The Kimber of Oregon M82 in 22LR has been in and out of production for the last 35 years. I have owned several of the Kimber rifles and still have a few of them. I remember when I read about the M82 many years ago, wishing that I could afford one. It won me over because it was a scaled-down version of a big game rifle. Steel and walnut in the classic design. I was used to plastic and aluminum 22 caliber rifles shooting a minute of squirrel, not tiny one-hole groups at 50 yards. One of these fine Kimbers would be mine someday. That day finally arrived and I now have a couple of Kimber .223’s, a .22Mag, and an M82 .22LR.
Kimber 82 Review Video
I walked into my local gun shop to look at the new production Kimber of America 22 rifle and found that they had one new Kimber 22, and one used Kimber M82 22LR hidden in the back of the store. I chose the used rifle for a couple of reasons. The older gun was about 99% condition and $125 less than the new one. The new Kimber 22 was $850 and the used rifle was $725 complete with Kimber rings and a Japanese 4X scope.
I liked the stock better with the more appealing walnut and the checkered steel butt plate. My M82 appears to be a first-run production. It has no suffix letter after the model number and the Kimber of Oregon, Clackamas, Oregon barrel stamp. If any of you readers can shed more light on the history of the rifle, please e-mail me and I will add your comments to the report. I had no doubt that either rifle would be very accurate. My two M84 Kimbers in .223 shoot half-inch groups at 100 yards and my other 22LR and 22Mag shoot less that half-inch groups at 50 yards with the ammo it likes.
I mounted a Leupold 4x12AO on the Kimber and was off to the range. I love this scope. It is the perfect scope for old eyes and tiny targets on a budget. I just found another one on the Internet for $250 last night. The trigger on this rifle is fantastic. Breaks like glass at about 1.5 pounds. You don’t feel it move, it just goes off. A good trigger is half the accuracy battle with production rifles and I have never shot any rifle with a better trigger than this Kimber! The bedding is not great. I think if I can get Mr. Jim Crownover, the official ODHA stock smith, to glass bed this baby, it will shoot itself into consistent quarter-inch groups. Some of the groups have single fliers that open the groups from a quarter-inch to half-inch and it is usually the fourth or fifth shot.
I like BKL rimfire scope rings best for rimfire rifles with dovetail available from AMAZON . These rings will work on 3/8” or 11mm base and are perfectly machined to align with your barrel.
The fit. and finish of BKL Scope Rings are outstanding. They will not leave any marks on your scope and fit the groove on any rimfire rifle.
BKL Rings are my personal favorite!
This rifle behaved the same as the other Kimber rimfire models in that it spits some brands of ammo all over the paper and shoots some brands into one hole when I do my part. See the CCI MiniMag groups in the top photo. Never have figured out why .22LR are so sensitive to ammo of similar quality. The .22LR loves CCI MiniMags, and the 22Mag loves the Winchester or CCI ammo. Remington ammo won’t even chamber in the Kimber 22Mag chamber.
I am looking forward to small game hunting with the little Kimber and competing in the Rimfire Sporter Matches at my local shooting club. I highly recommend the Kimber M82 if you can find one, and expect nothing but smaller groups from the Kimber of America 22.
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Best Scopes For 22LR Rimfire Rifles
Bushnell Rimfire 3-9×40 Riflescope with DZ22 Reticle in Black – RR3940BS4
Bushnell Rimfire 3-9×40 Riflescope with DZ22 Reticle $99 at Amazon
BDC Reticle for 40 Grain 22 AMMO
- The Bushnell Rimfire 3-9×40 is Designed to deliver peak performance for the 40-grain .22 LR, this scope boasts a BDC reticle with hold positions out to 125 yards—and you’ll never miss your shot thanks to capped turrets that protect your settings in the field
- One-piece, aircraft-grade aluminum body that has no problem standing up to the elements and rough use and capped turrets to protect your scope settings in the field
- Multi-Coated Optics for improved resolution, light transmission, and contrast to you get you on target
- DZ22 Reticle is designed specifically for a 40 grain 22 LR, with drop points out to 125 yards. Ideal for: Varmint, small game, plinking
- The Bushnell 3-9×40 Rimfire is covered by our Ironclad lifetime warranty
Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire Scope
Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire Scope $199 at Amazon
- The Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire riflescope is ideal for use at close range on 22 rimfire Rifles.
- The V-Plex reticle is a popular all-purpose hunting reticle intended for a wide variety of hunting applications.
- Lenses are fully multi-coated for crystal clear, bright images from dawn till dusk. The fast focus Eyepiece allows for quick and easy reticle focusing.
- Metal on metal Precision turrets offer the ability to zero reset after sight-in. A precision glide erector System ensures accurate tracking and repeatability.
- A solid one-piece tube with a hard anodized finish creates a shockproof and durable scope while helping camouflage The shooter’s position.
- Argon purged and O-ring sealed the scope will deliver a lifetime of Fog proof and waterproof performance.
Leupold VX-Freedom Specialty 3-9×40 Rimfire Riflescope
Leupold VX-Freedom Specialty Scopes Rimfire Riflescope $299 at Amaon
Designed Specifically For 22 Rimfire Rifles
- Model #174181 – VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9×40 Riflescope with a Rimfire MOA Reticle, Capped Finger Click Adjustments and a Matte finish
- In Second Focal Plane (rear focal plane) scopes, the reticle stays the same size while the target grows and shrinks when you adjust the magnification. These reticles are ideal for lowlight hunting situations and in scopes that don’t utilize hash marks for range estimation.
- A 3:1 zoom ratio gives you 3 times more magnification at high power than at low power
- Designed, Machined and Assembled in the USA. 100% Waterproof, fogproof, shockproof, and backed by Leupold’s legendary customer care
