Kimber 84M in 308 W

[Dr Ray]

Kimber 84M 308

I bought an almost new but secondhand Kimber from a shop assistant at the local gun shop (Michael). This rifle had fired 105 shots and Michael won the 500 yard competition with it. He sure knows his stuff! On Sunday I took the new beast to the rifle range at Mareeba inland from Cairns in higher country and reasonably “mountainous”. It was 4wd country only. Yikes, I didn’t think we’d ever get to the top. The range has been newly made but was completely different to what I expected.

This rifle range was nothing that I have ever experienced before. Instead of being flat, it was very much a ridge country with targets that were placed at various intervals and laser measured for distance.

I normally do not shoot at that sort of distance, but I decided to try the 5 to 20 power Nightforce scope. My target, I thought was at about 300 yards. It turned out to be right on the button at 400 meters and it was quite an experience. I enjoyed lying prone and firing at these fairly distant targets. The heat haze wasn’t bad then but I could see it was picking up.

My friend Ron, spent considerable time being coached by the Range Master and eventually he was spot on for the thousand meter target. Just go and measure out 1,000 meters and see just how far it is. The targets as far as I can remember, were out to 1860m which, believe me, is a long way when shooting. Some may be at the 2 km mark but I’m not sure on that though.

I used Browning factory ammunition that are the 168 grain Long-range Pro cartridges with the Sierra tipped the Match King bullets (See photo attached). The results of the velocities are as follows (this was using a Labradar).

Velocities are measured in feet per second. The temperature was 32 degrees C (90 degrees F).

2700; 2662; 2158; 2659.

Now it is fairly obvious that the 3rd shot had a bad primer (and the primer flash didn’t work properly) or a "dud" cartridge. Hmm!!

Now using hand loads I was given that were loaded with AR 2206H powder which emulates IMR 4895, and 168 grain Bergers, I had the following readings. The first shot didn’t record as I forgot to turn the radar on but the here are the following 4.shots.

2771; 2759; 2725; and 2761

		Hand loads	Browning
		168 Grain Berger		Long Range 168 Gran Sierra Match King
FPS
	2771​			2700​
	2759​			2662​
	2725​			2158​
	2761​			2659​
Average	2203.2​			2035.8​

 

[Ridgewalker]

I assume you were shooting steel and not having to change targets in that rough terrain! I would be exhausted walking that country!
Your averages and mine calculate differently, ie…
handloads average 2,754 fps
Browning average 2,545 fps

I don’t think much of Browning ammo if this is typical, although I find Sierra bullets exceptionally accurate.

 

[Dr Ray]

I assume you were shooting steel and not having to change targets in that rough terrain! I would be exhausted walking that country!
Your averages and mine calculate differently, ie…
handloads average 2,754 fps
Browning average 2,545 fps

I don’t think much of Browning ammo if this is typical, although I find Sierra bullets exceptionally accurate.

Steel targets spotting scope. Had a spotter for each shot. I hit the target each and everytime.

 

[D2junky]

I’ve seen few Kimbers in 308 that wouldn’t shoot above average.

155 scenar and 45-47gr Varget shoots well in every 308 I own.

 

[gesch]

Wow. Very impressive shooting. Your friend, Brisn

 

[Ridgewalker]

I’ve seen few Kimbers in 308 that wouldn’t shoot above average.

155 scenar and 45-47gr Varget shoots well in every 308 I own.

I have only owned 3 Kimbers…243 Montana, 308 Classic, and 375 Talkeetna. With the right handload, they all shot under an inch at the 100 meter range, but only the first 3 rounds with the 243 and 308. The thin barrels would start to heat up and open up the groups after that.
Dr Ray, that heavy fluted barrel should really help out! That’s a very handsome rifle! My 243 is my mountain walking varminter and has taken numerous coyotes, antelope and mule deer. Even after hundreds of rounds through it using Sierra 85 grain Game Kings I can put 3 rounds into less than 5/8” at 100 meters. I consider that excellent for such a light weight rifle.
It will be interesting to see how you 308 does on targets with a proper handload.
Enjoy your new toy!

 

[Pheroze]

That sounds like a great day at a very cool range! Congratulations on the rifle. Now you are a mountain hunter in training? Get jogging and lifting those weights Ray

 

[Dr Ray]

I must correct the average velocities

Hand loads 2,754

Browning 2,554.75

Discarding the 2154 fps n Browning average then would be 2673.67
Sorry about that I don't know how I stuffed up on the averages

 

[Dr Ray]

That sounds like a great day at a very cool range! Congratulations on the rifle. Now you are a mountain hunter in training? Get jogging and lifting those weights Ray

Let’s not overdo the training bit
Let’s say trying to be