Kimber 84M

[vernonp]

I am in the process of ordering one of these rifles. I need to decide between a 243, 260, 7mm-08 or 308. It will be used only on Texas Whitetail. I love shooting the 243 and I will be reloading. What are your suggestions. Anyone have any experience with these rifles? The rifle only weighs 5 1/2 lbs. I am planning on a 2x7 Nikon Conquest from the Optic Zone with Leupold super low rings. The rifle will weigh about 6 1/2 lbs complete with scope.Your input and suggestions will be appreciated.   Thank you

[TennesseeNuc]

vernonp,
I traded into a M84 in 308 a few weeks ago.  The gun shop had it in 308 and 7-08.  Because I already load for 308, that's what I got.  If the shop had in 260, I would have gotten it rather than the 308.  
The quality and workmanship, on the M84, is outstanding.  I mounted a 1.75X6 Leupold on mine.  It may become my "go-to" gun.
Although I haven't worked up a load for it yet, it shoots sub-MOA with factory ammo.
I think you'll like it in whichever caliber you choose. :grin:
Best,
TnNuc

[DoC]

Hey vernp
Tough decision.
Right in the middle of it is a cartridge and caliber that is made for that configuration though.  And I have to commend TnNuc on a great combo.  
I have an even smaller 260 with a 2.5 - 8X Leupold that I like better every time I load for, shoot, or hunt with.  Yes, it is an XP-100 pistol.  I was set to spend the money on a 260 rifle I found because of my experience.  Tried to wait for my price.  He finally came down some.  I passed again, and then decided it was too close to pass.  Went back and it was already  too late.
I hunt Arkansas whitetail deer with it.
The trial of these ballistics go back to the 19th century (I think) in the 6.5 x 55 Swede, which is very close to the 260, up to moose and including a lot of successful competition.  My XP is a dream to shoot and I only can dream about the rifle I missed.
I’ve been looking at the Kimber...
Good shots,
DoC

[Zachary]

I am planning on a 2x7 Nikon Conquest from the Optic Zone with Leupold super low rings.

There is no such thing as a Nikon Conquest.  It's either a Nikon Monarch or Zeiss Conquest.  Since there is no 2x-7x Conquest, I think that you're talking about the Nikon Monarch.  Am I right?

As far as cartridges go, I recommend the 7mm-08.  It is, in my opinion, the ideal whitetail cartridge, and especially suited to a gun like the lightweight Kimber.  The 7mm-08 is accurate, has very tolerable recoil, and has enough punch to bring down any whitetail to at least within 200 yards with no problem with proper shot placement.

Zachary

[vernonp]

YES, THANK YOU ZACH I DID MEAN NIKON MONARCH.    VERNONP

[leverfan]

It will be used only on Texas Whitetail. I love shooting the 243 and I will be reloading.

Based on that, I have to say get the 260.  Load it with 100 grain Nosler Partitions, if you want, and you'll have a 3300 fps deer load that feels like that .243 that you like to shoot.  

I've used bullets from 90 grains to 160 grains in my 260, and the gun liked them all, except for the 140 grain Nosler Partitions.  At longer ranges, velocity fell off too far for good expansion.  Uneven expansion then caused the bullets to tumble, spit out their rear cores, and produce relatively shallow penetration.  My favorite all-around bullet for the 260 is the 125 grain Nosler Partition, followed by the 129 grain Hornady.  These give the best balance for the cartridge size, good sectional density, and plenty of velocity.  If you change your mind and go after bigger game with your 260, you can always load it with 140 grain Speers, either Grand Slam or Hot-Cor.  The 160 grain Hornady also worked well for me, but I had to seat it pretty deep in the case to clear the rifling in my T/C Encore.  If I was hunting big animals in timber with the 260, I'd use the 160 grain Hornady.  

For varmints, I favor the 90 grain Speer TNT HP.  You have to go to their web site to get the loading info for that bullet, though.  Other outfits make lighter bullets, if you're into setting speed records.  The Speer will break 3300 fps from my 24" barrel without using a max load, so my brass lasts very well.