well i know i am going to open a can of worms with this one but here we go. i have decided with all the other posts that i am going to go with a leupold 2.5-8 vx3. from there i cant decide between a browning xbolt or a kimber montana in a 325wsm....... i know that some pple on here don't like the cartridge but i dont care. im leaning towards the kimber just for the fact that its a half a pound lighter. this is going to be a deer, goat, sheep, black bear, brown bear, moose, caribou, and whatever else decides to step in front of me gun. my only hesitation with the kimber is that some of them cant hold a group at all.....
new rifle
- Thread starter vermilion
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hodgeman
New member
.325WSM is a great cartridge. 2.5-8x VXIII is a great scope. Either the Montana or the X-Bolt is a great rifle. Like you- my preference would be toward the Montana.
I'd say you're set to go fill the ark.
I'd say you're set to go fill the ark.
mod elan
New member
Just had the kimber talk with a friend today. He said it would suck to get one of the mythical bad shooters and a hassle to deal with it. I figure if it does happen then you have all winter to get it figured out. It won't stop me from buying one. When funds permit Kimber will be my next rifle. Got it picked out and waiting for the green
AK Wonderer
Active member
My 325wsm is in a Browning A-bolt Titanium and I wouldn't even think about trading it for a Kimber. I have a Montana in 270wsm and have had my share if issues with it, wish I could say they were mythical problems. I've seriously thought of selling off my Kimber but I've already gone through all the hassle to get it feeding and shooting right so I've held on to it. The only plus I see with the Montana is it's a few ounces lighter but beyond that I would lean towards the X-bolt. I might buy another Kimber is a standard caliber but don't have great confidence in the WSM line.
Either way, you'll love the 325 caliber.
Either way, you'll love the 325 caliber.
boliep
New member
I have a Kimber Montana 84L in 30-06. Some adjustments have been made to it to help the performance. To be honest it is a frustrating firearm for me. Most of that I attribute to the light weight. It is just more difficult to shoot accurately because of the light weight. Some days I shoot very good groups with it and on other days I get all frustrated with it. Probably more practice on my part would help the situation.
.325 WSM and scope are great choices. I went with the 3.5x10 and the BC reticle. Your choice was my main choice for quite some time.
My 300 WM Montana was a little frustrating, but I got it worked out with minor adjustments. To get the package in say, a Remington, you'd pay a lot more to get the light weight barrel installed, plus a high quality synthetic stock with a good recoil pad. I wouldn't worry, get the Montana and take it to a gunsmith to set the trigger the way you like, have him make sure the barrel is free floated, and possibly re-bed the action if it doesn't shoot tight. My barrel was excellent.
alaskanhidalgo
New member
I think the Montana is a great choice for being light weight and extremely accurate for about 3 rounds. Funny thing is that when I reach into the gun safe to go hunting, it always finds my hands and we go. In the last 5 years it's harvested 4 rams, 2 goats, 5 moose, and 2 bear. Not bad for a weapon that so many find flaw's in. My previous weapon of choice was a Pre 64 in 300 win, and it felt like a ton to carry. It could shoot better after 3 shots, but that's usually a "shooting range" concern, and not a field problem. Hands down, I'd go with the Kimber with a Leupold too, but the scope would need to have a 50mm objective to take advantage of all the light possible.
My previous weapon of choice was a Pre 64 in 300 win, and it felt like a ton to carry. It could shoot better after 3 shots, but that's usually a "shooting range" concern, and not a field problem. Hands down, I'd go with the Kimber with a Leupold too, but the scope would need to have a 50mm objective to take advantage of all the light possible.
AK Wonderer
Active member
"It could shoot better after 3 shots"...
My Montana is the same way, the first three shots are moa but you can almost guarantee that the four is going to wonder. I think mostly due to heating up that thin barrel.
My Montana is the same way, the first three shots are moa but you can almost guarantee that the four is going to wonder. I think mostly due to heating up that thin barrel.
hodgeman
New member
That's sorta the plague of lightweight guns and by no means limited to Kimbers....I've had several that would do that. Worst one was a Remington Mountain rifle- the first two would almost be touching but that third one however would open it right up to 2".
Of course when hunting that 4th shot probably isn't gonna be much count regardless...
the more and more i read into this i think i am leaning towards the kimber, if your first and second shot are almost touching thats about all you need, if you need a third most likely you will be running after what ever you have slowed down and has a chance to cool down. after going through most of the posts on here that i have read, if they arent shooting so well if you free float and glass bed the whole stock they are tack drivers. ok next question....... im a huge barns fan, sadly i dont reload yet and from what i have found the only kind of bullet i like is a nosler custom 200gr accubond. i know that some people like the accubonds but what say you?
AK Wonderer
Active member
stid2677
Well-known member
I have killed about everything in Alaska with 200 Grain Accubonds and they all died fast with superior bullet performance. I WAS a die hard barnes fan, but while I still use them some,, Accubonds are my go to bullet.
Here are a couple I have recovered.
oh really Steve....how about a brooks range marmot....:lol: way meaner then that grizz you shot just look at em.....
Better eating than grizz too!
stid2677
Well-known member
Okay,,, you both got me there... LOL I did see one chew through a guys tent one sheep hunt and eat all his food stash.
you righties got got it easy...guns popin up all over.... its not a 325wsm but 280ai is pretty popular round here too..
http://alaskaslist.com/1/posts/9_General/63_Guns_Hunting/265506_Kimber_Montana_84L_280_AI.html
http://alaskaslist.com/1/posts/9_General/63_Guns_Hunting/265506_Kimber_Montana_84L_280_AI.html
i have two light rifles and they are my go to guns, never had a moment where i thought i shot a heavy rifle better...never. i'll never attribute poor shooting to the weight of a rifle...i just can't see where that would be the cause.
The Kid
New member
I absolutely love the direction Kimber took with the Montana, great stock, great action design, nice and light. But the problems aren't mythical, I have had my hands on more than a couple that wouldn't shoot for beans. It wasn't the bedding or anything to do with ammo or the weight. The barrels on a couple were rougher than dirt roads, and actions have been out of square, customer service sucks when you try to get them warrantied. If you get a good one though I can't think of a better mountain rifle a guy can buy off the shelf.
The Browning is a bit heavier, and I don't care for the rubberized stocks. But they always feed, kinda hard not to with that magazine design. I work in Browning's only service center in this state and I have yet to see my first warranty claim on an X-bolt.
I think the scope you have chosen is about perfect for all around use. Slap it in some Talley's and don't look back.
The 325 is an excellent cartridge, its the old 8mag in a shorter bottle. I have watched some game fall to the 325 and the 200gr accubond. It worked great in each instance. FWIW the 200gr Accubond is also available in Winchester factory ammo, might be cheaper than Nosler.
The Browning is a bit heavier, and I don't care for the rubberized stocks. But they always feed, kinda hard not to with that magazine design. I work in Browning's only service center in this state and I have yet to see my first warranty claim on an X-bolt.
I think the scope you have chosen is about perfect for all around use. Slap it in some Talley's and don't look back.
The 325 is an excellent cartridge, its the old 8mag in a shorter bottle. I have watched some game fall to the 325 and the 200gr accubond. It worked great in each instance. FWIW the 200gr Accubond is also available in Winchester factory ammo, might be cheaper than Nosler.
