SmallCaliberCentral

I have a cooper Phoenix.3 rounds touching or better at 100 is the norm with 32g hornaday ammo.im looking to add a repeater to the mix. I've seen the Kimbers, do they genrally shoot as good as a cooper or should I save a few bucks and keep trying to decide between a cz, howa,or savage?

Have you looked at a sako

derby: I have both, and would say that the Kimber will never shoot as well as the Cooper. Mine shoots very well for a repeater, but cannot equal the accuracy of the solid-bottom single shot action of the Cooper.

But just how accurate do you need the rifle to be? My Kimber shoots just under .5 MOA, the Coopers I have go about .25" at 100 yds.....we're really splitting hairs here for a field rifle. Unless you're shooting squirrels in the head past 300 yards, the Kimber most likely will do whatever you ask of it.

derbyking wrote:or should I save a few bucks and keep trying to decide between a cz, howa,or savage?

IMHO, Rick will not bs you. I Have had the privledge of meeting and shooting side by side with him.
If you decide to save a few bucks on a rifle, I do own and shoot a Howa in 204. With a little load work up, I've got mine shooting some 3/8 in groups, with the 39gr SBK's and just under 1/2 in. with 32 gr. Vmax. All the groups I shoot are 5 shot groups, and at 100 yards. The only CZ i own is a 17hmr. For me, and this is only my opinion, and preference, I just hate their clip set up. I do not own a Savage, but I hear really good comments on this forum from owners of Savage and CZ's. Have fun with your research, and good luck. Let us know what you decide.

derbyking wrote:I've seen the Kimbers, do they genrally shoot as good as a cooper or should I save a few bucks and keep trying to decide between a cz, howa,or savage?

In my opinion, the choice between a Kimber and the other three would be based far more on aesthetics than accuracy potential. All four are proven to get the job done, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Thanks for the replies. It'll be a p- dog gun.ive shot a howa and a savage both shot very good,my buddy has the howa and after some trigger work it shots stupid good for what it is.another friend has a 22/250 cz that shoots good also. I was leaning toward a lighter varmint rig so my little guy didn't have to much to pack so I keep looking at the true micro action guns. Looks like I can't really go wrong however I go. I'd like to have the kimber but might lean toward the cheaper guns, that way if he happened to ding it up I won't freak out.thanks again

Rick in Oregon wrote:derby: My Kimber shoots just under .5 MOA, the Coopers I have go about .25" at 100 yds.....we're really splitting hairs here for a field rifle. Unless you're shooting squirrels in the head past 300 yards, the Kimber most likely will do whatever you ask of it.

Rick, Could i ask what model your Kimber is and despite having an array of Coopers on hand are you still satisfied with your Kimber?

NSWVarminter wrote:Rick, Could i ask what model your Kimber is and despite having an array of Coopers on hand are you still satisfied with your Kimber?

NSWV: My Kimber is the Model 84M Varmint in 204 Ruger.



As to being satisfied, in a word, "yes". I'm a big Winchester M70 fan of many years, hunted all my life with two of them. The Kimber is a miniature M70 is almost every regard, so that alone drew me to the rifle, but the fact that they shoot as well as they do for being repeaters made them even more attractive. Add very good materials and workmanship, fit and finish, and they'll stand alone on their own merits.

Another non-tangeable aspect is what I refer to as the "carry factor". If you carry a rifle all day and never really look at it, then it's just a utility tool. However if you find yourself taking a moment now and then to admire your weapon of choice, taking in whatever beauty you find in it, then chances are it's already endeared itself to you, and will more likely than not become a constant carry companion. My Kimber qualified for that title after one day of carrying it in the field.

Also interesting is the fact that the Cooper varmint models have HB's and solid-bottom receivers, the Kimber has what I'd call a heavy sporter barrel that's fluted, but the weight of the two rifles is within a few ounces of one another. Both also being quite light despite outward appearances. HTH

I hope derbyking you decide to purchase A kimber varmint. As I have one on order at the moment. still have to wait another three and half months. If you do go ahead. I would expect kimbers are in plentiful supplie in the states or is there A waiting period for you guys as well. Pictures would be nice if you receiver yours first!. Enjoy reading your informed information Rick. Just finished reading A post about your ruger no1. I glass the hanger plus float the barrel last week. Away shooting today. hope to see some tiny groups. should be interesting.

geoff23 wrote:I would expect kimbers are in plentiful supplie in the states or is there A waiting period for you guys as well.

There are usually enough sources here in the states to track down whatever production rifle you want in short order, unless it's something very unusual. Of course, supply and demand always play into the equation. If you want to buy a hot commodity and have it right now, expect to pay a premium.

After a lot of tire kicking went with a cz Kevlar.think ill top it with a 6.5-20 vortex viper.

Hey Derby,

I have been looking at the same rifle. Beautiful gun. I've been trying to choose between the Kimber and a Remington 700 VLS. The Kimber is clearly the better looking rifle, a little more than one pound lighter, and will hold it's value, but my local Cabela's says it will take 6 mo to 1 year or longer to get the 84M. I can get the Remington in 3 days. I'll have to adjust or replace the trigger and work up the load, but other than that i won't do much to it. I have the Remington in .243 and it is a nice rifle if you like laminate. My brother has one in .223. Both are good shooters. I might hold out for the Kimber, since the wood is better and it will hold value. Don't think there is a significant difference in accuracy if you tinker with the Rem a bit.

Hey...me again. I just realized that my last post was in error. I meant to address it to Rick, not Derby...sorry. Since my last post I have been to the Tulsa Gun Show and had a chance to shoulder the Kimber 84M Longmaster .223 which is the twin to Rick's .204. I am now smitten and cannot settle for anything less. We gun people are a little nutty, but it sure is fun to find a firearm that fits you just right. Thanks for sharing your insights and observations.

rick, that is beautiful! the wood is fantastic!

I have a Kimber 84M 204 Ruger with the Factory Pepper gray Laminated stock. It looks the exact same as Ricks except his stock is solid Beautiful Walnut wood, not Laminated, from what I can tell by the photo. I have worked up handloads that out shoot factory in accuracy and stopping power. Dispatched 14 Sage Rats and 8 Rock Chucks Wednesday and Today, also a Raven at 200 yards.. My group is .236" - 3 shots at 100 yards (2 in .140") IMR8208XBR - 27.6gr powder, Berger 35grHP bullets, RP 7 1/2 primers, Nosler NEW brass. I'm sure the Coopers are worth the money but my Kimber does all I expect of it and more.