Kibler Smooth?
- Thread starter Hatless
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Why are you going for a smoothbore over a rifle? Motivations for choice and why you want the gun will help people give good advice.
I know Kibler is soon to be releasing a Fowler piece which by its nature is a smoothbore shotgun type, which might be better than the colonial which is designed from the ground up to be rifled.
EDIT: Just wanted to add that the higher the calibre the lighter the Kibler rifle, so .58 would be the lightest of the available options. It also takes more lead, so more metal to cast rounds, or more $ when buying them. Jim said that .54 cal is the most common caliber in era the Colonial is designed after, and is easier to find accessories for that size. I went for the .54 rifled.
I have a smooth rifle in a Lancaster form. I like it
I understood Kibler was coming out with a fowler, if not avalible via him I had good success with a Sitting Fox kit. And I praise them when I get a chance.
Chambers also offers a smooth rifle kit. Both are a little more work then a Kibler, in the case of Sitting Fox they can do some work for you.
Track of the wolf offers fowler kits, TFC and NWG, and they too offer some milk work for you if needed. I have nothing but praise for Yracks North west Gun except after I got it my TFC was a nicer gun for me.
I understood Kibler was coming out with a fowler, if not avalible via him I had good success with a Sitting Fox kit. And I praise them when I get a chance.
Chambers also offers a smooth rifle kit. Both are a little more work then a Kibler, in the case of Sitting Fox they can do some work for you.
Track of the wolf offers fowler kits, TFC and NWG, and they too offer some milk work for you if needed. I have nothing but praise for Yracks North west Gun except after I got it my TFC was a nicer gun for me.
Brokennock
Cannon
I do really like my smoothrifle, wish it were a Kibler Colonial or something more HC/PC than the steel furnished Early Virginia that is is. But that is besides the point.
As far as what caliber to lean toward with a smoothrifle? I think a lot depends on your intended use. If turkey and deer hunting is on your list, then you need to check local regulations. Here in CT. that .58 caliber smoothbore would not be legal for turkeys, we have a 20 gauge minimum.
If this is not a concern, then I would go with the .58, as was said it will be the lightest of the options... though not sure if a .62/20 gauge is available.
As far as what caliber to lean toward with a smoothrifle? I think a lot depends on your intended use. If turkey and deer hunting is on your list, then you need to check local regulations. Here in CT. that .58 caliber smoothbore would not be legal for turkeys, we have a 20 gauge minimum.
If this is not a concern, then I would go with the .58, as was said it will be the lightest of the options... though not sure if a .62/20 gauge is available.
I have the Colonial in .58. Even though it is 8.6lbs., it balances really well. It feels heavy when carried ,but it feels great when shouldered. Due to the weight and balance, I personally wouldn't want a smaller caliber in that rifle. I use .562 balls with a thick patch. It is cloveleaf accurate at 50yds. benched.
Kmcmichael
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2021
- Messages
- 609
- Reaction score
- 1,017
I have one ordered in .50. The biggest thing I would use it on is Texas deer or hog. I have shot a lot in my life and don’t like too much recoil. I also like guns on the heavy side of shooting offhand.
if I don’t like it or feel the caliber inadequate, I will order another one.
if I don’t like it or feel the caliber inadequate, I will order another one.
Because of the weight, recoil in the .58 is negligible. Since it is heavier, the .50 would have even less recoil. As long as you aren't walking a lot the weight of the .50 shouldn't matter.
I have a a Kibler Colonial with both 50 and 58cal barrels. Both are exceptionally accurate. IMO, the 58cal is superbly weighted and balanced with not much difference felt recoil difference between the two barrels. For my stature, the 50cal feels muzzle heavy and difficult to hold for any length of time when shooting off-hand. My buddies Colonial in 54 cal obviously falls between the two in this respect, but he admits that my 58 is a very sweet handling/shooting rifle. Smooth vs rifled is really a matter of ones use and preference, but I think there could be a trade off the rifles accuracy potential shooting LRB’s.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2021
- Messages
- 635
- Reaction score
- 1,482
I have put a .58 caliber Smooth Colonial in the shopping cart several times. I almost hit the buy button but held off. Soon after Kibler announced work on the fowler so I am waiting impatiently for that to drop. Hopefully in .62 (20 gauge).
If you want a smooth rifle, I think the best choice is the .58 for the reasons stated previously, balance and the larger bore will work better with shot.
If you want a smooth rifle, I think the best choice is the .58 for the reasons stated previously, balance and the larger bore will work better with shot.
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2005
- Messages
- 5,229
- Reaction score
- 10,921
Hi,
I think 58 caliber would be the best choice, rifled or smooth for the Kibler colonial rifle. It is not a matter of overall weight, but the balance.
dave
I think 58 caliber would be the best choice, rifled or smooth for the Kibler colonial rifle. It is not a matter of overall weight, but the balance.
dave
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2019
- Messages
- 8,399
- Reaction score
- 9,817
You made a great choice in leaning toward the Kibler, esp. as a "newby".
I think I remember someone hearing it was in 16 gauge. I’m on the list to be notified of specs when he gets it developed so I’ll let everyone know
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2021
- Messages
- 635
- Reaction score
- 1,482
Interesting! Bigger is better. I will buy one. How does one get on the list for notification?
Anyone know where to get .660 balls and molds?
TOTW has .662 balls. Not sure about molds.
I emailed Katherine at Kibler’s a month or so again asking for specs. She said she’d put me on a list for notification when everything was finalized
Kibler is coming out with a fowler. If you want a smoothie for shot then consider
waiting for the fowler. Otherwise, a rifled bore harnesses the gyroscopic effect
of a spinning projectile increasing accuracy.
waiting for the fowler. Otherwise, a rifled bore harnesses the gyroscopic effect
of a spinning projectile increasing accuracy.
Brokennock
Cannon
He said 3-4 months about a month ago. Fingers crossed
Juniata
40 Cal
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2021
- Messages
- 400
- Reaction score
- 1,592
My Christmas bonus is burn in ng a hole in my pocket!
I'm thinking about going with a shorter barred trade gun than the first one I built. I like the kiblers I hear so much good about them, I know but who have em, I've **** them too... the only thing I don't like is how completed they are. I want more of a challenge but after building the rifle for myself last year from odd parts, it was a bit much. But that's part of building guns, stretching yourself to do more yourself with each build.
I'm curious to see what style his will be modeled after.
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
-
-
SOLD - Pending funds EXCELLENT Tryon. 54 Deluxe Maple Target Rifle
- Latest: 4-H Blackpowder
-
-
-
-
-
-
