Description
The wind is a 20-knot crosswind, the bull elk is at 425 yards, and the ridge you just climbed feels vertical. Your rifle can’t be the reason you fail. It needs to be an extension of your will—light enough to carry all day, stable enough for the shot, and chambered to deliver decisive energy at distance. That’s the mission profile for the Kimber Mountain Ascent 300 WSM, 24″, Kevlar/Carbon Fiber, Optifade.
The Kimber Mountain Ascent 300 WSM, 24″, Kevlar/Carbon Fiber, Optifade is a purpose-built, ultra-lightweight hunting rifle designed for backcountry pursuits. It combines a carbon fiber/Kevlar composite stock with a stainless steel barrel and action, chambered in the flat-shooting 300 Winchester Short Magnum cartridge, all finished in a subdued Optifade camouflage pattern for minimal weight and maximum performance in alpine environments.
Kimber built this rifle around one core principle: shaving weight without sacrificing accuracy or durability. The stock is where the magic happens. It’s not just carbon fiber; it’s a composite weave of carbon fiber and Kevlar. This gives you the stiffness needed for a consistent barrel bedding platform while absorbing recoil better than traditional synthetics. The result is a stock that’s incredibly rigid yet surprisingly forgiving on the shoulder—a critical trait for a magnum cartridge like the 300 WSM. The entire package tips the scales at a scant 5 pounds, 2 ounces, making it one of the lightest production rifles in its class.
Driving that lightweight platform is Kimber’s proven 84M controlled-round feed action. It’s machined from solid stainless steel and paired with a match-grade, 24-inch, fluted stainless steel barrel. The fluting reduces weight and increases surface area for faster cooling. The chamber and barrel are hand-fitted at the factory, a process that contributes to the rifle’s renowned out-of-the-box accuracy. You can expect sub-MOA performance with quality factory ammunition, a claim many hunters have verified. This rifle is drop-in ready for your preferred optics, requiring no gunsmithing to mount a scope using standard bases compatible with Remington 700-style footprint rings.
Then there’s the chambering: 300 Winchester Short Magnum. This cartridge was engineered to deliver ballistics nearly identical to the legendary 300 Win Mag, but from a shorter, fatter case that fits in a more compact, lighter action. That’s the perfect synergy for the Mountain Ascent. You get the downrange authority for North American elk, moose, and bear at extended ranges, but in a rifle that carries like a .308. The price for this performance is $1707.97, positioning it as a serious investment for the dedicated hunter.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 300 Winchester Short Magnum (300 WSM) |
| Barrel Length | 24″ Fluted Stainless Steel |
| Overall Weight | 5 lbs 2 oz |
| Stock Material | Kevlar/Carbon Fiber Composite |
| Finish/Camo | Optifade Subalpine |
| Action Type | Bolt Action, Controlled Round Feed |
Pros: Exceptional strength-to-weight ratio from the composite stock. The 300 WSM offers magnum performance in a lightweight, packable platform. Sub-MOA accuracy guarantee from the factory. The Optifade pattern provides effective visual breakup in mountainous terrain.
Cons: The 300 WSM generates significant recoil, which is more noticeable in a 5-pound rifle. Premium ammunition can be more expensive and less common than standard calibers. The lightweight barrel can heat up quickly during sustained fire.
So who is this rifle for? It’s for the hunter who measures approach in vertical feet, not horizontal miles. It’s for the guide who needs a reliable, all-conditions rifle that won’t be a burden over a six-day spike camp. It’s for the shooter who understands that ounces equal fatigue, and fatigue equals missed opportunities. If your hunt starts at a trailhead and ends where the topo lines merge, this is your tool. This rifle is available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide, with an FFL transfer required for firearm purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the 300 WSM suitable for elk hunting?
A: Absolutely. The 300 WSM is a premier elk cartridge, capable of ethical takedowns at ranges well beyond 400 yards with proper bullet selection and shooter skill. Its ballistics are nearly a mirror of the 300 Win Mag.
Q: What type of scope base does it use?
A: The Kimber 84M action uses a standard Remington 700 short-action footprint for scope bases. This makes finding compatible mounts from brands like Leupold, Warne, or Talley straightforward and widely available.
Q: How does the lightweight stock handle recoil?
A: The Kevlar/carbon fiber composite is engineered for stiffness where it counts—in the action bed and forend—but has inherent damping properties that help mitigate felt recoil. That said, it’s still a light magnum rifle; a quality recoil pad and good shooting fundamentals are recommended.
Ready to configure your ultimate backcountry rifle? See the Kimber Mountain Ascent 300 WSM in our online inventory.
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