Model 8400 Rifles

The long and short of it.

American hunters like powerful cartridges almost as much as classic rifles. They always have. Some follow the latest cartridge trend for better or worse, spending more time hunting for the perfect rifle than they do hunting with one. Others keep an old favorite cleaned and well-oiled, confident.

Possibly the brightest new cartridge idea of the last generation is the WSM family. It makes sense to have a more efficient cartridge in a shorter case, one that shoots with the velocity of a magnum. Hunters stood in line to buy them, even though gunmakers were chambering their too-big rifles for the new cases that most of their actions did not seem to feed.

Kimber came at it with a different way, designing the Model 8400™ specifically for the WSM case. As with the Model 84M, every dimension of the Model 8400 was minimized to keep the rifle light, sleek and balanced. A full-featured classic, a Mauser claw extractor, three-position wing safety, trim stock and match grade barrel, chamber and trigger were standard fare.

Kimber offers a full lineup of Model 8400 rifles chambered in all of the WSM calibers. They have full-length 24-inch light sporter barrels that wring out every bit of flat-shooting, hard-hitting potential. Walnut-stocked versions weight 6 pounds, 10 ounces. With their premium Kevlar/carbon fiber stocks, Montana models weight just 6 pounds, 3 ounces. Even though they are exceptionally light, properly shaped stocks with straight combs and 1-inch Pachmayr® Decelerator pads greatly diminish felt recoil.

The longer version of the Model 8400 action is chambered in .25-06 Rem., .270 Win., .30-06 Spfd., .300 Win. Mag. and .338 Win. Mag. For 2008, a long-range version called the Model 8400 Sonora™ is available in .25-06 Rem., .30-06 Spfd. and .300 Win. Mag. For Africa and Alaska, premium rifles are now offered in both .375 H&H and .458 Lott.

The Model 8400 action is designed to be as short, thin and light as possible. In this case, the WSM action was lengthened slightly to accommodate the longer cartridges and their bolt travel requirements. Full-length barrels - generally 24-inches for standard calibers and 26-inches for the belted magnums - ensure maximum velocity and are contoured as light sporters to reduce weight. All stocks have a trim and classic profile. Standard features include both pillar and glass bedding, Mauser claw extractor, three position wing safety, match grade barrel, chamber and trigger, inside trigger bow magazine release button and 1-inch Pachmayr® Decelerator recoil pad.

The Classic is available in five popular calibers, with traditional features like matte blue and a walnut stock. Montana versions with Kimber's premium Kevlar/carbon fiber stock and stainless steel barreled action could well be the toughest all-weather production hunting rifle ever offered. Both magnums will also be offered in SuperAmerica versions - with custom rifle quality for a production rifle price.

Model 8400 WSM Rifles

The best way to hunt with a WSM.

The Model 8400 Classic features an elegant A-grade claro walnut stock finished with hand-rubbed oil and a traditional 20 lines-per-inch panel checkering pattern that is cut by hand. Additional refinements include sculpted steel pistol grip cap and floorplate. Barrel and chamber are each machined to match grade dimensions for exceptional accuracy, and both pillar bedding and glass bedding are standard for shot-to-shot consistency regardless of hunting conditions. Weighing just 6 pounds, 10 ounces, these rifles are a pleasure to carry. Proper stock design and a 1-inch Pachmayr® Decelerator recoil pad make them an equal pleasure to shoot.

Classic Select Grade™ rifles with A-grade French walnut stock, ebony forend tip and special markings are available in most WSM calibers. As with all other Kimber centerfire rifles stocked in walnut, Classic Select Grades are checkered and finished by hand. A Classic Select Grade rifle is ideal for the discrimination hunter who appreciates the bold figure and contrasting colors of French walnut.

"...absolutely the best hard core hunting rifle available today."

The Kimber Model 8400 Montana™ is available in all four WSM calibers. Weighing just over six pounds, it wears the finest Kevlar/carbon fiber stock ever offered on a production rifle. The satin-finished stainless steel barreled action is match grade from muzzle to trigger, so this lightweight does not sacrifice accuracy. The Montana is absolutely the best hard core hunting rifle available today. No other brand comes close.

A Model 8400 SuperAmerica is really a blend of features common to fine custom sporting rifles. The AAA-grade claro walnut stock has a deep, hand-rubbed oil finish, hand-cut wraparound checkering in an intricate 24 lines-per-inch pattern, a cheekpiece and a real ebony forend tip. All metal surfaces are polished by hand to an elegant, rich blue. SuperAmerica production is limited due to availability of suitable wood, but this rifle is worth the wait.

Model 8400 Standard & Magnum Rifles

A classic rifle for America's favorite cartridges.

The Classic model itself features a matte-finished match grade barrel in light sporter contour with 11-degree target crown. The A-grade walnut stock has an elegant hand-rubbed oil finish, sculpted steel grip cap, sling swivel studs and a black 1-inch Pachmayr® Decelerator recoil pad. The chamber is carefully machined to match grade dimensions, and the stock is both pillar bedded and glass bedded at the recoil lug for strength and accuracy. Standard caliber versions have 24-inch barrels, while magnum barrels are 26 inches long for maximum velocity. The trapdoor floorplate and bottom metal is blended with the lines of the stock and the floorplate release button is inside the trigger guard. A three-position wing safety and match grade trigger that breaks clean between 3.5 and 4 pounds are also standard.

The Model 8400 Montana has the same overall dimensions and accuracy features as the Classic. At the same time, it is all business. The Kimber Kevlar/carbon fiber stock is incredibly light and strong, certainly the finest synthetic stock ever offered on a production rifle. It also reduces the overall weight of the rifle by about 8 ounces. The barreled action is stainless steel with a non-reflective satin finish. Carefully shaped and profiled with a straight comb, the Montana stock greatly reduces felt recoil.

The SuperAmerica is Kimber's finest rifle, and will initially be offered in .300 Win. Mag. and .338 Win. Mag. due to a limited supply of suitable AAA-grade claro walnut. Featured like a custom rifle, it has full wraparound 24 lines-per-inch checkering, cheekpiece and an ebony forend tip. Additionally, all metal surfaces are polished by hand to a high gloss. A Kimber SuperAmerica can only be compared to a full custom rifle by one of America's best makers.

"...chambered in some of the most highly regarded hunting calibers of all time."

New for 2008 is the Model 8400 Sonora™ in .25-06 Rem., 30-06 Spfd. and .300 Win. Mag. Specifically designed for hunters who value long-range accuracy above everything else, this all-business rifle features a laminated stock with a fluted stainless steel match grade barrel machined to heavy sporter contour. The barrel is free floated and the action is locked down with both pillar and glass bedding. An extra sling swivel stud is included up front for bipod mounting. The brown laminate stock is finished with a satin oil coating and fitted with a 1-inch Pachmayr® Decelerator pad. The extra weight of the stock and barrel, as well as the straight comb design, work together to reduce felt recoil and make the Sonora comfortable to shoot from a bench or prone. In hunting situations where portability is secondary, such as from blinds or stands, the performance of the Sonora is unequaled.