With the 84L’s introduction, Kimber is changing its sporter line-up. Short-action cartridges from .223 Rem. through .338 Federal remain the purview of the 84M, but the Model 8400 is now primarily a platform for the Winchester Short Magnum cartridges: .270 WSM, .300 WSM and .325 WSM. In its “standard” magnum offerings, 8400s may be had in 7 mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag. and .338 Win. Mag. Conspicuously absent at present is the .243 Win. The first 475 .30-’06 Sprg. Model 84Ls were shipped to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, but guns should be flowing to dealers by the time of this writing

At the bench the 84L proved to be quite accurate—averaging slightly more than an inch at 100 yards for five consecutive, five-shot groups—but with its slim barrel, care had to be taken to allow the barrel to cool between groups for best accuracy. This was abetted by 22-degree F temperatures on range day. Through the course of more than 120 rounds downrange for accuracy and function testing, the 84L Select performed well and without a hitch. It may supplant my .308 Win. 84M Montana as my go-to gun; only time will tell.

In terms of handling, the 84L is a very lively gun that comes to the shoulder quickly and surely. As one colleague put it, “This thing points like a fine English gun.” But it doesn’t come with the price tag of a fine English gun. There’s no danger of this rifle appearing on the discount rack of a big box store, but for its features and quality the rifle is fully commiserate with the asking price of $1,359. The Classic, in “regular” walnut and without the fore-end tip is priced at $1,172.

The 84L is the rifle I wanted from Kimber all along—a lightweight, elegant minimalist sporter built on classic lines with admirable accuracy, but chambered for America’s cartridge. And, at least for now, it’s in a class by itself.

Manufacturer: Kimber Mfg., Inc.; (800) 880-2418; Kimberamerica.com
Caliber: .25-’06 Rem., .270 Win.,.30-’06 Sprg. (tested)
Action Type: Bolt-action, repeating center-fire rifle
Receiver: 4140 steel
Finish: Matte blue
Magazine Capacity: Five rounds
Overall Length: 437⁄8"
Barrel: 24" light sporter contour
Rifling: Button-rifled, six-groove, 1:10" RH twist
Weight: 6 lbs., 2 ozs. (empty, unscoped)
Sights: None, drilled and tapped for Kimber scope bases
Trigger Pull: Adjustable, single-stage; 3 lbs., 6 ozs.
Stock: French walnut: length of pull, 135⁄8"; drop at heel, 9/16"; drop at comb, 7/16"
Accessories: Cable lock, manual
Suggested Retail Price: $1,359