Kimber 300WSM almost ready for Africa

[jetjockey]

I leave the end of May for a 10 day Zambia Cape Buffalo and plains game hunt.  I love tradition, and while not an old 7x57 or Pre-64 30-06,  at least my Kimber will look the part.  I’m of the belief that when you hunt someplace like Africa, you take a gun worthy of the African tradition.  I should have my Kimber back in a few weeks, then it’s off to the range to start shooting of sticks like will most likely occur there.  My Father in Law is bringing a Dakota in .416 Rigby for the Buffalo, and it fits the Africa mold as well.  Eventually, I’ll rebarrel my Kimber with a Lilja Barrel in the same contour and cartridge, but I won’t have time before we leave.

[BeerBugler]

Very nice, what bullet are you planning on using?

[jetjockey]

Very nice, what bullet are you planning on using?

My plan is to shoot 200gr Federal Terminal Ascents, but if they don’t restock them, I can get custom loaded 200gr Accubonds. 

[jetjockey]

First coat of finish.

[pianoman9701]

That's a beautiful stock. You've made a future family treasure. 

[Gettin Birdie]

Wow, that is cool looking!  What did you use for a finish, looks glossy like polyurethane?

[jetjockey]

Wow, that is cool looking!  What did you use for a finish, looks glossy like polyurethane?

Oil hadn’t dried in that picture. It will be dull finish.

[jetjockey]

All finished.  Now it’s time to get some practice off shooting sticks.

[HntnFsh]

Beautiful!

[CaNINE]

I miss that classic look.  Beauty. And Kimber action too. Wow.

[Utah]

All finished.  Now it’s time to get some practice off shooting sticks.

Just a perfect rifle!   Let us know how it shoots!!!  Very cool.

[Mulie87]

Great looking rifle👍. Looking forward to your Africa hunt stories. I plan to do a plains game hunt when I retire in 3yrs.

[WapitiTalk1]

Beautiful work mister 

[Jpmiller]

What's the wood species? Very striking grain pattern!

[jetjockey]

What's the wood species? Very striking grain pattern!

Turkish Walnut.   This is the 2nd blank I’ve had turned into a stock.  No matter how confident you are about the grain, it never turns out how you’d think. I thought the right side would have more of the darks like the left side does.

[Fidelk]

I should have my Kimber back in a few weeks, then it’s off to the range to start shooting of sticks like will most likely occur there.

At what distance will you be shooting from the sticks, at the range? Any idea of anticipated distances (from the sticks) in Africa?  I shoot at 300 yards from a bench rest to test zero and like to finish up by shooting from my Bog-Pod tripod for an actual hunting simulation. I'd read that 150 yards was kind of a limit on their effectiveness  but accuracy from 300 yards seemed OK.

[jetjockey]

I should have my Kimber back in a few weeks, then it’s off to the range to start shooting of sticks like will most likely occur there.

At what distance will you be shooting from the sticks, at the range? Any idea of anticipated distances (from the sticks) in Africa?  I shoot at 300 yards from a bench rest to test zero and like to finish up by shooting from my Bog-Pod tripod for an actual hunting simulation. I'd read that 150 yards was kind of a limit on their effectiveness  but accuracy from 300 yards seemed OK.

I want to be comfortable up to 300.  For game, 250-300 at the most for plains game, probably no more than 100 for Cape Buffalo.  You really don’t want to wound a Cape buffalo.

[Fidelk]

I should have my Kimber back in a few weeks, then it’s off to the range to start shooting of sticks like will most likely occur there.

At what distance will you be shooting from the sticks, at the range? Any idea of anticipated distances (from the sticks) in Africa?  I shoot at 300 yards from a bench rest to test zero and like to finish up by shooting from my Bog-Pod tripod for an actual hunting simulation. I'd read that 150 yards was kind of a limit on their effectiveness  but accuracy from 300 yards seemed OK.

I want to be comfortable up to 300.  For game, 250-300 at the most for plains game, probably no more than 100 for Cape Buffalo.  You really don’t want to wound a Cape buffalo.

You should be able to get comfortable fairly easily. Definitely a difference shooting off sticks than from a bench rest, I use a Bog-Pod HD (several years old) with the larger yoke to rest the rifle on. Suggest several practice sessions at 300 yards just to get the feel at the longest expected distance. I'm using a 2-10x42 scope, which is enough for hunting accuracy at that distance.......but you are not going to get MOA accuracy. Have a great trip!

