The merits of the rifles produced by Kimber of Yonkers (NY - USA) are well known to enthusiasts: the distribution entrusted to Paganini of Turin, for years importer of the superb short firearms of this company, confirms the propensity to invest in a rifle that came out of this company. The basic action is derived from the K 98 and the Winchester 70, two milestones in the sector, continuing with the preparation of carefully drilled barrels chambered for many calibers including some that stand out for the characteristics that we will see shortly. The stock is the cornerstone of this Ascent Mountain model that strikes for the aesthetic effect and then the total weight is absolutely fantastic for those who have mountain hunting in mind.
The stock
Let's first observe the stock obtained from a kevlar and carbon fiber molding whose soft surface given by the finish WL Gore Optifade adheres to the hands offering an adequate grip in every situation: the appearance is the classic one of US rifles with very straight axis and taut lines, thick back and consequent comfortable curvature for the support of the cheek, high nose piece that brings the eye in alignment with the telescope, wide and arched pistol valid indiscriminately for small and large hands, barrel and shaft with rounded sides and flat bottom that stops the weapon on the support or allows it to be clamped with the weak hand when shooting in motion. The strap holder pegs are present together with a butt pad Pachmayr in soft rubber that attenuates recoil well and holds the position against the shoulder. Innovative appearance with a cream-colored background on which are spread out tiny rectangles in light gray, anthracite and dull green with an effect similar to what appears on a television screen when the signal is disturbed: it will be a bit strange, but we like it very much and, we repeat, the harness and hold are free from defects. The junction with the castle is then via a glass & pillar bedding adequate to maintain constant relations between the two entities.
The mechanical part
Kimber builds for this model four actions sized on medium, long, magnum and WSM, a fact that in itself proves to be highly qualifying, using a stainless steel with a surface finish Kimpro to protect against oxidation and shocks, As we have mentioned, the basic system is similar to the K 98 therefore with a round ring and rear bridge with two diameters, well-sized sides, wide window as befits a hunting weapon for rapid insertion of the cartridges in the fixed magazine, rocker lever on the left side in one piece with the stop and release of the shutter at the end of the stroke. The shutter takes up the unsurpassed technique of its predecessor, without forgetting to add some improvements that will not escape enthusiasts: the two slightly recessed head wings are combined with the face with a large protruding rim in the upper center line that centers the caseback well in front of the firing pin hole; at the bottom you can see the milling which, without interfering with the left flap, allows the passage of the ejector plate, a separate part recessed inside the bridge; the positive extractor with the long elastic foil is the much appreciated detail, the only one that really keeps the cartridge firmly in the grip of the nail from the beginning of the push when it is still in the magazine until the moment of expelling it with a long throw back the handlebar quickly or by making it just protrude from the side to pick it up with two fingers (the fineness required by the reloaders) by backing away with caution. The central body is a deeply hollowed cylinder in a spiral, removing material and weight, with an eye to reducing flexures. The shank of the firing pin protrudes into the tail cap as a signal of armed mechanics and the safety similar to that of the Winchester 70 is inserted: it is composed of the horizontal lever with orthogonal pin and an internal wedge that is interposed in a practical milling in the firing pin stem for risk-free locking. This three-position safety is quick and silent and allows the chambered cartridge to be extracted in perfect tranquility or to move with everything locked: add the low mounting of the optic without interference to its maneuver. The lightening operation made to the knuckle, to the arm and even to the sheet of the extractor informs about the attention paid by the manufacturer to the aim of lower weight.
The barrel, the shot and the test
The 61 cm barrel, very thin and screwed into the ring, has lightening grooves in a large part of its length to maintain the necessary rigidity while promoting cooling. A muzzle brake with radial holes is mounted on the muzzle. The interior that can boast the wording Match Grade sees the six-start rifling with 1:10 ”pitch suitable for the valuable chambered cartridge: the .300 WSM benefits from the specific dimensioning of the action, always in homage to lightness and rigidity. The shape of the case, low and wide, favors the regularity of combustion allowing the use of a smaller quantity of powder to achieve the required result compared to full-length magnums. The trigger has an average weight of 1771 g, what in the USA is considered adequate, and it is mastered adequately thanks to the qualities of the ready, clear and free from defects mechanism and the wide trigger on which the finger works well. In fact, in the test these peculiarities will stand out adequately as well as other small things such as the ease of insertion of the cartridges in the magazine, the smooth and sliding movement of the shutter, the position taking in aim where the Leupold VX 3i 4,5-14 optics × 50 fully fulfills its task. The recoil is hardly noticeable even by removing the muzzle brake: and here the balance of such a weapon jumps to the eyes because, and we say it only at this point to better enhance it, its weight without accessories is limited to 2.300 g: a carbine, and what a carbine, with the weight of a kipplauf.
The author thanks Giorgio Rosso and Kevin from the Carrù shooting range for their usual, cordial hospitality during the rehearsals
Data Sheet
Builder: Kimber - Yonkers NY - USA - www.kimberamerica.com
Importer: Paganini srl - Corso Regina Margherita 19 bis - 10124 Turin - website www.paganini.it
Model: 8400 Ascent Mountain
Type: rifled barrel carbine
Caliber: .300 WSM (others on request)
Operation: ordinary repetition sliding rotating shutter
Castle: milled stainless steel block sized for WSM cartridges
Bolt: stainless steel - type Mauser K 98 with two front wings - handlebar with hot joint
Barrel: 61 cm long cold-hammered - 4 right-handed lines with 1/10 pitch. muzzle brake with radial holes
Firing pin: launched with coaxial coil spring
Power supply: fixed magazine with 3 cartridges
Triggering device: direct with single adjustable trigger
Extractor: positive nail with leaf spring
Ejector: fixed with foil embedded in the castle
Line of sight: no metal sights - four threaded holes for mounting optics bases
Safety: three-position with knurled lever in the tail of the shutter
Stock: single piece molded in kevlar reinforced by carbon fiber with pistol grip and rounded and flat bottom under barrel - floating mounted barrel - pillar & glass bedding
Made in the following materials: Kimpro with satin effect for the stainless steel mechanical parts - stock Gore Optifade Open Country soft touch treatment
Total length: 1.150 mm
Weight: approx.2300 g without optics