The Action
Kimber offers budget-friendly hunting rifle options with its Hunter series, featuring the same 84M action as the company’s high-end models but with fewer costly extras. In my experience, the only notable omission was the lack of a scope rail, which I purchased separately. Aside from that, the rifle performed exceptionally well.
The 84 action is a controlled-round-feed type action with a full-length Mauser-style claw extractor, fixed ejector, and a reduced-circumference bolt. Historically, this style of action is one of the most reliable. Notably used in the venerable Mauser 98, it sacrifices a little bit of smoothness for a reduction in feeding issues.
The action is fed from a flush-fit, detachable three-round magazine. The receiver is aluminum pillar bedded in the composite stock, which is one of the reasons it is so accurate. Other than that, there is not much to the bottom metal. The trigger guard and magwell are synthetic to save weight.
Details & Specs
The rifle also features a match-grade curved trigger, which is adjustable, and a three-position Model 70-style safety lever. The 24-inch barrel is contoured for weight savings. It’s slim and handy.
The composite stock is minimalist to keep it light, with no features other than a sling stud. It doesn’t need much, though. The shape and feel are great, and I had no problems with it.
My test gun came from the Guns.com Certified Used inventory and is a special edition wearing a bold Kryptek Highlander camo finish. This model was created to help the Boot Campaign, a nonprofit that supports veterans.
Here’s a quick list of specs for the Kimber Hunter Pro Boot Campaign:
- Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
- Action Type: Controlled-round-feed bolt action
- Barrel: 24-inch stainless
- Finish: KimPro II
- Stock: Composite, Kryptek Highlander camo
- Magazine/capacity: Detachable, 3+1
- Sights: None, drilled and tapped
- Barrel Length: 24 inches
- Overall Length: 41.25 inches
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
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MSRP: $990
Accessories
An Area 419 Hellfire brake, along with some good mechanics on my part, tamed the recoil on this super-light rifle so I could see my hits. This is key when shooting long range. You need to tell where your last shot fell so you can adjust to make the following round hit.
I also employed an OBI Link System, which is a new way to carry your rifle in the field without a sling. Slings have their place, but I find them find them almost as cumbersome as they are useful. The OBI Link is basically a modular notch-and-post system that can be added to almost any rifle and pack combination. You put a notch on your backpack or belt and a post on anything you want to carry, such as your rifle, tripod or shooting bag.
Then, all you have to do is clip them in and out. It really is a game changer for carrying gear in the field. No more fighting a sling that gets caught on everything you wear; just clip your gear in and let them swing freely. Attaching a rifle on one pack strap and a tripod on the other balances them out and makes trekking more enjoyable.
To round out my test gun, I added a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 scope. Normally, I think a hunter would mount a smaller, lighter hunting-specific optic, but I really wanted to push this rifle to its limits. So, I decided on a scope that would help me engage farther targets.
This Strike Eagle is more of a competition-style scope with a front focal plane and dial turrets, but it’s part of Vortex’s more affordable line. Thus, it matches the Kimber Hunter’s price point. The Strike Eagle performed great and held its own against more expensive optics. The glass was superb even during low light and direct sun conditions, and the turrets tracked true, allowing me to make hits past 500 yards.
Accuracy
I tested the gun at Peacemaker National Training Center in Gerradstown, West Virginia, which is a sprawling 800-acre facility in the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you ever have a chance to go, I highly recommend it. The venue is unmatched on the East Coast, and you can shoot mountaintop to mountaintop.
Kimber advertises a sub-MOA three-round accuracy guarantee, which is rare for guns in this price range. I didn’t need to send this gun back, as it shot extremely well. Groups at 100 yards were excellent. What really impressed me was the rifle’s consistency in hitting targets from 150-600 yards. Conditions on the day of filming were not good, with had wind gusts from 5-15 mph in multiple directions.
I shot the Hunter on a bench and from multiple positions using shooting bags and my new favorite Tricer bipods and tripods. I did everything I could to simulate real-world conditions.
On a tank trap, it was easy to move from position to position because of the light weight. Even with the accessories, the rig was still under 9 pounds. I shot prone, sitting and kneeling at many different ranges with no issues whatsoever. It was a delight.
Usually, light guns tend to bounce around, but I had no problems spotting my hits and making corrections. I attribute this to the Hunter Pro having a great trigger plus great brake and great glass.
Pros & Cons
I do want to mention that before you buy, you do need to understand the limitations of this rifle. Because the barrel is thin, you cannot fire round after round. As it heats up, the barrel will flex and you will lose some accuracy.
I would not take it to a long-range competition that has extended strings of fire; however, I don’t think you will have any problems taking game in North America with this rifle.
Here’s a rundown of my pros and cons for the Kimber Hunter Pro.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Accurate
Cons:
- Thin barrel
- Few accessories
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Simple stock
Summary
This is a capable rifle that is light enough to be carried for long-range hunts. Accuracy is excellent, and the reliability of the design is proven. I would highly recommend the Kimber Hunter for any sporting need.
