I really want to order a Kibler kit, but I am waffling between the Woodsrunner and the Fowler. Leaning towards the rifle, a 54 caliber, but can see the utility of a 20ga fowler.
Why a Fowler
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Antelope Pete
40 Cal
You didn't say what you are going to use it for. I see you're in New Mexico and if for hunting I'd get the rifle since you are probably going to hunt more open country for antelope, mule deer and elk all of which could definitely mean a longer range of 100 yards or so.
I do have a 50 caliber percusion rifle, it is what I am using for my deer hunt next month. I am leaning towards the 54 since I love shooting PRB, and I feel if I ever draw an elk tag, the 54 ball would get the job done with a little more margin for error, with the 50 I would likely use a Maxi for elk just for the insurance.
60 yards is the practical range limit for round ball in a fowler for most shooters and most fowlers. Yes, I know there are gifted smoothbore shooters out there. But game hunting is another deal.
rifled woodsrunner better for longer shots that can be expected in some open terrain areas in NM.
One thing I failed to mention, I have far more opportunities to hunt wildfowl and small game than I do big game. I'm going to ramble a bit here, so reader be warned. I was born in the Eastern portion of the great state of Orygun, Dad was a USAF Officer, and so we moved a bit, Texas, Arkansas, Alaska, South Carolina, New Jersey, Illinois, and then we parted ways as I bean my own USAF adventure on the flightline as an enlisted man fixing America's premier fighters. I was fortunate enough to experience Utah, a host of overseas locations, and culminated here in New Mexico. I used to think I'd never want to live anywhere but the mountainous states, to think at nearer 60 than 50, I have seen the error of my ways. I read of back East adventures with envy, being able to hunt deer every year, turkey, squirrels, and other critters, about the only thing I would miss immensely would be the multiple species of quail I love so dearly. Anyhow, I am still waffling like a politician here.
I took mule deer in New Mexico and Wyoming , elk in Colorado and antalope in Wyoming or Utah, I was hunting Wyoming but may have got over the line.
All with .50 or .54 rifle
It was all in smoothbore range. That’s not to say a rifle isn’t better in the west, but Indian, Mexicans , French and Brits all took a lot of game in the west with smoothies
All with .50 or .54 rifle
It was all in smoothbore range. That’s not to say a rifle isn’t better in the west, but Indian, Mexicans , French and Brits all took a lot of game in the west with smoothies
nchawkeye
58 Cal.
Sounds like you need a Woodsrunner in .54 and a Fowler...I got mine in 16 gauge as I already have two .54 caliber rifles and a .40..
Someday if finances allow, I will have a Kibler rifle and fowler, right now I'm working towards the first one!
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Get the fowler. You can hunt everything with it you listed. You might just get bit by the smoothbore bug and not need the rifle later it happens a bunch. A .600 round ball will kill anything if hit in vital area. And you can hunt turkeys to doves with it too. For all purpose fowler I run 62/20 ga as I like it better and own 2 of them now. Forever I was straight rifle guy I kept seeing videos or people shooting everything from round balls, buckshot, buck and ball, and shot through them not to mention arrows, and all kinds of other combinations of it fits down barrel. I tried loading shelled corn in mine and had many hits on target with it. Now I love the smooth bore.
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Johnny says it right!
IF! and that's a mighty big IF, I can only have one gun, then I would go with a 20 ga fowler.
I can shoot PRB and use shot.
I can shoot PRB and use shot.
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I would get the fowler or the .58 caliber colonial. You could us the fowler on the wild hogs, I know they have plenty of in New Mexico, and the colonial rifle in .58, will give you the knock-down power you will need for elk, or bear. This is of course my very own opinion. Maybe get them both.
!
flatcreek
40 Cal
Fowler is just to long for me, I'm 5'9" and have two rifles with 42 inch barrels and wouldn't' want anything longer. I would like a fowler but it would have to be shorter. I think the 38" barrel of the woodsrunner is just about right.
Sagebrush
32 Cal
I've got a fowler kit ordered. I'm going to use it for grouse. I've got a couple of rifled side-cockers I use for big game.
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My trade gun has a 36" barrel and its really nice in the woods.
I’d go with the 20ga Fowler…. It’s more of an all purpose gun, and if finances get or stay tight, u have more of what you really need until you can swing another.
Hunting should be about getting close, anyway. Any yahoo can shoot something a long way off. Takes a little more finesse to get close.
Hunting should be about getting close, anyway. Any yahoo can shoot something a long way off. Takes a little more finesse to get close.
Well I pulled the trigger on a 20ga Fowler today. Going to be doing a lot of reading, my very first flintlock.
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What fowler did you end up going with?
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