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in a recent forum(not here) a seemingly experienced winchester expert responded to my question "kimber 84 vs mod 70" noting the current model 70's are the best winchester has ever made, and the pre '64 premium was not worth it.........what do you guys think??? for the record i bought a new 84 in 257 roberts.....awesome.....and several hundred $$ less than pre '64 mod 70.....thanks for the input!!!!!!
I've owned an example of a new Kimber M84, when they first came out several years ago. Nice rifle. Accuracy acceptable, but nothing to brag on. I found it stayed in the cabinet more that I'd hoped it would, so I sat down and did a piece to piece comparison between my M70 Featherweight Classic in 7/08 and that Kimber. The results kind of surprised me. On all levels the M70 Classic (late '90s gun) was a better rifle. Finish and smoothness of the bolt were not even close (advantage M70) and the accuracy was a toss-up, basically the same.
I still own that M70 and the Kimber is long gone. When I look at my pre '64 M70s, I can only say that their overall quality at least match my Classic. I simply looked and compared with all in my hands and with an open mind. After all, I'd already spent all the $$. <---Quote from pilothunter.
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I have had M70's since 1957 and have number of them that were my go to longer range hunting rifles. When the 7mm WSM came out I just had to get one as I knew the belted rounds are second rate for handloading. That M70 had problems. The worst was that it's chamber was way out of round. However at first it shot well and it was my first SS/Syn. rifle. Then the accuracy went to pot and the dealer took it back and sent it to Winchester as they knew.
About that time Kimber came out with the 84M's and I wanted a lightweight anyway. I have had incredible good fortune with the Kimbers. I have a complete battery of hunting, target and schuetzen rifles. The Kimbers are my best shooting and functioning hunting rifles. Some of my customs have better wood!
The 308 Montana was checked a couple of days ago as the season is near. It's been a reliable rifle. Staying sighted in and groups as well. I fire just one shot from hunting rifle with a cold bore and record the bullets impact at the range it's sighted for. That 308 Montana put it's 155 Berger VLD right where it was wanted at 200 yds. The second comfirming shot touched the first! That rifle is all set. In fact it was all set!
The newest Kimber I have is the 7mm WSM Montana. I am shooting 140 Berger VLD's in it over H4350. This is one of the best shooting new rifles I have had out of the box.
From it's cold, hunting ready, barrel. It put it's first shot 1.5" high and 1.5" left at 200 yds. The second shot hit on elevation wise and 1.5" to the left. The wind was about 3 to 6K from the left. That rifles zero will be one inch high at 200 yds like other similar ones.
The 243, 7-08 and 270WSM are also very accurate and ready.