 6.5 for example. The Kimber site has all that info.

I did very limited load development. Put together 5 loads for one range day and stuck with the one that printed a 3/4 inch group- 160 grain Partitions. IIRC groups were .75-1.25 inches, so none awful. Hardly counts as load development really.

Here it is with bases, illuminated VX6, sling, and bipod. I found a heavier scope messed with the balance for me- made the gun want to flop over in my hand carrying it.

[brant]

Am I would love a 223 Montana!
My Kimber is a 308 classic and I love it. I will have the barrel cut back to 19 or 20” this year. I went with the 308 because locally during the ammo shortage It was available.
I hope you get the info you are looking for.

[Snyd]

A lot of sheep hunters here in AK are going for that 6.5. I have had a Kimber Montana since 2005. 325wsm. I love it I've killed sheep moose and griz with it. 7lbs all up with Talley LW Rings/Bases and a 2.5-8x36 VXIII Leupold scope and nylon sling. It's seen hundreds of miles of backpack sheep hunts, ATV moose hunts, banging around is a super cub you name it. Still holds zero and puts 5 shots sub Moa at 100yds. I haven't hunted with it for a few years but might have to moose hunt with it this year. I suspect the 6.5 would be a few ozs heavier since it has a smaller hole in the barrel but can't say for sure.

[gunsbam45]

I went with the Talley lightweight low and the 2.5-8x36 on my .223. The whole rig weighs 6.4# with one in the chamber under an open bolt with 5 on deck, but I've started just doing 4 on deck since doing the weighing. I like the new stock color on yours potatojudge. Only thing I did to mine not conducive to weight is add the bigger throw bolt. I had a .204 Kimber Pro Varmint model and fell in love with the bolt knob and bought one for the little Montana.

Any particular bullet or weight category of bullet the sheep hunters are running in the 6.5?

[potatojudge]

Feb 8, 2023 13:32:50 GMT -5 gunsbam45 said:

I went with the Talley lightweight low and the 2.5-8x36 on my .223. The whole rig weighs 6.4# with one in the chamber under an open bolt with 5 on deck, but I've started just doing 4 on deck since doing the weighing. I like the new stock color on yours potatojudge. Only thing I did to mine not conducive to weight is add the bigger throw bolt. I had a .204 Kimber Pro Varmint model and fell in love with the bolt knob and bought one for the little Montana.

Any particular bullet or weight category of bullet the sheep hunters are running in the 6.5?

I used to run that exact scope on my Montana until a used VX6 popped up at a price I couldn't pass on. It did the job and shaves a few ounces over the 6. 

There's a guy that makes Kimber bolt knobs in titanium, including that oversize style. 

www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11010090/1


I'll add I have a Mountain Ascent in 280AI. Despite being the ultralight version (Mountain Ascent>Montana>Hunter) the long action means it weighs more than my 7-08 Montana. Spend some time on the Kimber website comparing weights. They're all plenty lightweight enough to carry, but those ounces are better put in an optic upgrade IMO.

[gunsbam45]

I'll be putting the exact same scope on the 6.5 if I can get another bought reasonable or traded for. This target pic is from the first time I ever shot it. I would of never tried the Fiocchi ammo, but I bot a used 20 gauge single shot I was planning to use as a pack gun for turkey hunting out in the pastures. It wouldn't pattern with anything. I took it back to the guy who owns that shop and he didn't believe me so went out and tried several loads himself. He came back in and said OK it's worthless, but I'd prefer you find something else to trade out. I traded for Fiocchi 40 and 50 VMAX ammo for the new .223 I'd just got the scope on and bore sighted. Headed for the hay meadow and set a box with this target on it at 100. Groups on right and left were top of target on couple different turns. When I hit the line on the left group I dropped it 5 clicks then went and flipped the box to the position seen in the pic and got set up better. I was on 8 power but couldn't tell for sure where I hit, so assumed it was in the black. I opened the bolt and let the barrel cool a bit then sent another, then repeated for a 3rd. I couldn't believe the group it shot with the cheapy Fiocchi 40 VMAX ammo. I set another target and tried the 50 VMAX and it grouped almost as good and only off the black a hair under an inch. I packed it up and went home grinned up. I think that's the best group I've fired with a factory rifle running factory ammo. Only thing I did to the rifle other than make sure the bore was de-gunked was set the trigger down around 2#. I bought it to re-barrel to .204, but decided before I did all that I'd better scope it up and make sure I would even get along with the lightweight rifle as I'd never fired one before. I decided not to re-barrel it for obvious reasons, but culling coyotes out the window on summer range with it, I soon came to appreciate it even more. It does not ring my ears in the cab of the jeep or truck, let alone off the 4 wheeler or out in the field. Why they discontinued this one is beyond me. I'd love to see what someone who actually knows how to properly bench test a rifle could do with it on paper.

[Snyd]

My Kimber 325 shot just like that out of the box with Winchester factory ammo, 200gr accubonds. I remember 3 shots, one hole. I took my first ram with that load. So did my partner on the same hunt when his gun/reloads jammed up on him. I was then able to duplicate that factory load, 200gr AB's 2950ish fps. I call it my "Little 8" since it basically duplicates the original Rem 8mm ballistics. I'm not sure what load/bullet the 6.5 sheep hunters are running. Whatever the sweet spot is I suppose. Dall Sheep aren't that hard to kill, think whitetail. If it weren't for the big brown fuzzies in the woods I'd have shot a 243 over the years.



2015 The last time I hunted with the Little 8...

[gunsbam45]

Do you run a brake on your 325? I can't tell for sure from the pic. Ever had any feeding or function problems with it? My one gripe on the .223 is the feeding. I've worked on it and got it better but not flawless. I've still got to keep an eye on it to make sure it grabs another one out of the magazine sometimes when I have coyotes on the run after the first one is down.

[Snyd]

I've never had a problem with mine feeding. Even when rapid fire at a griz!! I had it Mag-Na-Ported. It really tamed the muzzle flip and twist/torque. 325 is pretty stout in that light wippy barrel. I have no complaints about my Kimber. Great gun and cartridge.

[lobo]

My Dad has a Kimber Hunter in 6.5 CM. It shoots lights out with Hornady 140 gr. Interlocks and 41.0 grs of Hybrid 100V in Starline brass with Federal large rifle primers. Should be a little over 2,700 fps.

He has taken deer and hogs with it. Matter of fact he killed a 225# hog with it earlier tonight!

[northerngos]

I think rather than being worried about specific calibers being problematic in a montana (or other lightweight kimbers) It’s more likely to be date of manufacture. There are some very detailed threads on post purchase modifications that iron out inconsistencies at the range. One thing that comes to mind is that some action screws bottomed out on the barrel threads causing real accuracy issues, magazine box binding under tension in the bottom of the stock did the same thing. I have a montana but can’t comment on it specifically, it is going out to Isaac Gallagher to have the barrel swapped for a gain twist Bartlein in 338 win. Should be a good package when it is all said and done!

[squawberryman]

A seven pound 325WSM is for mountain men when you pull the trigger.