Kibler - field observations?

[Pukka Bundook]

I hunted with only my Mark Silver (kit built) for 9 or so years straight and it always delivered the goods.
I know you are seeking advice on a Kibler, but thought I'd add this as the rifle is fairly solidly built, but in .58, never seemed heavy to me.
(42" barrel)
Shots from 20 yards to about 120, and that's maximum I would take. Used on mule deer and whitetails and lesser critters. Never. did shoot an elk with it, or moose.
Re weight, It depends what you do for a living. if you run a pen five days a week, a ten pound rifle may seem heavy, but if you run a shovel all week, the same gun will be no bother.
Mines well under ten pounds, and being a farmer I'm always lumping on something so my gun never felt heavy.
Awkward when dragging a deer though, like any other rifle with no sling!
I hunted in Longhunter duds, so I'd take my sash and tie it to my gun as a sling at times, and worn cross corners it stayed out the way pretty well.

 

[Kmcmichael]

I am larger than average reasonably fit 64 year old. The Colonial in .50 can be cumbersome due to a muzzle forward feel. I built a .54 Colonial for a friend and it felt like a magic wand compared to my .50. It only. Weighed a few ounces less. I have never handled a .58. I feel the
Most of my hunting is from an elevated blind, within a mile walk or less. I just put it in a case and sling it.

I tend to like muzzle heavy guns for shooting but when carrying one it can be very nice if it balances behind the rear sight.

 

[Elkpurgatoire]

My 58 cal Colonial weighs an ounce or so over 8 pounds, with”perfect” balance. I have a Hubbard Virginia rifle(50 cal) that is dimensionally and weight-wise nearly identical to the Woodsruunner. Quite frankly, at less then a half a pound of weight and a few extra inches of barrel length, the difference between the two is not all that noticeable during my hunting treks. I suspect that when Jim introduces his Hawken rifle it will be at the very least, the same weight as his Colonial rifle….probably heavier if it’s an accurate representation.

Thanks for posting those photos. They bring back memories of turkey and elk hunts there with my newly completed 50 cal TC Hawken kit. I was a student up north at Ellensburg and hunting always took priority over class start times...no morning classes before 10 AM. I sure miss that country. It wasn't until 2 years after graduation that I took a Sitka blacktail on Afognak Island with that rifle. Elk and turkeys will come eventually.

 

[CapPopper]

My .58 colonial does not feel like a 9 pound gun. Balances in a manner that makes carrying it in hand very easy. When people say it balances well I'm pretty sure they mean it's balanced where you're going to grip the forearm. Held approximately where you would shooting it it's neither muzzle heavy nor butt heavy. Carried mine for days across miles of hilly terrain this year and I'll say it's one of the most pleasant guns I've ever carried. Can't say about the smaller bores though.

 

[William G]

Between the two and for the conditions you described…The Woodsrunner.

 

[Black Dog]

I don't think I'll be shooting 130 yards with my .58 Kibler colonial smoothbore but I hike these hills up and down. Mine comes in at 8.6lbs and about 5 foot 2in but, feels like 6lbs it carries well and balanced when it comes to the shoulder. I don't know what kind of terrain you hunt in but, if it looks anything like this? The Colonial does not hinder me in any way. Plenty thick timber in my neck of the woods, yeah it has its open woods too but mostly thick.

Thank you for the wonderful photos. Though two months shy of my 83rd birthday, I am too crippled by osteoarthritis to ever again visit the back country, those pictures evoke many fond memories.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

If a .54 will do for your needs in caliber go with the Woodsrunner. If not, go with the Colonial in .58

 

[flashpoint]

I don't think I'll be shooting 130 yards with my .58 Kibler colonial smoothbore but I hike these hills up and down. Mine comes in at 8.6lbs and about 5 foot 2in but, feels like 6lbs it carries well and balanced when it comes to the shoulder. I don't know what kind of terrain you hunt in but, if it looks anything like this? The Colonial does not hinder me in any way. Plenty thick timber in my neck of the woods, yeah it has its open woods too but mostly thick.

Can I come live with you?

 

[oreclan]

I am larger than average reasonably fit 64 year old. The Colonial in .50 can be cumbersome due to a muzzle forward feel. I built a .54 Colonial for a friend and it felt like a magic wand compared to my .50. It only. Weighed a few ounces less. I have never handled a .58. I feel the
Most of my hunting is from an elevated blind, within a mile walk or less. I just put it in a case and sling it.

I tend to like muzzle heavy guns for shooting but when carrying one it can be very nice if it balances behind the rear sight.

My .58 cal. Colonial feels and handles so much better than even the .54 and I am 76, so every ounce counts.

 

[jarentz]

Does the woodsrunner come in 58 cal ??

 

[TraderVic]

Does the woodsrunner come in 58 cal ??

No ; 45, 50 & 54

 

[Bushfire]

Does anyone have an OAL for the woodsrunner and Colonial

 

[stikshooter]

I often see the term “ perfectly balanced “ or “ well balanced “.
What exactly does that mean? I have never seen a definition.

If it has a swamped barrel you are on your way to understanding (perfectly balanced) /Ed

 

[smoothshooter]

If it has a swamped barrel you are on your way to understanding (perfectly balanced) /Ed

I have several guns with swamped barrels, and want nothing else.
But others don’t like them because they want the weight between their hands.
So who is right?

 

[smoothshooter]

I have several guns with swamped barrels, and want nothing else.
But others don’t like them because they want the weight between their hands.
So who is right?

 

[French Colonial]

Swamped or octagon to round usually have better balance for me.

 

[Zutt-man]

Does anyone have an OAL for the woodsrunner and Colonial

My Colonial is 59.5”. I would suspect the Woodsrunner is around 56”

 

[troy2000]

Does anyone have an OAL for the woodsrunner and Colonial

I just slapped a tape measure on my Woodsrunner, and it's a little over 55 inches.

 

[Zutt-man]

My Colonial is 59.5”. I would suspect the Woodsrunner is around 56”

I just slapped a tape measure on my Woodsrunner, and it's a little over 55 inches.

I’ve been known to be off an inch or two

 

[troy2000]

I’ve been known to be off an inch or two

Pretty good for a guess...