I have owned several of both and for me there is no comparison Woodsrunner, it’s just a more natural feeling rifle. When I throw it up it’s there. The Colonial is a boat anchor to me, if I was shooting off a bench all day is the only reason I would choose it. But for offhand shooting and hunting Woodsrunner, also accuracy for me all mine have been tack drivers at 100 yards. The last Colonial I had was a .58 and it still wasn’t fun hauling it in the woods all day up and down the mountains. I built a Jim Chambers kit after that season and sold the .58. But now have 3 Woodsrunner rifles and they are one of the handiest rifles I have owned in a .54 caliber made me retire my .62 for hunting
Kibler Colonial/WR .50 vs .54
- Thread starter CascadeRob
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
I wouldnt call the .54 Colonial a boat anchor, it's a beautiful 1st class well engineered weapon. I would call it a nice big ole '72 Cadillac Coupe Deville.
.54 Woodsrunner is a '69 hemi Challenger.
ETA: this little .45 SMR I'm playing with is a '69 Z28 Camaro.
.54 Woodsrunner is a '69 hemi Challenger.
ETA: this little .45 SMR I'm playing with is a '69 Z28 Camaro.
Last edited:
sportster73hp
50 Cal.
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2020
- Messages
- 1,068
- Reaction score
- 853
If buying all three don’t forget a smoothbore, Jim has them also. Shot or ball … like a transformer .?.
My CR is in .58 and it is a big rifle, for sure. For range only, it's great but would not want to haul it around on a long trek. My .54 WR is sleek, light and nimble. If the WR had been available earlier, I would have gone with it for my first Kibler build and probably been fine with just that.
Oh what the hell am I saying, can't have just one.
Oh what the hell am I saying, can't have just one.
I first bought a colonial, then my WR in .50, then got my .45 SMR. Seeing pictures and videos of it does no justice. It felt like a Toy in my hands, it was so light, slim, and easy to fling around. I swear you could use it as a baton. Awesome, awesome little rifle to shoot
It never ends at “just one.” It’s always “okay this is my last…yeah right.” I always tell my wife “you don’t understand this one was my dream gun.” She proceeds to tell me that all my guns must be “dream guns.”
sportster73hp
50 Cal.
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2020
- Messages
- 1,068
- Reaction score
- 853
If you cut one , go no shorter than 33 or 34 inches. This is what the British determined best before making the Baker.
The .45 SMR has cast a spell on me. I can't stop staring at it's sensuous lines
. I started to put a nose cap and a toe plate on it, but it spoke to me and said "if you really love me don't violate my form". It's a voodoo gun ...
Last edited:
It definitely has lines that are hard to look away from. Careful, it’ll convince you it’s lonely and needs a friendThe .45 SMR has cast a spell on me. I can't stop staring at it's sensuous lines
Good morning, Happy New Year!
I own both, Colonial .58 Smoothbore and a .54 Woodsrunner. When i received my Colonial and slapped the barrel in it I thought wow, that's a long barreled Son of a gun, I made a mistake. I was wrong with that thought. After assembly was completed, and went out back and shot it I was amazed. I can not and will not say anything negative about the Colonial.
Here's what I have to say about the Woodsrunner it fits me, I feel right, it's as if I've been shooting that gun for years. It may sound crazy but that's how it feels. I put it up to my shoulder and it becomes one with me. From the bench or standing or sitting and shooting off shoulder, gives me very good results.
I'm 6' tall and both fit me good. The Woodsrunner will probably be my gun of choice and I have several other rifles I've hunted with for years.
I own both, Colonial .58 Smoothbore and a .54 Woodsrunner. When i received my Colonial and slapped the barrel in it I thought wow, that's a long barreled Son of a gun, I made a mistake. I was wrong with that thought. After assembly was completed, and went out back and shot it I was amazed. I can not and will not say anything negative about the Colonial.
Here's what I have to say about the Woodsrunner it fits me, I feel right, it's as if I've been shooting that gun for years. It may sound crazy but that's how it feels. I put it up to my shoulder and it becomes one with me. From the bench or standing or sitting and shooting off shoulder, gives me very good results.
I'm 6' tall and both fit me good. The Woodsrunner will probably be my gun of choice and I have several other rifles I've hunted with for years.
I have a Jim Chambers York Pennsylvania with a 45 caliber swamped barrel and I. Could not ask for better balance. Flint lock of course.
There is something graceful about the Colonial. That longer barrel is no doubt a beauty. If and more than likely when I get another Col. it'll be in .54.
Sometimes the in the wind the extra weight up front makes all the difference. I have hung my ball bag forward of center balance on my Wr in the wind with good results.
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2009
- Messages
- 431
- Reaction score
- 666
I'm 6"0" and too damn fat. That said, I don't have problems with the lop on the Woodsrunner, or the weight. I started with a Pedersoli Jaeger in .54 and stayed with that caliber for a H&A underhammer in .54 with a long barrel (for target use) and a .54 Woodsrunner. I did get a modern inline in .50 and after that but before the WR, a Kibler SMR in .45, and then a .45 shorter barrel for the H&A. Caliber choices were just to have a common caliber so I would not confuse myself.
The Doc is out now.
The Doc is out now.
I like my 50 cal Woodsrunner just fine. No complaint on the weight at all. My only complaint would be me not shooting it enough. When I do my accuracy is not to my liking. I also wish James would consider a WR in a percussion model as I would buy one for sure. I have read on here where other people would also like a percussion model.
Kmcmichael
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2021
- Messages
- 613
- Reaction score
- 1,027
I carried a .50 Colonial a few hours after deer. The next year I built a .54 Woodsrunner.
I have a .54 Colonial and a .50. The .54 is much nicer to handle.
I’ve built a few for myself and others.
I think the guns are designed around the max calibers offered.
I have a .54 Colonial and a .50. The .54 is much nicer to handle.
I’ve built a few for myself and others.
I think the guns are designed around the max calibers offered.
Never shot any of Jim's kit guns. Assembled three of them but if I was to own one for hunting. It would be tough not to hunt with the WR. What a sweet balanced firearm.
