Thread: Kimber 84M or Tikka T3x? Advice please

I'm finally upgrading to a proper gun, and got the option to go for either a Kimber 84M or a Tikka T3x.
Both in 7mm08, both the same price at around $1100 for the bare rifle.
Both second hand

Any advice/opinions would be hugely appreciated.
I like the idea of the lightness of the Kimber, but it's hard to go past the Tikka name and all that brings

Cheers

I have a Kimber 84M in 7mm-08 and it's great. Shoots better than I can, it's lightweight, good stock. Only things that might swing your vote are a short blind magazine. If you value a removable magazine then you don't get that with the Kimber, one thing less to lose though. I load Hornady 162gr ELD-M in it and the projectiles are way off the lands but still groups nicely.

I have had both and still have a Tikka the main reason I sold the Kimber is the safety it's dam hard to get off quickly and quiet.
You should be able to get a suppressed Tikka for around that money.

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Actually that's a good point, the safety is the worst feature of the Kimber without doubt. It's functionally unusable for quick and quiet use in my opinion. I find I would have to take my hand out of the shooting grip position to release it quietly. I don't use it, Kimber needs a Tikka safety! My CZ has the problem of being backwards to the Tikka, another issue...

Kimber LOP is for midgets and small children. If you're over 4'6" they're terrible.

Originally Posted by 25 /08 IMP

You should be able to get a suppressed Tikka for around that money.

Thanks for the advice everyone, much appreciated. The Kimber is on trademe and haven't been able to view it so slightly more nervous about that.
Tikka is actually secondhand from a store, and they would do me 1200 with Talley rings and set it up with my scope for me. Does that seem like a reasonable deal? I know I'm paying a little more from a shop, but it's pretty good condition, no suppressor though.

Originally Posted by kiwijames

Kimber LOP is for midgets and small children. If you're over 4'6" they're terrible.

Ha, good point, it did almost feel like holding a .22 when I picked one up, and the action on the Tikka is so much nicer and smoother to use.

Originally Posted by funkin_d

Thanks for the advice everyone, much appreciated. The Kimber is on trademe and haven't been able to view it so slightly more nervous about that.
Tikka is actually secondhand from a store, and they would do me 1200 with Talley rings and set it up with my scope for me. Does that seem like a reasonable deal? I know I'm paying a little more from a shop, but it's pretty good condition, no suppressor though.

I guess it's not cheap the last one I sold had Talley rings and a DPT for around 1100 I think if you are going to put a can o it get them to give you a good price first as some shops will do new Tikka for around 1400.
I would also put the call-out on here you never know what people have hiding.

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I have both a kimber Montana in 7mm-08 & a couple of T3’s in various calibres.

Both are different

Kimber - Winchester pre 64 control fed action with internal magazine (no floor plate), lightweight rifle where I cut the barrel down to 20 inches and put on a DPT over barrel suppressor. Rifle shoots 1/2 inch groups.

Something to be mindful of is some years back Kimber had a bad run with .260 & 7mm-08 barrels but seem to have rectified this issue but no longer produce rifles in .260

Some people find Kimber’s too light and like a bit of weight in a rifle. These rifles also have pencil thin barrels so the barrels heat up quickly.

Kimber’s typically sell second hand at $1800 plus so if this is being offered for $1100 then it’s either a great bargain or there’s something a miss

T3 - well known accurate and dependable rifles which is probably NZ’s number one bought rifle, 3 shot box magazine.

$1200 is a fair price and there easier to sell second hand as their reputation is well known an dependable.

Also you’d be buying through a shop so I’m sure they’d look after you well if something wasn’t right with the rifle.

I own one of each, The tikka is nicer to shoot, the kimber is nicer to carry, both have decently stiff plastic stocks that can be shot accurately with a bipod. Both have detachable mags that cant be topped off through the breach (the kimber on TM in 7mm08 is a hunter so had detachable mag). Both have good crisp triggers. The tikka action is smoother but is only push feed

I would tend towards the tikka soley due to the fact it is through a shop and as such you get some consumer guarantee protection. Either rifle will be a fine and capable hunting rifle.

Originally Posted by Seventenths

$1200 is a fair price and there easier to sell second hand as their reputation is well known an dependable.

Also you’d be buying through a shop so I’m sure they’d look after you well if something wasn’t right with the rifle.

Awesome, thanks for the in depth advice!

Originally Posted by Nick-D

I would tend towards the tikka soley due to the fact it is through a shop and as such you get some consumer guarantee protection.

That's the way I'm leaning I think. Good to shoot and reliable, guaranteed through the store and easy re-sale.
I liked the idea of something nice and light to carry but it's hard to go past a Tikka!

I enjoyed my kimber for many years but what made me sell it was that I couldn't shoot it without a bipod due to the skinny stock profile. I don't like to carry a rifle with a bipod any more as they often get hooked up on your pack when you want to take a quick shot, are positioned where you're fore hand should be, add weight and all up they are gay!
Therefore my vote goes to tikka given that there is a multitude of after market stocks available.

Originally Posted by Seventenths

I have both a kimber Montana in 7mm-08 & a couple of T3’s in various calibres.

Both are different

Kimber - Winchester pre 64 control fed action with internal magazine (no floor plate), lightweight rifle where I cut the barrel down to 20 inches and put on a DPT over barrel suppressor. Rifle shoots 1/2 inch groups.

Something to be mindful of is some years back Kimber had a bad run with .260 & 7mm-08 barrels but seem to have rectified this issue but no longer produce rifles in .260

Some people find Kimber’s too light and like a bit of weight in a rifle. These rifles also have pencil thin barrels so the barrels heat up quickly.

Kimber’s typically sell second hand at $1800 plus so if this is being offered for $1100 then it’s either a great bargain or there’s something a miss

T3 - well known accurate and dependable rifles which is probably NZ’s number one bought rifle, 3 shot box magazine.

$1200 is a fair price and there easier to sell second hand as their reputation is well known an dependable.

Also you’d be buying through a shop so I’m sure they’d look after you well if something wasn’t right with the rifle.

It wasnt just 708s and 260s, Kimber were very hit and miss fullstop for a while. There was a Adirondack in 308 that did the rounds here between forum members and caused some problems and accusations before it was sorted by one member as the rifle being flawed from the start.
Kimber have now stopped producing barrels and use Bergara barrels and even offer a 3 shot moa guarantee like most the other big brands since making the switch.
You could just buy a Bergara.... real happy with mine and that's coming from someone who's come from Sakos and Custom build rifles

Originally Posted by funkin_d

....Tikka is actually secondhand from a store, and they would do me 1200 with Talley rings and set it up with my scope for me. Does that seem like a reasonable deal? I know I'm paying a little more from a shop, but it's pretty good condition, no suppressor though.

It would be better to mount your own scope.