Kibler's Hawken Muzzleloader Kit Preview Coming Summer/Fall 2025

[cajun]

 

[GANGGREEN]

He said probably 8-8.5 pounds, which is a huge improvement over most/all of the originals. I still can't imagine that I'll get one, but that makes it more reasonable for someone who wants to carry it during deer season.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

I’m pretty excited. He didn’t say anything about taking early orders. Was hoping he would address that

 

[Phil Coffins]

Thanks.

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

Interesting video, and certainly helped to answer a few of the questions I had been left with since the initial announcement. I’m a huge Kibler fan—their craftsmanship is second to none, and their attention to detail always sets them apart. But I’ve got to say, this latest offering just isn’t sparking the same excitement for me. It feels like the market is already saturated with percussion half-stock rifles and kits, so this one doesn’t stand out as much as I’d hoped. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the quality is exceptional, as always with Kibler, but I was expecting something a bit more unique or innovative to really grab my attention. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d love to hear your take—do you see this one filling a niche that I’m overlooking?

 

[stubshaft]

I would've liked to see it in .62 caliber.

 

[snakebit]

I'm willing to bet a snort of good bourbon, that his kits will be awesome if a Hawken rifle is your thing. Caliber, and wood will be the hardest decision. For me anyway

 

[Spikebuck]

I liked what I heard. LOP is perfect for me and the drop is sufficient. Tapered barrel was on my "must have" list and they have it. I like some of the "fanciness" he's doing in the finials, etc.

The 30" to 31" barrel is shorter than I thought he'd have but reduces the weight and a lot of guys like shorter barrels for hunting. I wish I knew what his plans were for rifling shape and twist rate by caliber. Wondering if this is likely a PRB only or flexibility for both PRB and conical.

I'd like to see a color case hardening of certain components, but worst case I could send those parts out to be done.

Overall, I like what they are doing and see a .58 in my future! Will be excited to see the final product.

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

I would've liked to see it in .62 caliber.

Ha! Agreed. I’ve got a Mike Adcock ‘Bear Rifle’ in .62, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Absolutely a missed opportunity, in my opinion.

 

[Freedom]

Ha! Agreed. I’ve got a Mike Adcock ‘Bear Rifle’ in .62, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Absolutely a missed opportunity, in my opinion.

Your Bear Rifle is just what I had hoped the new Kibler Hawken offering would resemble.

We are all so very fortunate to have such great rifles being offered to us from Kibler's. All of Jim's attention to detail and form, sure do make these rifles a joy too shoot!

But the standard caliber, short barreled, half-stock Hawken market is already well covered by the thousands of low cost CVA, Lyman, and TC clone rifles.

Seems like a big 62cal Hawken would sure fill a void that's not commercially available. The big bore would allow for a longer 36"+ barrel to burn tons of powder, and still come in reasonably portable too.

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

Hear, hear! I could not have said it better myself! Of course, if you don’t completely and utterly agree with everything Mr. Kibler says or does, you can expect to be relentlessly harangued by an angry mob.

I genuinely hope it’s a phenomenal success—truly. But I can’t help having my reservations.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

I too was hoping for a 62 cal rifle version option. However, after learning it's a tapered barrel and will be 15/16 or so at the muzzle there's no way safely to get to 62 with it. If it was a straight 1-1/8" all day it could been done.
But - I feel it was a smart business decision to taper the barrel and make the rifle lighter by a few pounds. This will create more sales to the Hawken loving crowd whose biggest complaint is overall weight. They should sell very well, even in a solid market due to the reduced weight alone.

 

[sdilts]

Looks to me like he is trying to turn it into an English sporting rifle.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Mr Kibler, I applaud your effort to make a rifle suitable for the modern shooter. Unfortunately the details such as the fancy tip of the trigger plate, a swamped barrel and the lack of a toe plate has lost sight of the essence of the Hawken rifle. Perhaps you should aim at making an English spotting rifle. None the less I’m sure it will be a fine piece of engineering.

 

[J. David]

Glad this came out now. I am not going to wait. I am going to stick to my original plan and get one from the shop. This will be great for some though.

 

[Freedom]

Glad this came out now. I am not going to wait. I am going to stick to my original plan and get one from the shop. This will be great for some though.

The Hawken shop kits are just so grossly overpriced for what you get. And appear to be only available in 54 caliber.

 

[snakebit]

Your Bear Rifle is just what I had hoped the new Kibler Hawken offering would resemble.

We are all so very fortunate to have such great rifles being offered to us from Kibler's. All of Jim's attention to detail and form, sure do make these rifles a joy too shoot!

But the standard caliber, short barreled, half-stock Hawken market is already well covered by the thousands of low cost CVA, Lyman, and TC clone rifles.

Seems like a big 62cal Hawken would sure fill a void that's not commercially available. The big bore would allow for a longer 36"+ barrel to burn tons of powder, and still come in reasonably portable too.

That's like comparing a Pinto to a Cadillac. Not even in the same class. I stand by initial bet, once released, and some guys start posting pictures, and range results, the Internet is going to collapse from all the guys searching for the best way to eat crow.

 

[VA Hawken]

I'm interested to see what the final result from Jim Kibler looks like.

 

[Freedom]

That's like comparing a Pinto to a Cadillac. Not even in the same class. I stand by initial bet, once released, and some guys start posting pictures, and range results, the Internet is going to collapse from all the guys searching for the best way to eat crow.

I feel like the Kibler Hawken will be the finest Hawken available.
From watching the video you can tell that Jim put his heart into the design. And he's matching all the best parts from every original he could examine.

I was fantasizing about a big'ol monster bear, bison, and elk rifle... and I suppose the short barreled 58 will fill that role for many people, without being heavy.

Adding a percussion to the Kibler family will surely please the folks who have been wanting a Kibler,... but not a flintlock.

 

[James Kibler]

Mr Kibler, I applaud your effort to make a rifle suitable for the modern shooter. Unfortunately the details such as the fancy tip of the trigger plate, a swamped barrel and the lack of a toe plate has lost sight of the essence of the Hawken rifle. Perhaps you should aim at making an English spotting rifle. None the less I’m sure it will be a fine piece of engineering.

Not so! Study all the original Hawken rifles.