[jdb]

I’m hoping the new barrel will have express sites…

[jetjockey]

I’m hoping the new barrel will have express sites…

Im not going to have time to rebarrel it before we go, but it was a pretty good shooter before the new stock.  After we get back, it’s getting a Kimber contoured Lilja.  It’s my elk rifle as well, so I’m keeping the barrel clean to keep weight down.

[jetjockey]

All finished.  Can’t wait to get it to the range.

[Alchase]

I leave the end of May for a 10 day Zambia Cape Buffalo and plains game hunt.  I love tradition, and while not an old 7x57 or Pre-64 30-06,  at least my Kimber will look the part.  I’m of the belief that when you hunt someplace like Africa, you take a gun worthy of the African tradition.  I should have my Kimber back in a few weeks, then it’s off to the range to start shooting of sticks like will most likely occur there.  My Father in Law is bringing a Dakota in .416 Rigby for the Buffalo, and it fits the Africa mold as well.  Eventually, I’ll rebarrel my Kimber with a Lilja Barrel in the same contour and cartridge, but I won’t have time before we leave.

What caliber is your rifle you are taking? Did I just miss that?
Beautiful job on the Kimber. Love that blank, I want to try this so bad. What does a decent turning cost?

[jetjockey]

I leave the end of May for a 10 day Zambia Cape Buffalo and plains game hunt.  I love tradition, and while not an old 7x57 or Pre-64 30-06,  at least my Kimber will look the part.  I’m of the belief that when you hunt someplace like Africa, you take a gun worthy of the African tradition.  I should have my Kimber back in a few weeks, then it’s off to the range to start shooting of sticks like will most likely occur there.  My Father in Law is bringing a Dakota in .416 Rigby for the Buffalo, and it fits the Africa mold as well.  Eventually, I’ll rebarrel my Kimber with a Lilja Barrel in the same contour and cartridge, but I won’t have time before we leave.

What caliber is your rifle you are taking? Did I just miss that?
Beautiful job on the Kimber. Love that blank, I want to try this so bad. What does a decent turning cost?

300wsm.  The stock was about $2600, not including the blank.  Most guys are more, and some are a lot more.  Most guys I had spoken with were around $3k, plus they charged for every little extra thing.  My stock is pillar and glass bedded, with a freefloated barrel, and 100% filled oil finish.  Plus is has M70 two screw sling studs.  The oil finish alone was a $400+ add on at many stock makers.

[Alchase]

Sweet 

[mountainman]

I should have my Kimber back in a few weeks, then it’s off to the range to start shooting of sticks like will most likely occur there.

At what distance will you be shooting from the sticks, at the range? Any idea of anticipated distances (from the sticks) in Africa?  I shoot at 300 yards from a bench rest to test zero and like to finish up by shooting from my Bog-Pod tripod for an actual hunting simulation. I'd read that 150 yards was kind of a limit on their effectiveness  but accuracy from 300 yards seemed OK.

I want to be comfortable up to 300.  For game, 250-300 at the most for plains game, probably no more than 100 for Cape Buffalo.  You really don’t want to wound a Cape buffalo.

My trips for plains game only one shot (wildebeast) was 300 yards. All the rest 100-200 yards, but you never know😊

[jetjockey]

[/quote]
My trips for plains game only one shot (wildebeast) was 300 yards. All the rest 100-200 yards, but you never know😊
[/quote]

I don’t expect to shoot much further than that either, but if a monster kudu pops out at 300 yards, I want to be comfortable off sticks.  300-500 I’ll want a good rest, and beyond that, I’m not shooting.   I’m hoping the Buffalo is really close, but not too close. 🤣

[mountainman]

My trips for plains game only one shot (wildebeast) was 300 yards. All the rest 100-200 yards, but you never know😊
[/quote]

I don’t expect to shoot much further than that either, but if a monster kudu pops out at 300 yards, I want to be comfortable off sticks.  300-500 I’ll want a good rest, and beyond that, I’m not shooting.   I’m hoping the Buffalo is really close, but not too close. 🤣
[/quote]
Up close is when it gets exciting, and not in a good way!

[OutHouse]

Is it too pretty to hunt with now?   

Get after it and report back to us!