I own a 308 Kimber 84MLPT. It has 24" barrel with 12 right hand twist with 4 match grooves. I have had this rifle for about 3 years and spent too much for it (wish I would have gotten a Remington 700 instead - however what is done is done. But the gun has done the job on the deer I have shot. Trigger pull is sweet but action no where close to as smooth as a 700.)

Anyway......I will be honest after spending about $1300 on the rifle I had visions of multiple shots at 100yds that would fit inside a nickel. Well what I have found is this gun is extremely picky on the ammo it likes. Believe it or not it has liked the cheapest stuff off the shelf the best - 150gr Rem Core Loct and 165 gr Fusion. I have been told that unless I reload that my expectations are not within reason and that 1" to 1 1/4" groups, which I am getting most of the time with that ammo, at 100yds are as good as it gets with off the shelf ammo. I have a hard time accepting that but it makes sense. I have also been told that with a twist rate of 12 I need to be shooting a heavier grain bullet. I will be shooting between 200 and 300 yds on this lease and have never really shot that far so have no idea what to expect at range.

I have had people say if you are within the kill zone of 4-5" for deer - what are you complaining about with 1 - 1 1/4" groups? Well - I am one of those that unless the next shot isnt kissing the hole of the previous shot I will never be happy (rarely satisfied with less than perfect results).

I have tried the Hornady super performance, winchester Silvertip and one other brand whose results wre not all that great (Hornady was aweful). Can you all make some suggestions? I just want to have some other options in case I am spraying the 165gr fusions at 200 and 300yds. Should I move up to 180 grain? Let me know what you think.

You can try the 180's but your rifle may have problems stabilizing them.

A rifle that costs $1300 ought to be able to shoot MOA or better with premium ammo. If I were the owner I would be Yosemite Sam pissed. That's one of the best reasons to get into handloading though, you could probably unlock the potential of that rifle with a little bit of patience, trial and error.

As far as factory ammo, I'd try a box of 180's just to see whether they will shoot or not, but I think your best results will be in the 150-165 range. There's the Winchester SX3, Nosler Custom, Remington Bronze, etc.

KC is right on the money. I'd be super-uber upset if that rifle wasnt shooting MOA or better. Handloading is a good way to unlock the potential of any rifle. Also look at how the barrel is floated (if at all). Perhaps a bedding job is in order. Look over the muzzle crown as well, is it gouged or nicked in any way? 150-165 grain is prob. going to be your best bet as far as ammo selection goes. Try some 180's at the range..some rifles are finicky and stranger things have happened.

I should note that I have never shot any match ammo out of the gun which Kimber recommends - so it may be an absolute tack driver with match ammo. However, since I dont hunt with match I havent had a reason to shoot any.

I also pulled my targets from last year and with Fusion and Remington I had groups of appr 1/2" (there was generally one shot out of this area due to heat or shooter error. The other ammo such as Hornady light mag and some of the others were in the 1" to 1 1/2" range.

The rifle is also pretty sensitive to heat.

For 308 with 1:12 twist, it should like something between 150's to 175's, it will just depend on the velocity, and the bullet and powder combos.

Every barrel generally will like one or two loads more than others. Buying and trying ammo is the only way to really see what it likes. Clean between different types of ammo.

All you need is one that shoots well. Then buy a case and practice a lot. At 300 yards, wind will be a very real factor, requiring real practice ahead of time. Changes in temperatures may cause substantial velocity changes in some ammos depending on the powder used, causing shifts in points of impact.

For a good starting point, Black Hills is worth trying. Black Hills, Lapua, Federal, and Hornady are the go factory choices for 308 match ammo.

This is an ugly story. Between 150 and 168 should be your sweet spot. I'd be interested to know if you "broke in" your barrel and how. Also your cleaning process and frequency. You may be able to "re-brake in" your barrel. If your seeing heat related POI change, you probably are not floated (or floated with enough clearance).

I'd try the Sierra game kings in federal

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=219069

And the Nosler Accubonds

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=998341

I have an 84M in 308 and it does better with the Remington 150 grain CoreLokt than any of the more expensive stuff I've tried. Go figure.

I have a couple of rifles that were like that when I was shooting factory ammo as well. Rifles can be as finicky as a wife at times.

Had the same rifle in .260, would shoot for anything. Sent it back to Kimber ans they rebarreled it and sent the test target with ammo load. Shoots great know. I also shoot 150 grn in my 84L in 308

Maybe pick up the phone and have a chat with Kimber.