Titanium bolt handles - Kimber rifles

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02-06-2021, 04:38 PM
Kimber 7mm-08

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Titanium bolt handles - Kimber rifles

I'm trying to drop some weight from my two Kimber Montana rifles (so far managed to find a aluminium trigger guard to replace my old stainless steel one in my 84M) and I've come across these titanium bolt handles in the US. Getting some specs from the manufacturer of them at present regarding respective weights and will be placing an order soon. They appear to be in the 13 gram to 22 gram range (TBC). Looks to be simple weight loss option I reckon.

Attachment 169212
02-06-2021, 04:48 PM
Cyclops

1 Attachment(s)

You could 3D print your trigger guard to save more weight.
Attachment 169223
02-06-2021, 04:52 PM
Ftx325

I did the same to my tikka . Felt the weight of the titanium versions in the shop and thought , oooh , those are light .
Bought one , took it home , whipped out the stainless version and was actually surprised at how light that was . Not a vast difference as I has expected .
So you will save weight but may not be a huge amount in the big picture .
Have you weighed the original to see how much difference it would be ?
02-06-2021, 05:07 PM
Kimber 7mm-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ftx325

Have you weighed the original to see how much difference it would be ?

Good question: 38g for 84m bolt handle compared to 13g for Titanium. As for the 8400 bolt handle I haven't weighed that yet, however as they are more chunky than the 84M profile I expect the weight saving to be greater there.

In the grand scheme of things, not really talking about massive gains, but then when does rational thinking apply to firearms?
02-06-2021, 05:58 PM
Kimber 7mm-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauser308

Now - just to chuck it into the picture have you had a good look at the current stainless one with a view to giving it a haircut and a diet? You might find that you can get the stainless one easily down to sub 25g and not have to go to the hassle of importing a Ti version. Other option is a graphite or carbon fibre version and go lighter again if you really want to explore that particular rabbit hole.

Good suggestion. I looked into it briefly, but would have to engage someone/gunsmith to do it then re-finish them and the costs and time involved started to mount up. Also, I can still use my rifles while the part is imported but if it gets put on a gunsmith waiting list my rifle would be out of action for however long it takes to complete. Getting a import permit shouldn't be an issue (famous last words?).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauser308

Of course, you could just take a round out of the magazine too.

Too cheap and sensible there my friend, but I like your thinking! Already run three rounds instead of five on the 84M. As for the 8400 I run it at three rounds instead of four.
02-06-2021, 05:59 PM
Ftx325

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimber 7mm-08

Good question: 38g for 84m bolt handle compared to 13g for Titanium. As for the 8400 bolt handle I haven't weighed that yet, however as they are more chunky than the 84M profile I expect the weight saving to be greater there.

In the grand scheme of things, not really talking about massive gains, but then when does rational thinking apply to firearms?

so a teaspoon of water then in weight , minus the teaspoon...
02-06-2021, 06:41 PM
Grasshoppa

I too have a 8400, mine in 7mmWSM, if you pm me some costs i will likely be interested and sharing some freight costs,
02-06-2021, 07:01 PM
35whelen

Buy an old 303 and go hunting with that for a few years like we did! Or How about "IF" you need too!!!! Go on a diet Like I did @ 90kg 20 years ago and loose 10kg.... It's the most healthy option, relatively easy to do, combined with getting fitter. Your stainless bolts weight will be nothing compared to what your personal Tare weight improvements will achieve.. Another ++ being is you can carry more meat out of the bush for the freezer. Oh and the Misses will want more Jiggly jig Win win win.......
03-06-2021, 09:03 AM
Bill999

I have a titanium trigger guard on one of my montana thats miles lighter than the old stainless one
looks cool too and "fits" with the idea of the rifle
i wont bother with my other montanas as now im of the opinion that they are too light and I shoot better/faster with a little extra weight which I add on in the suppressor/30mm scope and weighty leather sling
when Im climbing big hills and doing decent Km walks Ill take the the OD Titanium suppressor just to make my self feel better

snip their barrels back and then you start to see some real weight changes
03-06-2021, 09:08 AM
Bill999

while we are talking Kimbers If anyone has a take off barrel in 260/creed/308/338fed that they want to part with let me know
I have a 223 barrel and will have a 243 one once I have a suitable replacement
03-06-2021, 09:14 AM
199p

Its a great rabbit hole to go down in,

Cost will never be worth the weight savings but its in the interest of being able to do it that's the key and very enjoyable
03-06-2021, 11:33 AM
Kimber 7mm-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by 199p

Its a great rabbit hole to go down in,

Cost will never be worth the weight savings but its in the interest of being able to do it that's the key and very enjoyable

Pretty much my thinking. I know it does not make financial sense and the $$$/weight savings don't add up, but as I don't have many vices to spend my money on then why not. Would be a boring world if we are stuck with our purchases and not able to tailor/tweak them a bit.
03-06-2021, 01:35 PM
robhughes-games

Is it just a threaded handle? Whats the thread? Could easily make one
03-06-2021, 02:34 PM
Kimber 7mm-08

yes it is a threaded handle. 1/4" x 28 UNF.

