Ordered a longrifle from Kibler

[Kirkschopped67]

I ordered a longrifle kit from Jim Kibler today. Jim said I could expect to receive it sometime around August. I did ask him about ordering one of his custom made rifles, and he said he was a little more than 3 years out. At this time he is not taking any more custom orders. I told him I would check back next year to get on his list. I would like to own a rifle built by him in the future.

My plan will be to harvest a Black Bear in Alaska next May with this flintlock.

Kirk

 

[Capt. Jas.]

You did well!

 

[Silky921]

Sounds like a heck of a fun plan!

 

[fleener]

The largest kit he sells is in .40 cal.

You planning on shooting a bear with a .40 cal or smaller rifle?

Fleener

 

[varsity07840]

The largest kit he sells is in .40 cal.

You planning on shooting a bear with a .40 cal or smaller rifle?

Fleener

DITTO

Duane

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

The largest kit he sells is in .40 cal.

You planning on shooting a bear with a .40 cal or smaller rifle?

Good call. Alaska requires .45 cal. muzzleloader minimum for big game such as black bear.


http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildliferegulations.hunting

 

[wattlebuster]

You go with walnut or maple?

 

[Major Dorman]

The largest kit he sells is in .40 cal.

You planning on shooting a bear with a .40 cal or smaller rifle?

Fleener

He has a .45 kit that he just started offering. I ordered one a few weeks ago.

 

[Vaino]

Jim Kibler evidently is an enterprising, business astute builder who understands what a certain segment of builders want and might just revolutionize the parts sets {kit} business.

I don't think he's only going w/ his SMR parts set, because once he discovers how successful it is, will introduce other styles.

The many suppliers of parts sets should take notice because it could greatly affect their business. CNC machining is very exact and things that are impossible w/ profiling are possible w/ CNC.

Those wanting more of a challenge will choose more labor intensive parts sets or start from a blank, which are cheaper because addt'l labor is req'd. This is what I would do, but I might just buy a parts set from Jim just to experience how easy an assembly it really is.

Kibler's entrance into the parts set market should cause an increase in MLing interest which is welcomed.....Fred

 

[MSW]

congrats on your new purchase ... keep us posted on the progress, and we love photos, so send in lots of photos!

good luck with your project!

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
Jim Kibler's kit is outstanding. It is a good choice but it would not be my choice of caliber for hunting black bears. I worked for many years as a wildlife researcher in southeast Alaska, a very popular region for unguided, nonresident black bear hunters. We had many bears wounded by hunters who did not realize that it often takes 2 shots to kill the bear without it running off great distances. If hunting in the temperate rainforests of southeast Alaska, you often don't see bears for very long so perfect shot placement can be a challenge. Of course baiting bears during the spring is legal, which may improve your chances of getting a good shot if you go that route. In addition, many hunters unfamiliar with the region, are reluctant to hunt down wounded bears within the forest. They simply go and find another bear to shoot. If you intend to hire a guide, he or she will shoot immediately after you fire to insure the bear is killed. If you are using a 45 cal, that might be the best strategy for you and the bear.

dave

 

[Chowmif16]

I would second Dave's comments regarding black bear hunting in Alaska.
Having lived in Alaska for 6 years and bear hunted, .45 may be a legal caliber, but I don't really think it's a great choice.

Chowmi

 

[dave_person]

Hi Chowmi,
Welcome fellow ex-Alaskan.

dave

 

[mooman76]

You might want to check on getting real BP up in Alaska also. It can be difficult to impossible if you don't have a source in advance.

 

[varsity07840]

The largest kit he sells is in .40 cal.

You planning on shooting a bear with a .40 cal or smaller rifle?

Fleener

He has a .45 kit that he just started offering. I ordered one a few weeks ago.

I know this is probably going to snowball, but IMHOP unless you're using a fast twist .45 with a long heavy bullet as in a Gibbs, Volunteer or Whitworth, you're under gunned. Yes, I know the story of the Eskimo gal and the .22 short.

 

[fleener]

I have really been tempted to buy a kit from Kibler as well. If I did not have a rifle in .54 cal on order from Mitch Yates, I would spend some of the money I have saved for one of those rifles.

fleener

 

[Chowmif16]

Kirk,
I didn't want to dissuade you from the Kibler rifle (in any caliber). I've ordered one in .36, and can't wait for it to arrive. Guys on other forums who have received their kits cannot stop talking about how great it is.

I do however, stand by my assertion that .45 is just not enough for a bear in AK. You might be able to do it with a conical or slug, but I would expect the rifling twist on that rifle is not conducive to that sort of projectile. You'd have to be pretty darn good/lucky to drop it with one shot, and if you don't... The bear is quite likely to make a break for it.

Dave,
Nice to hear from another AK ex-pat. Wish I had some property up there to go to every year.

Cheers,
Chowmi

 

[fleener]

Kirk

Perhaps you are a very seasoned bear hunter and you a lot of experience with bear hunting. If so, please discount my limited experience.

I have been on 2 black bear hunts. On my last one I shot a nice black bear with a .54 cal conical from about 20 yards. The bear took off like a race horse. We looked quite a while in the thick brush for the bear, never did find it. Spent several hours trying to find it over a few days.

I have also shot an interior grizzly with a 300 win mag. One well placed shot, two in the butt as it was running for the bush. Bear was dead after about 15 yards. The brush was so thick on both bears that I shot, you could not see them until you were on top of them.

If you have never been bear hunting, it is a little unnerving looking for something that you have shot, and wounded, and know that can also kill you.

It is good to find a dead bear.

fleener

 

[paradork]

I'm ordering a walnut stock in .36 or .32 tmrw. Learning toward .36 as strictly a tree rat gun.

 

[fleener]

I was just on his site again. It is really hard not to order a .40 cal. rifle from him. I suspect that I will be ordering one sometime soon. I got the itch and cant seem to shake it.

I think a walnut stock, with a poured nose cap would look good.

Perhaps I will simple tell my wife it is for her. Mothers day is coming up after all.

Fleener