Kibler Fowler

[Crow Choker]

Be an interesting and hard firearm not to have. I'd favor a 16 over the 20. Started with a single shot H&R Topper 16 gu as a young'un, hunted and scored many rabbits and pheasants with it until I got a big boy 12 pump at around 21.

 

[ColonialRifleSmith]

I've been waiting on Kibler's Fowler for quite some time, I can't wait to send him some $$$$$.

You may as well put that money in some interest-bearing account. It'll be some time before Kibler's Fowler or Half Stock hits the market. Semper Fi.

 

[Flint.]

I've been waiting on Kibler's Fowler for quite some time, I can't wait to send him some $$$$$.

Talked to Brea and I ordered one yesterday, 16 gauge with that Select Grade Maple stock.....!




Then I woke up.

 

[ColonialRifleSmith]

Talked to Brea and I ordered one yesterday, 16 gauge with that Select Grade Maple stock.....!




Then I woke up.

 

[TDM]

Then I woke up.

That is funny Flint!

 

[French Colonial]

Jim has posted pictures of the first stock off the CNC machine over on facebook

Its in the "flintlock era" page

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

@James Kibler Will the new fowler be for shot only?

 

[TDM]

@James Kibler Will the new fowler be for shot only?

That's what he's recommending.

 

[Bark-eater]

That's what he's recommending.

Is that from one of his video updates? Could I assume that a 20 gauge would be "less unsuited" for an unpatched ball?

 

[TDM]

Is that from one of his video updates? Could I assume that a 20 gauge would be "less unsuited" for an unpatched ball?

Jim's mentioned on his videos and on post here that he would prefer shot only, but acknowledged that he knew some would shoot RBs. That's why the barrels will be thicker walled than originals for liability reasons. And yes, I'd expect the 20 to be less unsuited for a ball.

 

[Bark-eater]

Jim's mentioned on his videos and on post here that he would prefer shot only, but acknowledged that he knew some would shoot RBs. That's why the barrels will be thicker walled than originals for liability reasons. And yes, I'd expect the 20 to be less unsuited for a ball.

I was reading up on the Kibler Colonial, and there was some opinion that the barrel would be to heavy a profile to run as a smoothbore.

 

[TDM]

I was reading up on the Kibler Colonial, and there was some opinion that the barrel would be to heavy a profile to run as a smoothbore.

I don’t have a Colonial, but those that do seem to like their smoothbore versions. Haven’t heard of any negatives.

 

[2Moons]

Research it. A 16 gauge shoots a "square load" . If the gun is sized to the bore it's the best option for a shotgun. Once again in my humble opinion. I used to grouse hunt with my setter in PA using early American double guns. My 1912 L.C. Smith 16 bore is my go to gun.

What is a “square load”? Never heard that said before.

 

[Bark-eater]

I don’t have a Colonial, but those that do seem to like their smoothbore versions. Haven’t heard of any negatives.

Not so much of a negative verses the barrel profile being heavy for a "musket" and now the discussion is that the "Fowler" barrel profile might be light for a "musket" As some one who is in the market for a "musket", I'm just trying determine "What gun" is best for me personally. I don't expect Kibler to put a "trade gun" on the market, so these are the two I am comparing, sight unseen.

 

[deerstalkert]

16 gauge...that's interesting. Apparently, my great-grandfather (an avid hunter who kept decoy ducks when live decoys were legal) was very fond of the 16. He passed away before my mom was born, but her dad (my grandpa) inherited two Browning Auto-5s in 16 gauge. When my uncle passed in 2019, I inherited them. He also had a double-barreled 12 gauge I now have, but I need to replace the stock on that.

I can't think of a better combination for a modern shotgun than an auto5 in 16 gauge. it would be Christmas for me every time i looked at it!

 

[beagle74]

The only 16 gauge unmentionable I had, killed out of proportion to bore size. It was very effective. Could just be the way the gun fit and all.

 

[RobertIN]

What is a “square load”? Never heard that said before.

Measure the diameter of your bore, then dump the amount of shot into the barrel that equals the measured diameter but in height. Thus, making the height of the shot in the barrel equal with the circumference of the bore. If you imagine a cross section of the loaded barrel the shot would appear as a square.

As shown in this photo, the height of the shot is not the same dimension as the diameter of the bore, and is not a "square" load.

I think. Maybe. Seems to be different definitions.

 

[Salty Cracker]

What is a “square load”? Never heard that said before.

Width verses depth. A shot pattern is 3 dimensional. A pattern on paper is 1 dimensional. For dynamic shooting the difference matters. The shot Flys as a cylinder if you can imagine. 16 gauge is the most efficient

 

[bpd303]

My square load is the same volume of shot to powder.

 

[TDM]

My square load is the same volume of shot to powder.

That's what I thought too.