I want to get a flintlock for squirrel hunting. I have a TC Cherokee.32 percussion which I hunt with now and love the gun. But I want a flintlock in either .32 or .36. The choices are few. I would get a kibler smr but they look so loooong with that 44” barrel. The pedersol kits are unavailable. You guys that have the kiblers, does the barrel length bother you? I assume they balance pretty good. I never hear any negatives. Thanks
Barrel length question
- Thread starter Jim K
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Long barrel means long sight radius means better sighting accuracy which is good for the small game you'll be hunting with that rifle. The long barrels aren't as cumbersome in the woods as you might think.
Ninering62
40 Cal
You can always get a gun you like & either have the barrel cut to the length you’d like or get the barrel you want made for it & swap it for the factory one
ohio ramrod
75 Cal.
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a well balanced rifle will hold steady. I have found that barrel heavy rifle can be balanced . I do this for many rifles intended for youth and women by removing the butt plate, drilling holes and adding lead.
Long barreled guns like this handle and carry very nice, much more so than the short abominations. Besides you may gain a tad bit in velocity so you can use light charges and save the hard to get powder. .32 cal. guns have such skinny arse ramrods they are easier to break, I eventually went with a .45 using light loads for my all around trail-hunting gun.
Ninering62
40 Cal
" Abominations " really.......jeeeezzzzz SMFH
I would keep my eye open for a Pedersoli Frontier, Kentucky or Pennsylvania rifle. All were made in .32 and .36. Dixie also carried their versions of the same guns that were made by Pedersoli. I have seen a few used guns on this forum and others, so keep looking. Of course, if you want to go custom, the Kiblers are nice. I had both my .32 and .36 flint locks made by Phoenix Arms (Kevin Blevens) in North Carolina. He does nice work at reasonable prices.
The Kibler SMR is pretty much the definition of a squirrel rifle. Mine is the slightly older version with a 46" barrel. As others have stated the longer sight radius helps and the front sight is so far out there it subtends a smaller part of the target, making for a more precise aim.
Only issue I have with the length is when I shoot on our clubs covered range. I have to make sure I'm positioned between the rafters so the ramrod clears them when I load.
Only issue I have with the length is when I shoot on our clubs covered range. I have to make sure I'm positioned between the rafters so the ramrod clears them when I load.
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The Traditions Shenandoah were available in .32 and .36. They are decent little rifles in either flint or cap. They are shorter barreled than the Frontier.
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Hi,
There is nothing wrong with short barreled rifles.
However, I would urge you to consider the Kibler SMR. The barrel is light and well balanced. But more importantly, everything else on the gun, the stock, lock, and hardware puts all of those other commercial guns to shame.
dave
There is nothing wrong with short barreled rifles.
However, I would urge you to consider the Kibler SMR. The barrel is light and well balanced. But more importantly, everything else on the gun, the stock, lock, and hardware puts all of those other commercial guns to shame.
dave
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My jaeger has a 30" Getz swamped .50 calibre barrel. The balance is perfect for shooting offhand.
Thanks for all the ideas fellas. My Cherokee has a short barrel and is nice for hunting but I want a flintlock. Dixie had some pedersoli kits but they’re sold out last I checked. I’d like something in the 38-41” range. I’m well aware of the quality of Kibler rifles. I’ve watched Jim’s videos and read most of the posts on here guys have put up. I’m just not sure I’d be happy with the length. I wish I could get my hands on one to shoulder it.
I am very happy with my Kibler .36. The length is fine and the gun mounts and feels fine to me. My FFL buddy commented that the gun looked funny long and thin. To each his own, I like it just the way it is.
I just found out a taxidermy client of mine has a kibler smr. I’ll get together with him and check it out.
Those guns haven't been made since 1986. You might find one used. I have a .36 Shenandoah, but i have never seen a .32.
hanshi
Cannon
Nothing wrong with short barrels at all. This is my only dedicated target rifle .45 X 25" X 15/16". Accurate beyond reproach, maybe thanks to the heavy barrel. Still a featherweight though at 6lbs 2oz.
I put together a 40cal SMR kit for a friend. It is a long gun, but the swamped barrel makes for a very well balanced gun that doesn't feel heavy at all. You may gain a little weight by chosing 32 or 36, but I would hold and shoot itnor you can. You will be surprised.
I have a 32cal flintlock with a 42" straight octagon barrel. That gun feels front heavy.
You can't go wrong with a Kibler, great people to do business with.
I have a 32cal flintlock with a 42" straight octagon barrel. That gun feels front heavy.
You can't go wrong with a Kibler, great people to do business with.
Use a brass rod. I have yet to break one.
Cool, but I'm a traditionalist and a brass rod is kinda heavy for a weekend hunt.
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