Kibler SMR shooting help.

[Joel2937]

Hello Everyone,
I'm new to flintlocks. I built a Kibler .45cal SMR kit. I have shot the rifle ( which is a blast!!), I would like some advise on what ball, patch and powder charge combination would be the most accurate? Thank you for the help. ( I'm currently using .440 balls, .010 patch, and powder 40 grains to 60).

 

[Pete G]

You may want to try a little thicker patch.

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

Are you using FF or FFF powder? Your rifle may like 3F. A lot of the 45 cal folks use that and have stated it's more accurate. I'm working up a load for a new 45 cal I have. So far I've just used 2F, but next range outing I will try 3F

 

[Buff1958]

i use 70 grains of FFF a .445 ball with a .015 patch for targets. 90 grains for hunting

 

[wiscoaster]

Shooting my Kibler .45 cal SMR I use a 0.445 ball with a 0.010 patch and 60 gr of 3F powder.

OP, your ball and your load seems to be to be a bit undersized. Tighter fit is better, though load depends on group results. If you don't have to use some force to start your ball then either your ball is undersized or your patch is too thin.

 

[Joel2937]

You may want to try a little thicker patch.

Thank you, I will try that!

 

[Joel2937]

Are you using FF or FFF powder? Your rifle may like 3F. A lot of the 45 cal folks use that and have stated it's more accurate. I'm working up a load for a new 45 cal I have. So far I've just used 2F, but next range outing I will try 3F

I'm using FFF

 

[Joel2937]

i use 70 grains of FFF a .445 ball with a .015 patch for targets. 90 grains for hunting

Thank you Sir, I will give that a try.

 

[wiscoaster]

@Joel2937 just FYI it's kind of mandatory here you post a pic of your rifle!!

 

[Kmcmichael]

I generally start with an .018 patch on everything.

You can start with 50 grns. Shoot three for a group at 50 yards, go up 5 grns at a time shooting a 3 shot group each time. Whatever load shoots the smallest group. I measure and log all the group sizes. I do this twice on separate days. I then sight my guns in at 82 yards.

This should be done on the calmest wind day possible.

Each barrel is a law unto itself.

 

[Bedford County Doc]

Each barrel is a law unto itself.

AMEN!

 

[Flintandsteel]

First 7 shots out of a brand new Kibler/Rice .45 barrel.

 

[Siringo]

Hello Everyone,
I'm new to flintlocks. I built a Kibler .45cal SMR kit. I have shot the rifle ( which is a blast!!), I would like some advise on what ball, patch and powder charge combination would be the most accurate? Thank you for the help. ( I'm currently using .440 balls, .010 patch, and powder 40 grains to 60).

In my Kibler I use the .440 ball and O.020 lubed patch. It’s tight but more accurate that 0.018. Your 0.010 is way too thin. The load that worked the best is 55 grains of 3f Goex. The velocity is 1,900 fps.

The swamped barrels are particular as far as powder charge. They whip around quite a bit versus a straight barrel with no taper.

Picture is 25 yards.

 

[olskool]

no offence to anyone, but 25-yard groups mean nothing. you need to shoot 50yds, even 40yds would tell you something, but anything will shoot at 25 so that won't help. all the 45s i have shot over the years shoots a .445 ball and an .18 patch with 55gr. of 3f outstanding, and don't discount 2f either,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,