For those interested, the 8400 bolt handle that looks most similar to the Mountain Ascent type weighs approximately 18 grams.
03-06-2021, 06:40 PM
Flyblown

How many dollars per gram does that equate to mate?
03-06-2021, 08:55 PM
Kimber 7mm-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyblown

How many dollars per gram does that equate to mate?

If you want to break it down to a per gram value, then its about $5.50 per gram for each new bolt handle.

Or about $3 for every gram reduced.
03-06-2021, 09:34 PM
Got-ya

Make one out of Aluminium? Can have it with a bit more bulk to have similar strength but same weight. Titanium is neat though.
03-06-2021, 09:39 PM
MSL

Make one out of balsa wood

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
03-06-2021, 10:12 PM
Micky Duck

I love to carry a heavy varmit weight rifle around for a walk...the more I do it...the lighter the bog std Howa SS houge feels in my hands...agree 100% far better to loose a couple of kgs off the puku dept.
a sling to put across shoulder makes lots of sence too.
03-06-2021, 10:43 PM
Micky Duck

stop it...black knobs are just so over rated LOL.......
30-07-2021, 07:03 PM
Kimber 7mm-08

5 Attachment(s)

Update

Well, after an extended layover in Miami for some reason these two arrived in the post today. Nice and light and well made.
Attachment 173795

New and old together.
Attachment 173796

Replacing the handles was a breeze. Put bolt knob in between two pieces of pine in the vice, bit of a twist and off they popped. Interestingly the older 84m handle had red loctite on it, and the newer 8400 handle had no loctite at all.

Handles installed.
Attachment 173802
Attachment 173803
Attachment 173804
31-07-2021, 12:52 AM
caberslash

Take the stock off and just use the bare action, save lots of weight! :ORLY:
31-07-2021, 08:48 PM
Tikka7mm08

I'd like one for my Montana. Where did you get it from?
31-07-2021, 09:15 PM
Kimber 7mm-08

Got it from a guy in the US. I have a import permit for 2 more.
31-07-2021, 09:19 PM
Tikka7mm08

Ok.
31-07-2021, 10:57 PM
MSL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tikka7mm08

Ok.

You will need to re do your load development from scratch if you fit one of these mate.

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31-07-2021, 11:05 PM
Stocky

Also interested if you do another order. Didn't see this original post. I talked to this guy a awhile ago and he wasn't sure about shipping to NZ
01-08-2021, 01:33 AM
Tikka7mm08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSL

You will need to re do your load development from scratch if you fit one of these mate.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That would be a disaster.
01-08-2021, 04:17 PM
Kimber 7mm-08

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauser308

The bottom one needs a slight indexing to line it up to a place where my OCD doesn't start screaming at me... A minor recess into the bolt body's threaded section and bob's your alternative cousin's uncle's third friend twice removed. Or something...

Better now? @Mauser308 thanks for triggering my inner OCD.
Attachment 173995
01-08-2021, 04:24 PM
Tikka7mm08

I just breathed out after first seeing the off-center photo.
24-09-2023, 01:20 PM
Ruger_308

Hey @Kimber 7mm-08 how much did one of these bolt handles cost please (excluding shipping from the US)?
24-09-2023, 03:17 PM
grandpamac

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35whelen

Buy an old 303 and go hunting with that for a few years like we did! Or How about "IF" you need too!!!! Go on a diet Like I did @ 90kg 20 years ago and loose 10kg.... It's the most healthy option, relatively easy to do, combined with getting fitter. Your stainless bolts weight will be nothing compared to what your personal Tare weight improvements will achieve.. Another ++ being is you can carry more meat out of the bush for the freezer. Oh and the Misses will want more Jiggly jig Win win win.......

Greetings,
Far too sensible for this thread which is about doodads to impress your mates rather than practical improvements. I note the date of your post which was about when I had a interaction with a large pile of logs. 12 months and 10 cord of stacked wood later I was 10 kg lighter, weight I have managed to elude in spite of it stalking me on a daily basis.
GPM.