Kimber 82g accuracy

[solyanik]

I am considering buying one of them from CMP, but the actual accuracy numbers are hard to come by. If you have one of them, would you mind to post here what groups are you getting at what range with what ammunition and which sights?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[sodboy]

I had one a few years ago that I could shoot mid to upper 190's at 100yds on a reduced high power target, shooting prone with sling. I used Eley brown box and PMC target and left it at that because results were acceptable. The gun had a nice trigger and the factory sights were fine for my purposes.

 

[Jonathan Zimmerman]

I purchased one last summer at the National Matches to train with. With Wolf Match ammunition it shoots less than .5" groups at 50 yards. I haven't shot past that yardage with the rifle though. I have tried about every brand of ammunition except for the serious Lapua/ Eley match ammunition ($5-7 is all I am willing to spend for a box). CCI, Winchester, Remington, Federal, etc. and Wolf was by far the best in my rifle. The iron sights are very nice for sling practice. I feel it has been a good investment. Jonathan

Here is one of the targets with Wolf Match. The 10 shots on the left were from a clean barrel, and then adjusted sights and put 5 on the target for a group. Not bad for a $400 rifle.

 

[rbertalotto]

Mine is scoped, (25X Leupold) shooting Wolfe Match it will do in the 3s at 25 yards, benchrested. I've only had it out a few times as the weather has been terrible for benchrest, 22RF shooting.

http://rvbprecision.com/shooting/kimber-82g-from-the-cmp.html

 

[Travelor]

Our Club ( www.bentongunclub.org ) shoots a informal match each Thursday morning with 22 LR's from the bench at 100 out to 175 yards. There are a number of these guns shot and they do well, finishing in the top 2 or 3 each match. At 100 yards on a bullseye target they shoot around 1" if the wind god is smiling and the ammo is matched to the gun.

They are a great buy for $400 on the CMP website.

http://www.thecmp.org/22targetsurplus.htm

George

 

[Hammer47]

Generally dissappointing.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Hammer47,

Could you please share your specific dissapointments with this rifle?

Thanks..

Rod

 

[Nodak7mm]

Hammer47,

Care to elaborate on your disapointment??

Curious..

 

[BluePanda]

How do you all clean your 82G barrel? Rod/guide, patchworm, boresnake, never?

 

[benzy2]

Mine, from a bench, with the factory sights, is holding right at .25" at 25 yards. I have a lot of easy access to a 25 yard range so typically I shoot at 25 yards. I'd like to move out to 50 or 100 and see how it goes. That's using either wolf or federal 711b. Next range trip I'm putting a scope on it to see if it gets better with magnification.

I've heard mixed reports on accuracy, but typically, it seems the negative reports are from second or third hand experience. That said, I've also heard rumors that Kimber stated the barrels cost $15 each and they went about as cheap as possible and that they wouldn't hold the accuracy the government asked for. I don't know. I'm happy with mine and looking to buy a couple more after having one, if that lets you know anything.

 

[Travelor]

My 82G is used for a local Club match in which we shoot at 100 yards from a bench rest.

It will shoot within 1" one day and the next will not within 2". The problem is vertical dispersion, not wind. Pleae don't even start with the "what scope/rings/bases/rest are you using" line of questioning as this is not relevant.

Very frustrating.

 

[TRECustom]

+ 1, Hammer47.

Would you mind posting what problem or problems you had?

Thanks, Tom

 

[benzy2]

New firing pin spring would be my first option. Weak firing pin springs have been a known issue with the 82g. You could just be seeing inconsistent ignition on days it doesn't feel like cooperating. Fairly cheap to test and an extra FP spring is a good thing if it isn't the culprit.

 

[TRECustom]

Benzy2, I don't know how many times I've picked up a rifle, shotgun or pistol that had been stored cocked. It irritates me for several reasons. Mainly carelessness, safety, and fatigue of the firing pin spring. Makes sense to me that a weak firing pin spring could cause inconsistent ignition, and probably vertical stringing. Don't know that for a fact, but it seems reasonable. A weak spring could be Travelors problem, or at least part of it. He might be able to see a difference in the pin strikes on the spent hulls. Particularly on the days it's stringing.

I've never seen the innards of an 82. Does the firing pin spring have any coil bind when cocked? That can also cause inconsistant ignition.

Just remembered an incident where a brand new MK V Wby failed to fire on a minus 25 deg morning. The bolt body was full of the preservative grease and it got so stiff it wouldn't let the firing pin fall. 3 different rounds had no firing pin strike at all. My nephew cleaned it out that night and the guy killed a bull elk the next morning, also minus 20 - 30 deg. It pays to pull any bolt apart and check it out.

Replacement springs should be easily available from Kimber.

Good thread solyanik.

Tom

 

[Travelor]

Good idea on the spring. But from reading on the CMP Forum the springs are not the same as other Kimbers and no one has found a manufacturer that has them.

Help?

 

[TRECustom]

Travelor, I'll try to contact Kimber when I can and see what's available. If you get a chance try them too. Hard to imagine that the bolt, firing pin, or spring would be different from other Kimber .22 L/R's.

Tom

 

[TRECustom]

I just checked their website, and they can only be contacted by phone. I'll do it tomorrow if I hit a stopping place.

Tom

 

[alamo308]

Travelor, I'll try to contact Kimber when I can and see what's available. Tom

I could be wrong, but IIRC, the current "modern" Kimber company is not the same (except for name and trademark) as the company that built the 82G back in the 1980s. Seems like someone contacted the modern company and was told they provide no support for the 82G (or other older Kimbers). That (older) company was in Oregon, and the modern one is in NY. (Sorry, this is all hearsay, and unconfirmed but from a reliable source.)

 

[alamo308]

Target is from 05/21 "Mini-Palma" match. 15 rounds in each target. No wind during the first target; started blowing with the second target and even more for the third.)

 

[Minesweeper3433]

As far as cleaning I shot mine past 100,000 rounds before cleaning and it still shot under 1.5 inches at 200. Mine loves remington subsonic in the cheap cardboard box for some reason and SK sub. I use it in 50/50 club matches and place very easy. I love my rifle and it returns the favor every time I play with it. I did thread the end of the barrel for device usage. As we have a private range in city limits and dont want to bother the neighbors for practice. Threading the barrel did open up the groups a tiny bit so dont recomend it.