Kibler fowler

[tidbit824]

Just wondering what size ball you guys would suggest using in the 20 ga.?
Thx u
Geo

 

[Spikebuck]

Another recent thread, same topic that might help you.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...ing-in-your-kibler-20-ga-fowler.188079/unread

 

[Texcl2]

When mine shows up, I’ll mic my barrel and post it. It was supposed to be here Monday but the post office seems to be moving it further away vs closer, lol. I’m sure it’ll get here this week or next. I will be trying a .600 ball regardless as it ends up I have a mold for it .

 

[Cruzatte]

Just wondering what size ball you guys would suggest using in the 20 ga.?
Thx u
Geo

Depends on the gun. Some like a .595, others a .600, and still others as big as a .610. Try all three and see which one works best for you.

 

[Texcl2]

So based on micrometer my bore is .615 at the muzzle, not the greatest way to measure a bore though. So not going to say it’s an accurate measurement. I should be in the test firing stage soon and will try .600 ball with pillow ticking patch.

 

[RiverRat]

I get decent groups at 55yds with .570 and .585 in my 20g kibler Fowler. It is too cold to cast up some .60rbs, so I will have to wait until spring.

 

[Texcl2]

I used some .600 balls yesterday with pillow ticking and they were pretty darn tight, accurate but too tight. So will have to find a smaller ball or run them bare.

 

[Clark Badgett]

I used some .600 balls yesterday with pillow ticking and they were pretty darn tight, accurate but too tight. So will have to find a smaller ball or run them bare.

Yeah, there is no advantage to running tight patches in a smoothbore. There are no grooves to fill.

 

[smoothshooter]

I used some .600 balls yesterday with pillow ticking and they were pretty darn tight, accurate but too tight. So will have to find a smaller ball or run them bare.

I prefer a .590” ball in 20 gauge smoothbores.
Thicker patch, more lube.

 

[French Colonial]

I used some .600 balls yesterday with pillow ticking and they were pretty darn tight, accurate but too tight. So will have to find a smaller ball or run them bare.

Try some .010 patching, or some old t-shirt.

You don't have to worry about sealing the grooves in a smooth bore or imparting spin.

 

[Texcl2]

I ended up finding some thin denim that loads easily with the ramrod.

 

[duca]

I used some .600 balls yesterday with pillow ticking and they were pretty darn tight, accurate but too tight. So will have to find a smaller ball or run them bare.

I hear ya! I’ve been having a great time shooting .580 in mine. patching also helps keep down on the fowling. I also shot .600 with paper wading over powder and then ball, not bad But damned Dirty

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I mainly utilize tow wadding and shoot an unpatched, nude ball so prefer around .610”. Works well.

 

[Texcl2]

One thing I’ve noticed with bare ball loads (get your mind out of the gutter, lol), is that they lose a lot of velocity, same with thin wad stacks in shot loads. I had to stop shooting my kibler Fowler since I shattered the lock mortise somehow ( pretty sure I messed something up during kit assembly) it’s on the bench as we speak getting repaired. Once it’s back operational I’ll chronograph some loads with different wads and post the velocity differences, it can be a pretty big difference and makes a big difference in wing shooting as it changes leads considerably. My .600 ball with the thin denim patch was just about the perfect amount of tension for loading ease and plenty of accuracy, I’ll probably stick with that. This is an offhand group at 40 or so yards I shot with that combo and maybe a 60gr 2f charge. I was pretty happy with that.

 

[Taevers]

One thing I’ve noticed with bare ball loads (get your mind out of the gutter, lol), is that they lose a lot of velocity, same with thin wad stacks in shot loads. I had to stop shooting my kibler Fowler since the lock mortise shattered somehow ( pretty sure I messed something up during kit assembly) it’s on the bench as we speak getting repaired. Once it’s back operational I’ll chronograph some loads with different wads and post the velocity differences, it can be a pretty big difference and makes a big difference in wing shooting as it changes leads considerably. My .600 ball with the thin denim patch was just about the perfect amount of tension for loading ease and plenty of accuracy, I’ll probably stick with that. This is an offhand group at 40 or so yards I shot with that combo and maybe a 60gr 2f charge. I was pretty happy with that.
View attachment 372147

I’m stalking up the same trail as you on this smoothbore safari. Wing shooting with my flintlock smoothbore will be my commitment for most of my bird season in the new year. I’m thinking the birds will be pretty safe! I think you’re pretty smart to prove velocity of your wadding. Smart. And good luck.

 

[Texcl2]

It’s pretty interesting, I had a load that used wasp wadding under greased felt and you could tell that load was moving and I hit almost every clay bird with it but When I ran out of wasp wadding I started using an over shot wad over the powder then the felt everything else was the same and I could tell it was much slower and I couldn’t hit anything after that, it was also a very dirty load. I think (with standard charges)heavy fouling is an indication of low pressure and most likely low velocity under most circumstances.