CMP Kimber Model 82 Gov't Target Rifles: Trash or Treasure?

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Geno

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CMP Rifles: Trash or Treasure?

I chose to post the thread here, because I hope to encourage that folks purchase these CMP Kimber rifles for use other than simply competition, as in any daily shooting, from plinking to informal competition.

I was hesitant to post these targets for concern that someone would think me to be bragging. Ultimately, it dawned on me…in terms of genuine target-grade .22LRs, these targets are average at best. The pros shootists fire groups that consistently measure in the range of 0.01 to 0.03 at this distance, and farther, so there sure isn’t any bragging. :D To that end, I thought what I am really showing is that if an “average shootist” such as myself can fire groups like these, then these CMP rifles must truly be exceptional quality. So, if anyone is considering the CMP’s Kimber Model 82 Government .22LR Target Rifle, these pictures should support the notion that they are worth every cent of $600.00, new in the box.

Does anyone else have a CMP Kimber, CMP H&R or CMP Savage Target .22LR? If you do, please post your average targets. As you can see, these were not fired with “target” ammunition. The answer to the opening question, CMP Rifles: Treasure!

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Three of the guys I shoot smallbore with have these rifles. They are a good deal at $600. A comparable rifle with sights from any other source would cost over $1,000.

Too bad so many people are addicted to bench shooting and refuse to learn real shooting skills.

These fine rifles are going to waste.
 
Excellent point. This rifle feels better in a "seated" position than "benched" position!

Given how well it groups with the steel target sights, I will likely use it as-is...i.e., not scoped. If I do put a scope on it, I likely would opt for a Leupold 6X w/, AO, fine crosshair and target turrets. I do plan to take it to the range and drop the 36X on it just for a kick.

And again, these groups were fired using Aguila Colibri, 20 grain, powerless ammo, at 20 yards. Darned nice rifle. Our daughter really likes it too.

Thanks for the input.

Doc2005
 
[understatement] Looks like a good shooter[/understatement]
:D

Now park your butt,belly, or feet on the pavement and shoot it the way its meant to be shot, you'll be suprised at how fast your goups will tighten up with a little practice:cool:
 
We used to be a nation of riflemen but today we are a nation of sandbaggers who think they have to have a scope, bench and sandbags before they can zero a rifle or shoot one.

It is sad that our rifleman heritage is being forgotten.
 
OooooYeeeeaaaaa there goooood shooters. Went to the north store 3 years ago to get a Kimber, wife talked me into also getting one of the H&R M12. Man am I glad, not sure which one is the best shooter. Do you have your rifle scoped? Try shooting at 50 yds. (which is what I usually shoot) and post pics. I use S/K rifle match, usually one hole groups flyers are my fault mostly. Anyway thats some fantastic shooting.
 
Was so impressed with the first Kimber 82G I got from the North Store that I bought 2 more. Also picked up an H&R M12 but it hasn't yet shot as well as the Kimbers. (Could be an optics issue.) It will be one of my project guns. Best ammo that runs through the 82Gs has been (for me) RWS R50.
 
Cracked Butt:

I agree. I fired all of those groups in a seated position...no bench, no sling. Just me seated squarely on my butt, on the basement floor, proped elbows on the bent knees. It was so comfortable that it shocks me!

I cannot go prone until I get my spinal implant removed this month, or next month. Then, I will have full range of motion again! I can't wait to get prone again!!! I really miss it!
 
Friend of mine got one of the Kimbers. It does very well, he won the 200 yard stage of a smallbore match with it last month. He also has a H&R and one of the surplus 40Xs; neither is as accurate, although the H&R comes closer than the well worn Remington.
 
Thanks, all!


Bettle:

I find the rifle to be extremely comfortable in either standing or seated position. I tried a few rounds on a "make-shift-bench", and that was not as comfortable.

The hand stop really facilitates taking up the rifle in a consistent position, very comfortable for me.

Arguably the most attractive aspect of this rifle is the barrel marking:
"KALAKAMAS, OREGON". These rifles are very :cool: indeed!

Doc2005
 
"Too bad so many people are addicted to bench shooting and refuse to learn real shooting skills."

You have made a faulty assumption. Refuse to learn? What in the world makes you think bench shooters never learned to shoot standing up or prone? Sheesh. Give me a break.


Meanwhile, I don't have an '82 Gov't Kimber. I thought about it, but didn't buy one. They appear to be very nice rifles but I already had some rifles that would shoot small groups at 50 yards, although the only one that was $600 or less was a Rem 541-S.

John
 
I agree. I fired all of those groups in a seated position...no bench, no sling. Just me seated squarely on my butt, on the basement floor, proped elbows on the bent knees. It was so comfortable that it shocks me!

Outstanding rifle and marksman then:cool:
 
"You have made a faulty assumption. Refuse to learn? What in the world makes you think bench shooters never learned to shoot standing up or prone? Sheesh. Give me a break"

I was speaking of bench only shooters. There are thousands of them.
 
There are? If so, I've only met a few over the decades. The benchrest shooters I know also deer hunt, groundhog hunt, squirrel hunt, duck hunt, shoot clays, etc. Then there are the SASS cowboy shooters with their handguns, rifles and shotguns.

Oh well, there's plenty of room for everybody, even the plinkers.

John
 
I'll say this: I am more impressed with those who can shoot offhand standing and consistently hit an appropriate sized target for the range than I am with those who shoot small groups from the bench. I hardly ever see anyone shoot offhand at my range. When I shoot standing I get strange looks. I can only conclude from that that if there are a lot of bench shooters hunting, they must be shooting from positions they don't get much practice at.
 
Or they're only at the range to practice bench shooting for matches or to sight in their guns. For example, I don't have benches at the rural properties where I shoot, so it's off to the range if I need a bench.

I've always been impressed by any kind of extraordinarily good shooter, but I don't worry about folks' motivations for shooting this way or that.

I suppose, now that I'm thinking about it, that I've always thought being able to hit aerial targets with a rifle was a much better display of skill than shooting stationary targets. Unfortunately, I lost the only safe place I had to practice this kind of shooting years ago. Those were the days and what I learned on moving targets has served me well over the years.

John
 
"I can only conclude from that that if there are a lot of bench shooters hunting, they must be shooting from positions they don't get much practice at."

They miss or wound a lot of game.

I see this all the time.

They are capable of shooting one hole groups on the bench but without a bench they are not capable of hitting the side of a barn if they were inside it.
 
"For example, I don't have benches at the rural properties where I shoot, so it's off to the range if I need a bench"

I don't have a bench on my range. I don't need one.

All I need to zero a rifle or to shoot well is a sling.
 
Digging this one up.

Has anybody ordered one recently? Worth the $600? It would be the most expensive .22 purchase I've ever made, just want to make sure I'm not overlooking another option for a target rimfire.
 
Haven't gotten one lately but was at the No. store in Ohio mid. Oct. They still had NIB Kimbers, worst thing you'll find wrong with these is a slight scratch where someone opened the wrapping to check serial numbers. Probably a make work job for some GI's years ago. As far as accuracy, very good/excellent after finding the ammo they like, and use the good stuff SK, Wolf, Lapua, Eley, ect. The one I have is capable of 5 shot groups easily around a quarter inch at 50 yds. if I do my part.
 
The Kimbers and H&R M12's are the best deals on an accurate rimfire you'll find.

I bought an M12 ten years ago. Back then they were $400 and the Palma front and rear sights were worth $200.
 
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