So, how light can a Kimber Hunter be? A build thread.

mtwarden

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Nicely done Sir! Good work on the paint job too :)

I followed @BigWoods thread pretty carefully and was able to get my .308 Hunter under 6 lbs (w/ Talley's and a VX-R 2-7x33).

I lost the front cap, should have glued it better. I called Kimber to see if I could get a replacement- after several disappointing emails and telephone calls, I gave up. Said they could sell me a new stock though- yeah bet you could.
 

TomJoad

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Soooo..... how’s it shoot?
Seriously, great job on this build. Now time to punch some paper!
 
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ChrisAU

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Soooo..... how’s it shoot?
Seriously, great job on this build. Now time to punch some paper!

Will find out this weekend. If it can hold 2 MOA I’ll be tickled for its intended use. It will likely never see a shot over 60 yards.
 

thinhorn_AK

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Well well well

Had a package from JES today.

Threw the action into the stock at lunch, will put it all together tonight.

This is with a homemade sling, Spartan bipod/tripod adapter, shortened rear sling stud, titanium rear action screw, gel removed from stock and grip, fore-end shortened 3-1/8" and the remolded using JB plastic weld, granite paint, 16.5" barrel, TI Ascent bolt handle, Loopy 2.5x20 with Alumina obj cap in Talleys, and a mag full of 200gr Winchester soft points.

And yes my pool table/hunting season work bench is filthy.

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Think I'll sew the straps on the sling so I can ditch the ladder locks.

Quick question, but if you pull your bolt out and look into the extractor cut out is there a “B” or a “C” stamped in there?
 
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ChrisAU

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Quick question, but if you pull your bolt out and look into the extractor cut out is there a “B” or a “C” stamped in there?

I have not looked to see if I have Bergara or Criterion barrel yet, mostly because I knew I wouldn’t have either for long ha. I’ll take a look today.
 

mtwarden

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how difficult was it to paint the stock? I have a stock I'd like to paint with some flecks thrown in, but don't want to muck it up :)
 
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ChrisAU

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how difficult was it to paint the stock? I have a stock I'd like to paint with some flecks thrown in, but don't want to muck it up :)

Not hard at all. Just pick a base color. Mine is matte hunter green. Then practice on something with the stone effect paint, it only takes a couple of passes to get to what mine looks like.
 

BigWoods

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how difficult was it to paint the stock? I have a stock I'd like to paint with some flecks thrown in, but don't want to muck it up :)
Couple tips:

Use a bent wire hanger through one of the bolt holes to hang it from the ceiling and have full access.
Carefully tape off everything you don't want paint in. On mine, I taped off the trigger guard after the base layer to set it off from the stone textured area.
Make lots of light coats with a quick knock down with fine grit sandpaper between them.
Build up the clear coat slowly with thin coats to make it all more durable.

You can tell where I carry my rifle, but that's after 3 seasons of use with the rifle being in hand the whole day when I'm out and using it to push through snowing branches.
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ChrisAU

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Here is shots 3-5 after a rough sight in. Kinda tough to shoot groups with a 2.5x fixed scope ha. Wanted to shoot some more but rain set in. Tickled with it, it really doesn’t kick that bad. I even accidentally shot once without my hearing pro in, and I lived to talk about it 😂 Moved it down and right a bit and called it good for the excessive ranges it will see. Hunting with it tomorrow where longest shot will be about 40 yards.

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