Kibler Fowler available.

[wiscoaster]

Now Jim can finally go on vacation.

 

[sportster73hp]

So can we sling a round ball out of it, or not? Last I saw from Jim, he didn't recommend it. And what's the reason Walnut is recommended?

E-mail I got said buy the 20 gauge if you want to shoot roundball.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

So can we sling a round ball out of it, or not? Last I saw from Jim, he didn't recommend it. And what's the reason Walnut is recommended?

It says on website 20 gauge is recommend if shooting round balls.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Well like a smart individual I ordered extra wads and cards, and a ball mold for my 20 gauge last month. TOTW and all suppliers are about to sell out in record time.

 

[Huntschool]

Nice kit, but I dont care for the barrel profile.... Thats just me.

 

[Notchy Bob]

So can we sling a round ball out of it, or not? Last I saw from Jim, he didn't recommend it. And what's the reason Walnut is recommended?

He did recommend the 20 gauge for shooting balls. I would guess the barrels for the 20 and the 16 would have the same outside profiles, so with the larger bore, you would have a lighter weight gun, a thinner barrel wall, and a much heavier ball with (most likely) a heavier charge. I expect recoil would be substantial, as well as stress on the barrel. He didn't say you couldn't shoot balls out of the 16... He just recommended the 20. The man put a lot of effort into developing this kit and he knows his guns. I would take his recommendations seriously.

Respectfully, this gun is being marketed as a fowling piece. It is intended and designed for shooting primarily small shot. Personally, if I wanted to shoot mainly ball loads, I would prefer a gun designed for that purpose, but that's just me.

I suspect Mr. Kibler recommends walnut because this is an essentially an English gun, and as a rule, the gunmakers over yonder did not use maple or cherry. They probably would not have used American black walnut, either, but most people (including me) would not know the difference between American or English walnut in a finished gun. I guess you could make up a story about doing a re-stocking job here in the colonies if you want maple and you're concerned about authenticity. I know that was done on occasion.

Notchy Bob

 

[James Kibler]

Nice kit, but I dont care for the barrel profile.... Thats just me.

Taste is one thing, but just know this is the appropriate barrel for this gun to be historically correct. It is a very common profile on original guns of this style and period. Sometime what we find appealing is just a function of what is typically seen. Not many mainstream modern guns use this profile. I encourage everyone to study original work.

 

[James Kibler]

He did recommend the 20 gauge for shooting balls. I would guess the barrels for the 20 and the 16 would have the same outside profiles, so with the larger bore, you would have a lighter weight gun, a thinner barrel wall, and a much heavier ball with (most likely) a heavier charge. I expect recoil would be considerable, as well as stress on the barrel. He didn't say you couldn't shoot balls out of the 16... He just recommended the 20. The man put a lot of effort into developing this kit and he knows his guns. I would take his recommendations seriously.

Respectfully, this gun is being marketed as a fowling piece. It is intended and designed for shooting primarily small shot. Personally, if I wanted to shoot mainly ball loads, I would prefer a gun designed for that purpose, but that's just me.

I suspect Mr. Kibler recommends walnut because this is an essentially an English gun, and as a rule, the gunmakers over yonder did not use maple or cherry. They probably would not have used American black walnut, either, but most people (including me) would not know the difference between American or English walnut in a finished gun. I guess you could make up a story about doing a re-stocking job here in the colonies if you want maple and you're concerned about authenticity. I know that was done on occasion.

Notchy Bob

Well said Notchy Bob!

 

[Kmcmichael]

I don’t see a huge difference in shooting an ounce of shot or a 16ga 437 grain ball, pressure wise.

 

[Bnewberry]

I don’t see a huge difference in shooting an ounce of shot or a 16ga 437 grain ball, pressure wise.

The 20 gauge will have thicker barrel walls due to the outside diameters for both the 16 and 20 are the same.

 

[Blackpowderart]

Are these barrels cylinder bore
Only?

 

[bpd303]

I have a pair of something else,

I lost my right one to cancer in 2015, Testosterone therapy helped but don't know if it helps for losing both.

 

[James Kibler]

Are these barrels cylinder bore
Only?

Yes.

 

[Mike in FL]

Nice kit, but I dont care for the barrel profile.... Thats just me.

I was just going to say that. I feel certain that barrel is historically correct, but in all my studies over the years, I never saw a three-section barrel. I'm gonna pass.

 

[Frontstuffer070]

I was just going to say that. I feel certain that barrel is historically correct, but in all my studies over the years, I never saw a three-section barrel. I'm gonna pass.

I'm still new to smooth bores and I'm still learning. But that barrel profile is different than anything I've seen yet. The Octagon to round with the wedding band looks really good to me. I think those originals he had on the table had the 3 section barrel profile. I'll have to go back and watch it again.

 

[Kmcmichael]

The 20 gauge will have thicker barrel walls due to the outside diameters for both the 16 and 20 are the same.

? Yes I understand this. Yet if one shoots the same payload why the pressure worries.
I would likely never shoot a round ball.
Nevermind the 20. I would feel just as safe with the round ball as I would the same weight shot charge.

 

[Terrier]

I’d want one for shot shooting, so the ball argument is moot for me.

 

[akroguy]

It's fantastic but not enough of a unique departure from my North Star West fowler that has a beautiful octagon taper to round barrel that I prefer.

This one will be yet another hit for Mr. Kibler and well-deserved.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

I was just going to say that. I feel certain that barrel is historically correct, but in all my studies over the years, I never saw a three-section barrel. I'm gonna pass.

I study these things more than most and all I can say is many are missing out on a nice and correct barrel.

 

[DrLaw]

Kibler Fowler?

What is that?