(Left) The magazine release button is conveniently located on the inside of the trigger guard. (Right) The floorplate is steel, and magazine capacity is five rounds for standard chamberings and four rounds for magnum chamberings.

The new Standard and Magnum Model 8400 is being announced in Classic, Montana, and SuperAmerica versions. The Classic version (like the rifle fired and photographed for this report) comes with a hand-rubbed, oil-finished walnut stock with 20-lines-per-inch checkering and matte blued steel. The Montana version has a stainless-steel barreled receiver and black Kevlar/carbon fiber stock. The SuperAmerica version wears a AAA-grade claro walnut stock with wraparound 24-lines-per-inch checkering and black forend tip, and its metal gets a polished, deep blue finish. Retail prices are $1087 for the Classic, $1228 for the Montana, and $2036 for the SuperAmerica.

(Left) The Model 8400 Classic's walnut stock is glassed and pillar-bedded to the receiver, the barrel is free-floated, and 20-LPI checkering adorns the forearm and grip. (Right) The safety is a Model 70-style three-position affair.

How The Model 8400 Standard Performs
As I said, Shooting Times received the new Model 8400 Standard in the Classic version chambered for .270 Winchester. And, once again, I utilized my "editor's prerogative" and conducted the evaluation myself. I do like fine rifles, and I especially like the .270 Winchester cartridge (I've actually taken more game with it than any other single cartridge). The sample Model 8400 Standard Classic did not disappoint. It is a very nicely fitted and finished rifle that is capable of top-drawer accuracy.

The one thing I like most on this new rifle is the trigger. It broke cleanly and crisply at 3.5 pounds, and I could detect absolutely no creep or overtravel. I especially like the wide, flat trigger surface. It measured .35 inch wide, and its feel reminded me of the target-style triggers on the revolvers and pistols I grew up shooting. (For comparison, my Winchester Model 70 and Remington Model 700 triggers measure .3 inch wide, and my Savage Model 12's trigger measures .25 inch wide.)

As this Caldwell Orange Peel Target demonstrates, the sample Kimber Model 8400 in .270 Win. was a good shooter. Five-shot, 100-yard groups averaged between 1.00 and 1.25 inches.

Feeding of cartridges was reliable and smooth. And extraction of fired rounds was 100 percent. The Model 8400 pointed well and held easily on target.

As for accuracy, the accompanying chart pretty much tells the whole story. With the 10 loads I fired (five handloads and five factory loads, with bullets ranging in weight from 90 to 160 grains), the Kimber 8400 Standard shot extremely well. Four of the 10 loads averaged 1.00 inch for four five-shot groups at 100 yards. The other six loads all came in right at 1.25 inches. The chart gives all the pertinent details.

In this day and age, 1 MOA seems to be the standard accuracy benchmark for bolt-action rifles, and a standard-production rifle that shoots almost all loads tried in it right at or very close to 1 inch at 100 yards is a keeper.