I've enjoyed seeing the results of other folks' Kibler builds. I thought I'd share mine. It's a colonial rifle in .58 caliber. This has the Kibler lock and of course, the fit of barrel and parts was impeccable
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My Kibler Colonial Rifle
- Thread starter markh
- Start date
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Winchester97
40 Cal
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Excellent work! How does it shoot? Thinking of doing a .54 or .58 colonial myself. Currently 1/2 done with a .36 SMR from kibler, and already thinking of the next one.
Thanks much! It shoots well, probably a 3" group at 50 yards. I need to make some final sight adjustments and I want to experiment with a thicker patch too. I like the .58 as it is a bit lighter and I can use the same balls that my NW gun takes!
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Beautiful!
Nice job!!
If you are going to order a Colonial model, you will be happier with a .58. Mine weighs 8.6lbs. It will be heavier in any smaller caliber. MIne balances well, but it feels heavy until it gets to my shoulder.
Excellent job!!
I have a 58 Colonial on order now.
Don
I have a 58 Colonial on order now.
Don
Doc Ivory
45 Cal.
I have a Colonial on order as well though it's a 50 cal.
Beautiful gun!
Please tell me about your carving designs and experience as well as difficulty.
I am keen to try but feeling a lot of trepidation to take the plunge.
Please tell me about your carving designs and experience as well as difficulty.
I am keen to try but feeling a lot of trepidation to take the plunge.
Doc Ivory
45 Cal.
I keep coming back to look at your gun. Just amazing
What is the overall length of the Colonial?
Mine is 59.5 inches. The barrel is 44 inches.
So this was my first attempt at carving. My original intent with this kit was to leave it plain except for creating the lock panels. But after one look at the beautiful figure in the stock, I resolved to attempt relief carving and incised feature lines to add a little personal decorative element. (And BTW, that curly figure was on the plain stock option!)
So I spent a lot of time looking at original carving designs as well as carving on rifles featured on the Contemporary Makers blog. I picked a design that appealed to me; yet was simple enough that I thought I could pull it off.
I'd say drawing the design the stock was critical, whatever design you pick, you'll want to practice drawing it on paper and wood. Once drawn on I used a narrow chisel to stab in the design into the stock. I don't own any decent wood gouges so I used my chisels, needle files and believe it or not a couple dental picks to carve in the design.
I think my work was pretty simple, but I am happy with it. I would give relief carving a try. As many on this board have said, relief carving is more forgiving tha incised carving. I would agree with that. I was able to clean up tool slips etc pretty easily on the relief carving, but straightening out wayward incised lines raised the blood pressure a bit.
Thanks. My better half is gifting me a Kibler for Christmas (BIG surprise to me) and I need to see if it will fit in the Amish gun cabinet.
Well, Merry Christmas. What a great gift
You done did a fine job 
Now if you can’t get the groups any tighter...well...send her my way and i’ll take a very long time to make sure them holes are touching at 50!!!
Now if you can’t get the groups any tighter...well...send her my way and i’ll take a very long time to make sure them holes are touching at 50!!!- Joined
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great looking rifle - congrats!
hanshi
Cannon
Beautiful work.
Beautiful job! I have a Kibler colonial also, .54 cal smoothrifle! I've got it all together and now am taking it all apart to clean up the brass and start sanding. I too am wondering about relief carving, been practicing on scrap wood! It was good to hear you say that doing the carving wasn't as bad as you thought.
The fit of the parts is great like you said, I've built kits in the past and Kibler has them beat. I was getting ready to drill the lock and tap it when I realized it was already done!
Thanks. Yes give the relief carving a try
