Last minute Q on Kibler Woodsrunner purchase

[Philip Chua]

Howdy all,
Well, I am at the last minute needing to order a woodrunner for the rifle building class ar the Log Cabin Shop in Feb. I was going to get 54cal but then thought - literally all my other stuff is 50…. for those of you who have the 50 was there any situation where you felt in want of a 54? My inclination is get the 50. Also going with cherry if they can get it done in time. I’d not maple will do. Whatever.

Anyway going to order in a bit one way or the other.

Doc van Phil

 

[SDSmlf]

If you are a hunter, in my opinion a 54 will be lighter and balance a bit better than a 50.

 

[wiscoaster]

I agree with above recommending .54 cal. Your choice of stock wood probably doesn't have much influence on fulfillment time. If you're in a real hurry, you might peruse their "same day shipping" sale pages to see if there's some already-boxed rifle that might fit your needs.

 

[FlaminCrow]

I haven’t held a .50 but my son built a .54, throws down so balanced and smooth, had to get myself one .

 

[stubshaft]

I have a slew of fifties myself and decided to get a 54 WoodsRunner. It balances like a dream and does NOT feel heavy at all. In fact, it feels lighter than the 7 lb. 2 oz. it actually weighs!

 

[William Hagewood]

I have a .50 and it is slightly under 8 lbs and balances real well. If you like rice barrels they aren’t available in the .50 cal, only Green Mountain. I don’t think GM is as high quality as Rice

 

[stubshaft]

The 54 is a GM barrel also.

 

[Ruff Hunter]

Not to stir up a "which caliber ball is better" debate, but a 54 is a better hunting projectile than a 50, due to it being heavier and hitting harder.

 

[French Colonial]

I bought the .54 simply because with the same outer barrel profile the .54 would be lighter and easier to carry for an old guy.

I am very pleased with my decision, I have a slew of different calibers so that did not play into the decision.

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

I hunted with a 50 for decades. Then built a 54. The 50 now sits at home.

 

[TFoley]

If you are a hunter, in my opinion a 54 will be lighter and balance a bit better than a 50.

Yup, the hole is bigger.

 

[Philip Chua]

Yup, the hole is bigger.

That’s what she said

 

[Robin101]

I'd probably go the other way and get a .45, oh, and in the 'Southern Mountain Rifle' model. Excellent styling, light, and will take anything W.Va has to offer.
Robin

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Due to the weight and balance..... Id choose
.54 for hunting and overall use
.....50 for punching paper.
I have the .54

 

[Daveboone]

I love my fifties for the target range, but .54 definitely has an edge when hunting. Not to stir the pot more....I love my .58 Colonial...it handles like a wand, and ....58 trumps (no pun intended) .54 ....but drops faster.

 

[Freedom]

I love my fifties for the target range, but .54 definitely has an edge when hunting. Not to stir the pot more....I love my .58 Colonial...it handles like a wand, and ....58 trumps (no pun intended) .54 ....but drops faster.

Actually your 58cal roundball has a higher ballistic coefficient than a smaller ball , so it will not drop as fast as a 50 or 54cal ball.
The Colonial's long 44" barrel is very efficient at using powder, so velocity is quite ample.
100 grains of powder will yield a velocity of 1825 fps. Adding 10 more grains of powder raises velocity to 1850fps.
Reoil with the 58cal does gets tiresome after shooting 30 or 40 shots....but it shoots excellent with 45 grains of powder so....

No doubt, the 54cal woods-runner would be my choice. @Philip Chua

 

[2 shots]

go ahead try something new..........54

 

[Philip Chua]

Thank you folks! Placed an order for the Woodrunner in maple and 54 from the ships now page!

 

[rp77469]

Obviously the .54. You need an reason for a new bag, horn, starter, etc to go with a new riflegun anyway.

 

[Philip Chua]

Obviously the .54. You need an reason for a new bag, horn, starter, etc to go with a new riflegun anyway.

Now that's my kind of thinking. I have bought reloading dies and then later found a rifle to validate their existence.